Personal Injury Law Blogs

Pensioner’s personal injury claim fails in Court of Appeal

The Courier reports that a pensioner has failed in his personal injury claim in the civil courts after it was ruled that he had left his claim too long to succeed.

Mr Clifford Sayers, 66, made a claim for compensation against his former employer, Baroness Chelwood, after he claimed that he developed  “induced noise deafness” because he had worked for her as a gardener. He commenced employment with Baroness Chelwood’s Uckfield home in 1981 and worked for 19 years as a gardener until his retirement in 2000. Mr Sayers’ duties at the Chelwoods’ home included mowing the lawn and tending to their garden. This involved the use of gardening tools, including lawnmowers, chainsaws and other power tools, and Mr Sayers claimed that it was the use of these – and the failure to provide adequate safety equipment for him – that had resulted in the injuries to his hearing. He therefore used personal injury solicitors to claim accident injury compensation in 2008, eight years after his employment had ended.

Employers have a statutory and common law duty to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable injury to their works. Under the various statutes employers have duties to provide employees with the necessary equipment to allow them to carry out their responsibilities (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992) and provide a safe place and system of work for their employees (the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992). Employers also have common law duties to prevent foreseeable harm to their employees and to provide a safe workplace for their employees.

The High Court rejected Mr Sayers’ claim as outside time – employees generally must submit a personal injury claim within three years of their suffering the injury (or having knowledge that they’d suffered the injury). Mr Sayers, however, left at least eight years between the end of his employment and submitting the claim. This was fatal to the prospects of success in his claim. The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s ruling.

Baroness Chelwood made the following comments about the case: “I am very happy as he did not deserve it. He had no claims to any kind of illness. This claim was very greedy. He had everything he needed to do that job including ear protectors. There was nothing stopping him putting cotton wool in his ears.”

Mr Sayers did not comment on the case. It is believed that there may now be a substantial claim for costs against him.

Redmans Solicitors offer expert advice from personal injury solicitors and employment law solicitors

What to Do to Prevent Dog Attacks

dog trainingA dog may be man’s best friend, but there are always too many cases of dog attacks. Dog attacks can result in serious injuries, and sometimes, they may even be deadly. That’s why the best way to deal with them is to prevent them from even happening. Here is what to do to prevent dog attacks.

Adult Supervision Around Kids and Dogs Is Key

Kids do the darnedest things, which can include meeting dogs off-leash that happen to be roaming the neighborhood. Children are, of course, more susceptible to dog attacks because of their small size, which is why parental supervision is a good deterrent against attacks. A dog simply roaming the neighborhood likely got loose from its owner’s backyard, which can also be dangerous for the dog.

Talk to the Dog Owner Prior to Greeting a Dog

If kids, and even adults, want to pet a dog, the owner of the animal must always be asked first. Various dogs have different temperaments, and as such, some dogs can be afraid of strangers and even of children. On the other hand, some dogs, being unfamiliar with kids, might be highly excited around them, which can lead to attacks.

The Dog Should Be Approached from Below the Neck

Preventing an attack has so much to do with the angle of approach when you’re petting a dog or attempting to. For almost everyone, it is a natural movement to attempt to pet a dog by approaching it from above; they want to pet the dog on the top of its head. Unfortunately, some dogs may interpret this as a threat! If the dog feels cornered, it is going to do one of two things: respond with aggression, or run away. If it responds with aggression, you’ve got a dog attack on your hands.

Folding Arms and Turning Away

If a dog should jump on you, you can do a lot to prevent an attack. First, you should simply stand up. Then, you must fold your arms to prevent the animal from having access to your hands. Finally, you should turn away from the dog so that you can withdraw your attention from the situation. Note that you must absolutely not move away or back away from the dog, as this will actually encourage it to jump forward.

A dog attack can be a highly traumatic situation. It will end up badly for both you and the animal, as the animal will likely be put to sleep as a result. In order to prevent this horrible situation, you should keep the above tips in mind the next time that you are around any dog. A dog may be man’s best friend, but unless complete trust with the dog has been established, proceed with absolute caution.

If you or a loved have been injured during a dog attack, seeking legal counsel is crucial.  The Driscoll Firm, P.C. is dog bite and dog attack injury law firm located in St. Louis, Missouri.  For more information about dog attacks and recovering expenses associated with injuries sustained, visit the website at www.SettlementHelpers.com.

 

Quitting Smoking With Chantix May Be More Costly Than You Think

ChantixPeople attempt to quit smoking on a regular basis, and sometimes they succeed. Often, they find themselves seeking alternative therapies, some of which may include the use of prescription medication. Chantix (varenicline), developed by Pfizer, is a non-nicotine smoking cessation drug that offers an apparent 44 percent success rate when combined with anti-smoking education, according to the Chantix official website.

Other studies though, such as one published in the Nicotine & Tobacco Research journal shows only a 14 percent success rate after 24 weeks on the medication. Although Chantix has a record of helping a percentage of people in their attempts to quit smoking, people are asking themselves if the potential side effects are worth it. Read further to see how Chantix can have serious effects on health.

Behavioral Changes with Chantix

Often, medications come with warnings taped to their containers and written in their pamphlets. Behavioral changes are distinctly associated with Chantix, and the company’s website makes the following warning: “Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using CHANTIX to help them quit smoking.”

Physical Changes with Chantix

Behavioral changes are just one of the possible side effects of this drug. Though the Chantix website doesn’t provide any specific percentages when it comes to how many people are affected by changing moods, they do make it quite clear that 30 percent of people who take Chantix end up feeling nauseated. The other common symptoms include sleep problems, vomiting, constipation, and gas.

Increase in Heart Attack Risk with Chantix

Possible death is a warning that is sometimes found on medication packaging. Chantix warns of an increased risk of heart attack. John Hopkins University researchers studied 8,216 patients who were on the drug and they found that one in every 400 patients developed a heart attack or similar disorder while on Chantix.

Increased Suicide Risk with Chantix

In addition to the potential risk of heart attack or heart-related disorder, death is a serious potential side effect in Chantix users. In 2011, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices published that 272 people had committed suicide while taking Chantix. By 2011, with this number of deaths, Chantix had more deaths associated with it than had any other monitored drug on the market at the time.

Pfizer also warns people who are taking Chantix that they may have serious allergic reactions to the anti-smoking medication. They go as far as to say that some of those reactions can be life-threatening, such as swelling of the face and neck, and troubles breathing.

With smokers make up nearly 20 percent of the US population, it’s no wonder people are looking for ways to quit. Considering all the options and weighing out the risk of Chantix and other smoking cessation drugs, it’s clear to see why people are beginning to question Chantix and its side effects.

If you or a loved one have experienced harmful side effects because of taking Chantix, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible.  The Cagle Law Firm is a dangerous drug law firm located in St. Louis, Missouri.  For more information about the detrimental side effects of Chantix, visit the website at www.AllInjuryAttorney.com.

A Guide to Road Accident Claims

Over 1 million road accidents occur each year in the UK. The majority of these incidents are only minor and people walk away unharmed. However, some are far more serious and result in injuries being sustained and in some cases, even fatalities. In such situations a personal injury claim for compensation can be made.

Whenever you get behind the wheel of a car or ride a motorbike, you have a duty of care to yourself and other road users.  Unfortunately, sometimes people do not act responsibly behind the wheel and cause an injury to themselves and or others. You can make a road accident claim as a passenger, driver, cyclist or even a pedestrian as long as someone else is at fault for the incident and your injuries.

What to do if you Are Involved in a Road Accident

If you sustain an injury whilst involved in a road accident, I understand that the chances of you being able to think about what to do in the case you make a claim are remote, but if you can, try to do the following:

Exchange driver details ­– It is essential that you talk to the other driver(s) involved and take down their details, such as phone number and address. You will need to contact them if an injury claim is made and they were at fault or are a witness. If the other driver is at fault, avoid getting into a blame game conversation as you could say something you may regret and this could possibly adversely affect your personal injury claim.

Talk to witnesses – Witnesses are key to any personal injury claim as they can give an impartial view of what happened. If a witness can confirm your version of events then be sure to speak to them at the time of the accident if possible and take down their details. If you aren’t in a fit state to talk to witnesses, try and get someone else to talk to them or find them at a later date.

Seek medical attention – Your health is the most important thing, so make sure that you seek medical attention at the first possible moment. Not only will a doctor be able to treat you, they will also write up a report that states what injuries you have sustained and how they will impact your life. This acts as a vital piece of evidence in any claim as it informs people as to exactly what is wrong with you.

Find a personal injury solicitor – Once you have gathered some initial evidence to support your claim, you will need to find a personal injury solicitor who can manage the case. Try to find a solicitor who either specialises in road accident claims or has successfully handled a similar case before as this will give you a far better chance of having a successful claim.

In the meantime, if you would like a quick compensation estimate then it is suggested that you use an injury compensation calculator. This will provide you with a rough estimate for your injuries based on the average pay-out amounts of previous claims. However, your solicitor will be able to give you a more accurate figure once you meet with them.

Injury Claim Specialists is one of the UK’s leading personal injury advice websites. We pride ourselves on offering easy to understand, plain English injury claims advice on a wide range of different injury related topics. There are also a number of extremely useful tools such as the Compensation Calculator, which can give you a compensation estimate in less than a second, and the Injury Claims Guide is at hand to answer all of your personal injury related questions.

When Young Drivers Take Too Many Risks

One can simply turn on the news and realize that the world isn’t always safe for teenagers. Unfortunately, besides these dangers, teens often experience peer pressure, bullying and many other stressful issues that we were all excessively excited to leave behind in high school. Regrettably, teens frequently put themselves at risk further by engaging in dangerous driving habits. It is important for every teen and parent to understand the consequences of risky driving behaviors; it could very well save a life.

Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving is a huge issue when it comes to unsafe teen driving behaviors. Teenagers are at a huge risk for car accidents, and recent studies have shown that nearly forty percent of teen traffic fatalities are alcohol related. Another scary statistic is the fact that the average BAC for underage drunk drivers involved in car accidents is .40 percent.

It’s also important that teens understand the legal consequences that they could face; even if they don’t injure themselves or anyone else when doing so. The legal BAC for underage drivers in many states is much lower than .08 percent, and this makes it much easier for underage drivers to get a DUI charge. Whether you are in San Diego or in Orlando DUI charges are serious. A teen can face fines exceeding $2,500, suspension of their license for three years, probation up to five years and even up to one year in jail. These penalties can put a serious dent in a person’s young life.

Texting and Driving

Texting and driving has become a rather large issue in the United States over the past few years. Many states have outlawed the practice altogether, and even more states have gone so far as to not allow underage drivers the use of their cell phones at all, while driving. This isn’t a terrible idea once one considers the statistics related to this distracting behavior.

Research has recently shown the detrimental effects that texting can have on teen drivers. One study showed that teens who are texting while driving spend about ten percent of their entire driving time outside of the bounds of the lane that they’re supposed to be in. This can obviously result in disastrous outcomes.

A large amount of all car accidents each year are caused by ‘distracted driving’.  Eighteen percent of fatal crashes that resulted from distracted driving were attributed to cell phone use, and a large amount of these crashes were caused by young drivers. The main point here is that texting while driving is dangerous for anyone, but it is often deadly when combined with a teen’s driving inexperience.

Fatigued Driving

Driving fatigued is another dangerous driving habit that many people engage in.  Once again, however, it is more pronounced in underage drivers. About one out of every five car accidents in America is caused by fatigued driving. Of these accidents, more than half are caused by teenagers who were tired behind the wheel. This statistic should rattle a parent’s nerves once they find out that the fatal vehicular crash rate for teenagers between the ages of sixteen and nineteen is four times higher than that of older individuals.

Recent studies have shown that being deprived of sleep for twenty-four hours is roughly equivalent to having the blood alcohol content (BAC) of .10.  Knowing this, parents should take care that their teens aren’t driving while fatigued. This should include restricting driving if a teenager was up late studying or doing anything else. Parents should be able to provide their teen a ride to school or other important obligations if they didn’t get enough sleep.

When we were teens, we all faced many different events in our young lives. The one thing that remained the same is that, it was a time when we all likely made relatively risky decisions. Teenagers don’t always have the most sound judgment when it comes to anything; driving included. This makes it absolutely essential that they understand what can happen when they take unnecessary risks while driving.

Paralegal Kelly Kovacic recognizes that teens may not always understand the consequences of their actions, and so she contributes articles to bring awareness to these topics. If you were in Florida and received an Orlando DUI charge the attorneys at Katz & Phillips, P.A. will make sure you get the best results possible. The attorneys at this firm know what charges to challenge to preserve a young teen’s future from years of harsh consequences.

 

Importance of Having Knowledge Related to Work Accident Related Clauses

People try their best to avoid accidents. However, due to their negligence and due to unnoticed but potential situational hazards, they often fall victim to accidents. Surveys done in the recent time shows that the rate of work accident is climbing upward. This could be due to the fact that employees in an office are not careful enough. It could also be that the office doesn’t have adequate security measures. The best way to avoid accidents in workplace is to stay alert. However, in case a person meets with an accident, the next thing that matters to him most is quick recovery and reimbursement, if applicable.

There have been many trials in the court for the settlement of work accident related claims. Employees often meet accidents inside the workplace and then hold the company responsible. It could be a genuine claim or it could be a false claim. Only the court of law can confirm or deny the authenticity of the claim. That’s why, assistance from a lawyer is needed in such cases. The lawyer’s help can be needed in both ways; the claimer may need service from an expert lawyer if he feels that his odds in the public court are too many. Similarly, if an employer feels that the claimant himself is responsible for the work accident, he can hire a lawyer so that he can defend himself and his company’s reputation from a false claim.

Before a lawyer is hired to handle work accident cases, there are few things that the recruiter needs to keep in mind. Work accidents are not that unusual these days. People employed in different types of duties in various companies, often meet accidents. But at the same time, awareness related to accidents in workplace is also increasing and that’s why, an employee must be alert enough not to let any accident happen in the first place. Following tips to avoid work accident is really handy for the employee because his plea in the courtroom will get solidified if he can prove that he was cautious enough but in spite of that, the accident happened and it’s actually the company, which is responsible for the accident.

It is very important for both employees and the employer to have an idea about the laws abiding work accident related incidents. There’s a definite procedure of claiming reimbursement. Anyone, who wants to claim work accident settlement, must be aware about the relevant legal guidelines. In case he doesn’t have much knowledge in legal areas, he can take advice of an efficient legal practitioner, or someone who has good working knowledge in legal matters. Such legal practitioners can guide one through the legal complications. It not only helps the claimant to receive compensation quickly or the defendant to secure his position and his company’s reputation from a false claim, but also delivers them some legal knowledge, which helps them in long terms.

Oftentimes, it is found that an employee is facing some sort of harassment in the office because he claimed settlement from his employer for work accident. The law strictly prohibits this. Employees, who’ve experienced such incidents can file new lawsuit against the employer. It’s only consultation with a lawyer that gives him such insights.

Therefore, work accident related legal clauses and guidelines are really essential for employers and employees to consider.


Author Bio – Henry Richardson is an avid writer. He prefers writing on work accident, claim assistance, legal help and similar areas.

Top 5 Cities With The Highest Auto Accident Rates

Over six million car accidents occur in the U.S. each year, and approximately three million people are injured. Although traffic accidents happen in every city in the country, there are some areas that have a higher than average accident rate. The following five cities, for example, all have so many car accidents annually that drivers need to be extra cautious whenever they are within their city limits.

Top Five Cities for Auto Accidents

1) Washington, D.C. – According to Allstate’s America’s Best Drivers Report, the country’s capital is the worst place in the nation for traffic accidents. In fact, drivers in D.C. average an accident once every 4.8 years. On the flip side, Fort Collins, Colorado has the lowest accident rate with drivers experiencing only one accident every 14 years. Washington, D.C.’s poor ranking is nothing new, either, as it has been at the bottom of the list of major cities for several years.

2) Baltimore, Maryland – Although Baltimore’s drivers have less to worry about than the drivers in D.C., they still have to contend with an average of one accident per person every 5.3 years. The state of Maryland lost 547 people in 2009 due to traffic accidents, and a large quantity of these deaths occurred in Baltimore.

3) Glendale, California – Glendale is a suburb of Los Angeles, and the dangerous traffic conditions of that area have landed it in third place for auto accidents for the past few years. If you are driver in Glendale, you can expect to be in an average of one accident every 5.5 years.

4) Newark, New Jersey – Newark has a bad reputation for traffic accidents, but at least it is number four on the list instead of number one. Still, Newark’s resident deal with a car accident an average of once every 5.9 years, making this a less than ideal area for motorist safety.

5) Miami, Florida – Miami does not currently deal with as many car accidents per driver as the other cities on this list, and there are actually a total of 11 cities that had a higher accident rate in 2009. However, Miami has been included on this list because it has been getting worse each year. For example, it was in the 19th spot in 2008, but it climbed all the way to the 12th spot by 2009. Due to this, it is definitely necessary to be careful while driving in Miami, especially with an accident rate that averages once every 7 years for each driver. Many people will need to seek out a Miami auto accident lawyer at some point during their stay there.

Dealing with an Automobile Accident

If you are the unfortunate victim of an automobile accident, it is important to contact an attorney. After all, car insurance will not always cover all of your medical expenses. If you have a serious injury, it will be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to ensure that you will not end up financially destitute due to someone else’s actions. Make sure that you gather as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident, and contact an attorney as soon as possible to begin the legal process.

Keep in mind that accidents can happen anywhere, so it is important to be careful no matter where you are driving. Even Fort Collins, Colorado lost 11 people due to traffic accidents in 2009. Therefore, you need to remain alert anytime you are behind the wheel.

Writer Anthony Joseph is a freelance author, and contributes this article toward educating people of the growing accident issue in this country. By reaching out to a Miami auto accident lawyer at Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, you will get a sense of the experience and dedication that they can bring to the table when representing you. Their attorneys will assist you in getting back on your feet, and handle the stress of dealing with the insurance companies.

DUI Accidents Involving Personal Injury

Accidents involving driving under the influence are often harmful in terms of legal consequences, but have you considered the potential for financial consequences? While it’s true that in virtually all states DUI convictions result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in fines and fees, but what many people don’t realize is that some drivers convicted of DUIs may be facing a much steeper financial loss.

Who is at Risk?

In most cases, drivers who injure, kill or cause property damage while driving under the influence are the ones who are most at risk for serious financial losses. In such cases, the offending driver may be sued for damages in civil court for personal injuries and property damage, and this is where things get really serious.

The Cost

Drivers who are sued in civil court for personal injury damages related to driving under the influence may be forced to pay out costs that exceed one million dollars, depending upon the circumstances. Keep in mind that DUI accidents can cause serious bodily harm and even death, and because medical costs associated with DUI accidents can be incredibly high, convicted drivers may be facing serious financial consequences. In addition, many personal injury lawsuits also cover a victim’s pain and suffering, and because it’s very difficult to place a value on such things, juries often award outrageous sums of money for them.

Even If You Aren’t Convicted

It’s also important to point out that a drunk driver who causes a personal injury doesn’t have to be convicted in criminal court in order to be sued in civil court. For example, if you were pulled over, arrested and charged with drunk driving, but you got off in criminal court on a technicality, such as the Breathalyzer device being improperly calibrated, you could still be sued in civil court for damages if you caused personal injuries.

The Facts

It’s estimated that nearly 40 percent of all fatal vehicle accidents in the United States involve alcohol intoxication, meaning by drinking and driving, you are likely to be involved in a crash that kills someone. For accidents involving injuries, the statistics only rise. Additionally, the punishments for a DUI that doesn’t involve an accident, injury or death are substantially lower than those that do.

For instance, when convicted of a DUI that didn’t involve injury, you may be simply looking at fines, fees and the loss of your driving privileges. If your accident involved injury, death or property damage, you may be looking at increased costs and years of jail time in addition to a civil lawsuit.

Because of the potential for all of these consequences, drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid drinking and driving at all costs. Even though you may be tempted to drink and drive, please think of all the innocent people you could put in danger. While your desire to get home on your own may be strong, you also need to consider the potential consequences of doing so not only for yourself, but for the lives of everyone else on the road. Do yourself and everyone else a favor – don’t drink and drive.

A legal researcher who stays on top of the latest DUI laws, Kelly Kovacic writes articles for the legal community.  The consequences of DUI charges involving personal injury can be devastating. If you are facing these charges you should contact a lawyer for professional help. The Law Offices of Steve E. Kellis have the expertise and years of experience to help anyone facing these devastating charges.

 

Worst Aviation Accident Lawsuits in Recent History

When aviation accidents occur, they makes news headlines and usually the news is grim. Reports of deaths and severe injuries are heart breaking to hear. They are especially devastating to family members who are left to pick up the pieces of their lives after such a terrible loss.

Multi million dollar lawsuits are not unheard of following these tragedies. Recently, there have been huge lawsuits and settlements because of the excellent skills of law firms handling the cases. The largest money awards are usually experienced during jury trials. This is partly due to empathy jurors feel for those critically injured and for those left  after losing their loved ones.

A 55 Million Dollar Settlement In Daytona Beach In 2007

In 2007, a jury in Daytona Beach awarded two young men, a student and his flight instructor, a record-setting <a href=”http://arthuralanwolk.com/arthur_wolk_on_air_law_aviation_safety.html”>55 million dollar settlement</a>. Both men were severely injured but survived the crash of the Cessna 150 they were in. Their lawsuit was against Teledyne Continental Motors, the makers of the plane’s engine, and against Precision Airmotive, the makers of the plane’s carburetors.

It was determined that carburetors were defective and that engines in these planes were malfunctioning. It turned out that both manufacturers knew of the recurring defect problems but chose to ignore them. Both plaintiffs suffered not only physical injuries but post traumatic stress injuries as well and were forced to give up their dreams of being airline pilots.

A Single Engine Aircraft Breaks Up In Flight Killing Two Dentists

An award of <a href=”http://www.airlaw.com/Verdicts-Settlements/Verdicts-2005—2009.asp”>$19 Million</a> was given to the families of two dentists in 2009, when it was determined that the plane they were flying in, a single engine model, broke up in flight due to something called flutter. When the phenomena known as flutter breakup occurs, the plane normally disintegrates immediately, due to the aerodynamic surfaces or the flight controls creating what is known as a harmonic.

The two men, prominent dentists, left two wives and a total of ten children behind. They were killed instantly when the accident occurred. This type of accident is similar to the plane exploding. It usually happens in a time of structural failure and happens extremely quickly and violently.

Almost $89 Million Awarded In Carburetor Failure And Takeoff Power Loss Accident

When a single engine plane crashed, killing three people and severely injuring a fourth, a jury in Philadelphia awarded a record-breaking <a href=”http://www.airlaw.com/Verdicts-Settlements/Verdicts-2010—2011.asp”>$89 million</a> in damages. This case kept being appealed and took almost ten years to come to a complete settlement. It was finally settled in 2010. It was found in this case that a defective carburetor failed, bolts loosened and fuel flooded in causing a loss of power on take off.

$11 Million Dollar Verdict In A Georgia Plane Crash

Jurors awarded over $11 million to two plaintiffs, a male doctor and a female airline pilot, who were injured in a crash at an airport near Atlanta, GA. Both victims suffered third-degree burns which occurred on over 35 percent of their bodies. The plane they were flying lost engine power and crashed into a water treatment plant shortly after taking off. It was found that there was negligence in the plane’s maintenance and during inspections of it.

Multi million dollar settlements help to compensate victims and their families when an airplane catastrophe happens. No amount of money will ever bring back those lost when these tragedies occur. A settlement, however, can be helpful to their families.

Byline

This piece was contributed by Travis Leary, a freelancer based in the Seattle area; Travis often writes on law, politics, and current events. Legal issues are extremely diverse and varied; for those who need assistance with difficult family law issues, see a Denton divorce attorney with significant experience in this area.

Drowsy Driving Nightmares

According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 24 U.S. adults admits that they have recently fallen asleep while they were driving. This is a terrifying statistic because it means that the odds are high that someone is asleep behind the wheel near you every time you are on the road.

Therefore, whether you are the drowsy driver or they are in the car next to you, your risk of being in a car accident that was caused by fatigue is extremely high. If you are injured due to the actions of a drowsy driver in New York, with the help of www.accident-lawyer-new-york.net, you can find the right accident attorney to help you.

Drowsy Driving Statistics

In addition to the numbers that were released by the CDC, the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep in America poll discovered that 60 percent of adults drive while they are tired and 37 percent of adults have fallen asleep behind the wheel. To make matters even worse, 13 percent of the poll’s respondents stated that they fall asleep while driving at least once a month.

With this being the case, it actually seems unlikely that only 100,000 crashes are caused each year by driver fatigue, but that is the figure that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released. The NHTSA also estimates that 71,000 people are injured and 1,550 people are killed each year by driver fatigue.

Tips for Staying Alert

Even the safest driver is occasionally going to find themselves in a position when they are driving while they are tired. Although the best solution is to not drive at all, this is not always practical. Therefore, it is a good idea to utilize one or more of the following tips to help you stay alert until you reach your destination.

1. Chew Gum – Studies have indicated that chewing gum temporarily causes your mind to become more alert when you are tired. Although this is definitely not a long-term solution, it can help make you feel more awake for short trips.

2. Make Frequent Stops – One of the main causes of driver fatigue is staying on the road for an extended period of time. Instead of attempting to drive from one place to another within nine hours, for example, you should add on at least 30 minutes so that you can stop every three hours for ten minutes. The simple act of getting out of the car and walking around for a few minutes will make you temporarily feel more awake.

3. Drink Water – Although a lot of people use caffeine to wake up, the crash that this can bring on later makes things worse on a long road trip. Instead, you should stay hydrated with water to keep yourself from becoming excessively tired.

4. Roll the Window Down – A blast of air in the face, especially if it is cold, always wakes people up for at least a few minutes, so it is a good idea to drive short distances with your window rolled down.

5. Pull over for a Short Nap – If you cannot keep your eyes open, it is better to pull into a rest area for a 30 minute nap than to take the risk of causing an accident.

Dealing with an Accident caused by Fatigue

If you are the victim of an accident that was caused by a tired driver, you should contact an attorney. Any injuries that you sustain from the accident would be the legal responsible of the other driver, and you can file a personal injury lawsuit if the car insurance does not cover all of your medical bills.

Legal researcher Shelby Warden contributes this article to alert the public about the growing problem of driver fatigue. Anyone involved in an accident in New York should go to www.accident-lawyer-new-york.net to find a skilled attorney before signing insurance documents that may limit their rights. If you feel the negligence of another driver was the cause of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.