Driver Fatigue: Lessons From A Personal Injury Attorney

Driver Fatigue: Lessons From A Personal Injury Attorney

Driver fatigue is a serious problem that is becoming bigger by the day. There are thousands of accidents every year, and the fast paced, technological world we live in today is certainly not helping to lower the accident rate in our country. Sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly more common among people of all ages. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000+ police reported crashes are the result of driver fatigue.  These crashes result in approximately 1,550 deaths each year. That’s 1,550 lives that could be saved by getting more rest or not driving when drowsy! Unfortunately, there is no test (like a breathalyzer) to determine if a driver is too sleepy to drive.

The National Sleep Foundation also reminds us of the high personal and economic costs that are risked by driving while fatigued. If you cause a car accident due to driver fatigue you can face jail time as well as steep fines and high automobile insurance costs. Multi-million dollar settlements have been won by families of crash victims against the at fault driver.

As a personal injury attorney, I am all too familiar with the results of crashes due to driver fatigue. Here are some tips that you can follow in order to avoid being a fatigued, at fault driver in a crash:

  • Be mindful of early morning driving. Most crashes caused by tired drivers occur between 2am and 6am.
  • Be mindful of afternoon driving, too. Afternoon naps are great, but not while you’re driving! The second most popular time of day for crashes caused by tired drivers is between 2pm and 4pm.
  • Know if you’re at risk. Male drivers between the ages of 18-29, truck drivers, adults with children, and shift workers are more likely to suffer from driver fatigue. You’re also more likely to fall asleep while driving on a high speed, long, boring highway.
  • Take a nap and have a coffee. Seriously! Pulling off the road for a short nap (20 minutes or so) and having a caffeinated beverage can help keep you awake long enough for you to get where you’re going.
  • Avoid alcohol and over the counter drugs that cause drowsiness. This should go without saying, but if you know you’ve got a drive ahead of you, avoid alcohol and sleep inducing drugs.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a car crash, you deserve compensation. Call me today for your free consultation at (770) 744-5250. I’ll gather all the facts and evidence in your case to make sure that you are fairly compensated for any loss suffered.

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Tips From A Car Accident Lawyer: Emergency Supplies

Tips From A Car Accident Lawyer: Emergency Supplies

Cars are a crucial part of everyday life for most of us. They take us to and from work, school, church, doctor appoints, etc. Unfortunately, its impossible to predict when or where your car is going to break down, not start, or get a flat tire. These little headaches are next to impossible to avoid, and most of us have probably dealt with one or more of these issues in the not so distant past. Driving a car or riding in one also brings with it the risk of being in an accident. According to car insurance averages, you will probably get in 3-4 accidents over the course of your life. Fortunately, these accidents will more than likely not be deadly, but they can still cause a major headache for you.

As an experienced car accident lawyer, I’ve heard many stories from clients who have gotten into sticky situations involving their cars. While I can’t help you avoid car troubles or accidents, I can help you be more prepared should you find yourself in one of these situations.

Here’s a list of emergency supplies you should always have in your car:

  1. First-aid kit- A first-aid kit will come in handy more than you expect! If you have kids, its always a good idea to have one in case of any accidents. Also, if you get into a car accident, you will be able to begin treating any minor injuries while you wait on paramedics.
  2. Flashlight- If you have car troubles early in the morning before the sun has risen or late at night after it has set, you’ll need a flashlight to see what’s going on. A flashlight will be helpful if you need to look under your car’s hood, change a tire, or walk to the nearest gas station. Make sure your flashlight has working batteries in it and that you have a spare set in your car.
  3. Cash- Its so easy for us to go weeks at a time without needing cash since most of us use our debit or credit cards. Keeping some cash hidden in a safe compartment is always a good idea in case you lose your wallet or find yourself using a vendor or retailer who doesn’t accept debit cards or has a debit card system that isn’t working.
  4. Food and water- Having water and non perishable snacks in your car at all times may seem like overkill, but if you find yourself stranded and in need of food and water you’ll thank yourself. In a worst case scenario, having food and water in your car could save your life. Remember Atlanta’s “snowmageddon” in 2014? Food and water were definitely coveted items for many stranded motorists.
  5. Jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper- I’m sure most of you have, at some point, experienced a dead car battery. It happens to most of us more than once! Having a dead battery in an isolated area or when you’re on vacation can be a huge hassle. Keeping jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper can help you easily take care of a dead battery situation.
  6. Car cell phone charger- We all know the headache that comes with a dead cell phone battery. Generally, a dead cell phone battery is just a minor annoyance. However, if you are stranded due to a broken down car or have been in a car accident, a dead cell phone can pose a real problem. Keeping a charger for your cell phone in the car is always a good idea.

Keeping the aforementioned items in your car in case of an emergency can help bring you peace of mind and help you feel better prepared. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and you are in need of a personal injury lawyer, call me today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

 

 

School Sports Safety

School Sports Safety

Now that school is back in session here in metro Atlanta, its time for school sports activities to start back up as well! School sports teams provide great exercise for kids and teens, and are a great way for kids to make new friends. Participating in school sports is also helpful in teaching kids how to contribute toward a team effort and valuable leadership skills.

Of course, as parents, we always worry about our children and team sports do come with certain risks. Although school sports are generally safe activities, any kind of physical activity can pose certain risks.

Here are some school sports safety tips to ensure that your children stay safe!

  • Warm-up! Warming up the muscles and getting them loosened up can help prevent injuries. Some light cardio and stretching is great for warming up! This tip isn’t just for school sports- its generally a good idea for a person of any age to warm up before doing any kind of physical activity.
  • Drink water! Hydration is key in preventing injuries and illness due to over exertion and heat related illness. Not only will encouraging hydration during school sports help your school athletes to stay safe, it will also help promote healthy life long behaviors.
  • Wear proper equipment! Although protective equipment can be cumbersome and be deemed “uncool” by your kids, its vital to keeping your kids safe during sporting activities! Helmets, goggles, mouth guards, etc. are all designed to help protect your kids from serious injuries. Its important that you check all protective gear to make sure its in good condition. If not, it can seriously compromise the effectiveness of the equipment and it should be replaced immediately.

For more information about school sports safety, you can visit the National Center for Sports Safety website.

If you have a child who has been injured in a sports related accident, call Kyle today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation. There are many things that can cause a sports related accident, and Kyle has the experience necessary to help you and your child.

 

Back to School

Back To School

Its that time of year again for those of us in Cherokee County, as well as most of metro Atlanta. Whether you have children beginning Kindergarten or your children are in high school, getting kids back to school safely is a top priority for everyone.

Here are four ways for everyone to have a safe back to school experience:

  • Emergency Contacts- Most schools require you to submit emergency information for your child at the beginning of the school year in case something should happen. Keeping a copy of all this information for yourself is a good idea as well! Sometimes in an emergency, its easy to forget vital information. Your emergency information should include contact information for your child’s closest living relative (or other trustworthy adult who knows your child) as well as any food or medical allergies.
  • Cell phones- Its often a hotly debated topic, but letting your children have cell phones so they can stay in contact with you seems to work out well for many families. This can help bring you peace of mind if your children are involved in extracurricular activities before and after school. If your children do have cell phones, make sure they are aware of any boundaries you have set (no texting during class, no browsing the internet for inappropriate content, etc.). If your children are of driving age, its also important to make sure they know the dangers of texting and driving.
  • Review With Your Kids- This one is especially important for younger children. Make sure your children know all their basic information- their name, their birth date, their parents’ names, their address, your home phone number or a parent’s cell phone number. Its also important to make sure your children know who its safe to give this information to. They should only be giving out personal information to a trusted adult such as a teacher, a friend’s parent, or a coach.
  • Make connections- Along with a new school year comes a new classroom, new teachers, and new peers for your children. Participating in school activities and getting to know your childrens’ teachers is a great way to stay involved. Its also a good idea to get to know the parents of your kids peers. This is a great way to know if you’re comfortable with the friends your kids are hanging out with.

While its not possible to always be with your children to make sure they are safe, these are some great tips to follow. If your child has been injured in a school related activity, such as on the playground or at a sporting event, call Kyle today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

 

 

 

Steps After A Car Accident From A Car Accident Lawyer

Steps To Take After A Car Accident 

Getting in a car accident is something no one wants to experience. Unfortunately, many of us will. According to The Georgia Office Of Highway Safety, there were over 1,000 reported car crashes in 2012. Even a small car crash can impact your day and your life in a huge way. Oftentimes its hard to think logically and rationally after a car crash. Here are a few steps to take after a car crash to help you feel more in control.

  • Check for injuries- Make sure to stop, breathe, and take a second to see if you or anyone else has been injured. Make sure to check all drivers involved and any passengers, including pets. If you feel any pain at all, make sure to have a medical professional check you out, even if you feel that your pain is minor. Some injuries may not present themselves immediately but can cause problems for you in the future.
  • Find witnesses- No matter how small or large your accident is, find someone who witnessed it and get their contact information. Witnesses can be very helpful in providing information to the police and attorneys regarding the facts of your car accident.
  • Take pictures and videos- While eye witness testimony is great, having pictures and videos can help solidify details of your car accident. Using the camera on your smartphone, take pictures and videos of the accident from all different angles. Its also helpful to take videos of the street around you to show direction of travel.
  • Exchange information- Make sure to exchange information with all other drivers involved in the car accident. Make sure you have their full name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance information, license plate number, make and model of the car, and who the owner of the car is. If there are passengers involved, make sure to get their name and phone number, as well. A quick and accurate way to get all this information is to take pictures on your phone of any documents they give you (driver’s license, insurance card, license plate, etc.).
  • Contact a lawyer- Make sure you contact an experienced car accident lawyer. A lawyer will be able to help you sort out what happened, how it has affected you, and what steps you need to take.

If you’ve been in a car accident and need advice on what to do next from a car accident lawyer, contact Kyle today at (770) 744-5250 for your free, expert consultation.

 

Pool Safety Tips For Winter

Pool Safety Tips For Winter

As summer nears its end, its time to start thinking about preparing your pool for the off season. Even though you may not swim in your pool during the fall and winter months, it can still pose a risk to you and especially your small children. There are a few steps you can take to make your pool safer for your children while its not in use. Taking these steps is very important- according to the CDC, most children between the ages of 1 and 4 who drown, drown in a home swimming pool.

Follow these pool safety tips for winter to avoid serious injury or death-

  • Cover your pool- Having a quality winter pool that is in good shape is important. A sturdy, high quality pool cover will generally keep a person out of the water should they fall on top of the cover. However, it is imperative that you let your children know they should never try to walk on the cover.
  • Check your pool cover frequently- Make sure you visually inspect your cover often. The cover needs to be in working order and cover your entire pool. Any rips, tears, or holes should be fixed immediately as they can impair the effectiveness of the cover.
  • Store your toys and floats- If you aren’t going to be using your pool, store all toys and floats away and out of sight. This can prevent your children from being drawn towards the pool as well as prevent accidentally tripping and falling.
  • Fencing- The best way to prevent any accidents in or near your pool is to put a fence around it with a self closing, self latching gate.
  • Active monitoring- If you have small children and they are outside, one of the best ways to keep them safe is to be proactive in monitoring them. If you are nearby, you can prevent them from getting too close to the pool. If they do happen to get too close and fall in, you’ll be right there to help them.

Pools are, without a doubt, a family friendly way to have fun and stay cool all summer. Although they do pose some risks, these risks are easily avoidable by following some safety guidelines.

If you, your child, or someone you know has been hurt in or near a pool, call Kyle today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

 

 

Bicycle Safety Tips

Bicycle Safety Tips

Depending on your location in the state of Georgia, bike riding can be an activity that you enjoy for a majority of the year. In the metro Atlanta area, we generally have pleasant weather outdoors for 7-9 months out of the year. Bike riding can be an activity for the whole family to enjoy together. Even my young kids enjoy bike riding with the rest of the family.

Although bike riding is a great outdoor activity, it does come with risks. Safety should be your top priority when bike riding, as bicycle accidents can be very common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012 726 bicyclists were killed and 40,000 were injured in the United States.
Here are some safety tips that should be followed when bike riding to help keep you and your family safe:
  • Avoid the sidewalk- While it may seem safer to ride your bike on the sidewalk, it can actually be more dangerous. On the sidewalk you have the risk of running into pedestrians and pedestrians with dogs. You also may encounter a car parked in a driveway that’s obstructing your path, or a car turning into a driveway may not see you riding down the sidewalk.
  • Make sure you’re visible- Wearing brightly colored, reflective clothing will help you stand out from anything around you. Also, wearing a headlight will help you be seen easier by drivers on the road.
  • Ride on the right side of the road- Make sure you’re riding with the flow of traffic, as this greatly reduces your risk of injury. By riding towards oncoming traffic, drivers have less time to react if they have drifted into your bike lane.

Biking is a great outdoor family activity, but it does come with risks. Make sure you are riding your bike defensively, and don’t ever assume the driver of a car sees you. Following these bicycle safety tips can greatly reduce the risk of injury for you and your family.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, make sure to give Kyle a call at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

 

 

 

Car Crash Injuries

Car Crash Injuries

If you’ve gotten into a car crash, chances are that you received some kind of injury. Despite advancement in car safety features, injuries are incredibly common if you get into an accident. Fortunately, many injuries from vehicle accidents are not severe, but vehicle accident injuries do range from minor to very serious. Although every accident is different, there are several types of injuries that result from accidents frequently.

  • Soft Tissue Injuries- These injuries can present themselves in many different forms. The most common form is whiplash. When your head is suddenly thrown in a direction beyond its normal range, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be damaged. Whiplash can present itself as something minor like a sore neck, or something as severe as a spinal cord injury. Soft tissue injuries can take several days to heal or several years.
  • Scrapes and Cuts- Many times during a car accident there is shattered glass, which can result in scrapes and cuts on the driver or passengers. Scrapes and cuts can also result from loose objects flying in the car, or contact with the steering wheel or dashboard. While some scrapes and cuts may be minor, others may require stitches.
  • Head injuries- If your head gets thrown against your steering wheel, window, headrest, or airbag during a vehicle accident you may suffer from a head injury. If you hit your head hard enough, you could suffer from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A TBI can be something minor like a concussion, or it can be severe and cause permanent brain damage.
  • Chest injuries- Chest injuries are very common due to proper seat belt usage. A chest injury can also be sustained if you hit your chest on your steering wheel or airbag. While most chest injuries are minor, they can result in fractured rips or internal organ damage.
  • Arm & Leg Injuries- Broken arms and legs are very common in car accidents. Because your arms and legs aren’t strapped down like the rest of you, its very common for them to fly around during a crash. Although most arm and leg injuries are minor, they can still be quite detrimental if you rely on your arms and legs to do your job.

If you have been in an accident, make sure you see a doctor. t’s also a good idea to talk to an experienced car crash lawyer who can help you determine what options you have for getting compensation for your injuries as a result of a car accident.

Record Trucking Accident Settlement

In one of the biggest personal injury settlements in Pennsylvania history, a family that suffered death and injuries after being rear-ended by a tractor trailer has received a $26.1 million settlement.
In 2010, the three Plaintiffs were driving on I-80 in Pennsylvania when they came upon stalled construction traffic.  While Plaintiffs were stopped on the highway the Defendant tractor trailer driver failed to stop and slammed into the rear of Plaintiffs’ car at over 70 miles per hour.  One Plaintiff was killed instantly and another suffered a TBA (traumatic brain injury).
The driver was operating his tractor-trailer for GLC Transportation Inc. and Great Lake Cheese companies in Ohio and New York.  The amount of the settlement is primarily based on the wrongful death and lifelong injuries and care ($8 million life care plan) which resulted from the collision.  In addition, it was shown that the tractor trailer driver  ignored construction signs as he pressed his rig in excess of 72 miles per hour in the construction zone.
Obtaining a settlement of this magnitude is the result of a huge amount of work on the part of tractor-trailer and truck injury attorneys.  Many truck drivers and trucking companies maintain only minimum trucking insurance limits of $750,000-$2 million.  The trucking accident attorneys of the Law Office of Kyle Koester are familiar with trucking insurance and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which help those injured in truck accidents access multiple levels of insurance coverage in trucking cases.  By holding truck drivers, trucking companies, trucking brokers, and sometimes even the shipping customers, accountable for negligent brokering, negligent loading or illegally ordering truck drivers to speed or to drive while fatigued additional layers of insurance coverage are triggered.  If you or a loved one has been injured due to a negligent or reckless truck driver – make sure you hire an attorney experienced in trucking accidents.  Remember -a  trucking accident is not just another car wreck.