Queens Personal Injury Blog

Distracted driving continues to be a problem across our country. A seemingly countless number of drivers take their eyes and minds off the road in order to engage in conversation with others, change the radio, eat and even groom themselves. The biggest culprit of distracted driving, though, is cell phone usage. Whether texting and driving, checking email while behind the wheel, or surfing the Internet while operating a vehicle, cell phone usage can prove extremely dangerous. A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows just how dangerous of a problem this can be.

That study found that although overall cell phone usage amongst drivers is down, the way in which those devices are used is becoming riskier. According to the study, drivers have been found to be manipulating their phones, which includes any cell phone use other than talking on the phone, 57 percent more frequently than just four years ago. This is a stunning statistic considering this type of device usage can increase the risk of a car accident by 66 percent.

Nursing homes and their staff carry a heavy responsibility. After all, they are entrusted with the safety and well-being of some of the most vulnerable amongst us. When negligence occurs in nursing homes, the results can be nothing short of tragic. Victims can be left seriously injured, and in the worst cases they die as a result of the injuries they have suffered.

One common sign of nursing home neglect is the existence of bedsores. These ulcers that are found on the skin typically develop on the bony parts of the body when pressure is applied to them for an extended period of time. In the nursing home context, these wounds are often found when nursing home staff neglect to turn patients in a timely manner.

Far too many drivers continue to take to the streets while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. These motorists' suffer from diminished driving capacity, including slowed reaction time, poor judgment, and an inability to multitask. They usually have trouble maintaining their lane and a consistent speed. One or any combination of these impairments can lead to a serious car accident. Sadly, many innocent individuals suffer serious injuries as a result of these avoidable crashes.

Fortunately, victims of these wrecks may be able to recover compensation for their damages. However, in order to succeed on their claim they must prove certain legal elements. To meet the legal burden placed upon car accident victims, a lot of know-how and legal legwork is required. Merely gathering evidence can be challenging, especially when parties are hesitant to provide it. Utilizing that evidence to craft compelling legal arguments that are persuasive is another matter.

Semi-trucks play an important role in our society. They move goods from place-to-place, allowing consumers to have access to the goods and services they desire. Yet, despite these benefits posed by the trucking industry, these massive vehicles, their drivers and truck companies also pose significant risks to innocent motorists. This is because the sheer size of these vehicles can leave a wake of devastation and death when driven negligently.

One reason for truck accidents is the fact that they need a significantly greater distance in order to come to a safe stop. An average passenger vehicle may be 12 to 18 feet in length and weigh up to 4,000 pounds, but a big rig can be as long as 53 feet and weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. So, when these vehicles need to come to a safe stop, a passenger vehicle is going to be able to so with much more ease. In fact, when traveling at 65 miles per hour, a semi-truck will require more than 200 additional feet to come to a safe stop.