Mississippi Whistleblower Lawyer Explains New Whistleblower Program Aimed at Opioid Epidemic

Are you an employee of a pain-management clinic, drug testing facility, or physician that makes opioid prescriptions? If you are witnessing fraud or abuse in the distribution of opioids, you may be able to become a whistleblower under a new U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Prescription Interdiction & Litigation (PIL) Task Force.

On February 27, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of the Department of Justice PIL Task Force, an effort to fight the prescription opioid crisis.  The PIL Task Force’s goal is to use the DOJ’s law enforcement resources to go after those who are prescribing and manufacturing and dispensing opioids illegally. This will become a whistleblower issue because the DOJ is extending the benefits and rights of the False Claims Act—the federal law that allows for whistleblowers to be compensated and protected for reports of fraud—to whistleblowers in the medical field.

If you work in the medical field and are witnessing opioid distribution abuse, you may now be able to attain your compensation based on a tip under this new PIL program. To attain compensation, you will require the help of an experienced whistleblower attorney and advice regarding whether the conduct you have observed constitutes fraud.

The DOJ’s PIL press release stated in part:
Over the past year, the Department has vigorously fought the prescription opioid crisis, and we are determined to continue making progress. Today, we are opening a new front in the war on the opioid crisis by bringing all of our anti-opioid efforts under one banner,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “We have no time to waste.  Every day, 180 Americans die from drug overdoses.  This epidemic actually lowered American life expectancy in 2015 and 2016 for the first time in decades, with drug overdose now the leading cause of death for Americans under age 50.  These are not acceptable trends and this new task force will make us more effective in reversing them and saving Americans from the scourge of opioid addiction.”

The PIL Task Force will combat the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.  At the manufacturer level, the PIL Task Force will use all available criminal and civil remedies available under federal law to hold opioid manufacturers accountable for unlawful practices.  The PIL Task Force will build on and strengthen existing Department of Justice initiatives to ensure that opioid manufacturers are marketing their products truthfully and in accordance with Food and Drug Administration rules.

The Department will also use all criminal and civil tools at its disposal to hold distributors such as pharmacies, pain management clinics, drug testing facilities, and individual physicians accountable for unlawful actions.

The PIL Task Force will use criminal and civil actions to ensure that distributors and pharmacies are obeying Drug Enforcement Administration rules designed to prevent diversion and improper prescribing.  It will use the False Claims Act and other tools to crack down on pain-management clinics, drug testing facilities, and physicians that make opioid prescriptions.

What Should You Do if You are Considering a Whistleblower Claim?

Are you considering filing an opioid whistleblower case under this new PIL program? To attain your compensation, you will require the help of an experienced whistleblower attorney to decide whether the conduct you have observed constitutes fraud. Evidence gathering, dealing with the federal government’s attorneys, important deadlines, and filing requirements make your representation both complex and time-sensitive.

Call Barrett Law now at (601) 790-1505 if you think you may be an opioid whistleblower.

Having expert legal advice by your side can mean the difference between receiving your share of a whistleblower judgment and losing your career and livelihood. Call our seasoned Mississippi Whistleblower Lawyer today.

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Experienced Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney Explains: Whiplash Is Real

We have a long history of representing the people of Mississippi who have been injured in car accidents. The most common injury they experience is whiplash, an injury often caused by the neck extending violently, often as the result of a rear-end collision. There is no one tell-tale whiplash symptom, but our clients routinely complain of the sudden onset of neck stiffness, dizziness, neck pain, headaches, decreased range of motion in the neck, numbness, blurred vision, disrupted sleep, and memory problems to name just a few.

Whiplash’s Causes

You have ligament the runs down the surface of your spine that gives your neck stability. Your head weighs about the same amount as a bowling ball. When you are in a car accident, your head violently extends forward or backward, causing that weight’s momentum to stretch or tear that ligament. That stretching or tearing is whiplash. The damage can be compounded if the head’s momentum also pulls against other muscles in the back and neck, spraining or tearing them as well. In extremely serious cases, the whipping of the spine can also result in damage or cracking of vertebrae in the neck and back.

Whiplash Treatment

Most forms of whiplash are treatable. If you follow your doctor’s directions, you should be able to recover from whiplash received in a car accident. Most treatments involve icing, heat, over the counter and prescription pain killers, and exercises aimed at restoring flexibility to your neck ligaments. While a popular prop in television shows, doctors usually urge patients to avoid immobilizing the neck with devices like a foam neck ring are to be avoided. When you completely immobilized the neck, the ligaments can tighten, and flexibility may not be restored.

Usually, by carefully following the advice of a medical professional, your whiplash injury should resolve within a few months. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, however, and other accident victims are forced to live with pain for longer, sometimes even permanently.

Financial Compensation for Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash is a serious injury that, while usually only temporary, can cause pain, discomfort, and work absences. To have a valid claim, you will need to seek medical attention immediately after your car accident. Waiting too long may result in an insurance company denying your claim, alleging that your injuries were caused by some subsequent event.  You can receive compensation for loss of work, out of pocket medical expenses, and any sick time you used as a result of your injury. You may also receive some compensation for your pain and suffering, although that is usually quite limited in a whiplash case. Regardless of how serious your injury and how significant your financial losses, your best bet is to contact an experience Mississippi personal injury lawyer to review your case.

What Should You Do if You or a Loved One is Injured In a Car Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, either an insurance claim or lawsuit may be your best tool for receiving the compensation you deserve. Receiving that compensation will require consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.  Getting your whiplash injury assessed competently and quickly is vital, and hiring counsel lacking specific experience with Mississippi‘s laws will lead to frustration and a settlement that is a fraction of what you deserve—if you receive anything at all.

Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you or a loved one has been injured.

Contact us now at (601) 790-1505, to get experienced counsel on your side.

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Experienced Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney Explains: “Negligent Hire” Claims Against Trucking Companies When an Accident Occurs

We represent parties injured in trucking accidents. Commercial trucking is a highly regulated industry, but, like in any industry, accidents are more likely when companies cut corners. Because there are so many truckers logging so many miles, accidents caused by those regulatory shortcuts become a statistical certainty. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of trucking accident call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you at (601) 790-1505.

This blog post provides a useful overview of the possible claims to be made in the event of a trucking accident.

Negligent Hiring

Not everyone can be a commercial truck driver. Federal regulations aim at allowing only those qualified and safe behind the wheel. To satisfy these federal regulations, a driver must be physically fit and must have passed a DOT physical at hiring and every two years thereafter. A commercial driver also must have a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, which requires that the driver must have passed a specialized test. A driver must also pass drug and alcohol tests. Finally, the company should perform a thorough background check to assure that the driver has a record of safe driving.

There is a commercial driver shortage in the United States and companies are having an increasingly difficult time finding qualified drivers. As a result, some cut corners and put drivers behind the wheel that do not meet the above qualifications. Those regulations exist for a reason, however, and sometimes these unsafe drivers cause accidents.  When they do, a claim of “negligent hire” arises.

Many trucking accidents are caused by drivers who are distracted, fall asleep or are under the influence of drugs. These are conditions that may have been detected in a physical, a drug test, or through a review of their driving record. If a company has put this driver on the road either because they failed to perform these necessary reviews or performed and then ignored them, then a claim of negligent hire is appropriate.

Obviously, neither the truck driver nor the trucking company is going to admit that they cut a corner after an accident resulting in injury. That is why contacting an experienced trucking accident attorney is vital. Once your attorney files a claim, he or she can either request “production” of the documents that should certify whether the federal requirements regarding trucker licensure have been met upon hire and renewed as required. He or she can also “subpoena” records, which is another word for using the power of the court to demand production. Either way, a legitimate trucking company should have a full complement of certification documents for every driver. Those records, if they exist, will be vital to a successful negligent hire claim.

What Should You Do if You or a Loved One is Injured In a Trucking Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident, a negligent hire claim may be your tool for receiving the care and compensation you deserve. Receiving that compensation will require consultation with an experienced trucking accident attorney. Hiring counsel lacking specific experience with Mississippi‘s laws will lead to frustration and a settlement that is a fraction of what you deserve—if you receive anything at all.

Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you or a loved one has been injured.  Let our seasoned Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney make a difference for you!  Contact us now at (601) 790-1505 to get experienced counsel on your family’s side.

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Experienced Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney Explains How Employers are Responsible for the Employees’ Actions Under Vicarious Liability

When a person is injured in an accident with a vehicle owned by a corporation, it is rarely the corporation’s CEO that was at the wheel. In that scenario, the minimum wage earning employee that caused the accident is unlikely to have the funds to compensate the injured person. So how does a person hold the company financially responsible for the injuries caused by that employee? Legally, the concept of the transfer of liability from the company to its employees is called vicarious liability. In a nutshell, that means that an organization is liable for the actions of those who act on its behalf.

If you were injured in an accident, contact an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer immediately. Being compensated for your injuries is a complex process and is not one you should go through alone. Hiring an attorney who “dabbles” in personal injury work will likely result in you getting a reduced settlement if you get one at all.

Respondeat Superior

The legal theory of respondeat superior means that an employer company is legally responsible for its employees’ actions while they are working on the company’s behalf. A case can be based on respondeat superior when the employee was negligent in the performance of his or her duties. For example, if an employee drinks and then drives a company vehicle to run an errand, causing an accident, the victim of that accident would have a strong argument that that employee acted unreasonably and caused them harm. Because that unreasonable act occurred within the context of employment, the employer would also be responsible for any of the employee’s harm. The same argument would likely not be successful against the company if the employee drank and then jumped in their own car to drive home from work, as that scenario did not occur within the employment context. The context in which the harm occurs, proving negligence, and proving the employee/employer relationship are separate legal challenges in every respondeat superior negligence case. Experienced personal injury counsel will likely work with you to establish that each requirement is met before bringing a claim.

Negligent Hire

The above example concerned accidents, or negligent behavior, committed by an employee while on the job. Another aspect of vicarious liability is “negligent hire.” A negligent hire claim arises when an employee intentionally injurers a coworker or a third party intentionally. In these cases, the behavior was not at the direction of the employer, as a making a delivery in a truck might be, and was clearly outside the employee’s duties. However, the employer may still be liable if they were negligent in hiring the employee, meaning that they knew or should have known that they posed a danger to other employees or the public.

A negligent hire claim often arises in the context of sexual abuse. If an employer fails to adequately background check an employee with a criminal record of sexual abuse, and then that employee proceeds to sexually abuse a third party, a claim of negligent hire often arises. Similarly, if an employer hires an employee with a documented history of violence and then that employee violently injures a third party, a similar claim of negligent hire will arise.

Claims for negligent retention can also be brought by injured third parties when a company became aware of an employee’s tendency to be violent or to harm others and did not fire them upon becoming aware.

What Should You Do if You Are Injured by a Company’s Employee?

If you are injured by an employee of a company, you may be owed compensation under a theory of vicarious responsibility. But receiving the compensation you deserve will require consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you or a loved one has been injured.

Contact us now at (601) 790-1505, to get experienced counsel on your side.

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Experienced Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney Provides Do’s and Don’ts if a Loved One Is Injured or Killed Due to Medical Malpractice

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Having a loved one injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice is one of the most traumatic events you can experience. If that unfortunately occurs, you need immediate, expert legal advice to negotiate the complex decisions that lay before you. There are several things that you can do to help or hurt your situation at that moment, and being aware of them now can mean the difference between caring for your family and assets and financial ruin.

Do:

Do Shut Down Social Media Accounts

While this is not a criminal situation, the old saying “anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law” still holds true.  Your statements on your Facebook page can come back to haunt you, as opposing counsel may use them to show that your story has changed or that you are lying. Old photos of your loved one may be used to demonstrate that their injuries or death were caused by their own conduct. While it is an inconvenience, shutting down your social media accounts and those of your loved ones is a necessity to protect your interests until your case is concluded.

Do Tell the Truth

There is a misconception that people can get away with lying and manipulating the truth in court. In fact, that rarely works. Lying about any aspect of your case can ruin any chance you have to attain any financial recovery, and even deception about an unrelated issue can be used to discredit you in the eyes of the court or jury.  You will likely have to tell your story many times, to your attorney, in depositions, and in court. Lawyers are trained to hone in on inconsistencies and exploit them to show that a person’s story has changed.  They then argue that those changes suggest that the person is being deceptive. The easiest way to “keep your story straight” is to tell the truth and stick to it.

Do Hire An Experienced Attorney

If a loved one is seriously injured or killed due to medical malpractice, you can be sure that the doctor or hospital will have the best legal representation money can buy. Proving medical malpractice is difficult, and you cannot just hire anyone to represent your interests. You should only consider hiring an attorney with an extensive background in medical malpractice representation. Hiring an attorney without that track record sends a message to the insurance companies and opposing counsel that you will likely settle the matter for less than the case is worth. The opposite is true when you hire a veteran medical malpractice attorney; that sends a message to the other side that they should pay you what the case is worth to avoid a protracted battle against a skilled adversary.

Don’t:

Don’t Assume That a Quick Settlement is In Your Best Interest

A quick settlement usually benefits the insurance company representing the doctor that injured or killed your loved one.  A quick settlement may be convenient, but it’s worth a fraction of what you may attain after a competent attorney retains experts to review the evidence in your case. Medical malpractice cases are usually measured in years because of the complexities involved. Assuming it will resolve quickly will usually result in you getting less than you deserve.

Don’t Assume That All Bad Medical Outcomes are Negligence

A patient’s failure to respond to medical care is not necessarily negligence or malpractice. When someone is injured or killed, there is often strong impulse to assign blame. But not every injury or death results in a successful personal injury case, as sometimes there are bad outcomes even when medical professionals meet their professional obligations. Speaking to an attorney about the facts of your case is vital to attaining an understanding of whether the tragic event a loved one suffered is provable malpractice or simply an unfortunate result of legitimate medical care.

Don’t Play Detective 

Let your attorney do the intense work of researching your case and asking tough questions. Taking any role in the investigation of your case, such as asking hospital or medical personnel questions, can ruin it. While you may be reaching out to them out of grief, curiosity, or a desire to help your case, your questions may bias them against you or tip off insurance companies about your attorney’s case strategy.

A medical malpractice claim calls for an experienced personal injury attorney.

Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a medical procedure.

When a loved one has been injured or killed is a very serious legal situation, and entrusting representation to anyone less than a highly experienced personal injury attorney is a mistake. Barrett Law has the experience to take on insurance companies and defense counsel that are focused on denying your compensation for the harm your loved one experienced.  Contact us now at (601) 790-1505.

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Mississippi Whistleblower Attorney Discusses Key Decision by U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently issued a decision that highlights an area where the circuit courts are divided on how to handle an issue. The decision involves the treatment of internal whistleblowers, and the court ruled that employees who report suspected violations of federal securities laws to others within their workplace and not to the SEC fall within the whistleblower protection provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The decision is intended to compel those people within a place of work to whom potential violations are reported to handle the reporting parties with care and respect because any retaliation could trigger a whistleblower protection claim.

Section 21F of the Dodd-Frank Act states that employers may not harass, threaten, intimidate, or take any other type of adverse action against an employee who reports a suspected violation of securities law or other statutes. The Act provides a remedy for any employee who does experience harassment, threats, intimidation, or adversity in the form of a federal whistleblower protection claim. Damages that an employee may pursue through a whistleblower protection claim include reimbursement for legal fees and costs, reinstatement to their former position, and an amount of compensation equal to twice the amount of their back pay, plus interest.

This particular decision turned on the definition of the term “whistleblower,” as defined by the Dodd-Frank Act. Attorneys for the whistleblower’s employer argued that since the term “whistleblower” is defined in Section 21F of the Dodd-Frank Act as a person who reports suspected violations of the federal securities laws to the SEC, the plaintiff should not be allowed to bring a whistleblower protection claim under the Dodd-Frank Act because he had not brought his concerns to the SEC before he got fired. The court disagreed with that argument and ruled that distinguishing between internal whistleblowers and those who have gotten as far as reporting the suspected violations to the SEC would unnecessarily narrow the applicability of the Dodd-Frank Act. Whistleblowers usually report suspected violations to the SEC after attempts to have their concerns addressed by the company go unheeded. Not all whistleblowers can get to that point before they get terminated from their position. It doesn’t make sense to protect only whistleblowers who get past a particular stage in the process of reporting a suspected violation and attempting to get it addressed because the vulnerability that the Dodd-Frank Act was designed to protect begins as soon as an employee reports an alleged violation, whether that statement gets made internally or externally.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Protecting Mississippi Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers become vulnerable at the moment that they report a possible breach of the law to anyone, whether within their company or outside of it. They become open to the threat of all kinds of mistreatment, and they risk losing the income that they use to support themselves and the career that they worked so hard to build. If you got harmed after becoming a whistleblower, the Mississippi Whistleblower Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC might be able to help. Call us today, at 1 (601) 790-1505 to arrange an initial consultation.

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Mississippi BP Oil Spill Attorneys Say Lawmakers Are Having Trouble Deciding How to Spend Oil Spill Funds

A decision about how to spend seven hundred and fifty million dollars in BP oil spill damage payments may not be reached this year. Mississippi lawmakers let Senate Bill 2634, a proposed plan for spending the oil spill settlement money, die at a recent deadline for action after the House Appropriations Committee did not bring it up.

Some House members from the Gulf Coast region said that the proposed bill was not specific enough about how the money would get distributed, so they did not feel comfortable endorsing it. A group of sixteen representatives from the Gulf Coast declared that it was better not to take any action than to pass a bill that would not amount to any real action being taken. Some lawmakers fear that the lack of a decision could lead to a decrease in the amount of money that will be spent on the Gulf Coast, as opposed to elsewhere in the state, but there has been no movement in that direction. Opponents of the now dead bill say that there was not enough protection in the bill to prevent money from being diverted to other parts of the state besides the Gulf Coast. Without a plan for spending, though, the money remains exposed to potential spending outside of the Gulf Coast area.

The BP oil spill settlement money that the state of Mississippi has received to date is currently sitting in a general budget account. Payments from BP into the account will continue for seventeen years into the future until the full amount is paid. Last year, lawmakers made plans for how to spend approximately forty million dollars of the settlement money. House members want to be sure that spending is more focused on projects that will create tax revenue and less focused on infrastructure projects.

It is possible that no additional action will be taken this year as far as additional decisions about the settlement money are concerned, but it is also possible that a special session could be called to address the issue. It is also possible that agreement could be reached regarding how to spend a portion of the funds, just like they did last year.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Helping Mississippi Residents Recover from the BP Oil Spill

The BP oil spill caused massive amounts of damage and destruction to Mississippi’s Gulf Coast and throughout the entire state. Fortunately, the Gulf Coast region is beginning to recover its health and well-being, but the road to recovery for businesses and individuals who were affected by the spill is not easy. The health and economic impacts of the oil spill are enormous, and bringing the Gulf Coast back to life will take time and effort. If you have questions about the BP oil spill, the Mississippi BP Oil Spill Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC might be able to help you. Call us today at 1 (601) 790-1505, to set up a free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney Talks about Winter Weather on the Roads

Sometimes, the effects of winter weather can be as difficult to predict as the weather itself. For example, as they planned and prepared for one recent winter storm, officials from the Mississippi Department of Transportation said that they did not expect to see much of an impact from the storm in northern Mississippi. The storm had other plans, though. The snow was heavy, and many roads became icy.

Some drivers heeded the advice that the Department of Transportation issued once they realized what effects the storm was having and decided to stay off the roads. Other drivers wanted or needed to travel during the storm, and while most of them reached their destinations safely, there were approximately fifteen incidents in the northern part of the state, as well as many others in other areas. Most of those incidents involved single vehicles that slid off of the road. There were a few severe accidents, including a roll-over. Fortunately, most of the incidents did not cause injury.

Just as the people who work for the Department of Transportation work to keep the roads safe, drivers can do their part to drive as safely as possible when winter weather hits. One way that you can stay safe this winter is to check road conditions before you go out and making a wise choice about whether to make the trip. Also, if your vehicle has snow or ice on it, be sure to remove all of it before you get on the road. Snow from the roof of a car can slide down onto the windshield, blocking visibility completely. Chunks of ice can fly off of the roof, startling other drivers and possibly even crack a windshield. Other safe driving practices that you can use to avoid accidents this winter include slowing down when there is any amount of rain, snow, or sleet, not using cruise control, and avoiding sudden turns, acceleration, and braking.

If you do get in a wreck, seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not seem to be hurt. Some car accident injuries, including some serious and potentially life-threatening injuries, are not always immediately apparent. Also, while it is important to cooperate with police and other authorities in connection with your accident, remember that you may consult with an attorney before discussing details with them and that you do not have to talk to anyone from an insurance company. Insurance companies do not have your best interest in mind, and it is helpful to have an attorney deal with them so that your interests are protected.

Barrett Law PLLC:   Helping Mississippi Car Crash Victims Recover

Winter weather on the roadways can lead to dangerous driving conditions. If you got hurt in a winter weather-related wreck, you might be able to recover financially for your injuries and damages. To learn more about pursuing a claim for damages caused by a winter weather-related accident or any other type of wreck, please call the knowledgeable Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC, at 1 (601) 790-1505 to set up an initial consultation.

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Mississippi Trucking Accident Attorneys Discuss Accidents Involving Multiple Tractor Trailers

A recent series of accidents involving multiple tractor trailers is illustrative of the amount of devastation that can occur when more than one of these massive vehicles is involved in a wreck. This particular accident sent three truck drivers to the hospital with minor injuries after a series of events resulted in a total of three tractor trailers becoming involved in the mess.

Accidents like this one, which involve multiple collisions, are often referred to as chain reaction accidents. This particular accident started when an eighteen-wheeler loaded with bricks crossed the median on I-22. As it crossed the median, the truck broke through the cable style guardrail and crossed the other side of the highway, dragging the guardrail cables with it, until it finally came to rest in the woods. This event left the guardrail cables on the road, where another tractor trailer became entangled in them and subsequently veered into the median.

The second truck did not go completely into the median, and its trailer was partially in the roadway. A third eighteen-wheeler collided with the second, causing the driver of the second truck, who had been attempting to untangle his vehicle from the metal cables, to get hit by his truck. It took the Mississippi Department of Transportation hours to remove the wreckage from the roadway, especially the truck that had gone into the woods. Several trees had to be cut down for that vehicle to be removed from the accident scene.

Accidents involving tractor trailers often cause more property damage and more severe injuries than accidents where only passenger vehicles are involved. When two or more tractor trailers are involved in an accident, the stakes are even higher. The risk for accidents involving multiple tractor trailers is highest during morning and evening commute times when roads are most crowded. There are many ways in which other tractor trailers can pile onto a wrecked tractor trailer. For example, a tractor trailer can rear-end a wrecked eighteen-wheeler, or it can collide with another vehicle as the driver tries to navigate around a wreck.

The aforementioned accident resulted in minor injuries, but many other crashes that involve more than one eighteen-wheeler lead to severe injuries and sometimes even one or more fatalities. Since any accident involving a tractor trailer also involves the trucking company that owns the truck, accidents involving multiple tractor trailers can quickly become complicated and difficult to resolve because of the number of parties – drivers, passengers in trucks and other vehicles, trucking companies and insurers involved. Anyone who was involved in an accident involving multiple tractor trailers will benefit from seeking assistance from a Mississippi Trucking Accident Attorney who can help them navigate the complexities of a multi-party claims process.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Supporting Trucking Accident Victims and Their Families

If you or someone that you love got hurt or killed in a crash involving multiple tractor-trailers, it is important to select an attorney who is skilled in handling trucking accident cases. The dedicated Mississippi Trucking Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC might be able to help you with your trucking accident case. To find out more about what we could do to help you, please call our office today, at 1 (601) 790-1505, to schedule a free consultation.

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Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys Talk about Pedestrian Accidents Involving Children

A pedestrian accident in Colorado serves as a reminder that children who walk to school risk of being involved in pedestrian accidents. A boy who was crossing the street in a crosswalk was hit by a car near the Aurora Hills Middle School. The accident occurred when two eleven-year-old boys were crossing a street. When the boys were halfway across the street, the signal changed. The boys started to run to get across the street quickly. Cars in two lanes stopped to let the kids finish crossing the street, but a driver in a third lane did not see the boys, did not stop, and hit one of the boys. The boy who was hit by the car was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

If you have children who walk or ride their bicycles to school, every newspaper story mentioning a bike or pedestrian accident can leave you wondering whether it is safe for your child to be walking or riding their bicycle to school. The good news is that, for the most part, walking and riding bicycles are still safe ways to get to and from school. Walking and biking are excellent ways for children to incorporate exercise and time outdoors into their day. Walking and biking are fun, too, so children are often eager to take advantage of these transportation options if they live close enough to their schools to do so. Since walking and biking to school are things that should be encouraged as long as they are safe, here are a few ways that you can prepare you children for a safe walk or ride to school every day.

One way to keep your kids safe as they ride their bicycles to school is to regularly inspect their bikes and bike helmets to make sure that they are in good condition and that they are the correct size. Whether your children plan to walk to school or ride their bicycles, it is essential that you help them map out a safe route to school. Travel the route with them a few times, making sure to point out important things along the way like crosswalks, stop signs, and other places where they will need to pay attention and stay safe.

Other bicycle and pedestrian safety tips that can help to ensure that your child gets to school safely on foot or a bicycle include helping your child find other kids in the neighborhood to walk or ride with. Walking or biking to school in a group increases visibility and safety, and adds to the fun factor. As the seasons change, make sure that there is adequate daylight for safe foot or bicycle travel at the time that your children will be going to and from school. Also, make sure that your children have back – up transportation for those days when it is unsafe to walk or bike to school because of cold, wet or wintry weather. Encourage your children to wear brightly colored clothing when they walk or bike to school, for added visibility.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Serving Mississippi Accident Victims and Their Families  

If someone that you love was hurt in a motor vehicle or pedestrian accident, you might be able to recover for the damages that you have experienced. The compassionate and experienced Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC help accident victims and their families recover financially after automobile accidents. Please call our office today, at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free, initial consultation.

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