Motor City Accident Attorneys

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

New Bill in Michigan Would Require All Motorcyclists to Wear Helmets

In 2012, Governor Snyder signed the motorcycle helmet repeal making it optional for motorcyclists to use helmets, but after many motorcycle-related deaths, there’s now a senate bill that proposes Michigan law to require motorcycle helmets again.

Senate Bill 527 provides for a requirement for motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, as well as moped riders who are 19 and under. The current helmet law states that riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet if they’ve passed a safety course or have at least two years of riding experience. They’re also required to carry $20,000 in medical insurance. The law previous to this required all riders to wear a helmet, however.

This new bill hopes to save lives, as it’s incredibly important for all motorcyclists to use a helmet. Riding a motorcycle is much more dangerous than driving a vehicle because it provides the person no protection. The least one can do is wear a helmet. It can not only save one’s life, but also hopefully prevent traumatic brain injury. Here are some statistics that show how much of a difference a helmet makes:

- Roughly one-fourth of motorcyclists in Michican currently ride without a helmet. But helmetless riders accounted for nearly one-half of motorcycle fatalities in 2013.

- Reduced helmet use accounts for approximately 24 more deaths and 71 more serious injuries in a year in Michigan.

- Non-helmet motorcyclists die more frequently on the scene, spend more time in the intensive care unit, require longer ventilator support, and have higher medical costs.

Just as in many states it is the law for vehicle drivers to wear their seatbelts, making helmets mandatory is equally as important. If you drive a motorcycle or know someone who does, always use and encourage helmet use. It could make all the difference in an accident and save your life.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor, Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the conversation by using #MCAA.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Your Hoverboard Could Catch Fire: What You Should Know

One of the hottest new products right now might be a little too hot, literally. If you’re thinking about gifting someone a Hoverboard this holiday season, you should know this trendy new gadget has been catching fire in many cases. Hoverboards, in case you haven’t seen people riding them around, are a self-balancing handle-less motorized scooter. It’s like a Segway without the handlebars. They are powered by large lithium-ion batteries that can apparently overheat and explode under rare circumstances.

There have been many reports made in 2015 of these hoverboards combusting or exploding. In one instance, a family actually lost their home to a fire due to a Hoverboard that was plugged in to charge its battery. There is also a video online that has gone viral that shows a Hoverboard on fire on a sidewalk.

Many states have actually banned the boards from being used on streets and sidewalks. Most major airlines have also banned the boards and are not allowed in any checked or carry-on luggage. Even major retailers such as Amazon and Target have stopped selling the boards after the safety concern for the product.

Experts say the problem with these Hoverboards has to do with the quality of the batteries being used. All lithium-ion batteries have a flammable electrolyte in them and a lot of these batteries are cheap and of poor quality. A professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University says that a lot of the hoverboards are probably using second-tier battery sources, which could make for a higher rate of defects. The product uses more lithium-ion batteries than most things because they’re used to move you around, so they require the power energy to do that. Because there’s so much energy in a small space, if something goes wrong, it can turn out really bad.

Because of that danger, it is advised you should not overcharge your hoverboard and it’d be safest to not use or charge indoors.

So you may want to think again about owning one of these boards or use caution about how you use them. While they’re supposed to be safe, there’s a risk of getting a defected one or one that may overheat and become a danger. It could cause serious injuries if it happens to catch on fire. Hopefully manufacturers can look into the issue and correct this danger soon, but for now you should know they could be faulty.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Shopping Cart Injuries from Children On The Rise

Sitting your child on a shopping cart seems harmless doesn’t it? Many parents planning to do some holiday shopping this season with their children will load them into the front seat of the shopping cart without a second thought. But you may want to start paying closer attention and be careful about having your child sit there.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a safety alert issue after a study that was released last year that showed a rise in child injuries due to falling from shopping carts. Researchers published in the journal Clinical Pediatrics reported that more than 24,000 children annually, or 66 children a day, go to the ER for shopping cart-related injuries.

71 percent of all child injuries are due to falls out of a shopping cart. Falls most often occur when children stand up in the cart seat or the cart basket. They also occur when children unbuckle or wiggle out of the restraint, or the restraint is missing. Children can also fall from the cart seat even when an infant seat, infant carrier, or a car seat is placed on the cart seat. Other related injuries include being run over by a cart, falling over the cart, having a body part stuck or trapped in the cart, or having the cart tip over.

The most common cart-related injuries were head injuries, which accounted for 78 percent of the total.

Researchers believe a primary issue to the cause of these falls is the design of the shopping carts. They suggest restraint systems should be improved by placing shopping cart child seats closer to the floor. Parents should also be educated about shopping cart safety and stores should promote the use of cart safety belts.

Here are some tips for keeping your child safe from shopping carts:

- Make sure they are always in your sight where you can keep an eye on them.

- Always use the shopping cart safety straps. If the straps are missing or broken, use another cart.

- Make sure your child is sat properly on the cart seat with their legs through each leg opening.

- Avoid placing infant carriers on top of shopping carts. If you must take your infant with you, it’s better to use a front or back-pack carrier or a stroller.

- Don’t allow your child to ride in the cart basket.

- Don’t allow a child to push the cart with another child in it.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Holiday Injuries Send Thousands to E.R. Annually

It’s the most wonderful, and dangerous, time of the year. The holidays are filled with decorations, festivities, and travelling, but unfortunately this results in all kinds of accidents. These accidents can range from cooking/burn injuries to dog bites from visiting relatives, to car accidents. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says there are about 250 injuries a day during the holiday season and about 13,000 patients are seen each year for accidents related to the holiday/winter season.

The most common type of injury around the holidays is from car accidents. People are attending holiday parties and are more likely to be intoxicated before getting back on the road. Others are traveling long distances and may feel fatigue from driving or be unfamiliar with the area, increasing the chance of an accident. The fact that so many people are travelling at the same time means there are more cars on the road. The more cars there are, the more likely it is for accidents to occur. December has one of the highest rates for traffic accidents in the year.

Aside from car accidents, many house and shopping-related incidents are reported during the holiday season. Falling merchandise injuries can occur when store employees don’t stack products or boxes properly or stack them too high, which can fall on customers who are shopping.

Injuries from putting up holiday decorations also tend to bring people to the hospital each year. Many accidents (about 5,800) are reported each year where people fall from ladders while hanging Christmas lights and hurt their head or neck. About 2,000 people every winter are treated for lacerations, sprains, and other injuries due to tripping over extension cords.

The number of fires also goes up during the fall/winter season. Thanksgiving is the day where the most fires in the U.S. occur with 4,000 fires occurring annually. Christmas season causes many fires as well, though not as much as Thanksgiving. Christmas-related fires may not just be due to cooking but to Christmas trees or space heaters. Many fires that occur during the holiday season are reported that the Christmas tree was the first object to ignite on fire. Candle-related fires reported from 2009 through 2011 have an estimated number of 70 deaths, 680 injuries and $308 million in property loss.

Many people don’t realize how common these accidents are until it unexpectedly happens to them. The holidays are a time for happiness, but it’s so easy for the slightest thing to go wrong and ruin a good time. Always be careful when putting up holiday decorations, make sure you frequently water your tree, and always drive and travel safe.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Tips to Remember Before Traveling For The Holidays

Planning on making a bit of a drive to get to your family this holiday season? Plenty of people are as well. The roads are usually heavier with traffic right before Christmas Eve and after New Year’s Day. Below are some tips that can help you get to your loved ones safe and comfortably.

- Do your research
Plan alternative trips if traffic makes your way home too overwhelming. Perhaps there is a scenic drive that might be a little longer but have less traffic and be less stressful.

- It’s ok to take breaks

Some people like to drive straight through in order to not waste any time but taking a break can ease the rest of your trip. Break up a long drive by stopping at a few places or rest stops and give your eyes a break from the tension of a long drive. If you’re feeling hungry, get a bite to eat or pack some snacks. Hunger can affect your concentration and decrease your energy.

- Travel early or late in the day

The best time to get on the road is either early morning or late at night when people are asleep. Most people travel during normal afternoon hours. Go to bed very early the night before so you can leave early morning and get a head start before everyone else on the road. You can also always take a nap when you get to your destination. However, only drive during these hours if you’ve been well rested. Driving drowsy should never be a risk to take.

- Check out the expected weather conditions before heading out

If a winter storm is expected to hit while you are driving, be prepared beforehand. Keep some grit in your trunk in case you get stuck in snow or ice. It’s also a good idea to be equipped with a blanket, flashlights and road flares in case you get stranded. If heavy rain is predicted to fall, make sure your windshield wipers work well. Knowing the weather conditions can help you plan ahead as well so you can leave before the weather hits.

- Make sure your vehicle is working in proper order

Check your tire pressure, oil, and water. This is especially important for older vehicles. Check that both of your headlights and taillights are working. Don’t wait last minute to check if everything is working properly; you will need time to get any engine issues fixed before having to leave on your trip.

- Keep distractions away

Last but not least, refrain from checking your phone for emails or texts. The road should have your undivided attention. You can check your phone once you reach a rest stop. Checking your phone is especially dangerous if you are going to be traveling at fast speeds on the highway.