Studies Show Dangers of Loose Objects In Automobiles

Recent studies have shown that many drivers are increasing the risk of injury or death in automobile accidents by leaving items unsecured. Safety expert, Sean Kane of Safety Research and Strategies, told Good Morning America that ordinary objects in cars and trucks are responsible for 13,000 injuries each year. Those half-filled water bottles, canned goods, lab tops could all become dangerous projectiles when hurling through the air during collisions. At 55 miles per hour, a 20-pound object hits with 1,000 pounds of force -- so powerful that a suitcase can literally seer the arm of a crash test dummy. Sadly, many drivers are completely oblivious to the dangers until it is too late, as was the case for Heather Storey. Heather was driving her car in 2009 when she was hit by a tow truck. Subsequently, Heather’s computer turned into a deadly projectile and flew into her head and neck causing horrific fatal AutomobileAccident Lawyer Milwaukee that she succumbed to. 

A recent segment of Good Morning America offered several tips for protecting yourself and your passengers. First, drivers should only pack items in the truck or cargo area of their vehicle, where they are less likely to intrude into the passenger compartments. If your car has a cargo area, utilize the cargo nets, anchors, and tethers to secure the cargo. Perhaps most importantly, if it is not important to your drive, leave the object at home. This gives people a good reason to clean out their AutomobilePersonal Injury Milwaukee. Drivers can also utilize storage compartments better and pack large, heavier objects low to the ground, against fixed components and centered inside the vehicle. By doing this, the objects will not build up momentum in the event of a crash. 

There is no fool proof way to avoid a car accident, but drivers can take steps to minimize the potential for injury or loss of life. Cleaning out your vehicle and not leaving unnecessary heavy objects in your vehicle are two of those ways. By taking these steps, drivers can help reduce the chance of injury should they be unfortunate enough to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

New Study Reveals That Posting on Somebody’s Wall Increases The Chances You Will Drive Into One.

A recent study shows that checking your friend’s status, or writing on your colleague’s wall while driving, is more dangerous than drinking or texting and driving.  New research released by the Institute of Advanced Motorists in the UK revealed that social networking is considerably less safe than texting, drinking to the legal limit, and smoking marijuana.  The study revealed that almost one out of every four drivers in the UK has admitted to using social networking sites while operating a vehicle.  Another study showed just how dangerous this can be. The TRL for the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found that those who use their smartphones on the move routinely spend up to sixty percent of their time looking down at the device instead of focusing on the road ahead. As compared to this, those without phones spend just 10 per cent of the time, on an average, looking away, for instance to check the speedometer, satnav or in-car entertainment. 

The new controversy has led to some possible remedies suggested by the Department of Accident Injury Attorney Milwaukee. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, said electronic functions that compel drivers to look away from the road for more than two seconds -- to do such things as Web searches, social networking, texting and navigation that requires the input of addresses -- are too dangerous when cars are moving. The agency recommended these functions be inaccessible to front-seat passengers "whenever the vehicle's engine is on and its transmission is not in 'Park,'" the agency said in guidelines published in the Federal Register, Washington's official journal containing public notices of government agencies. 

With the popularity of social networking sites and smartphones, this will continue to be an issue in the upcoming years. While it may seem like an innocent crime, most experienced and good drivers realize that taking your eyes off the road for only a couple seconds could lead to life changing Accident Lawyer Milwaukee. If drivers are using social networking sites while driving, the distraction level will go far beyond a couple seconds. A possible block of certain smartphone applications and abilities might be necessary if drivers are unable to carrel the temptation to facebook or tweet. Legislators and other public officials have already had experience in dealing with this type of issue in regard to texting while driving. One can assume they will be more likely to crack down on potential offenders more quickly now that they have already dealt with a similar issue before. Drivers must really ask themselves if posting on someone’s wall is really worth possibly injuring or killing another driver, pedestrian, or themselves. 

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”

Reclined Passengers Face Added Dangers of Injuries And Death In Motor Vehicle Accidents

A recent study has shown that reclining in an automobile could be fatal. Harborview Medical Center Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Eileen Bulger, specializes in trauma and critical care. She conducted a study after noticing a pattern of increased injuries and fatalities in reclined seated passengers compared to upright passengers. The study showed that partially reclined passengers involved in an accident increased their risk of death by 15 percent.  Fully reclined passengers increased their risk by 70 percent.

There appears to be an unsophisticated reason for the increase in TruckAccident Injury Milwaukee and fatalities among reclined passengers. Simply put, reclined passengers make seatbelt and airbag functions less effective. Dr. Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; the organization that conducts crash safety tests states, “What people need to understand is that when we test vehicles for how well they'll protect you in a crash, we are assuming that people are seated upright in the seat." Lund stated that safety tests have never been done with the seat reclined. Lard went on to state that "Having the seat reclined means you're not protected the way the vehicle was designed to protect you.”

Further complicating the problem is the blatant lack of knowledge regarding the dangers of reclining in a motor vehicle. Most motor vehicle manuals warn of the potential risk of SeriousWork Injury Milwaukee in a passenger seat. However, the majority of the general public neglects to take the time to read the owner’s manual. Few people understand that the more space between the seat belt and the passenger's chest, the greater the risk of death or serious injury; caused when your body either slams against the seat belt itself or "submarines" and slides beneath the seat belt.

Car manufacturers should provide some type of warning, whether in writing on the visor, to better educate the public. However, car manufacturers have yet to provide such warnings. The easiest way to avoid these types of horrific injuries or deaths is to educate the public on the dangers and risks of sitting in a reclined seat. While taking a quick nap might be convenient, it could be the difference between relatively minor injuries and possible death.

Wisconsin Motorcycle Helmet Regulation

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to drive down the highway in a convertible, you’ve experienced the remarkable sensation of the wind blowing through your hair.  Surely, this type of sensation contributes to motorcyclists’ love of their hobby.  Unfortunately, attaining this feeling on a CarWreck Attorney Milwaukee is accompanied with greater consequences because of the increased vulnerability rider’s face.   

Even though Wisconsin has mandated the use of seat belts, legislature has astoundingly not treated the use of helmets on motorcycles the same way.  Instead, helmets are required only for individuals under the age of 18 or with a learner’s permit. However, Wisconsin riders should not be surprised if regulation is soon enhanced. In 2011, 92 percent of individuals killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet. Moreover, nearly 600 motorcyclists have been killed as a result of such accidents in the past six years.

Although wearing a helmet may seem intuitive for many, studies by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrate that more individuals are likely to forego such protective headgear when it is not proscribed by law.

Part of what makes this country great is the population’s ability to freely participate in selective and independent decision-making.  However, when such freedom negatively affects the greater good then the government is permitted to regulate the problematic activity.  

Placed in the context of this discussion, when Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Milwaukee do not wear helmets and are involved in both deadly and dangerous accidents, the health care costs are often passed off to the general public. In fact, the CDC estimates that in 2010 over $3 billion was saved as a result of individuals wearing helmets and that an additional $1.4 billion could have been saved with mandatory helmet use.

Whether the state legislature intends to amend the law remains unclear, but it is apparent that helmets do provide motorcyclists with greater protection.  Motorcyclists have averaged over 2,600 accidents between 2005 and 2010. Don’t become a statistic.  Gruber Law Offices encourages all riders to enjoy their summer travels and exercise safety on the roads by wearing helmets.  

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”

Lawn Mower Injuries – Prevention

The sight of a freshly mowed lawn hardly makes you instantly think of injuries; however, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 253,000 people were treated for lawn-mower related injuries in 2010. Injuries are caused mostly by contact with blades, heated components of the mechanism, or projectiles shot from the mower. Also, the most common injuries are cuts, burns, broken bones and, in extreme cases, damage requiring amputation and Motorcycle Accident Injury Milwaukee.

There are many guidelines and tips that can be followed to prevent lawn mower-related injuries. First and foremost, before cutting the grass, you should always remove stones, toys and debris from the grass to prevent injury from flying objects. Second, sturdy shoes, not sandals or sneakers, should always be worn while mowing the lawn. Third, Accident Injury Lawyer Milwaukee mowers that have protection over hot and sharp parts, and have a control that stops the mower blade from moving if the handle is let go, should be used. Fourth, mowers should only be driven, or pushed, up and down slopes to prevent rollovers. Fifth, protective eyewear should be worn at all times. Lastly, children should not be in the yard while the grass is being cut, but if they are, then they should stay at least twenty feet away from the mower. Moreover, if children happen to be operating a lawn mower, they should be given instructions so they understand how to correctly operate a lawn mower. Thus, if these tips are followed the amount of lawn mower-related injuries should drop significantly.

Mowing the lawn can be fun, relaxing and a good form of exercise, but the proper safety precautions must be taken to ensure the operator’s safety, as well as others in the vicinity that are expecting operators to use their mowers in a reasonable manner.

Drivers Must Be Aware of The Dangers Deer Pose

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT), “deer are the third most commonly struck object in Wisconsin.”

However, the deer are not the only ones suffering in these collisions. In 2010 deer related accidents resulted in 14 deaths, 65 incapacitating injuries, and many more less severe injuries. The reported 403 injured people in 2010 comprise the 4^th lowest annual total in the last 30 years. However, May and June of 2010 totaled 2,726 crashes, and formed a secondary peak of reported Slip And Fall Lawyer Milwaukee to those occurring during the fall. These statistics are based on crashes reported by the police, but many more deer carcasses are taken off the roads suggesting that actual collisions are much higher than reported. While this could mean that most collisions do not result in serious personal injury, the deer also pose a significant threat to the vehicle. 

The following safety tips offered by the Wisconsin DOT address both how to prevent collisions with deer and what to do should you hit one.

Be aware of the time and remember that you are more likely to encounter a deer in the early morning and evening hours.

Eliminate distractions while driving and look out for deer, particularly, the glowing eyes on the side of the road.

Always wear a safety belt; crashes where safety belts were worn resulted in less severe injuries.

If you do see a deer by the side of the road, slow down and blow your horn once for a long blast to frighten the animal away.

Remember, if you see one deer, more are likely around.

If you see a deer in your headlights, don’t expect it to move, headlights can confuse the animal and cause it to freeze.

Do not swerve; not only does swerving increase your risk of hitting another vehicle or an object, but it will also confuse the deer and the animal will not know where to run.

Motorcyclists however are encouraged to swerve when absolutely necessary to avoid a collision after taking every precaution and avoiding the oncoming lane.

If you do hit a deer, try to get your Slip And Fall Milwaukee  off the road and call the police; do not walk toward the animal, walking on the road is dangerous to you, and other drivers. If the animal is not dead, it can hurt you or itself trying to get up.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”

Pregnancy And Car Crashes

Forpregnant women, nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of their unborn child. Unfortunately, pregnant women are involved in many Personal Injury Lawyer Milwaukee each year. Though states are not required to track fetal deaths when reporting accident data, estimates indicate that between 300-1,000 unborn children die in car accidents each year. The biggest risk to an unborn child who has been involved in a motor accident is associated with placenta uterine attachment. The placenta uterine attachment is a delicate attachment, and it does not take much force to detach it. The steering wheel poses the largest risk for placenta uterine detachment.

Additional risks and complications that may result from a pregnant woman’s involvement in a car crash include: pre-term labor, miscarriage, internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, birth defects, and creating a high risk pregnancy that did not exist before the crash. To reduce the risk of injury and complications to both the expectant mother and the unborn child, pregnant women should follow the proceeding recommendations:

Wear your seatbelt, and wear it properly. Pregnant women should always wear a lap-shoulder belt, with the lap belt below the belly and across the hip bones.

Do not deactivate your vehicle’s airbag. A study which analyzed data from over 3,000 collisions involving pregnant women found that for most pregnancy complications there was no evidence of a higher risk for women whose crash had involved an airbag deployment.

Sit as far away from the steering wheel as possible, but make sure you are able to reach the break and gas pedals. Since placenta uterine detachment is more likely to occur if the pregnant woman’s belly comes in contact with the steering wheel, pregnant women should sit as far away from the steering wheel as possible to decrease the likelihood that the expectant mother’s belly will contact the Personal Injury Milwaukee.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”