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Toughest lawyer against DWI accidents in Houston?

  • Posted on July 27, 2010 at 11:22 am

My daughter was injured when a drunk driver hit the car she was in. I need the best lawywer in Houston to take this man for all he has! She’s fifeteen (15) years old, a volleyball player and now suffering from neck and back injuries.

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Sleep Deprivation and Traffic Accidents

  • Posted on January 12, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Ten years ago, a former colleague of mine, a fine teacher and person, was tragically killed in a car accident in British Columbia. He was on vacation with his daughter who miraculously survived the accident. What happened was a classic case of sleep deprivation: my friend was anxious to make his way to a chosen destination and despite his fatigue and the fact that he had been on the road for over 6 hours, he made the decision to drive through the night. He never made it there.

That there is a direct correlation between sleep deprivation and traffic accidents cannot be disputed. In 1998, 24,318 deaths were cited from accidents related to sleep deprivation in the US. There were as well 2, 474,430 disabling injuries resulting from accidents where decreased mental efficiency and attentiveness due to sleep loss was the major causative factor. In fact, a major review conducted in 1996 suggested that the oil spill of the Exxon Valdez, the destruction of the space shuttle Challenger, the nuclear accident at Chernobyl( costing over 50,000 lives) and the near nuclear accidents at the Three Mile Island and Peach Bottom reactors were all associated with sleep deprivation of the personnel involved.

Sleep deprivation is often caused by sleep disorders which are unknown to the subjects themselves. Sleep apnea, for example, is a common cause for sleep deficit. A study at the Sleep Disorders and Research Center of Stanford University Medical School showed that truck drivers identified with sleep disordered breathing had a two-fold higher accident rate than drivers without sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep disordered breathing, commonly known as sleep apnea, affects 15 million people in the United States. This condition, characterized by suffocation and oxygen deprivation which wake the subjects up several times in the course of the night, is responsible for daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Put these subjects on the highway and we have a recipe for disastrous traffic accidents.

Perhaps an examination of the influence sleep deprivation has on our mental acuity and performance level can shed light on how we can protect ourselves and others from the disastrous consequences of sleep fatigue.

What happens to you when you are sleep deprived? According to the Traffic Research Center, these are the influences of sleep deprivation on performance:

a) Slower reaction time: sleeplessness slows down your reflexes; reaction time slows down, preventing you from stopping in times of danger.

b) Decrease in concentration levels: When you are overly tired, your attention span decreases. Most people are subject to a decrease in attention every 90-120 minutes; however, sleepiness makes this decrease even worse and it can cause accidents when you fall asleep at the wheel.

c) Disorder in information processing: Sleepiness is very much like being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When you are sleepy, your mental and psychomotor skills diminish. In one study, a group of subjects were kept awake for 28 hours; another group was given alcoholic drinks every half hour. When both groups were tested for hand-eye coordination, the ones who were sleep deprived performed equally bad as the ones with 0.5 blood alcohol level.

What are the factors that have a direct effect on a driver’s tiredness?

a) The amount of time the driver has been on the road. When a driver has been on the road for 8 or more hours, his driving performance is impaired. The risk of accidents increases.

b) The amount of sleep the driver had the night before. Not having any sleep for 16 hours has a serious impact on driving performance. Research shows that the sleeping period of drivers who are involved in road accidents are shorter than the ones of those who had sufficient sleep.

c) Sleep disorders and Obesity. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea or narcolepsy in truck drivers are a major risk factor. In the same Stanford University Study mentioned above, even weight can seriously affect the frequency of traffic accidents. Obese drivers with a body mass more than 30 kg also presented a two-fold higher accident rate than non-obese drivers.

d) Environmental factors. The lack of resting and parking facilities for drivers is another factor that contributes to the accident rate.

What can we do to ensure that we get adequate sleep?

a) Set up a bedtime ritual—the same time to bed, the same routines like reading in bed or listening to relaxing music.

b) See your doctor if you have snoring or breathing problems, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, night time choking episodes. You could have sleep apnea which can be treated with new devices and technology.

c) If you are overweight, take the steps to bring down your weight. Obesity is a common factor in sleeplessness.

d) Get into a routine of exercise during the day. Do not exercise after 7Pm as the activity could be over stimulating and prevent you from sleeping.

A simple thing like sleep is nothing to be dismissed. More and more studies are revealing a direct link between our nighttime and daytime experiences.

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Teenage Car Accidents: Understanding the Risks and Dealing with It

  • Posted on January 4, 2010 at 10:07 am

Teenage car accidents are considered as one of the greatest dangers teenagers who drive face. If you have a teenage son or daughter, make sure that you as well as your teenage child understand the risks of teenage car accidents. The statistics show that car accidents involving teenagers are very common, and every day, factors that heighten the possibilities of these car accidents pile up.

Drunk driving, driving during the night, driver distraction from passengers, cellular phones, and mp3 players all contribute to the dangers that put teenagers at risk of getting into car accidents while driving. And since these young drivers are still inexperienced, the risks are affected by aggravating factors way faster. 

The Risks According to the Statistics 

Some parents and most teenagers may take the risks of teenage car accidents for granted. Unfortunately, that’s one of the most dangerous things you can do. If you are unaware, check out the stats of teenage car accidents to fully understand the dangers you’re facing.

According to statistics, more than 400,000 teens between 16 and 20 are severely injured in car accidents, and more than 5,000 lose their lives. Despite the very small percentage (10%) of the population that teenagers account for, teenage car crashes actually account for 12 percent of fatal car accidents. In other terms, teenage car accidents are behind 26 billion dollars worth of car accidents, which is 30% of all costs associated with car accidents in the entire country. 

The large number of teenage car accident can be attributed to naturally higher risks of young drivers getting into an accident. A teen driver aged 16 to 20 is four times more likely to get into an accident than other drivers. This risk climbs during the first year that a teen is able to drive. 

What to Do After a Teenage Car Accident 

Get the facts 

If you are a parent and your teenager has just gotten into a car accident, the first thing to do is get the facts. Before you reprimand your teenager or defend him/her from other parties involved, make sure you know what really happened. Give your teenage driver the benefit of the doubt. Run your teenager’s statement through the police present to report on the accident so you can get a clear view of the accident. 

Call a car accident lawyer 

It would help to have some legal help on your side in case you need to make a claim or you and your teenage driver need to face damage claims from other parties involved in the accident.  

Educate your child about safe driving 

After the accident, make sure to reiterate to your child once again just how dangerous driving is and how it should be taken seriously. Never get tired of warning and reminding your child in order to ensure his safety and that of other motorists on the road. Also, don’t forget to give special warning against drunk driving, which has led to some of the most severe and most fatal car crashes involving teenagers.

Can you prevent teenage car crashes 

Just as you can’t fully control the behavior of your teenagers, you cannot prevent teenage car crashes. The possibility of one occurring still lies in the hands of your teenage driver. However, you can do your best to lessen the dangers that threaten their lives by always reminding them to become responsible drivers.

Do: Do your part; call up your teenager’s friends and their parents and talk to them about the need to reinforce road safety and responsible behavior. Get car insurance for your teenager so you can be saved from a lot of trouble and expense in case teenage car accidents do occur.

Don’t: Don’t treat your teenager like a small child. Make him understand the real dangers of teenage car accidents.

The Verdict: Teenagers are now being threatened by a lot of dangers while on the road, and most of these dangers, such as over-speeding, drunk driving, and reckless driving, can actually be controlled. What’s important is that your teenage driver understands the danger, and your role as the primary educator makes a big difference.

To find more about Teenagers Car Accident Statistics visit our website: http://www.best-car-accident-lawyers.com/teenagers-car-accident-statistics.html

Copyright 2009 Best-car-accident-lawyers.com, all rights reserved.

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Baby Gates For Stairs – What You Should Know

  • Posted on July 2, 2009 at 7:15 am

When it comes to baby gates for stairs, it seems like you have an endless array of choices. There are all kinds of different child safety gates, but the truth is, in order to protect your child you need to buy the right type of gate.

Many parents don’t realize the importance that a baby gate that is installed properly can provide. Thousands of babies and toddlers are injured or killed each year from accidents such as falling down the stairs. Sadly, the vast majority was preventable.

When you are at the point of needing baby gates for stairs, be sure you buy a hardware mounted safety gate. Do not rely on a pressure-mounted gate. Here’s why.

A pressure mounted baby gate is perfect for room-to-room use. It keeps your toddler in one area and gives you peace of mind. But it does not provide strength when pressing up against it. Around the stairs your child could be leaning up against it or trying to climb it when all of a sudden it gives way. Don’t let that happen to you.

A hardware mounted baby gate has the screws and brackets to permanently attach itself to the wall or frame. The added strength means you won’t have to be as concerned about it giving way. If you have an odd sized opening you can purchase installation kits that will help with mounting. There are also extension kits that will allow you to secure a much larger opening.

One other tip when using baby gates for stairs is to always keep an eye on your child. Yes, the gate will protect them, but as they get older they will undoubtedly try and climb it. Double check that the gate door is latched closed as well. You would be surprised at how often it’s not.

Next, go to this website at Baby Gates For Stairs where you will find information, reviews and ratings on every kind of baby safety gate. http://www.BabyGatesForStairs.com

Article Source: Baby Gates For Stairs – What You Should Know

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