Study Shows 12 Most Dangerous Jobs Are In Construction
The construction industry is more dangerous than we thought. According to a November 2020 study published by Industrial Safety & Hygiene News (I.S.H.N.), approximately 50 percent of all fatal workplace accidents are connected to construction jobs. Researchers evaluated the cause and prevalence of fatal injuries across 263 professions using data produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on annual job fatalities in 2018. Of the 263 professions evaluated, 25 occupations were responsible for the bulk of all fatal injuries recorded in the country— 12 of which involved construction type work. Our team of construction accident attorneys at Siler & Ingber has represented the best interests of workers across New York City and Long Island for over 20 years. As committed advocates, we believe in the power of educating workers on dangerous trends in the industry that could put them in harm’s way. This article reviews the most common causes of fatal accidents affecting the construction industry and which jobs are putting workers at the most risk every day. Common Causes of Fatal Construction Accidents Construction has held a reputation as a deadly industry for decades. According to the National Safety Council, construction was categorized as the deadliest major industry in 2019, skyrocketing past industries such as government jobs, agriculture, forestry, transportation, and warehousing in fatal injuries. There have notoriously been four types of construction accidents responsible for nearly all workplace fatalities, also known as the Fatal Four: Falls (from heights or caused by other hazards on the worksite); Struck by objects (tools, machinery, equipment, or falling objects); Electrocutions; and Caught in-between (materials, machinery, equipment). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has long predicted that preventing these four accidents would save the lives of at least 631 workers every year. Sadly, all of the most dangerous construction jobs are still suffering from an influx of Fatal Four accidents. 12 Most Dangerous Construction Jobs Each profession evaluated in the I.H.S.N. study was assigned a fatal injury rate based on 100,000 workers using B.L.S. occupational fatality records from 2018. Across the 25 most dangerous jobs, the average fatality rate was 2.9 fatalities per 100,000 workers for wage and salary workers and 9.4 for self-employed individuals. The 12 most dangerous jobs related to the construction industry include the following: Derrick Operators = 20 deaths (46 per 100,000) This category includes derrick, rotary drill, and service unit operators in gas, mining, and oil. The most common fatal accidents involve transportation incidents and contact with objects and equipment. Roofers = 96 deaths (41 per 100,000) This category includes workers repair, replace, and install roofs in residential and commercial settings. The most common fatal accidents involve falls from heights (roofs and ladders), slips, and trips. Ironworkers= 15 deaths(29 per 100,000) This category includes structural iron and steel workers responsible for installing materials on buildings, bridges, and roads. The most common fatal accidents involve falls, slips, and trips. Crane Operators= 9 deaths (19 per 100,000) This category includes crane and tower operators responsible for operating and using equipment to lift materials, machines, or other objects on site. The most common fatal accidents involve transportation incidents and contact with objects and equipment, particularly cranes. Construction Helpers= 11 deaths (18 per 100,000) This category includes workers who help trade workers on construction sites in areas such as building finishing, building equipment, and foundation and exteriors contractors. The most common fatal accidents involve falls, slips, and trips. Landscaping Supervisors= 48 deaths (18 per 100,000) This category includes workers who are first-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping, often managing projects, enforcing standards, training employees, and inspecting work. The most common fatal accidents involve falls (from heights), slips, and trips. Highway Maintenance Workers= 14 deaths (18 per 100,000) This category includes workers responsible for maintaining structures such as freeways, highways, roads, runways, and other travel infrastructure. The most common fatal accidents involve transportation incidents, including vehicle crashes on active roadways. Cement Masons= 11 deaths (17 per 100,000) This category includes workers classified as cement masons, terrazzo workers, or concrete finishers. The most common fatal accidents involve falls, slips, and trips. Grounds Maintenance Workers= 225 deaths (14 per 100,000) This category includes workers responsible for maintaining parks, residences, and businesses, including grasses, lawns, and other tasks. The most common fatal accidents involve transportation incidents, particularly when employees are traveling between job sites. Maintenance Workers= 64 deaths (14 per 100,000) This category includes workers responsible for routine maintenance of machines and buildings (homes, apartments, businesses), including electrical and plumbing. The most common fatal accidents involve contact with objects and equipment. General Construction Workers= 259 deaths (13 per 100,000) This category includes workers responsible for physical labor tasks, including building scaffolding, unloading materials, digging trenches, and operating machinery. The most common fatal accidents involve falls (from heights and hazards), slips, and trips. Mining Machine Operators= 9 deaths (11 per 100,000) This category includes workers responsible for removing and loading rock, metals, coal, and other hard materials from a mine and transporting them to the next destination. The most common fatal accidents involve contact with objects and equipment. New York City and Long Island Workplace Accident Lawyers Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber have over 20 years of experience serving injured workers across New York City and Long Island. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process using our past experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in a work-related accident, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to help our clients achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today at 1-877-529-4343, or schedule an appointment
Metal Mask Burns Patient in MRI
New Yorkers scheduled for upcoming MRIs should beware before undergoing a scan with a mask. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (F.D.A.), a patient back in December of 2020 suffered severe facial burns after wearing a mask with metal components during a 3 TESLA MRA neck scan. The injury report stated that the scope of the patient’s facial trauma was identical to the shape of the mask worn during the time of the scan and was caused by the presence of metal inside the covering. MRI technologists are responsible for informing all patients prior to scanning about the dangers of metal objects near the machine. It is standard policy in the radiology field to utilize a metal checklist when screening patients to ensure removal of all metal jewelry, accessories, personal belongings, or articles of clothing containing metal before a scan. Everyday objects on this checklist include electronics, implants, surgeries containing metal, earrings, or hair clips. Face masks are no different from any other metal accessory included on the metal checklist, particularly now that masks are mandatory to wear in all medical settings. It is negligent for MRI technologists to scan any patient without ensuring that their mask contains non-metal components. Face masks should be added to every checklist and inspected thoroughly for the possibility of metal before every scan. It is even better practice to warn patients of the risks before they arrive at the facility, so they are able to prepare. At Siler & Ingber, we have been fighting for burn victims across Long Island and New York City for over 20 years. We believe in the power of educating patients on their rights and the dangerous trends in the medical field that could lead them into harm’s way. This article will highlight the masks you should be wearing when undergoing MRI scans and what you can do if you have suffered an injury due to medical negligence. Why Metal In MRIs Is Dangerous MRI imaging, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a common non-invasive diagnostic procedure performed on patients suffering from chronic pain or soft tissue injuries. The most common MRI uses include scans of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ligaments, muscles, or tendons. According to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (N.I.H.), MRI imaging utilizes powerful magnets to produce an intense magnetic field to stimulate protons’ rotational flow inside of living tissue. The magnetic field causes the protons to spin out of equilibrium and strain against the magnets’ pull, producing an image when the protons begin to realign. The magnets in an MRI machine can cause metal components present during the scan to heat up or cause static within the magnetic field, often resulting in patient injuries. Additionally, since MRI magnets are typically 1,000 times the strength of a refrigerator magnet, any metal present in the MRI room itself can be yanked towards the machine when it is on. The most tragic of these instances occur when the metal being pulled is contained with a human body, such as an implant or pacemaker. Masks NOT to Wear During MRIs Any mask that contains metal components could cause harm to a patient inside of an MRI machine. The most common mask features manufactured with metal include: bendable nose pieces or headbands; support clips and wires; nanoparticles (ultrafine particles); or antimicrobial coatings that may contain copper or silver. Masks containing any metal feature can become hot very quickly when the MRI machine is active, causing burns to the nose, lips, chin, cheeks, or other parts of the face. Masks made from synthetic fibers have been flagged by the FDA to contain the most undetectable metal fibers, leading to large scale burns of the face. Safe Masks to Wear During MRIs MRI technologists are responsible for assessing a patients’ mask and confirming that it does not contain metal components prior to a scan. If your mask is confirmed to contain metal, or even suspected to contain metal, best practice is for MRI facilities to offer patients an approved non-metal mask to prevent injuries. Unfortunately, this process does not always occur, and some MRI technologists are not doing their due diligence to ensure patient masks are safe for the procedure. Be your own advocate and bring a non-metal mask (if possible) to a scheduled procedure to avoid facial injuries during an MRI scan. Most surgical masks that are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19 also contain metal components. Cotton masks, with no metal clips or flexible nose pieces, are typically the safest. But always consult a trusted health professional about the safety of your mask. What To Do If You’ve Been Burned If you or someone you love has experienced a burn from a mask after MRI imaging, it is critical to report the incident. First, seek medical attention to ensure your injuries are taken care of. Burns can lead to infections and permanent scarring when left unattended. Contacting a burn injury lawyer is the next step to determining whether negligence was the cause of your injury. Burn injury lawyers have the resources and experience to investigate whether a facility followed the proper protocols during screening and can also assist you in reporting the incident to the FDA without hurting your claim. New York City and Long Island Accident Attorneys Our burn injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber, have over 20 years of experience serving clients across New York City and Long Island. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process using past experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, our team at Siler & Ingber is here
What to Do if You Suffer a Herniated Disc Injury?
Herniated discs have become a common health issue in the United States. A herniated disc is a spinal injury wherein the disc in your spine ruptures and the jelly-like center of the disc leaks which irritates the surrounding nerves causing pain and discomfort. You can get herniated disc in your neck, mid-back, or lower back. A herniated disc can be diagnosed through an MRI. Usually, herniated discs are a result of age-related wear and tear. It is referred to as disc degeneration. However, even trauma, such as a car/motorcycle accident can cause a herniated disc. Car accident attorneys are witnessing a spike in cases of herniated discs among victims of motor vehicle accidents. If you already have disc degeneration, the chances of herniated disc increase even more and can occur even due to a minor injury or sprain. Some of the common factors that can cause herniated risk are: Overweight – The extra weight of the body puts additional pressure on the discs of your back, especially the lower back, which may cause a herniated disc. Work-related – Your job may increase your risk, for example, if your work involves a lot of heavy lifting or is otherwise physically demanding, it can put you at a higher risk of a herniated disc. Smoking – Smoking may lead to a lessening of oxygen supply to the disc, which makes it vulnerable to become a herniated disc. Genetics – A family history of a herniated disc may put you at risk of this health issue. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising, maintaining a good posture, etc. to reduce your risk of suffering from a herniated disc. However, despite these measures, you may fall prey to a herniated disc due to someone’s negligence. Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs, are one of the most common outcomes of motor vehicle accidents, including car, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents. Additionally, the severity of the accident can also increase the severity of the injury. While in some cases, a few sessions with the chiropractor may be enough to cure the disc, in some incidents, a severely herniated disc may need surgical intervention or have lifelong implications on the lifestyle of the victim, such as restricted movement, etc. If you suffer a herniated disc due to a car accident, you’re owed compensation from the at-fault driver. It is recommended you work with a car accident lawyer to help you receive the settlement you deserve. While such a case may seem straightforward, there are many complications when the proceedings start. For example, the insurance company and the car accident attorney of the at-fault driver may try to pin the blame on disk degeneration instead of the accident. They may also try to settle the case for a far lesser compensation. In such a scenario, a car accident lawyer will be ideal to file the claim on your behalf and make sure that the compensation you receive is just and fair. If you or someone you know has suffered a herniated disc due to someone’s negligence, you need the best car accident lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Your Guide to Legal Action in Case of a Dog Bite
While dogs are known to be a man’s best friend; unfortunately, it may not always be the case. Dog bites are common and they can lead to several short- and long-term health implications. In some cases, dog bites can even be fatal. Regarded as a personal injury, attorneys represent numerous cases for people who suffer from dog bite injuries due to someone’s negligence. Numbers state that more than 14000 people are hospitalized in the United States every year due to dog bite injuries. Moreover, 1000 people require emergency treatment every day in the country. In terms of the injuries sustained, the most common are: Bite injuries on the neck, face, and head Bite injuries on the hands, fingers, forearm, and wrist Cuts on the face Any of the above-mentioned injuries can be of varying degrees – from minor to major, they need immediate medical attention, and if ignored, can have dire consequences. Moreover, along with the physical injuries dog bites can also lead to mental trauma, especially for people who are scared of dogs beforehand. But who is responsible in case you suffer a dog bite? Dog owners, landlords, and anyone who harbors a dog have a responsibility to train their animals and ensure that they do not pose a threat to the public. Unfortunately, some owners are lax in these responsibilities. Even worse, a handful of dog owners are wilfully negligent and encourage dangerous canine behaviors. If you’ve suffered a dog bite due to someone’s negligence, it is important to hire a personal injury attorney so you get a fair settlement. In such a scenario, you’re liable for a settlement that recovers medical cost, income loss, pain and suffering, disfigurement, therapy expenses, etc. In terms of New York State law, Section 121 of the New York Code says that the owner of a “dangerous dog” is responsible for injuries sustained by people, livestock, or companion animals such as service dogs. A “dangerous dog” is one that meets at least one of the following criteria: Has already bitten a person, livestock, or pet Exhibits dangerous behavior such that a reasonable person would believe the dog poses a threat to others Law enforcement dogs are not included in this statute. In New York, the statute of limitations on a dog bite case is three years from the time of the bite. Your injury claim must be filed before this statute runs out for your case to be heard. Using the above Code, a personal injury lawyer will help in fine tuning the details of your case to make sure that the owner is liable to pay you a fair settlement. If you or someone you know has suffered a dog bite due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
All You Need to Know About a Sports Injury Lawsuit
Sports are the very basis of leading an active lifestyle. The benefits of playing sports are innumerable for physical as well as mental health. However, sports and injuries go hand in hand. Whether you’re a child, adult, or a professional sportsperson, it is nearly impossible to engage regularly in sports without suffering any injuries. Now, there are injury attorneys specializing in cases where sports injuries occur as a result of someone’s negligence. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report that nearly 8.6 million sports injuries occur each year. The most common type of injuries are sprains and strains followed by fractures. As per data by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the most common cause of injuries are falls, overexertion in an unorganized/informal sport event, collision among players, and getting struck by an object. However, there are ways to avoid sports injuries. Some of them are: Using proper protective gear: It is imperative that you use proper gear to protect yourself from injuries, whether it is a helmet while cycling or kneepads during soccer. Just this one step is can prevent a lot of serious injuries. Resting adequately: If you play a sport regularly, it is important you take adequate time off. By keeping your muscles rested, you’re further strengthening them, however, if they lack rest you might strain your muscles making them vulnerable to serious injuries even if the cause is minor. Don’t ignore pain/injury: If something hurts even without a known cause, it is important that you rest and let the muscles recover. If it is serious, go to a doctor. Do not play through the pain. Following the rules and techniques: While adventure is always on the cards as far as sports is concerned, it is important that you follow the rules and apply the proper techniques. This can prevent a lot of serious and minor injuries. However, despite following the rules and taking adequate care, you may succumb to a serious sports injury due to someone’s negligence. For example, improper maintenance of sports equipment by the relevant administration in a school or a training center. This could be in the form of faulty equipment or a risky playing surface. In a scenario where you’ve been injured while playing a sport due to someone’s negligence, it is advisable to hire an injury attorney to represent your interests. An injury attorney will evaluate the compensation you deserve by taking into account the seriousness of the injury, its financial and mental impact on you, as well as the extent of the responsibility of the negligent party in causing the injury. If you or someone you know has suffered a sports injury due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. We have injury lawyers for all boroughs including Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
Study Shows High Incidence of COVID-19 Among Construction Workers
A pandemic that took the world by storm is still raging, especially in the United States. The country has been leading the count in terms of the maximum COVID-19 cases. While one state brings it under control, things go out of control in another. Essential staff is working round the clock for nearly a year now, including construction workers. Construction accident attorneys and other relevant groups are advocating that construction workers should be second-in-line to receive the vaccine. Here’s why. Numerous studies have been done around the world to study different phenomena of the disease, for example, public health experts have been trying to identify the different strains, the impact of the virus on different sets of people (age, gender, other medical conditions, etc.). Similarly, another such study done in the United States shows that it is the construction workers and the correctional workers who have the highest positive rate for COVID-19. The study was conducted in Los Angeles between August and October 2020 wherein 730,000 COVID-19 tests were analyzed to evaluate the positivity rate of people who work in different industries. It emerged that 10.1% of construction workers who had symptoms were positive, second only after correctional workers whose positivity rate stood at 12.1%. Additionally, 5.8%asymptomatic construction workers tested positive, the highest among all professions captured in the study. One of the biggest reasons for such a high positivity rate could be attributed to the fact that there is no paid sick leave which compelled construction workers, symptomatic and asymptomatic alike, to go to work despite their condition. This not only puts their health at risk but also those around them. Moreover, while containment efforts require social distancing, construction work may be demanding in a way that it requires many hands for one task. The CDC also took out special guidelines to ensure the safety of construction workers while at work during the pandemic. But their applications remain awry/unknown at the individual site level. While individual efforts are of paramount importance regarding protecting oneself from COVID-19, employers also have certain responsibilities. For example, at a construction site, the employer should provide disinfectants and sanitizers which can be used to clean hands and surfaces. For high-load sites, shifts should be in place to manage social distancing to further reduce the risk. If you’re a construction worker and your employer is not following the due diligence regarding COVID-19, hire a construction accident attorney to represent you. In such a scenario, you can also recruit a personal injury attorney. A construction accident attorney or a personal injury attorney will prove helpful in highlighting the negligence which puts your life at risk due to the pandemic. If you or someone you know is at the risk of COVID-19 due to negligence by the employer, you need the best personal injury law firm, to contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
E-Scooter Accidents NYC
E-scooters and e-bikes are proving to be more deadly than convenient. In the summer months of 2020, emergency departments across New York City reported a concerning uptick in accidents related to personal and pay-per-use motorized bikes and scooters. According to the New York Post, the expansion of Revel’s scooter program, particularly in the Bronx, significantly elevated the number of accidents involving motorized two-wheeled vehicles. The injuries reported ranged anywhere from bumps and bruises to dislocations, fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. Sadly, at least three of the reported e-scooter accidents resulted in fatalities. At Siler & Ingber, we advocate for all riders and pedestrians’ rights to travel safely on NYC streets. E-scooters and e-bikes can cause life-threatening accidents when riders are reckless or inexperienced. In this blog, we’ll discuss the primary safety concerns associated with these motorized vehicles on NYC roads and what all New Yorkers need to watch for to stay safe. Common Causes of E-Scooter and E-Bike Accidents According to Reuters, e-scooter and e-bike injures have been increasing dramatically nationwide for years. Over 14,600 e-scooter-related injuries were reported in 2018, up from 1,083 injuries reported in 2014. There are plenty of ways to cause an e-bike or e-scooter, regardless of how long you have been riding one. The most common factors leading to these types of motorized vehicle accidents include: Inexperienced riders; Lack of protected lanes; Congested streets and sidewalks; Reckless riders who swerve through people; Pedestrians and bicyclists unprepared to encounter e-bikes and e-scooters; and; Malfunctions and defects from overuse or manufacturing errors. Additionally, some e-scooters come equipped with small wheels that can make it incredibly difficult to control the vehicle at high speeds. Smaller wheels can stick in cracks and catch on uneven pavement when riding on the sidewalk or potholes when operating on the street. E-Scooter and E-Bike Injury Trends Despite both e-bikes and e-scooters posing a risk for life-threatening injuries, a study by Reuters found different injury trends for each vehicle. E-scooters were three times more likely to result in concussion injuries and bone fractures, where e-bike riders suffered from more internal injuries going at near-double the speed that e-scooters are capable of. Approximately 32 percent of people injured an e-scooters in 2018 involved suffered head injuries. This is primarily due to riders not wearing helmets when riding, both as renters or owners of these vehicles. Injuries to the lower extremities were only slightly higher in prevalence at about 33 percent, and upper extremity injuries accounted for over 25 percent of all injures reported. Streets Blog reports that nearly 40 percent of all accidents involve a new rider who is jumping on an e-bike or e-scooter for the first time. They are typically using the vehicles for recreational or tourism purposes. Rarely are the riders who cause accidents New Yorkers who are using these vehicles for their daily commute. Anyone Can Become A Victim You don’t have to be riding an e-scooter or e-bike to become a victim of an accident. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other motor vehicles are all at risk when a motorized vehicle is out of control. All New Yorkers much stay alert to these vehicles and expect the unexpected when it comes to how they will operate. The most recent accidents involving e-scooter and e-bike riders in NYC have met one of the following instances: A pedestrian struck on the sidewalk or crosswalk; A bicyclist struck on the road; Damage to a parked vehicle from reckless driving; or Collisions with moving vehicles on the road. The bulk of these accidents occur when new riders pay-to-ride an e-scooter or e-bike for the first time. New riders are unfamiliar with how to operate these motorized vehicles or how to ride in a busy city. It doesn’t take much for a rider to cause a major collision at a busy intersection or to wipe out a sidewalk of unsuspecting people if the rider loses control. How to Ride Safe The safest bet to take with an e-bike or e-scooter is to wait to purchase until dedicated lanes are installed in NYC. E-scooters and e-bikes are certainly a more eco-friendly and convenient mode of transportation. But current road conditions provide zero protection for riders or the other occupants who share the road. If you still want to take the chance of riding a motorized scooter or bike in NYC, these are the steps you should be following before every ride: Wear a helmet and clothes that will not drag or catch; Do your research on how to operate the vehicle and brake beforehand; Avoid confusion on the road by planning your route; Ride on well maintained and paved roads; Avoid the sidewalks when you can; If you must go on the sidewalk, avoid sidewalks that are crowded at peak hours; Keep your speed low and stay alert to others around you; Never swerve in and out of people or traffic; Follow the same traffic rules as bikes to avoid confusion; and Do not squeeze the throttle if you lose control let go before you exit the vehicle. New York City and Long Island E-Scooter and E-Bike Accident Attorneys Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber, have over 20 years of experience serving clients across New York City and Long Island. We protect your rights by maximizing recovery and securing the financial support our clients need to succeed on their road to recovery. Our winning attorneys know how to navigate through the claim process using past experience as insurance defense attorneys. We are not afraid to fight and are fully prepared to take your case to trial to get a justified verdict over settling for less. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of another, our team at Siler & Ingber is here to help. With a 98% success rate, we have the experience and the know-how to help our clients achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today at 1-877-529-4343
AAA: How Not to Be an Intexicated Driver
Every day, nine people are killed, and 1,000 are injured in distracted driving accidents nationwide. According to AAA, there are hundreds of distractions that can snag a driver’s attention from the road. But the most prevalent and deadly distraction to date remains the use of cellphones while driving. Whether it’s texting, talking, navigating, or checking notifications, using a cellphone behind the wheel can lead to deadly consequences. The AAA defines an intexicator as any driver who uses their cellphone behind the wheel. It only takes one tap of a screen or a few seconds of glancing away for a driver to miss a road hazard that leads to an accident. In some cases, these hazards are fixed objects, such as guardrails, dividers, or construction signs. But most often, road hazards in distracted driving accidents involve people: occupants of other vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. Studies conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have found that despite 97 percent of drivers admitting that cellphone use while driving is dangerous, 45 percent still admit to reading a text or email while driving and, 35 percent admit to typing a text while driving in the last month. Spreading awareness on the critical impact distracted driving can have in our communities is the first step to protecting others on the road. Here’s where you can start to make a difference near you. Know the Facts It’s not enough to say that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents to inspire someone to drive safer— even if it’s true. However, sharing relatable situations of how dangerous using a cellphone behind the wheel can be is a great place to start. The AAA provides the following examples for you to share with friends and family to illustrate the true danger of distracted driving: Reading an email for 5 seconds is the same as driving an entire length of a football field blindfolded; Taking your eyes off the road for 2 seconds doubles your risk of a crash; Mental distractions, even when your hands are on the wheel, can take your mind away from the road enough to cause an accident (listening to the radio, talking on the phone, using voice activation for texting, calling, or emailing); At least 6 out of 10 teen crashes are the result of a distraction, the second most common distraction being cellphone use aside from interacting with passengers; and Cellphone use while driving impairs your brain in similar ways to drinking alcohol while driving. Understanding Distractions One of the biggest misconceptions about distractions behind the wheel is that if a driver can do two things at once successfully, they are not distracted. Unfortunately, that’s not how distractions work. A distraction while driving is any task aside from driving that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or mind off driving. Distractions can involve taking your hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or both at the same time, but all distractions require a driver to take their mind off driving. Examples of common distractions include: Eyes: Billboards or construction signs, checking yourself in the mirror, looking at scenes outside of your, checking your phone. Eyes and Hands: Personal grooming, reading maps or papers, reaching for fallen objects, attending to pets or children, texting and driving. Hands: Eating, drinking, using handheld cellphones, manipulating vehicle instruments, changing the radio or music. Mind: Talking with passengers, using hands-free devices, daydreaming, using voice activation. The use of cellphones, especially texting and driving, requires a driver to remove their eyes, hands, and mind from the road. This leaves optimal room for missed road hazards and critical errors in judgment by the distracted driver. How To Prevent Distracted Driving Distracted driving is 100 preventable and never worth the risk it poses. Multi-tasking does not exist when it comes to driving. Whenever you perform another task behind the wheel, your concentration breaks, and your chance of making an error significantly increases. Cellphones are certainly the most prevalent distraction on the road, but they are by far the only ones. Avoiding multiple distractions to maintain your alertness is crucial to driving safely. The AAA recommends the following safety steps to use every time you drive yourself or others: Put your phone out of sight to reduce the temptation of looking at missed calls and notifications; Know the route before you drive or enter your coordinates before you begin driving to avoid GPS distractions while in motion; Pull over on the side of the road in a safe area if you need to call, text, or readjust your coordinates; If you have passengers, ask them to help you with tasks in the vehicle instead of taking your eyes off the road; If you are a passenger, do not distract the person who is driving with loud noises or other distractions that takes their attention away; Use your Do Not Disturb setting on your phone to limit notifications; and Refrain from doing non-driving-related tasks in the car (eating, drinking, smoking, makeup, writing, or other). Take the Pledge April is officially Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but why wait? Distracted driving takes the lives of approximately 30,000 Americans every year. Raising awareness of the prevalence of distracted driving can occur at any time and anyone can make roads safer. You can help spread the word about the importance of reducing distracted driving accidents by taking the AAA pledge. By partnering with AAA in committing to putting down your phone while driving, you could personally reduce the number of people killed and injured by distracted driving within your community. Find out how to create a personalized pledge card to share on social media and use the hashtag #DontDriveIntexticated to gain more traction. Drive safe and alert, Long Island! New York City and Long Island Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys Our personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Siler & Ingber, have over 20 years of experience serving clients across New York City and Long Island. We protect your
Here’s When You Need a Child Injury Attorney
Children, with their playful spirits and unlimited energy, often get hurt while playing with their friends. Whether it’s a rough game of sports, a race, or just a slip and fall, a minor scrape or an injury is a part of everyone’s childhood and also important to build resilience among children. What accounts for injury due to negligence among children? Sadly, more than 6000 children die due to injuries each year. In a scenario where children are hurt and the situation could have been prevented with adequate care and supervision by an adult, it is recommended to recruit a child injury attorney. Here are some of the common scenarios when children get injured due to lack of supervision by an adult: Choking – While enjoying a meal with the family, at a restaurant, or at a birthday party, a child might choke. It is imperative that the adults present get medical help immediately and do the needful. Otherwise, the adult may be held responsible for causing such an injury. Animal bites – It may so happen that a child might attempt to pet a domesticated animal (dog/cat) and get injured if the animal bites, scratches, or injures them. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that they warn children to come near their pets or make sure that the pets don’t bite. A dog bite injury attorney may be hired if a child suffers injuries due to a dog’s bite. Drowning – A day by the pool or a picnic at the beach may prove risky for children if they don’t know how to swim. It is important that the parents/caregivers/adults are absolutely alert to make sure that the children don’t go near water or maintain a safe distance. If a child drowns, the adults present may be held responsible for their negligence. Lead poisoning – Toys are meant for children to have fun but they can very well become agents of severe injuries. Lead poisoning from toys is a serious threat and if a child suffers from it, the parents can hire a child injury attorney to sue the toy company for selling harmful toys to children. In such a scenario, the attorney will put forth a case to prove the negligence of the toy company and get the compensation the family deserves. Car/school bus accidents – A motor vehicle accident is one of the most common causes of personal injury in adults and children in the United States. If a child is hurt in a motor vehicle accident, the negligent party will be held accountable and charged accordingly. Child abuse – In extreme cases, parents/caregivers might deliberately cause injuries to their children. In such a case, social services and child injury attorneys work towards bringing children out of such situations and punishing the appropriate party strictly as per the laws of the state. What does a child injury attorney do? Firstly, a child injury attorney is a specialist in cases related to children. Their expertise allows them to view the cases with a lens of prevention and how the injury could have been avoided by the adult in the situation. Additionally, a child injury attorney will help you file a claim to cover all tangible and intangible costs, for example, medical expenses, loss of income to parents to care for the injured child, emotional distress caused to the parents and the child, etc. If your children or someone you know has been injured due to someone’s negligence and you need a winning law firm, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced child injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
The complexity of litigating elevator accident cases
Skyscrapers are a part of New York’s infrastructure and so are elevators. But elevators can pose a serious risk if they’re not adequately inspected and properly maintained. An accident caused in an or due to an elevator can lead to serious injuries or even death. As per theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, accidents caused in elevators and escalators lead to 30 fatalities and seriously injure about 17,000 people each year in the United States. Common causes and injuries due to elevator accidents Injuries in elevator accidents are caused mostly due to the following: Falling into the shaft Getting stuck between malfunctioning doors Tripping due to improper/unbalanced leveling with the floor Freefall Electrocution Colliding with a fellow passenger while entering or leaving the elevator in a rush Often, these accidents lead to severe injuries and even fatalities. Some common injuries caused due to elevator accidents are: Severed limbs Broken bones Spinal cord injuries Cuts and bruises Injuries on the head, neck, or shoulders One of the most common reasons for elevator accidents is improper maintenance of the elevator which leads to equipment failure. Some common equipment failure is: Faulty wiring Malfunctioning of the pulley Obsolete equipment not upgraded timely Improper installation of the elevator Power failure Error while operating the door Mechanical breakdown Elevator maintenance rules in New York State The New York City building codes have made it mandatory to inspect all the elevators for public use twice every year. These inspections need to be performed by a third-party licensed by the Department of Buildings. Recently, Gov Andrew Cuomo also signed legislation to improve elevator safety in New York. This new law requires all individuals engaged in the design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of elevators or other automated people moving conveyances to be licensed by New York State. The law also creates the New York State Elevator Safety and Standards Advisory Board to help establish recommendations for elevator inspections, examinations to satisfy licensing requirements, and enforcement to ensure compliance and promote public safety. What happens if someone gets injured in an elevator accident? If you have been injured in an elevator accident, we recommend you hire a personal injury attorney to represent your interests in this situation. This becomes even more important in this scenario as litigations related to elevators can become slightly complex, especially when it comes to identifying the party at-fault for causing the accident – whether it is the elevator manufacturer, the building administration, on-site work staff, etc. Leave it in the able hands of a personal injury lawyer to ensure that your expenses are duly covered and you get the compensation you rightly deserve. If you or someone you know has been injured in an elevator accident and need a winning law firm, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.
