Dayton Personal Injury Blog

5 ways for truckers to combat fatigue

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

Truckers in Ohio are no doubt aware that fatigue can raise their risk for a crash. Stress, long hours behind the wheel and a consequent lack of sleep and exercise all contribute to truckers' fatigue, putting them and others in danger. In fact, the U.S. DoT calls fatigue a leading factor in large truck crashes.

There area few ways that truckers can, in general, deal with fatigue. First is to reconsider one's sleep schedule and try to fit in naps in order to achieve the desired six to eight hours of sleep every day. The second way is to improve one's diet. Rather than eat fast food, they should eat a tuna or chicken sandwich, and rather than eat a doughnut, they should eat a bagel or an English muffin. Junk food does nothing for the body beyond giving a "sugar rush".

The safest seats in your car may be in the front

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC on Friday, August 9, 2019.

For many years, back seats were the safest seats in vehicles, but a recent study revealed that this may no longer be the case. However, the reason for this shift may not be what you initially expect.

Backseats have not become less safe over the years. Instead, those who design new vehicles have made many safety improvements to the front seats while the safety of back seats has lagged behind.

Do you know what to do if a dog chases you while you are running?

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

It is rarely a good surprise to encounter an off-leash dog while you are out for a run. Getting chased by a dog can disrupt your workout and may lead to injuries that could affect you long-term.

Dogs get loose all the time, but that doesn’t mean that you should forgo your run. Instead, be sure you know what to do if you encounter an off-leash dog while running.

Older drivers more likely to be distracted by car technology

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

In-vehicle technology is more likely to distract older drivers in Ohio than their younger counterparts, according to a new report. The study, which was released on July 25, was conducted by researchers at the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah.

In-vehicle technologies, such as GPS systems and infotainment consoles, often have multiple screens and options that can distract drivers. However, researchers found that older drivers tend to be more distracted by these technologies than younger drivers. Specifically, they found that drivers between the ages of 55 and 75 took their eyes off the street around eight seconds longer on average than drivers between the ages of 21 and 36 when trying to type in navigation commands or change a radio station. The study involved 128 drivers and in-vehicle information systems from a selection of 2018 Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln, Mazda, Nissan and Volvo models.

Study: women are more vulnerable in front-end collisions than men

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

Ohio drivers should know that women are more vulnerable than men in car crashes. Their risk for injury is 73% higher in the most common kind of crash, which is the front-end collision. Women are twice as likely to incur injuries to the spine, abdomen and legs. This is according to a study published in a July 2019 issue of the bimonthly journal Traffic Injury Prevention.

The study covered over 22,000 front-end crashes and over 31,000 vehicle occupants, 50.6% of whom were women. The vehicles were divided into two categories: those made between 2009 and 2019, and those made before this period. There were 55% fewer injuries in the newer vehicles. These newer models were noted for their ability to reduce injuries to the skull, neck, abdomen and lower extremities.

Human error and bad maintenance contribute to truck accidents

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Commercial truck crashes in Ohio occur for a variety of reasons. The driver, trucking company, mechanic or parts manufacturer could all make mistakes that result in serious accidents. In an effort to improve safety measures, researchers have identified the five leading causes of truck accidents.

Errors made by truck drivers contribute to 22% of commercial vehicle crashes. Drowsiness, intoxication, distraction or outright recklessness lead to truck driver mistakes. Even when truckers perform at their best, poor vehicle maintenance might undermine their safety goals. Accident investigations sometimes place the blame for crashes on trucking companies and mechanics who ignored necessary maintenance. Equipment failure resulting from poorly manufactured truck parts could sabotage a truck's ability to steer or brake effectively as well.

How might my loved one be treated for a traumatic brain injury?

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.

When someone receives a sudden jolt or impact to the head, the brain can become injured. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range in severity and type, and may affect different parts of the brain. These and other components can lead to a wide variety of potential consequences.

Because so many components can influence the results of a TBI, each injury should be considered unique, and treatment should be tailored to the specific injury. This means that if you have a loved one who recently received a head injury, it can be difficult to predict exactly what type of treatment he or she will require. However, being aware of some possible treatments can help you get a better idea of what to expect.

Are you obeying all of your city’s bicycle rules?

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

Dayton has a rich history of bicycle appreciation. For example, George P. Huffman, a Dayton business owner, began making Huffy bicycles in 1892. Around the same time period, Wilbur and Orville Wright opened a shop in Dayton that sold refurbished bicycles. The profits from that shop helped them pay for experiments for their famous flying machine.

Dayton has attracted bicyclists for many years. However, bicycle laws have changed since the 1800’s. Although the state of Ohio sets many of the rules bicyclists must follow, cities can set some of their own rules as well. If you plan to bicycle in Dayton, it may be beneficial to make sure you are adhering to the city's requirements. Some of the following are rules that you might not realize you are required to follow.

About slip and fall accidents

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC posted in Premises Liability on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.

A common type of personal injury lawsuit that is filed in Ohio pertains to the slip and fall. These types of occurrences can be caused by a wide range of conditions. For example, ice on the sidewalks during the winter months or the inadequate maintenance in a grocery store can be both cause people to slip, fall and incur an injury.

As far as who is responsible for slip and fall accidents, the owner of the property on which the injury occurred can be held liable. The owners or possessors of a property can typically deemed legally responsible for the injuries incurred if the incident took place on their property and they failed to take the necessary actions to prevent or correct the issues that resulted in the accident.

Dealing with the complexity of a truck crash

On behalf of The Attkisson Law Firm, LLC posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Ohio drivers may face a range of risks when they get behind the wheel. Every year, thousands of people across the country lose their lives or suffer serious injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents. Many of these crashes were themselves entirely preventable, caused primarily by distracted, drunk and otherwise negligent driving. While car accidents are already complicated and accident victims may struggle in the aftermath, this effect can be exacerbated when a large truck is involved in a collision.

There are several reasons why truck accidents can be particularly complex for victims. In the first place, the size and mass of semi trucks often means that the damage done is far greater. People, especially those in other, smaller vehicles, are far more likely to be fatally injured in a truck crash than a car accident. In addition, one truck accident can lead to a cascade of problems as the collision may involve a range of other cars on the highway. Each case becomes more complex as additional vehicles and victims become involved.