Tourist Loses Leg Due to Road Rage Incident

On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, a British tourist was run over by a taxicab driver severing her leg. The accident first started due to a road rage incident between the taxicab driver and a cycling messenger. The 23 year-old was enjoying a hot dog by a fountain near the Rockefeller center on the first day of her vacation. That is when the taxicab driver accelerated during his road rage and ran over the young lady.

Witnesses of the accident came to help save her from a plumber to a hotdog stand worker. The plumber used his belt as a tourniquet to save her life while the hotdog stand owner put her foot into a bucket of ice. Television’s Dr. Oz came to the rescue as well and rushed to her aid. During the entire accident, the woman was conscious, but unable to speak. Half of her leg is missing while the other is mangled. Doctors worked desperately to reattach the leg, but were unable to.

According to the bicyclist, the accident occurred due to a road rage spat. Moments prior to the accident, the bicyclist reported telling the cab driver to slow down. Then the cab driver accelerated and the bicyclist landed onto of the cab and the cab rammed into the woman after losing control. The cab driver’s story conflicts with the bicycle rider. However, the cab driver has a history of driving violations and tickets.

The Dangers of Road Rage Accidents

Road rage incidents like the one described above can lead to accidents and injuries for innocent pedestrians and motorists nearby. When people are enraged, they are unable to think clearly and make aggressive decisions. It is best to always keep your calm while driving and refrain from doing anything you may regret.

Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know was injured in an accident by a road rage driver, contact a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney will work to earn you monetary compensation for your pain and suffering caused by the accident. Contact us today for a free review. 

Seven Relatives Killed in Collision with Big Rigs

Seven relatives have died after their Jeep SUV was crushed by two big rigs. The accident occurred in Indiana during a traffic backup on Thursday, August 15, 2013. According to police officials, there were three adults and four children in the vehicle.

The accident occurred when the Jeep stopped behind a tractor-trailer near a work zone. Then another tractor-trailer behind the Jeep failed to stop. The trailer rammed into the Jeep, causing the front portion of the SUV to be plowed into the front semi truck. Consequently, the Jeep burst into flames and caught the trucks ablaze.

The car was so severely mangled and burned that it had to be sent to the fire department to remove the victims. According to news reports, the victims are all related to each other, but the exact relation is currently unknown. Alcohol or drugs do not seem to be a factor in the accident. One truck driver was injured while the other one was not. The ages of the victims range from 3 years to 49.

The Dangers of Trucking Accidents

Trucking is a major industry all over the nation. You will constantly see large vehicles like big rigs and semi trucks on the road. Unfortunately, these vehicles are a huge safety concern for drivers everywhere. When a truck driver fails to brake on time or runs a red light, a severe accident can occur.

In the story described above, the truck driver failed to stop on time and consequently, killed 7 people. When an 80,000 pound truck rams into a 2,000 pound car, the chances of the passengers being injured are great. As a result, truck drivers need to be safer and operate their vehicles in a manner that protects the lives of others.

Speak to a Personal Injury Accident Attorney

If you or someone else were severely injured in a truck accident, you should consult with a personal injury accident attorney immediately. A personal injury accident attorney will work to earn you monetary compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free consultation. 

Drunk Driver Causes Terrifying Rampage

In San Antonio, Texas, a white pickup truck driver was driving into anything and everything. Witnesses saw the driver was even doing donuts during rush hour traffic. One witness reported that the driver looked like he was trying to kill anybody. Some employees for a nearby restaurant caught sight of the incident.

Then, the driver of the pickup truck slammed another truck into a Blockbuster Video store. According to one witness, the driver slammed it three times until the truck finally rammed inside of the store. The owner of the truck that was being rammed into was inside the blockbuster along with her family. In total, the driver of the white pickup truck slammed into several cars, a sign, a tree, and the video store.

One witness said that truck driver made eye contact with her and drive toward her, but she moved out of the way. The car finally stopped when it was too damaged and could not move any further. The truck driver finally waited in his car for police to arrive and arrest him. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital for a broken collar. According to police, he was under the influence of prescription narcotics. The driver was charged for driving under the influence.

The Dangers of Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence does not just consist of alcohol; it also consists of prescription drugs. Drugs can be truly detrimental to one’s brain and cause the same disorienting effects as alcohol. People should not drive after taking prescription medications that may affect their focus or cause them to be sleepy. Talk to your doctor about your medications if you are unsure if they are safe to drive with.

Speak to a Personal Injury Accident Attorney

It may be in your best interest to speak to a personal injury accident attorney if you were injured by an impaired driver. A personal injury accident attorney will work to win you a large lawsuit settlement in order to compensate for all your financial and physical losses including lost wages, pain, and medical expenses. Contact us today. 

Party Bus Driver Faces Multiple Charges After Fatal Collision

In Palo Alto, California, a party bus driver caused an accident on Sunday, August, 11, 2013. The accident killed one person and took place around 10 PM. The accident happened when the 43 year-old driver veered off the freeway near Alphine Road. As a result, the driver hit a tree. The impact was so strong that a part of the vehicle sheared off. The vehicle was a Chevrolet 3500 van that was transformed into a party bus.

One of the passengers who was wearing a seat belt was found dead. The driver of the van fled the scene after the accident. He later wandered the area and officers took him to a nearby hospital to check for injuries. They later found that he was the driver of the bus.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident. Police officers and investigators are still trying to piece together what happened. However, the driver does face multiple charges including manslaughter and felony driving under the influence.

Drunk Driving and Fleeing the Scene

Today, party buses are a popular form of transporting a large group of people who are celebrating. Unfortunately, this method of transportation is extremely dangerous as it has been the cause of numerous accidents. Sometimes, people will be intoxicated on the bus and fall out during heavy traffic. Other times, the loud music and drunken banter from passengers can distract the driver and cause an accident.

In the story described above, the driver took part in the festivities on the bus and endangered the safety of the passengers. Numerous injuries and accidents can occur on a party bus and passengers and drivers should be aware of the dangers involved.

Speak to a Personal Injury DUI Attorney

Criminal charges can be held against the bus owner when injuries occur. If you were injured while on a party bus or injured due to a drunk driver, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. You may be entitled to a large settlement award for your pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free and confidential review of your case. 

School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI

On Thursday, August 8, 2013, police officers received a report about a school bus that was swerving on the road. Shortly after, police officers left to investigate the scene. The intoxicated bus driver caused an accident as he drove a bus into a boat while four students were seated in his vehicle.  

The 74 year-old man was heading to their school at around 7 am. When the officers found the bus, they initiated the bus to stop. The driver attempted to pull over, but ended up hitting a trailer and a boat.  The police department notified the parents of the students about the incident and had them transported to school.

While the accident does not appear to be related to alcohol, the police officers do believe he was under the influence of an intoxicant. The driver failed a sobriety test and was arrested. He was later released after posting bail. Police are still investigating the incident. Many are thankful to the citizens who contacted the police as a greater accident could have occurred had they not stepped forward and informed officers.

Bus Driving Accidents

Bus driving accidents take place frequently and leave many in danger. Surprisingly, a common cause of bus accidents is human error. Sometimes the bus driver will make poor decisions and accidently run a red light or stop too late and accidently rear-end another vehicle. In other instances, the bus driver may be under the influence of alcohol or medication and fail to properly pay attention to the road.

In recent news, one bus driver caused an accident as he was texting on the phone at the same time and caused an accident that killed a nine-month old baby girl. Many bus drivers may act irresponsibly and their actions cause accidents and injuries.

Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know was recently injured by a negligent bus driver, you should consult with a personal injury accident attorney immediately. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you may be awarded a large settlement for your pain and suffering caused by the accident.

A Pileup of 41 Vehicles Leaves 10 People Injured

In Lexington, Virginia, a two car accident escalated to a pileup with 41 vehicles. The accident was caused by a combination of factors including torrential rain and speed. The accident left as many as ten people injured. Of the accident were 6 tractor-trailers.

The accident first occurred when one vehicle was blocking the median and another vehicle was partially blocking one lane. Due to the downpour, it was very difficult for cars to see ahead of them. The rain limited drivers’ inability to see past 20 feet. To make matters worse, cars may have been speeding making it more difficult to stop on time.

Due to the accident, traffic was backed up for several hours and all lanes were closed. None of the injuries were life-threatening, but two of the ten injured had to be transported to the hospital via helicopter. According to police officers, some truck drivers veered off the road and overturned in order to avoid hitting other vehicles. This maneuver helped saved lives as an 80,000 lb. truck ramming into a 2,000 lb. car can leave serious injuries for the passengers in the vehicle.

Common Car Accident Causes

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Drowsy or fatigued driving
• Distracted driving that may include texting or talking on the phone, browsing the web, applying makeup while driving, or doing anything that takes your attention off the road
• Taking drowsy medication before driving

Injuries That May Be Sustained

•           Broken bones and fractures
•           Cuts and scrapes
•          Traumatic brain injury and head trauma
•          Spinal cord and back injury
•          Whiplash and neck injuries
•          Bruises

Speak to a Personal Injury Car Accident Attorney

If you or someone you know was recently injured in a car accident by an irresponsible driver, you should contact our personal injury attorneys today. Our personal injury attorneys will work to earn you monetary compensation for your pain and suffering caused by the negligent driver. For a free and confidential consultation, call our law offices today. We will work to maximize your settlement award. 

Family Wins $1.75 Million for Excessive Force Personal Injury Lawsuit

Due to a federal civil rights lawsuit the city of Seattle will have to pay one family $1.75 million. The lawsuit was filed by the father of a mentally ill man who was mistreated by the Seattle police. The man suffered severe head trauma as the police held him down, made him choke on his own vomit and blood and handcuffed and gagged him. The settlement is one of the largest the city has ever paid for excessive-force claims. The second largest settlement was $1.5 million that was given because a police officer fatally shot another man.

The accident occurred when the parents of the mentally ill man called police. The schizophrenic man was having a mental break down so his parents called police officers in order to calm him down. However, the officers decided to arrest him due to an outstanding misdemeanor warrant that the man had. According to officers, the man was cooperative. When the officers grabbed the man, however, a brawl ensued and several officers arrived to get a hold of the man.

The 45 year-old mentally ill man suffered severe injuries from police. He was elbowed in the face, tased twice, and handcuffed. The police officers even placed a mesh over his head to prevent getting bodily fluids on the officers. At one point, several officers held him face-down onto the floor to the extent that the mesh filled with blood and vomit. According to the family’s attorney, several officers knelt on the man’s chest making it impossible for him to breathe.

Witnesses at the scene said that the police officers’ actions were very excessive. One even said that the officers threw him face down on a backboard. It is estimated that after 20 minutes of the struggle, the man stopped breathing. He was hospitalized for several weeks at a nearby medical center.

Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s reports, the police department often used excessive force when handling mentally ill or intoxicated individuals. If you suffered excessive force or injury from a police officer, security guard, or any individual, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement for your pain and suffering. Contact us today. 

A Motorcycle Rider Dies During Big Rig Crash

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013, a motorcycle rider died in a crash involving a big rig. The accident took place around 2 PM on northbound highway 99 near westbound highway 120. According to police officials, a motorcycle rider on a 2013 Harley-Davidson was on the westbound ramp when it tried to pass up a truck and drove onto the right side dirt shoulder. Unfortunately, the rider was unable to see a guardrail in front of him. He attempted to avoid it, but ended up colliding between the guard rail and the tractor-trailer.

Police believe that the truck driver may have not even known that he collided with the motorcycle rider. The truck did not stop after running over the motorcycle rider. Consequently, the motorcycle rider died at the scene of the crime. The ramp was also shut down for a couple hours so investigators could research the crash.

The CHP is currently trying to determine the driver of the truck that was involved. According to witnesses, the big rig had a brown container. The motorcycle rider was a 30 year-old male from Modesto, California. The CHP encourages anyone with information regarding the accident to contact their office.  

Reckless Motorcycle Riding

Whether you are a motorcycle rider or a vehicle driver, it is important to drive safely in order to prevent accidents and injuries. In the story described above, the rider should not have entered the shoulder lane in order to pass up the truck. In many instances, drivers will try to cut off other vehicles or recklessly weave in and out of lanes. Unnecessary lane changing and cutting off cars is dangerous. In addition, drivers should refrain switching multiple lanes at once.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know were recently harmed by a reckless driver or motorcycle rider, you should consult with a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney will work to earn you a substantial settlement for your pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free and confidential review of your claim. We will work diligently to maximize your compensation. 

Seven Year-Old Dies in Collision with Dump Truck

On Monday, May 20, 2013, a seven year old boy was killed by a dump truck in Westfield, Massachusetts. The accident occurred around 3:30 PM when the young boy was riding his bicycle with his mother. The area is known for children and teens hanging out and riding their bikes. One witness said that the driver kept honking at the little boy, but he continued to pedal to cross faster. Unfortunately, the young boy was struck by the large truck.

Another witness said that they always see trucks speed by and that no one follows the speed limit. The witness continued to report that this isn’t the first time you see trucks moving up and down at that speed. Police officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.  

Speeding as a Dangerous Factor

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines a collision as being related to speed if the driver was traveling at speeds higher than the legal limit or too fast for conditions. Unfortunately, speed is a dangerous factor, especially in areas populated by many young pedestrians. Many people often speed because:

•          They’re rushing to get somewhere
•          They’re not paying attention
•          They are not obeying the rules of the road
•          They do not take traffic laws seriously
•          They don’t believe their driving to be dangerous
•          They don’t think they are going to get caught

Unfortunately, this dangerous driving practice leads to numerous deaths every year. According to the National Safety Council, over 13,000 people die every year due to speeding. Speeding is also a factor in work zone crashes and fatalities. Speed was a factor in about 27 percent of fatal crashes in construction and maintenance zones in 2005.

Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a family member were injured by a speeding driver, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney from the Rawa Law Group will work zealously to earn you the monetary compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering caused by a negligent driver. Contact us today. 

SUV Strikes and Kills 5 Year-Old Boy

On the afternoon of April 5, 2013, a sports utility vehicle crashed into a 5 year-old Azusa boy. The collision occurred near Arrow Highway around 1:30 PM. The 5 year-old boy was walking with his father and 3 year-old sister who was in a stroller. According to the police sergeant, the boy darted into the street.

Unfortunately, a driver in a Jeep Cherokee failed to see the boy and swerved. However, the driver was unable to avoid him and hit him. The jeep then collided into a curb. The boy was thrown several feet due to the impact. Neither the father nor sister was injured. The boy was taken to a nearby medical center by helicopter in critical condition. He later died at the hospital due to his injuries. 

Contributing Factors and Causes

Every day, numerous pedestrians are injured due to traffic accidents. Pedestrian injuries can take place as a result of numerous factors such as:

•          Location type: if you are walking in a busier and crowded street
•          Time of occurrence: if you are walking at night time and it is difficult to see crossing pedestrians
•          Driving under the influence: if a driver is impaired due to alcohol or drugs and injures a pedestrian as a result
•          Rate of speed: if the driver of the vehicle is unable to stop quickly enough due to accelerating at high speeds

Pedestrian Statistics

Read the following statistics to understand the gravity and harm that pedestrians face today:

•          According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,280 pedestrians died in car accidents in 2010- this is a 4% increase from the number of deaths reported in 2009.
•          It is estimated that in 2010 alone, about 70,000 pedestrians were injured. Of those, about 14,000 were children age 14 and younger.

Pedestrians suffer injury frequently due to car accidents. As pedestrians, we must remember to always be conscious of nearby vehicles and look both ways before crossing the street. Drivers should also remember to refrain from texting while driving or being inattentive to the road as this may also cause accidents injuring pedestrians.

Personal Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know suffered a pedestrian injury due to another driver, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. A personal injury attorney will work to earn you monetary compensation for your pain and suffering. 

Accidents Could Cause Brain Injuries

One of the most fragile parts of our body is the human brain.  Despite a sense of extreme resilience, a traumatic brain injury can be quite damaging.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1.7 million Americans suffer from a traumatic brain injury every year.  Of these people who have suffered a brain injury, they are caused by the following sources:

• Slip and fall 35.2%
• Traffic accidents 17.3%
• Struck by an object 16.5%
• Assault and battery 10%

As these figures suggest, traumatic events such as accidents can leave lasting impressions on a person, notably in the form of a traumatic brain injury. Because no two brain injuries are alike, the symptoms and varied trauma could produce very different consequences for accident victims.

Symptoms of Brain Injury

Brain injuries fall into a sliding scale of physical and physiological effects.  Depending on the severity of symptoms, a brain injury could be classified as mild, moderate, or severe.  A traumatic brain injury, for example, is severe.  If you have suffered an accident, you could be experiencing signs of brain injury which could include: 

• loss of consciousness
• loss of motor skills
• headache
• concentration or memory difficulties
• nausea or vomiting
• slurred speech
• numbness in your extremities
• seizures, convulsions
• fluids draining from your nose or ears (clear fluids which could be mistaken for a runny nose)

Accident victims should take special care to see a doctor immediately after an accident.  If you have experienced these symptoms, you could have suffered a brain injury, which would require medical treatment. Following a diagnosis of brain injury, you should contact a skilled personal injury attorney in order to recover the damages you need to pay your medical bills. When you contact a personal injury attorney, they can help you to recover monetary compensation to help you. 

Pedestrians are at Serious Risk of Pedestrian Accidents

When you renew your license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), they like to remind you that driving your automobile is a privilege, not a right.  They also like to remind you that you need to be diligent in order to prevent auto accidents.  In order to prevent accidents, we place the blame squarely on drivers who are operating these machines that weigh tons. But do pedestrians have a duty to take certain steps to protect themselves from accidents as well?

Every year, there are thousands of auto accidents across the United States.  Of those, when a car tangles with a pedestrian, it can cause devastation for a pedestrian.  Pedestrian accidents can be horrific, life altering, and even fatal.  Despite this harsh reality, many pedestrians take a cavalier attitude about their safety, assuming that they won't experience a pedestrian accident.  Unfortunately, the reality is that they could potentially experience a pedestrian accident at any moment that could end their life. 

The Danger of Pedestrian Accidents

As pedestrians, we often stride confidently into intersections, secure in the knowledge that we have the right of way.  But ask yourself if having that right of way will save your life and protect you from a pedestrian accident.  We do not live in a protective bubble and cannot protect ourselves adequately from distracted drivers who may run a light, gun their car, lose control of the vehicle, or worse. When pedestrians experience an accident with a vehicle, they could experience the following injuries:

• back and neck injury
• spinal cord and disc injuries
• severe burns
• amputation
• internal organ damage
• internal bleeding
• broken bones, fractures
• paralysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia
• death

Pedestrian accidents can be horrific.  Often, these injuries could grow worse over time as well. In order to protect oneself, pedestrians are encouraged to be smart and try to protect themselves by not taking unnecessary risks, to watch where you're walking, wear light clothing at night, and to follow the rules of the road. 

If you have suffered a pedestrian accident, your entire life could have been forever altered.  Your injuries could be severe and lasting. You should seek immediate medical care and talk to a skilled personal injury attorney.  When you consult with a personal injury attorney, you can trust that your pedestrian accident will be treated with the sensitivity and care that it deserves. Obtain the relief you need from your pedestrian accident. 

Avoid Injuries in Poor Weather Conditions

Last night in Orange County, a driver died in Santa Ana when his car struck a tree.  His injuries were severe because he lost control of his vehicle in the rain.  Unable to recover on this wide 3 lane road, the driver struck a tree, finally succumbing to his injuries and dying. 

As the rains begin in Spring showers in the Southland, it's important to be aware of the impact that weather such as rain can have on road conditions.  Weather could account for poor road conditions, limited visibility, and hinder your ability to operate your car safely.  In poor weather, it's important to know how to protect yourself from injuries and car crashes. 

Avoid Injuries and Drive Safely in Poor Weather

When the weather is poor, it's important to drive safely in order to prevent any potential injuries. Since most drivers in Southern California aren't used to driving in terrible weather, we must be careful to take extra precautions.  This includes the following attempts to prevent injury and stay in control of your vehicle:

• keep your vehicle's safety equipment in service and up to date
• remember to wear your seatbelt at all times
• keep your view unobstructed by obstacles in your vehicle
• reduce your speed in poor weather to ensure you keep control of the vehicle
• use your turn signals so you don't cut off drivers who are also experiencing poor visibility
• use your bright lights to see through the darkness caused by dark rain clouds or fog
• brake early and often to keep in control

If you feel yourself losing control of a vehicle and crashing, keep calm.  If you are injured, call 911 to obtain medical attention for your injuries.  And wait for the police to help you and to investigate. Collect as much evidence as you can about witnesses and road conditions.  If you feel your accident was the fault of another person's negligence or carelessness, call a skilled personal injury attorney for help today.

FDA Rejects Potential Menopause Drugs to Protect Women

When it comes to menopause, women are offered few options to obtain relief from hot flashes and hormonal changes which can wreak havoc on the body.  Recently, 2 medications were introduced that offered hope for non- hormonal treatment of hot flashes.  But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shot them down.  The FDA's advisory committee for reproductive health drugs found that these 2 drugs offered little benefit over a placebo, only marginally reducing hot flashes in patients.  It seems menopausal women are going to have to obtain relief elsewhere- with home remedies, herbal supplements, or hormonal therapy.  However, are menopausal women at risk for injury from existing treatments?  Is there a need for better treatments that won't cause injury? 

Is there a Risk of Injury to Consumers

Menopausal women are often at a loss when it comes to treating symptoms such as hot flashes.  Previously, hormonal therapy was considered a life saver.  Doctors would prescribe progesterone and estrogen to menopausal women, providing relief from hot flashes.  However, a study in 2002 entitled the Women's Health Initiative found that the increased use of these hormones could be responsible for increased cardiovascular problems and breast cancer.  This combination hormone therapy has since fallen out of favor among women concerned that they may face these serious injuries. 

Many doctors and advocates for reproductive treatments claim that there is a great need for treatments which will bring menopausal women relief without the risk for injury.  Often, these same advocates cite the ineffectiveness of home remedies and herbal treatments.  Crying out for new medications, these advocates have often pushed the FDA to investigate new medications which could provide relief to menopausal women. However, the FDA takes the strong position that they will not budge on risking injury to consumers in favor of approving only marginally effective medications.

As this continues to develop, reproductive health advocates will continue to monitor treatment options and their safety.  Had the FDA approved drugs due to the pressure of patient advocates and not according to their own safety guidelines, there is a potential that women may have faced a risk for injury. As skilled personal injury attorneys, we would rather the FDA stick to their guns and protect women from injury than to fold to pressure. 

Monster Energy to Change Label

After increased speculation into dietary supplements continues, Monster Energy Drinks has announced they will be relabeling their drinks as traditional drinks, not energy supplements.  Industry watchers have begun  to question whether this also means Monster will be reducing the amount of caffeine in their beverages.  Recently, tests have shown a 24 oz.  can of Monster energy drink contains as much as 270 mg of caffeine, which has been widely criticized following recent youths' deaths. 


Are Energy Drinks Safe?

Following recent high profile deaths attributed to energy drinks, many consumers have questioned whether energy drinks are safe or whether they can similarly expect to be injured consuming these beverages.  Concerns have often centered on caffeine toxicity concerns, which have been attributed to the following injuries:

• increased heart beats
• irregular heart beats
• vomiting, sweating, nausea
• dizziness, loss of balance
• anxiety, stress
• cardiac arrest

According to hospital staff, they have seen a marked increase in youths in the emergency room with symptoms of caffeine toxicity.  Thought to be because of these widely available energy drinks, thousands of youths end up injured and in the hospital every year due to caffeine toxicity. 

If you have been injured consuming these caffeinated energy drinks, you should preserve your rights and call a product liability and personal injury attorney today. 

FL School Shooting Raises Questions of Acceptable Violence and Injury

It used to be that schools were considered some of the safest places, facilities where parents sent their children to learn.  These days, it appears schools are turning into the wild wild west.  After violent school shootings and mass injuries and deaths have ripped through the American consciousness, more violence has happened.  At Florida's Atlantic University, the police have shot and wounded a homeless man who was on the roof of a building and brandishing a knife.

Are Students at Risk of Injury from Violence at School

What's shocking about this police shooting is that it appears to come at the apex to some difficult debates raging in America.  On the one hand, mental health advocates are insisting upon health care options for the mentally ill who are accused of committing the crimes that have injured so many students and teachers. On another hand, debates rage across the country on how best to stop violence in the schools that injure staff and students.  And in various regions, debates on police brutality rage on.  

It seems that in response to a homeless man flailing about with a knife on the roof of a building, shooting the man might have been a bit egregious.  Police are quick to point out that the research facility was on an end of campus that was pretty isolated. They further assert that there was zero danger of injury to staff or students.  If this is so, why did the police shoot the homeless man? Couldn't they have tased him instead to subdue him? Why did they have to injure the homeless man with a bullet wound to subdue him? 

Perhaps what's telling is the apparent overzealous response to potential violence on campus.  The climate around violence on school campuses is super charged, electric.  The thought of parading more injured school children and staff on television is too much for law enforcement to bear.  But did the homeless man with a knife deserve to be shot and injured?

These violent actions are a concern for community members across the nation. As these violent outbursts seem to increase, the answers remain few and the questions grow larger and more numerous.  While we cannot say for certain the causes behind this violent behavior, we can control our responses.  This shooting appeared excessive on many levels and could have injured children.  If you or your loved one suffers an injury on campus, you should immediately call a skilled personal injury attorney to obtain help.

Extreme Sport Competitor Nearly Dies, Lesson to Consumers on Danger for Injury

Extreme sports has become wildly popular among sports lovers.  There's something about the thrill of jumps, spins, turns, and the human desire to defy gravity that attracts millions of people to a variety of high energy and high octane sports.  This includes not only snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding, but also higher energy sports such as bmx riding and even snowmobiling.  However, a recent accident at the X Games in Aspen has shown just how dangerous and rife with injury these high octane sports can be.  

Competitor Caleb Moore failed to complete a dare devil spin off of a 70 foot ramp with a 450 pound snowmobile beneath him.  The snowmobile dug into the ramp and Moore flew over the handlebars headfirst into the snow, injuring himself in the process. As a result, his severe injuries have left him fighting for his life in a nearby Colorado hospital. 

The Dangers Extreme Sports Pose 

Extreme sports can be extremely dangerous and rife with injury.  When consumers watch these sports on the television or online and then attempt to recreate these stunts, often they injure themselves severely.  

In Moore's case, viewers only saw him carried off the course, injured with a concussion.  What they may fail to hear later or see later, is that his injuries worsened as he experienced a traumatic brain injury and bleeding around his heart which has necessitated surgery.  Doctors and family members are certain he may succumb to his severe injuries and die.  Moore would be the first death in the history of the X Games. 

When viewers engage in these extreme sports, they could be taking their lives in their hands and risking injuries such as:

• broken bones and fractures
• internal organ damage
• traumatic brain injuries
• back and neck injuries
• spinal cord injuries
• coma
• severe burns
• death

These injuries could be life altering.  If you have been injured in an extreme sport, please get medical help.  And then call a skilled personal injury attorney today.

Super Bowl Sunday Responsible for Huge Gains in Drunk Driving Accidents

Every Super Bowl Sunday, football fans congregate to watch the game, have a couple of drinks, and enjoy their company.  But did you know that this time honored tradition could also be one of your last?  According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, Super Bowl Sunday is also the "Super Bowl" of accidents.  According to their data, Super Bowl Sunday is responsible for 75% more drunk driving related accidents in California.

The Data Supporting the Super Bowl Sunday Statistics

According to the Automobile Club of Southern California, this 75% increase in accidents represents a significant increase from years prior.  In 2004, the organization released a study tracking California drunk driving accidents from 1994 to 2002, finding these accidents were 41% more likely to happen on Super Bowl Sunday.  In a recent update to that study, the Automobile Club of Southern California found that between the years 2002-2011, there were a staggering 642 alcohol- related car crashes in California on game day.  If alcohol were not a significant factor, then there would be approximately 276 fewer car crashes on that Sunday.  It's clear that because of the nature of the big game and the frequency of the hosted parties which included alcohol, there are significantly higher amounts of car crashes. 

The Danger of Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can be extremely dangerous to not only the driver of the vehicle, but also to other motorists.  When a driver gets behind the wheel of an automobile after drinking, he or she takes others' lives in their hands.  Even if the drunk driver doesn't kill other motorists, he or she runs the risk of injuring others including: 

• broken bones, fractures
• internal organ damage
• severe burns
• traumatic brain injury
• spinal cord injury
• back injury
• blindness
• paraplegia
• quadriplegia
• coma
• death

Drunk driving accidents can change someone's life in the blink of an eye.  This game day, make sure you have a sober driver or a cab lined up if you drink.  If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, please get medical attention on scene.  And call a skilled personal injury attorney to preserve your rights and to obtain the compensation you deserve.  

Study Reveals Less Invasive Cancer Treatments Prolong Patient Life

To many women, when they hear a diagnosis of breast cancer, they immediately become fearful that it's a death sentence.  This can lead to hasty decision making and confusion over which is a better treatment for the disease. A new study released by researchers at Duke University covering a 10 year span has identified that less radical treatments could in fact be better for women's health and survival rates overall.  


Duke's Study Focusing on Women's Cancer Survival Rates

Duke's researchers conducted quite a lengthy study on cancer survival rates among approximately 112,154 women with cancer. Depending upon the treatment selected, women experienced differing survival rates.  

This study concluded that merely having a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous cells instead of a radical mastectomy can increase a patient's odds of survival by as much as 13-19%.  These women were also found to be 1/5 less likely to die of other causes such as heart disease.  This finding is contrary to what doctors often tell patients, often opting to advise women that removing the entire breast would offer patients a better chance of survival if they got rid of all the potentially affected tissue. 

The researchers at Duke had hoped that this study would open up doctors to pursuing less radical and potentially less invasive treatments.  As debate opens up around these treatments, these researchers are advocating radiotherapy as an alternative to radical mastectomy. Perhaps this treatment can increase the odds of surviving cancer beyond the 5 year mark, which is at 80% today. 

If you're concerned about cancer treatments, you should consult your physician regarding your best treatment.  If you feel you have been advised wrong, you might want to call a skilled personal injury attorney for the help you need.

Snowsports like Skiing and Snowboarding Put You at Risk for Injury

Every winter season, millions of people will grab their warm clothes and hit the mountains across America in order to ski, snowboard, or even tube down the snowy mountain.  But as fun as participating in these sports can be, they can also be quite dangerous.  Every year, thousands of people injure themselves in a variety of ways, either due to their own negligence, or due to unsafe conditions, negligent actions of others, or due to failures of their equipment. 

How are People at Risk for Injury Doing Snow Sports

As snowboarding has become more popular over the years, it has attracted more youth to the sport and many adults.  Rates of participation in snowboarding have gone up while skiing participation has gone down.  As expected, given these differences, rates of skiing injuries have halved.  However, snowboarding injuries have doubled from 3.37 injuries per 1,000 visits in 1990 to 7 injuries in 1,000 visits in 2001.

When people are injured participating in snow sports, they commonly experience the following injuries:

·         Head injuries, concussions

·         Broken bones and fractures, including the common mid tibia fracture

·         Knee injuries, including torn ACL’s

·         Spinal cord injuries

·         Back and neck injuries

·         Suffocation due to falling into deep snow banks

·         Death

When participants die during snow sports activities, this commonly occurs on faster runs where the average speed of skiers and snowboarders varies between 25mph to 45mph.  Often, other snowboarders or skiers lack the kind of control that is necessary to ensure the safety of others and instead negligently create accidents that could kill someone. 

How You Can Try to Prevent Injuries

If you’re going to go skiing or snowboarding, there are a number of ways you can try to ensure both your own safety and the safety of others on the mountain.  It is important to think about safety as you could literally end someone’s life, including your own, if you don’t take the proper precautions.  These include:

·         Checking that your gear is working properly

·         Taking lessons if you are not sure of how to operate the equipment

·         Resting on the side of the mountain instead of in the middle of a run

·         Paying close attention to where you are going and where people in front of you are going

·         Not stabbing people with poles and other parts of your gear

·         Reducing your speed to ensure safety on the mountain

·         Ensuring you don’t drink too much or use drugs before getting on the mountain

·         Use the lap bar on the chair lift

·         Don’t attempt to use the chair lift in an unsafe manner

·         Staying on the path and not wandering off path into heavily forested areas or rocky areas

Winter sports can be extremely fun and satisfying, but they also represent many opportunities for injuries.  If you’ve suffered an injury engaging in these fun sports, you may be entitled to compensation.  Call a skilled personal injury attorney today to find out.