Are Ignition Interlock Devices Actually Working?

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In our lives we are bound to make a mistake, or an accident here and there. Actually, we as humans probably make a slight mistake, or have a small accident almost everyday whether we realize it or not. Yet, when we do make a mistake, or have an accident we have to deal not only with the situation, but the consequences as well. When you drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, prescription medication, or other substances you are making a very big mistake, which results in consequences not only impacting your life now, but later down the road as well.

Just Breathe

Individuals who are found to be driving under the influence face many different consequences that vary conditionally on to what degree they were actually committing their DUI crime. One consequence of a DUI is that of an ignition interlock device. Yet, what exactly is an ignition interlock device? While some states have not fully adopted the device into their DUI criminal recovery program other states are meeting DUIs head on with the device. The device is actually like a breathalyzer with the exception that it is actually installed into your vehicle.

So, what’s next you might ask? In order for your vehicle to start, and actually have the ability to drive it requires that the driver of the vehicle blow into a tube that registers their breath on a blood alcohol content scale, or BAC, in order to make sure that there are not traces of alcohol present over the legal limit. While there are many critics to the device, and its overall function new reports are shining a different, more positive light on the device.

Expectations With Ignition Interlock Devices

Recent reports now state that when ignition interlock devices are implemented into a post-DUI program it not only serves its purpose right at that moment with recovering drivers, but also helps those drivers in the future avoid drinking and driving altogether. Many states that use this device within the past year have seen a significant amount of DUI crimes and instances lowered completely.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Automobiles and Bicycles: Establishing The Fault Line of Accidents

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Transportation is a major portion of our lives, which we rely heavily on each and every day. Whether we are riding our bicycles to class, driving to work, or flying to another location we have a variety of transportation methods in our world today, which go hand in hand with our responsibilities, and even our regional location. Today, many individuals bicycle recreationally as well as individuals using them for short distance travel such as to school, or in large urban areas. While we have increased safety measures and methods for bicyclists who are actually at fault when an automobile accident occurs with a bicyclists involved?

Do You “Get The Picture” of Roadway Safety?

When we envision in our minds seeing an accident occur that involves that of an automobile and a bicycle we ourselves jump to conclusions about who is solely responsible for it. Many times, automobiles are the ones who are assumed to be the one that caused, and are responsible for the accident-taking place. However, that is not always the case especially in this day and age. Today, many individuals are bicycling for multiple reasons whether it is to get healthier, or they simply are trying to cut down on spending, which a motor vehicle can easily add up.

Looking At Safety And Accidents From More Than A Driver’s Perspective

However, studies and reports are starting to show that bicyclists are now not staying on the paths and areas of the road that are specifically outlined for their safety and driving, and operating their bicycles with sporadic patterns. Unfortunately, this puts them in immediate danger from multiple motor vehicle drivers’ who are simply following the rules of the road.  Although bicyclists are at equal fault of accidents occurring as automobile drivers are, drivers should make sure to display extreme regards to roadway safety, and keep a safe distance away from any paths, trails, or bicyclists out on roads, or highways.

Always remember that part of understanding safety is practicing it in multiple aspects whether as bicyclists, or a motor vehicle operator. Make sure to keep an eye out for others no matter what vehicle you are operating on the road.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Senior Citizens behind the Wheel of a Motor Vehicle

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As we come to a new day we have grown another day older. Eventually, as days become weeks and weeks become months and finally years we gain another year of experiences, emotions, and understanding. Aging is a factor of our lives that we have to come to terms with one way or another whether we would like to believe it or not. However, age brings more than that of just understanding, and patience it also brings that of delayed responses, as well as some mental, and physical health issues. Yet, should senior citizens be allowed to hold a valid driver’s license?

Understanding Elderly Drivers

As long as many of us can remember we have always heard of elderly individuals getting out on the road while driving a motor vehicle and not being able to properly maneuver it, or pay attention to traffic, and the safety of other motorists. Today, many elderly individuals are not the safety conscious responsible drivers they once were. Rather, they are contributing to many automobile accidents. At the end of the day elderly, or not these individuals still help, and love us, and ultimately need our help.

Helping Your Elderly Loved Ones Now and Later

When it comes down to your elderly loved one driving a motor vehicle what should you do? While some elderly individuals can drive the same as the always have, or the majority of the time better others cannot. Sometimes with elderly individuals being presented with the issue or their driving not being the safest, or what it once was immediately go into denial and ignore the conversation and the truth altogether. Yet, it is your job to help make elderly individuals understand the risk they run physically with their lives, as well as financially by the situations they put themselves in to being involved in an accident, and sued heavily for damages they caused.

Discuss with your elderly loved ones alternative methods of transportation that do not require them behind the wheel of an automobile, and ultimately surround them with safety. However, if your elderly loved one has been involved in an automobile accident, they need an experienced and an ultimately dedicated automobile accident attorney immediately in order to fight for your rights, and their case.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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New Federal Transportation Bill Aimed Towards Teenager Drivers

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Driving is a task that we have to participate in almost every day the majority of the time. Yet, do you actually remember the first time you got behind the wheel of a motor vehicle as the driver? The period in which an individual can actually have, and hold a legal license to drive a motor vehicle is in their teenage years, which many that day cannot wait until they can finally get their coveted driver’s license. However, teenage drivers are the group of drivers that are more likely to either be involved in, or cause an automobile accident today.

From Reading To The Road

Yet, many ask the question how are teenagers, the age in which an individual has some of the best reflex skills, the group that is most likely to be involved in the majority of car accidents? Today, teenagers have a variety of distractions on the road whether it is blaring loud music on their iPod, texting their friends while driving, or having their cellphone up to their ear talking it up. Teenagers are also the group of drivers that have recently acquired the ability to legally drive and are still just learning about the road, driving etiquette, and what they can expect from other drivers.

The Next Step In Teenage Driver Safety

However, many federal and state transportation entities are taking teenage driver safety to the next level in order to make sure that not only teenagers are safe on roadways, but also everyone else. Many states are now requiring that in order for teenage drivers to receive their license they are required to have logged 50 hours of driving with a driver over the age of 21, and are even not allowed to drive between the hours of 11pm-5am unless with an adult in the vehicle. By doing this many transportation law enforcement entities hope that teenage drivers will take away lessons of the road, and gain experience while with a safe, knowledgeable driver by their side.

Make sure when you have a teenage driver to discuss how to behave and operate a vehicle safely on the road. However, accidents occur and whether you are a teenage driver that has caused, or either been innocently involved with an accident you need an experienced auto accident attorney on your side.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Tips To Increase Your Safety While On The Road

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Driving is a common aspect of life, which we must participate in doing almost everyday. In order to fulfill our daily tasks, get to work or school, or simply pick up the kids we not only need, but also fully rely on our motor vehicles to help us accomplish these, and more. However, mistakes and accidents are also a common occurrence within our lives, which sometimes we have very little control over. Yet, when it comes down to you actually out on the roadways whether as a driver, or a passenger what can you do in order to increase the overall safety of all?

The Responsibilities of A Driver

When you are the operator of a motor vehicle you have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders whether you realize it or not. You not only have to worry about your safety, but also all others out on the road whether they are fellow motorists, or pedestrians. When playing the role of driver always make sure that before you do anything that your mirrors are properly aligned, and nothing objects your line of sight. Many accidents happen on the road because drivers cannot actually see what is there, or what is not there. When driving on the road always make sure that you signal properly, abide by speed limits, and always make sure to follow the rules of the road for yourself before attempting to do so for other drivers.

 How You Can Help As A Passenger

Although actually driving a vehicle is important it is also very important that passengers of a motor vehicle understand their safety role within a vehicle as well. Passengers should make it a point to emphasize that drivers pay attention to the road, as well making drivers hand over their cellphone device before the car is even put into drive. Passengers also need to make sure that they are out of the line of sight of the driver in order to make sure that the driver can see all aspects of the road accordingly.

Finally, whether you are a driver, or a passenger it is important to wear your seat belt 100% percent of the time. Studies show that seat belts save lives, and can easily help assist your life in the event of an accident. Remember to always abide by the rules of the road in order to help better not only your safety, but all others as well.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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What Safety Features Actually Make You Safer?

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When we are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle our main concern and focus should be on getting from one place to the next as safely as possible. However, that is not always the case for the majority of drivers out there in the United States today. Accidents and mistakes are a common aspect of life. Yet, when you are involved in an automobile accident you face the risk of being seriously injured, and even killed. However, when it comes down to the actual safety features within a motor vehicle, which ones are actually helping fight for your safety?

Breaking Down That of Safety Features

 If you were to turn on the television right this moment it is certain that you would eventually come into contact with a motor vehicle advertisement of some sorts that describes a vehicle from the inside out, as well as the safety features within it. Many vehicles have safety features and installments that are suppose to be geared towards making you, and your vehicle safer. Unfortunately, not all of these safety devices, and features actually really do anything for you as a driver, or passenger.

What Safety Features You Should Be Familiar With

 Recently, a study was conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which brought to light what safety features were actually making a difference. The top safety feature that helps drivers the most is that of the Forward Collision Avoidance System. What this actually does is senses other vehicles, and objects around it and can help driver’s know when to slow down, or actually slows the vehicle down itself. With this safety feature, drivers are 14% less likely to be involved in the majority of car accidents.

Another safety feature that helps drivers are direction-shifting headlights. How this device works is that it actually helps driver’s visibility when approaching curves, animals, or other stationary objects. When these are installed within vehicles drivers are 10% less likely to be involved in an automobile accident.

Hopefully as we look to the future we can count on other safety features helping contribute to our safety. When a driver has one, or both of these devices installed in their vehicle they are significantly putting themselves in a safer situation every time they are behind the wheel of their motor vehicle.

If you suffer any of these serious injuries because of an anesthesia mistake, our experienced Mississippi anesthesia medical malpractice lawyers are committed to assisting victims of substandard medical care obtain the financial compensation to rebuild their lives.  At Barrett Law, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi.  Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Multi-Car Accidents

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A multi-car accident is any accident which involves three or more vehicles, including motorcycles, trucks or passenger vehicles. Because there was likely an underlying cause which initially caused the crash, a multi-car crash can be a nightmare on many different levels. Dealing with your insurance company will be much more complex, and you may find it harder to pinpoint who the negligent party actually was, meaning it may be more difficult to prevail in a personal injury case. If you have been involved in a multi-car accident, it’s important to get experienced legal representation as soon as you possibly can.

What Caused the Accident?

The cause of a multi-car accident will likely be the same as in an accident involving two cars. Human error could be a cause of the accident, or it could be attributed to driver fatigue, driver distraction, drunk driving, mechanical failure, inclement weather or sheer recklessness. Many multi-car accidents happen on freeways when cars are driving too fast and too close to one another. When a car stops suddenly way up the road, the cars behind don’t have enough reaction time to avoid an accident.

Who Will Be Liable for the Accident?

Determining the level of responsibility for each driver involved will be an extremely complicated and ultimately incredibly stressful process. Each driver will have a different version of the car crash, and there will be much more data to factor in. A report from the police departmetn is critical even if the police decline to state which driver was at fault. The police report will, at the very least, state the details surrounding the accident such as weather and road conditions, time of day, and approximate speeds the cars were traveling. If it is very obvious who was at fault, then that fact will be in the report.

Comparative vs. Contributory Negligence in a Multi-Car Accident

The fault in a multiple car accident will be determined through either comparative negligence or contributory negligence. If your accident falls under the laws of contributory negligence the person who was hurt in the accident is only be able to receive reimbursement for medical expenses if they did not contribute to the accident in any way. In other words, if you were speeding, therefore could not avoid a pile-up in front of you as a result of that speed, then you would be unable to get compensation. Under comparative negligence, liability for the accident will be weighed according to how much fault can be attributed to each driver, meaning your own damages could be reduced because you were speeding, but you would still be entitled to recover a percentage of the damages.

Whose Insurance Will Cover Your Medical Bills?

Insurance companies will be even more apt than usual to deny claims or point the finger of blame at everybody other than their own insured in a multi-car accident. Remember not to admit fault in a multi-car accident even if you feel the blame was yours. Get medical attention immediately for any injury, no matter how small, as this will weigh heavily when your attorney is negotiating with the insurance companies.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Sorting out the complicated mess of all the parties involved may involve accident reconstruction, securing witness statements and considerable amounts of investigation. There will be extended communications with the various insurance companies and drivers involved in the accident. While law enforcement personnel may cite the individual drivers if it is readily apparent who was at fault, many times they will simply let the lawyers figure it out. Finding who is at fault can be almost impossible which is why you need an attorney who will defend your rights and aggressively prove your lack of fault or reduce your liability in any way possible. The statute of limitations in multi-car accidents can actually be as short as thirty days, and it is wise to allow your attorney to navigate the complexities and be responsible for meeting critical deadlines.

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Is Driving Inherently Risky?

With over 45,000 deaths each and every year in America caused by auto collisions it can make you think twice about the safety of getting behind the wheel. In fact, the average adult who spends fifty years of their lifetime driving has a one in a hundred chance of dying in a car accident. Of course to put those numbers into better perspective, statistics also show that you have a four in a hundred chance of being a victim of a violent crime at some point in your life. It’s impossible to live life while avoiding all risks—the very act of breathing in and out certainly puts you at a risk of something negative happening to you. There are ways, however, to ensure that your driving risks are at least somewhat minimized.

Lowering Your Risk

If you want to immediately lower your risk of being involved in a traffic collision, you can stop engaging in any sort of risky behavior when behind the wheel of your car. Most people are well aware that texting while driving is actually more dangerous than driving while impaired. Those who text while driving are twenty-two times as likely to end up in an accident while the simple act of dialing the phone gives you a three-fold risk. Even talking on the phone while driving at least marginally increases your chances of being in an accident which is likely why most school zones are implementing extremely high fines for those caught using their cell phone while driving through a school zone.

Those who have a pattern of getting behind the wheel after having a couple of beers increase their risk of an accident at least 15-25%. Those who live in extremely busy cities could have an even greater risk than those in more rural areas. Drivers and passengers who neglect to buckle up have a sixty percent higher risk of dying or getting extremely serious injuries in the event of an accident. Drivers of SUVs have a significantly higher risk of being involved in a deadly rollover accident than drivers or passenger cars. As you can see, you have some immediate control over lessening the possibility of getting into an auto accident.

Distracted Drivers

Some estimates put the number of accidents which are directly related to distracted drivers as nearly 75%. Even in cases where a distracted driver may not have been the primary cause of the accident, it can contribute. Distractions occur in many forms: drivers use their cars just like a home office; they eat, they change radio stations, talk on their phones, watch their GPS, read a map, discipline the children, talk to their passengers, watch the passing billboards or simply daydream about anything other than the task of driving. Most distractions could be easily prevented if drivers resolved to do only one thing when behind the wheel—drive.

Driving Too Fast and Other Risky Behaviors

Driving over the speed limit is believed to be a factor in as many as half of all collisions. Driving too fast for the road conditions significantly decreases your reaction time. Since as many as seventy percent of all American drivers admit to speeding at one time or another, you can see this is an area of risky behavior that can be significantly minimized. Engaging in road rage,  exhibiting aggressive or reckless driving behaviors or neglecting to take poor road conditions into account when driving can also be a cause of accidents. If you want to minimize your risks when you get behind the wheel, work on losing these risky behaviors. If you have been the victim of a negligent or reckless driver contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

 

 

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Is Your Car Accident-Prone?

Sounds silly, right? After all, humans can be accident-prone, but surely not a hunk of metal in the form of an automobile? There are all sorts of reasons that auto collisions occur, with the large majority of those being traceable to some sort of driver error. Drivers get fatigued, distracted, reckless or negligent. They drive in situations they are not equipped to handle or drive vehicles they are not particularly trained to drive. They drive after ingesting drugs or alcohol or get behind the wheel fully aware their vision is impaired enough to be a hazard. Driver distraction can come in many forms in our multi-tasking society. Cell phone use, texting while driving, applying makeup, reading a map, eating while driving, fiddling with the radio station or GPS device, turning around to scold the children in the back seat, talking to passengers or simply daydreaming about anything other than driving contribute to driver distraction.

High-Performance Cars

All of these factors contribute to the fifteen million car crashes that occur each and every year, resulting in over forty thousand fatalities as literally millions of accident-related injuries. Many of these car crashes result in life-altering consequences for those involved and the government spends untold amounts of money in their attempt to make drivers aware of risky behaviors they may be engaging in. A certain portion of auto crashes can be directly linked to the specific make and model of the car being driven. Studies prove that particular models are simply much more likely to be involved in a car collision. Cars with high-performance motors are not at risk simply because they can accelerate quickly, reaching high rates of speed, rather because of the driver behind the wheel who runs the risk of losing control and crashing. This fact likely is a primary factor of higher insurance premiums for sporty cars with powerful motors. Even so, a situation such as this still hinges on the driver’s ability rather than the car’s performance.

Which Cars are More Likely To Be Involved in a Collision?

There are some cars on the road today which are simply less safe to drive—proven by their track record of collisions. Although Toyota is regularly considered one of the safest, most reliable brands on the road today, one of their cars, the Scion, actually tops the list of the cars most likely to be involved in a car crash. Others who are more frequently engaged in car crashes than normal include the Honda Civic, Mitsubishi’s Galant, Subaru’s Impreza, Hyundai’s Tiburon and Chevrolet’s Cobalt. Now remember that these cars are not inherently unsafe simply because they top the list of collision incidence.

More likely the combination of relatively high-performance vehicles in the hands of younger, more inexperienced drivers creates a higher risk of collision. While these are the cars of today that top the list, the accident-prone cars of the past include the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. Although Ford’s Mustang Shelby and the Chevy Corvette do make the list of the top 150 cars most likely to be in an accident they remain at the bottom—probably because younger drivers are unable to afford them. As a whole, older drivers tend to exhibit better judgment when behind the wheel of a powerful sports car.

The Effect of Your Car’s Color on Your Likelihood of Having an Accident

An Australian survey found that black vehicles are statistically more likely to be involved in a car accident than white vehicles, probably due to the ability of humans to see some colors better than others. Surprisingly, silver cars—the most prevalent color on the roadways—come in right behind black vehicles for high crash rates and difficult in being seen. Hybrid car drivers are about 25% less likely to be involved in an accident; whether that is because of the extra weight of the hybrid battery or because hybrid drivers are simply more cautious is unknown. Those who have been injured in a car collision should contact the most qualified personal injury attorney available as soon as possible following the accident. Your claim will be evaluated and your attorney can advise you on whether you should pursue a claim.

 

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Side-Impact Car Accidents

Automobile collisions are responsible for about three million injuries each year and over 43,000 fatalities. Of these crashes nearly 9,000—or approximately percent—are side-impact accidents. Side-impact accidents are also known as T-bone crashes by virtue of the fact that when one vehicle hits another on the side it resembles a “T.” The location of a side-impact automobile accident puts the driver and passengers at significant risk. The sides of cars generally have far fewer safety features than other parts of the car since few cars other than higher end models have side-impact airbags.  A front or back collision means there is several feet of metal and steel standing between a human being and the other car, but in a side collision there is little more than a door frame stopping the other vehicle from impacting with a person. In fact, this area has been dubbed the “crumple zone,” by experts who study car crashes. When a seat belt is properly worn it can certainly keep the body stationary but does not stop major injuries from occurring.

Typical Locations of Side-Impact Crashes

Most commonly a side-impact car crash will occur in an intersection. Quite often drivers see a yellow light and speed up in order to race through the stop light. A driver who is traveling through a green light can be broadsided in a mere instant with absolutely no way to avoid the accident. Children are the most vulnerable passengers in a side-impact car collision—even more so should they not be restrained in an approved child safety seat. In this instance a side-impact airbag could actually do more harm than good since airbags are designed to protect adults and can seriously injure a much smaller child. How severe the side-impact accident will be is also highly dependent on the relative height and weight of the vehicles involved. Imagine a truck or SUV which sits high off the ground hitting a low-to-the-ground sports car from the side. It is likely the driver of the sports car will sustain serious or even fatal head injuries.

Common Injuries from Side-Impact Crashes

Leg injuries are common in side-impact collisions, particularly when the impact occurs at the bottom of the car door, crushing the door inward. Leg lacerations, fractures or crushed bones are likely in this type of accident. In the same vein, hip injuries may be severe when the impact occurs in the middle of the door. A middle door impact can also lead to broken or crushed ribs and arm injuries or even severed limbs in high-speed crashes. The overall impact of the oncoming car striking the other on the side can lead to shoulder injuries that can include muscle tears, dislocation, broken shoulder bones or severe lacerations.

The back is likely to be injured in a side-impact collision with injuries ranging from a pinched nerve or slipped disc to a sprained or broken back. While whiplash injuries are more common in a rear-impact collision any time the neck is moved violently from one side to the next injuries such as whiplash or a strained, sprained or even broken neck can occur. Another downside to having a side airbag—although it could potentially save your life—is that, depending on the position of your head at the time of the crash—the airbag can hit the ear and head with considerable force. Loss of hearing, distortion of sounds and ringing of the ears can result. Head injuries which result from the head impacting with the side glass window can be severe—traumatic brain injuries often occur in side-impact car crashes.

Negligence as a Cause of Side-Impact Collisions

Negligent driving is one of the main factors in side-impact collisions. Because injuries to driver and passengers will likely be serious, it is crucial that a knowledgeable personal injury attorney be consulted who can ensure you achieve the best legal results possible. You could be entitled to medical expense compensation, lost wages and pain and suffering as well as for a partial, total or permanent disability.

 

 

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