Posts Tagged ‘Victims’

For Victims in Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Other Cities, Obesity May Play a Role in Injury

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

According to a new study by researchers from the Safe Transportation Education and Research Center at the University of California, obese passengers are more likely to sustain fatal injuries in a car accident when compared with passengers who are a healthy weight. The study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, expressed concerns about the ability of passenger vehicles to safely accommodate obese passengers and drivers.

Study Suggests Obese Passengers May be More at Risk

Researchers examined data of fatal accidents between 1996 and 2008, which were recorded through the US Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Between 1996 and 2008, the data showed that there were 57,491 car accidents. For about 3,403 people information about weight and seat belt use was available. Of these 3,403 people, 18% were obese, a third were overweight, and almost half were a healthy weight (based on BMI). Looking at the data, researchers found that those with a BMI (body mass index) of 30-34.9 had a 21% higher chance of dying in a car crash when compared with passengers and drivers of a healthy weight. Drivers and passengers with a BMI of 35-39.9 had a 51% higher risk of fatal injuries. Those who were severely obese with a BMI of at least 40 had an 80% higher chance of dying in a car accident when compared with those of a normal weight.

Researchers concluded that at least once possible explanation may be related to seat belt use. The study found that one third of those who died in the car accidents were not properly wearing a seat belt. The study’s authors concluded that some people who are severely obese may not be able to wear a seat belt properly or may choose not to wear a seat belt because it is not comfortable.

The study authors also suggested that in a car collision the lower body of an obese passenger is pushed forward more before the seatbelt engages. This is due to the extra tissue and body mass which keeps the belt from fitting snugly. The upper body is held back more while the pelvis moves forward, which the researchers believe may lead to more serious injuries.

The study’s authors also suggested that obese drivers and passengers may have more underlying health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac problems, and other conditions which can affect their recovery if they sustain serious injury.

What does this mean for obese drivers and passengers in South Florida?

The study suggests that drivers and passengers who are obese are more at risk of serious injuries in the event of a car accident in Fort Lauderdale and other communities. The study’s authors suggested that seatbelts sometimes do not fit obese passengers as well as they could. Hopefully, car and truck manufacturers will consider creating seatbelts for obese passengers and drivers so that these motorists can stay safer in the event of a truck accident in For Lauderdale and other communities. Traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Florida already claim too many lives. Creating safety devices that work correctly for passengers of all sizes and shapes would certainly be a step in the right direction.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Senior Injury Victims and Miami Car Accidents

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

According to Florida officials, about one quarter of Florida drivers will be seniors by the year 2030. Currently, about 20 percent of drivers in the state are seniors age 65 or older. Much has already been written about elderly drivers and Miami car accidents. Some experts claim that age-related health concerns could make these drivers a risk. Others argue that health concerns that affect driving ability can occur at any age, so it is unfair to target elderly drivers.

A new study, however, suggests that it is not only elderly drivers we need to be concerned about: it is also senior personal injury victims injured in car accidents. According to TRIP, a transportation research group, more senior drivers were killed in 2010 in car accidents in Florida than in any other region of the US. According to the study, 271 seniors were killed in car accidents in Florida in 2010. The study also found that in 503 deaths related to car accidents, the drivers involved were senior drivers. Florida has 9.87 elderly fatalities per 100 000 individuals. Only Texas had a higher rate related to population, with 10.7 senior deaths per 100 000 people.

According to both TRIP and an advocacy organization known as Floridians for Better Transportation, more needs to be done to make Florida roadways safer for everyone, especially now that the number of senior drivers is on the rise. According to Floridians for Better Transportation, one of the issues is that many retirees choose to settle in Florida in their golden years, and this can mean that drivers who are used to driving in other states (and not used to driving in Florida) end up in Florida. Another issue is that drivers are driving longer and seniors are living longer, meaning that elderly drivers spend more time behind the wheel than in past generations.

One issue with Miami car accidents and traffic accidents is not only what causes them, but also the types of injuries which passengers and drivers can sustain. The high rate of fatalities found in the TRIP study could suggest that elderly drivers are vulnerable to injuries sustained in car accidents. Some age-related illnesses, such as osteoporosis, can make elderly victims of Miami truck accidents and traffic accidents more susceptible to broken bones, for example. If an elderly driver or passenger has a pre-existing health condition, any brain injuries, fractures, burn injuries, and other injuries can take longer to heal.

Elderly car accident victims face many challenges as they recover as well. Since many seniors are on fixed incomes, medical costs, car repair costs, and other Miami traffic accident-related costs can create substantial financial distress. At the same time, insurers do not always provide elderly injury victims with fair claim amounts. Since elderly victims may not be income earners, for example, they may not recover for lost income and other related expenses. In addition, elderly drivers may sometimes be unfairly blamed for an accident.

For all these reasons, it is important for elderly car accident victims to consult with a qualified Miami personal injury attorney after their accident. An experienced Miami personal injury attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, can help the accident victim understand the value of their case, and can negotiate with insurance carriers for fairer compensation.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Elderly Victims in Miami Car Collisions

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Miami car crashes claim many lives and cause a devastating array in injuries, including many permanent and life-threatening injuries. As the percentage of elderly persons grows, senior citizens are more likely to be affected by the high numbers of Miami car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 13% of the total US population in 2009 were aged 65 years or older. Senior citizens comprised 16% of car accident fatalities and 8% of injury victims in car accidents in 2009. According to the NHTSA, senior drivers are less likely than the rest of the population to be involved in drunk driving accidents and are more likely to the be the struck vehicle in a car accident. Despite this, there are still some reasons why car accidents claim so many senior citizens’ lives:

1) The growing number of senior citizens. With improved quality of life and medical care, more Americans are living longer. This is a great thing, but it can also mean more people who are seniors – and a growing demographic at risk. In Florida, especially, there are many senior citizens, attracted by the state’s climate and lifestyle. This is one reason why a number of Miami car collisions involve senior citizens.

2) The changing nature of the roads. Over the past few decades, a number of initiatives have been designed to make roadways safer than ever before. At the same time, however, the roads are increasingly complex and congested, increasing the risk of accidents.

3) Medical issues. Any driver can suddenly develop medical problems that can affect driving ability. However, elderly drivers are especially prone to some medical problems, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and dementia, which have subtle symptoms but which can significantly impact driving safety. Conditions such as these can be hard to detect at first, even as they affect a patient’s ability to drive safely.

4) Senior citizens may be more likely to walk. In many cities, senior citizens are more likely to be injured in a pedestrian accident than other adults. Part of the reason why seniors are at risk for Miami pedestrian accidents is because seniors often take part in walks for fitness or may rely on walking as a mode of transportation, potentially putting them more at risk. Seniors who have mobility problems are especially at risk for pedestrian accidents and Miami slip and fall accidents while walking.

Unfortunately, seniors may suffer more serious injuries as a result of traffic accidents. Since seniors are more likely to suffer from conditions such as osteoporosis, bone breakage caused by a car accident may be more likely in the senior population. As well, the elderly may be more vulnerable to complications as a result of their injuries and may take longer to heal from brain injuries and other injuries sustained in car accidents. Underlying conditions and overall condition can mean that healing simply takes a long time.


Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Cash for flood victims

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

Victims of this spring’s flooding across Manitoba will be eligible for disaster financial assistance, the province announced Thursday.
Manitoba stories

Drunk Driving Accident Injury Victims Should Seek Legal Counsel

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

Drunk Driving Accident Injury Victims Should Seek Legal Counsel

Drunk driving accidents are perhaps the most tragic of accidents that occur on the road. These types of accidents cause many unexpected, but entirely avoidable, accidents each year, and a large number of them are occurring in Los Angeles, California. In fact, the number of drunk driving accidents in this city remains steady, so the chances that you or someone you know has been or will be injured or involved in a drunk driving accident higher than normal. Injuries that you may receive from any type of accident could be detrimental to your overall health and too costly for you to comfortably afford.Visit Here Now http://localaccidentinjurylawyer.blogspot.com

If you were the innocent victim of a drunk driving accident, you should not be held responsible, morally or financially, for the injuries and potential medical debts you’ve incurred. The party or parties who caused the accident and your injuries should be liable for their misdeeds. In order to insure that you receive the help you are going to need in the courtroom fighting for your rights, you should hire a drunk driving accident attorney to represent your claim.

There are many types of injuries you could have received from your drunk driving accident. It isn’t uncommon for many victims to enter the hospital with pain and damage to their back, shoulders, legs, and joints. Some of the more severe injuries may even include internal damage, such as internal bleeding, skeletal pain, or brain malfunction.

Thankfully, many times the only physical damages incurred include whiplash or mild muscle pain. However, there are emotional traumas that could potentially be a result from drunk driving accidents as well. These injuries should not be overlooked or underestimated in terms of their reality and severity. Regardless of the type of injuries you’re received or the severity of the pain, you should immediately contact a specialized drunk driving lawyer to help you get the settlements funds you need to financially cover those injuries.

The rightful settlement amount you and your lawyer should pursue takes into consideration a number of different items you may not even think about. This makes it incredibly important for you to hire an educated and knowledgeable drunk driving accident attorney who has handled cases similar to yours in the past. Your medical bills will obviously be the most significant part of the settlement funds you pursue. It is incredible how quickly these costs will accumulate and accrue, so make sure your Los Angeles car accident lawyer knows exactly how much you are being charged for the hospital care you’ve received for your injuries.

You probably also experienced a substantial amount of damage to your vehicle. Mechanic costs can also be incredibly expensive, even for minor problems or cosmic blemishes incurred during the accident. Visit Here Now http://localaccidentinjurylawyer.blogspot.com

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