Kyle Law FirmKyle Law Firm2023-12-26T14:52:32Zhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1102983/2023/02/cropped-MattKyle-favicons-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2570212023-12-26T14:52:32Z2023-12-26T14:52:32ZHours of Service rules
Research clearly shows a connection between fatigue and diminished driving ability. Drivers who are physically or mentally exhausted may have a hard time making the right choice while driving. They may have longer reaction times and are more prone to falling asleep at the wheel. Those risks are a major concern when someone is in control of a commercial vehicle. The FMCSA imposes specific limits on how long someone can drive a semi-truck or bus on any given day and also how many hours they can drive every week. Violations of those rules can lead to large fines for the driver or the company that employs them.
Federal no-text rules
Distracted driving ordinances are state statutes. When someone crosses the line into a new state, a different law applies. Confusion about those laws might lead to infractions that endanger people. To keep the rules as consistent as possible, there is a federal statute that applies to those operating commercial vehicles. They may not manually use a mobile device while actively driving. The rules prohibit reading or sending text messages and even manually dialing the phone while in traffic.
Stricter drunk driving rules
Technically, limits on blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exist on a state level. However, the FMCSA has a stricter rule for those operating commercial vehicles that all states enforce. Those driving passenger vehicles could get arrested for a BAC of 0.08% or higher. When someone drives a commercial vehicle, a BAC of 0.04% is enough to warrant an arrest and criminal charges.
Stricter rules help encourage better conduct from commercial drivers. They can also pave the way for compensation claims brought by people injured in collisions caused by semi-trucks. As such, learning more about unique commercial traffic rules may benefit those hoping to seek justice after an 18-wheeler causes a crash.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2570192023-12-23T17:20:23Z2023-12-23T17:20:23ZHow the body responds to major trauma
One of the reasons that people don't realize they have injuries after a crash is because of how the body responds to a traumatic incident. The chemicals that the body produces after a car crash can cover pain symptoms and even make someone feel very alert and energetic. It may only be long after the crash occurs that someone starts to notice the persistent headache or sense of drowsiness triggered by a brain injury. The basic symptoms are easy for people to overlook after a collision.
How slowly some symptoms develop
Another reason that people don't recognize that they have a traumatic brain injury is that they may not have obvious symptoms right away. Brain injury symptoms may start small, possibly with a headache, and may slowly progress as the bleeding or swelling worsens.
People may notice new or more severe symptoms several days or even weeks after the initial injury. Those worsening symptoms can become increasingly inconvenient for the person with the TBI. The only way to prevent symptoms from getting worse is to seek medical evaluation and treatment as soon as possible after a crash.
Particularly violent crashes and situations where people lose consciousness may mean that individuals are at elevated risk of a TBI. Understanding that some injuries are hard to notice at first may inspire crash victims to seek medical attention and help people to better protect themselves from permanent medical consequences after a car wreck.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2569622023-09-26T15:15:30Z2023-07-22T00:00:10Zmost important steps they can take.
Call emergency services
First and foremost, seeking medical attention are very important. The teenager should call the authorities, likely just by dialing 911 to report the accident. They should also check to see if anyone has been injured if they have passengers in the vehicle with them or if other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Don’t take the blame
People will sometimes assume that they were at fault, especially if they’re young and they don’t understand how the accident happened. But your teen should never say that it was their fault, and they likely shouldn’t even apologize to the other driver, as that can sometimes be construed as an admission of guilt. They don’t need to blame the other driver, either, but should simply wait for the process to play out and not comment on fault at all.
Take photos of the scene
Pictures and video of the crash can be incredibly important. They should show the damage, the overall scene, the road design, the positions of the vehicles, any injuries that were suffered, etc. It may help to simply take a quick video with a phone, but detailed pictures can be even better, so taking both is ideal.
Exchange insurance information
Finally, the accident will likely at least result in an insurance claim. The teen should exchange information about insurance policies and general contact information, such as the phone number and license plate number.
If your teenager has been injured in a crash, then you may need to take further steps to pursue financial compensation. Seeking legal guidance is a good place to start.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2569032023-06-15T14:06:29Z2023-04-11T16:24:38ZSome studies claim that an average of one individual dies in these accidents every single day in Texas. Many more suffer from severe injuries.
Because the majority of fatal motorcycle crashes involve other vehicles, it’s important for people to understand how to share the road with motorcycles in order to avoid preventable harm.
Watch out for left turns
Left-turn accidents are some of the most common crashes that motorcyclists are involved in. This type of collision often happens because drivers turn when they do not actually have enough space to make that turn safely. It is always better to wait a few extra seconds so that a waiting motorcycle can go by, and then to turn behind that bike.
Check your blind spots
When driving on the interstate, it’s not always enough just to look at your mirrors on occasion. Double-check them frequently and turn your head to look in your blind spots, as well. Motorcycles are small, so they are easily hidden. Drivers should also use turn signals every time they switch lanes so that a motorcyclist that may be caught in a blind spot knows that the maneuver is coming.
Do not get distracted
A major reason for motorcycle accidents is simply that drivers get distracted. Again, the size of a motorcycle works against them. When a driver’s attention has been pulled away by a smartphone or other device, they may not see a motorcycle until it is too late.
Keep a safe following distance
Rear-end accidents can be devastating for motorcyclists. Bikes are much more maneuverable than cars, but riders often cannot avoid a driver who strikes them from behind. A minimum following distance should always be three seconds, but more may be wise, especially in conditions like rain or fog.
What options do motorcyclists have?
These safety tips can certainly help to reduce the amount of accidents that happen every day in Texas. But many motorcyclists are still going to be injured due to negligent drivers because not everyone is going to treat road safety as a priority. In the event of a crash, motorcycle riders need to know exactly what legal options they have to seek financial compensation and speaking with an attorney can provide that clarity.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2568522023-04-06T18:56:07Z2023-03-16T17:55:37Z1. A loss of consciousness
When someone hits their head and passes out or blacks out during the vehicle rollover crash they experience, that gap in consciousness is a warning that they may have suffered a brain injury. Those involved in the crash who lose consciousness for even half a minute need to convey that information to dispatchers and medical personnel so that they receive appropriate testing.
2. Sensory changes
A lot of what the human brain does involves processing sensory information, so damage to the brain can affect how people perceive the world around them. Brain injuries can lead to blurry vision and ringing in someone's ears. They can cause olfactory issues where people can't smell things or smell things that aren't there.
3. Motor function issues
People who have long had excellent motor control may find themselves struggling with common tasks after a car crash. Someone who embroiders may have trouble even gripping a needle, while professionals may find it uncomfortable or difficult to handle their tools.
Sometimes, people experience gross motor function issues, such as a change in their gate or the way that they walk. It is also possible for people to experience vertigo or a change in their sense of balance because of a brain injury.
4. Cognitive symptoms
The way that someone thinks can change when they have a brain injury, so their personality and behavior might noticeably shift as well. A TBI could also cause issues with problem-solving and decision-making. They can lead to impulse control issues and difficulty recalling information.
For many people, the most basic symptoms of a brain injury will include so persistent or worsening headache, a sense of nausea and disruptions to their standard sleep patterns. Given that it can take several weeks or symptoms to fully develop after a crash, people involved in a wreck often need to keep watching themselves for quite some time after the crash and may need to tell their doctors about the collision even when they notice an issue two weeks later.
Proving that a serious medical issue resulted from a motor vehicle collision that was either not the victim’s fault or was only partially the victim’s fault can help a TBI patient – or their loved ones – successfully secure financial compensation for hospital bills and other losses. Seeking legal guidance in the wake of sustaining an injury is generally the first step that interested parties will need to take if they are interested in pursuing rightful compensation.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2567372023-04-06T19:00:38Z2023-03-06T15:48:05ZDelays in symptoms cause gaps in documentation
It is common for people with a TBI to leave the scene of the crash without realizing there is anything wrong yet. Often, it takes several days before the swelling or bleeding inside the skull will cause symptoms serious enough to send someone to a medical center.
Someone can leave the scene of the crash without realizing the collision hurt their brain. They might go several days without medical care. Not only can the injury worsen during that delay, but there can be a risk of an insurance company trying to claim that crash wasn't the true cause.
Car insurance may not be enough
The required insurance mandated by state law may only cover the initial trauma care that someone needs after a crash-related TBI. In extreme cases, a brain injury could lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions of dollars in care costs.
Many people dealing with a crash-related TBI will need to look into a lawsuit because insurance won't fully reimburse them. A civil lawsuit can lead to more compensation for those with catastrophic injuries after a car crash.
People who don't recognize the severity of their condition or the importance of getting full financial compensation may end up struggling to cover the costs generated by a crash-related brain injury in the long term. Thus, pursuing insurance claims and even civil lawsuits can help those who are struggling with a traumatic brain injury following a car crash.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2565462023-12-19T09:09:54Z2023-02-16T12:13:22ZA commercial insurance policy
All owner-operators and commercial transportation companies have to carry liability coverage on their commercial vehicles. When a police report makes it clear that a commercial vehicle is to blame for the crash, the policy carried by that driver or their employer can reimburse injury victims for property damage and medical expenses.
Commercial vehicle policies often feature hundreds of thousands of dollars in coverage or more, allowing them to more appropriately cover crash expenses than passenger vehicle policies. Such claims can become complicated and contentious quickly though, as the higher level of coverage could mean bigger losses for the insurance company involved.
The company that employs the driver
Sometimes, a commercial transportation company will be tagged with partial liability for a crash. That liability will leave it vulnerable to a lawsuit. Maybe it has policies that require its workers to use phones while driving or to continue driving despite feeling exhausted. Employers could be responsible for unsafe company practices and also for improper maintenance of the vehicles that their employees drive.
A company that ships materials
Clients who secure transportation services often load shipping trailers themselves. They could make mistakes that lead to a crash, such as failing to warn a driver about the instability of specific cargo. In a scenario wherein a company misrepresents the contents of a trailer, a driver could make mistakes that lead to a crash that would have been otherwise preventable.
When a business is responsible for crash-related harm, there will be more resources and possibly more insurance available than there would be if a driver was solely at fault. Analyzing the various sources of liability for a recent car crash can help you determine your options for compensation and the overall value of your case.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2566072023-12-19T09:10:22Z2021-07-16T04:45:29ZTHE MOST COMMON BIRTH INJURIES
Doctors and nurses are, of course, highly trained professionals with your best interests in mind. Nevertheless, mistakes happen. In many cases, decisions of great consequence must be made in extremely narrow frames of time. Statistically, injuries are occasionally inevitable.
The most common types of birth injuries include:
Caput succedaneum — The swelling of soft tissues in the infant’s scalp
Cephalohematoma — Bleeding beneath the cranial bones
Bruising — Bruising as a result of forceps or other birthing methods
Subconjunctival hemorrhage — The breakage of blood vessels in the infant’s eye
Facial paralysis — Paralysis caused by nerve damage incurred during delivery
Brachial palsy — Most commonly incurred when delivering the infant’s shoulder, this is when the group of nerves supplying the arms and hands is damaged
Fractures — Broken bones as a result of delivery
If your family has suffered such an accident, our lawyers are prepared to help.
LEGAL SUPPORT WHEN YOU MOST NEED IT
To learn more about our services, reach out to our firm. You can call us at [nap_phone id="LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1"] or reach us online. Initial consultations are always free, enabling us to inform you of your options before you’re obliged to pay.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2566132023-03-01T10:19:11Z2021-06-17T04:57:34ZBrain injury death rates
Oregon Health & Science University studied the outcomes of over 6,300 traumatic brain injury patients who received care at the university’s hospital between 2006 and 2017. The death rate for traumatic brain injuries was 9.9% overall but 14.6% among patients who were part of ethnic or racial minorities.
After making adjustments for the patient’s type of injury, age and injury severity, researchers found that minority patients had more than twice the risk of dying while hospitalized than white patients. The authors of the study assert that there was no treatment bias while patients were in the hospital for brain injury treatment. Instead, racial health disparities were the cause of the alarming difference in traumatic brain injury death rates. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Surgery on June 2, 2021.
What doctors are saying
An associate professor of neurological surgery states that the results of the brain injury study would be similar if another condition, such as pneumonia, were the focus of the study. Health disparities are connected to health factors such as occupation, access to health care, lifestyle and diet. The authors of the study assert that doctors have a “societal and professional duty” to both acknowledge and accept the impact of structural racism and work to improve the health of patients before traumatic events happen.
If you have a loved one who has suffered a brain injury, it may be possible to claim compensation from the party that caused the injury. It may be beneficial to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about settlement options.]]>On Behalf of Kyle Law Firmhttps://www.kylelawfirm.com/?p=2566032023-03-01T10:19:13Z2021-06-11T04:38:28ZHow long does it take for caffeine to be processed by the body?
Caffeine usually takes around 30 minutes before it begins to work by entering into the bloodstream. In the short term, caffeine may help someone stay awake long enough to pull over or reach their destination safely.
On the other hand, caffeine doesn’t always work, so it’s not something people should rely on. For those who drink caffeine regularly, a tolerance may develop in the body. When that happens, the caffeine may no longer have an effect.
Remember, too, that caffeine does wear off. Once it kicks in, the goal should be to reach a rest stop, parking lot or your destination, so that you are no longer driving. At that point, your body may need real rest, so getting a good night’s sleep or taking a nap may help you feel more alert again.
Does caffeine cause any additional problems on the road?
Sometimes it can. Caffeine can cause “caffeine intoxication,” which may lead to restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal disturbances, flushing, excitement and nervous behaviors. On the road, these may translate into road rage or distracted driving, which may end up causing a collision.
Caffeine is a tool that may help in some situations, but results may vary. If you’re driving and are in a motor vehicle accident with someone who was drowsy or hyped up on caffeine, then remember to look into your legal options.]]>