The post The most dangerous times for driving: stay alert and safe! appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>Rush hour is notorious for heavy traffic and stressed-out drivers. People are either in a rush to arrive at work on time or tired after a long day and may feel impatient to arrive at their destination.
During peak commuting hours, typically between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and in the evening, typically between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., roads are overcrowded with drivers rushing to get somewhere.
The combination of these factors significantly increases the risk of an accident. To navigate rush hour safely, leave early or later, or consider alternative routes.
Driving at night presents unique challenges and is the most dangerous time to drive or be on the road. The combination of low visibility, possible fatigue, tiredness and risk of falling asleep behind the wheel creates a significant risk.
Our depth perception decreases after dark, which makes it more challenging to judge distances accurately and identify possible obstacles on the road or in construction zones.
Drowsiness is another risk factor associated with late-night driving, especially for people not used to driving at night. Whether you bring your travel mug filled with coffee or a caffeinated, carbonated drink, you can still become drowsy because your body is not used to driving at night and is fighting against its natural pattern.
If you must drive at night, try taking breaks every two hours and avoid looking directly into oncoming headlights, which can blind your eyesight. If you are tired or drowsy, immediately find a rest stop or gas station and pull over until you feel refreshed.
Inclement weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, fog in the mornings, high winds or icy roads demand extra precaution while driving. Each of these conditions reduces traction and increases stopping distances considerably, making it much easier to lose control of your car.
To drive safely during adverse weather, ensure you drive slowly and increase the distance between you and other vehicles on the road. Ensure your tires are properly inflated and that you have the appropriate tires for where you are driving.
For example, some people need to install snow tires during the winter. Use your headlights, fog lights, and hazard lights to alert other drivers of an accident in front of you, an object on the road that may be difficult to see and construction zones.
Knowing when it is most dangerous to drive is crucial for every driver and passenger. Being aware that rush hour congestion is a risky time that you should try to avoid and that driving at night is the most dangerous time to drive, as well as the dangers of driving in adverse weather conditions, can all help you become much more alert when you are behind the wheel.
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]]>The post Construction site hazards leading to injuries appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>Caterpillar, a prominent provider of equipment for close to 100 years, conducted a study revolving around unplanned downtime for project managers, revealing 400 to 800 nonproductive hours not only each day but also the machines, not to mention the injuries that occur involving faulty equipment.
While any type of equipment can fail for various reasons, certain types of equipment are more likely to cause production disruptions and significant stress for managers and team members:
Training issues
Operators who lack the training necessary to maintain high safety standards represent a clear and present danger to not only projects but also workers in the same area. Lacking the skills to operate and troubleshoot should result in immediate re-training or employment termination.
Poor preventative maintenance
Routine maintenance is the backbone of a construction project’s success. Equipment that runs better due to servicing, checks, and equipment repair and parts replacement significantly increases productivity and ensures a longer lifespan.
Operator’s manual omissions
With heavy machinery comes an owner’s manual that covers everything from calibration to troubleshooting. Training leads to confidence in its use. However, comfort could lead to a more lax approach to daily work routines. Even worse, failure to even read the manuals put all workers at risk while significantly increasing repair costs.
Construction sites carry inherent dangers that are only made worse by oversights, not to mention poor management and maintenance. Serious injuries can sideline and end the careers of hardworking employees, often requiring help from an experienced personal injury attorney.
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]]>The post How can a malfunctioning seat belt be fatal? appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>Because seat belts save lives every day, drivers and passengers must wear them when the vehicle is moving or on the road. Despite the safety they provide, seat belts can sometimes malfunction and result in fatality for several reasons.
If a seat belt fails to restrain the driver or passenger during a stop or collision, they can be ejected from the vehicle or thrown forward with great force, resulting in severe injuries or death.
Malfunctioning seat belts cannot provide adequate protection in a crash. They can allow excessive movement of the driver or passenger’s body and increase the risk of injuries to the head, neck and spine, all of which can easily result in fatalities.
In some instances, a malfunctioning seat belt can become stuck, making it hard or impossible for a driver or passenger to exit the vehicle. Especially in emergency situations like fires or submersion in water, seat belts must allow a person to take it off quickly.
A malfunctioning seat belt can appear to function correctly, and you could never know it is damaged or manufactured incorrectly. You can feel secure wearing your seat belt, and when confronted with the need to stop suddenly, the seat belt can fail to engage and result in injuries or death.
It is critical to know that while wearing a seat belt is essential for everyone, it is just as crucial to ensure they are wearing a properly functioning seat belt.
Driving safely is everyone’s priority and no one wants to risk their lives in an accident. It is critically important, then, to ensure that your safety restraints and equipment work properly.
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]]>The post Common injuries resulting from defective toys appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>However, not all toys are as healthy as others – some can even pose serious risks if they are defective. Defective toys create various hazards, so parents should be aware of the possible injuries they might cause.
One of the most common injuries related to defective toys is choking. Small parts or components that become detached from toys can pose a severe risk to children, especially those under the age of three. If a toy contains small parts that a child can easily swallow or inhale, it can lead to choking incidents.
Defective toys with sharp edges or points can cause cuts, scrapes and puncture wounds. Toys made from low-quality materials or those with manufacturing defects are more likely to have sharp edges.
Some toys may contain hazardous chemicals, such as lead or phthalates, which can be harmful when ingested or if they make contact with the skin. These chemicals can have adverse effects on a child’s health and may cause developmental issues or poisoning.
Toys that require batteries or have electrical components can pose risks if they malfunction. Defective wiring or poorly designed battery compartments can lead to electrical shocks or burns.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports hospitals treated an estimated 206,400 toy-related injuries in 2021. While toy-related fatalities have been very low in recent years, defective toys still pose a clear danger to young children.
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]]>The post Common fatal work-related accidents appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>If you are involved in a work-related accident, it is critical to know what steps to take immediately after the accident. If you lose someone close to you because of a work-related accident, it is also critical to know how to proceed.
You must first try to assess who was responsible. After all, in many cases, you may be entitled to compensation. If you are directly involved in an accident, make sure you consider the following:
Ensuring that you are safe is always the priority after an accident. Seek medical attention immediately after the accident, whether by calling 911 or visiting your nearest emergency room. Some injuries are not immediately fatal but can lead to fatalities later on.
After you ensure your health is stable, and your physician gives you the green light to do so, recounting the details of the accident and writing it all down is one of the most important things you can do.
If witnesses or officials are on the scene, make sure you write their names and contact information down if you have it or can ask them for it.
Some injuries are much more prone to result in fatalities. Unfortunately, those typically involve workers in construction, people who have to work with equipment and individuals who slip or fall on surfaces.
The most common fatal accident people sustain at work is transportation related. Whether involving a car, truck or water vehicle, these accidents account for almost one-third of work-related accident deaths.
The second most common accident that results in fatalities is the slip-and-fall. These common injuries can happen everywhere and are much more common than you might realize.
Workers can slip on wet surfaces, fall and hit their heads, which can easily be fatal.
Contact with work equipment is the third leading cause of work-related fatalities. In most industries, workers must handle work equipment.
Certain jobs involve lifting or touching equipment often, and other jobs, such as office work, can also require workers to operate office equipment. Some of these actions can lead to serious injuries and fatalities.
While you cannot avoid all accidents, and most jobs carry risks, it is important to follow instructions, especially if you have a job that involves any type of transportation or mobilization.
Fatal work injuries are not as common as non-fatal ones. However, workers die in work-related accidents all the time, and these cases occur more often than you would expect.
Remain alert and know that you may be entitled to compensation if you suffer an accident at work or have a loved one who suffered a fatal work injury.
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]]>The post The multiple dangers on construction sites appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>Malfunctions caused by poor equipment maintenance practices can take many forms.
Electricity failures present significant risks on job sites that have equipment or machinery. Workers face the possibility of electrocution and fires that can sideline or end careers, not to mention the damage done to machines. From corrosion to power overloads, the consequences to projects and people can cause costly delays that can tarnish a construction company’s reputation.
The smallest amount of dust, dirt, and moisture can cause significant damage to hydraulics. Ongoing maintenance is of paramount importance to avoid construction projects slowed to a crawl or outright stopping when systems are not properly flushed to prevent potentially catastrophic delays. The chain of events can also result in damage to weaker materials.
Outdoor construction operations can wreak havoc on equipment, particularly during the summer months. Machines out in the open and under direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time can break down. Failures in coolant systems due to lack of maintenance – flushing or outright replacement — can slow daily construction operations to a crawl.
Conversely, winter can do as much damage as summer. Arctic-type weather can stop the operation of all-important batteries that power machines, forcing work stoppages until a replacement can be found. Cutting budgetary corners with non-winter grade fuel and using unbalanced combinations of antifreeze and water can also slow day-to-day functions.
Staying proactive in ongoing maintenance throughout the entire construction process keeps a project running smoothly and efficiently. Ignoring the minor details can lead to preventable slowdowns and stoppages.
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]]>The post Are auto manufacturers falling short in seatbelt warnings? appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>A new proposal comes after the COVID-19 pandemic saw national traffic fatality rates increase at a dramatic pace in 2021, with 43,000 deaths. Those not wearing seatbelts accounted for one-half of the fatalities.
One year ago, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) published ratings of the systems. Many automakers responded by voluntarily implementing their own improvements, with two-thirds of motor vehicles receiving “good” ratings.
The NHTSA recently pitched continuing upgrades in the requirements for audible seat belt reminders to get the remaining non-users on board and buckled up. They estimate that efforts would save approximately 1,500 lives annually.
Currently, audible signals last for up to eight seconds, with visual alerts running for at least 60 seconds when drivers are unbuckled. However, alerts are short and easy to ignore. Passengers traveling in backseats do not receive such auditory warnings.
New rules would extend to front- and rear-seat passengers in cars, trucks, and buses weighing 10,000 pounds or less. In addition, drivers will hear expanded warnings for not clicking their seat belts.
The initiative started more than a decade ago when Congress requested that the agency look at possible mandates for rear passengers. The proposed mandate is scheduled to be finalized in a year.
Current estimates see the proposed requirements that increase current warning durations, preventing more than 100 traffic deaths and 300 non-fatal injuries annually.
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]]>The post Understanding the dangers of defective car seats appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>The most common defects in car seats include:
When a car seat fails to work in the way it is supposed to, and there is a car accident, the child using the car seat can sustain a whole range of injuries, including:
Unfortunately, the list of things that could happen to a child sitting in a faulty car seat in the event of an accident goes on and on. Children inside a car need the additional protection of a car seat to keep them secure and in place in the event of a car crash.
The injuries they can sustain if their car seat does not work properly can cause significant pain, injuries and, in many cases, permanent disabilities and life-long health problems.
A child who has sustained an injury in a car accident will need significant care, usually around the clock. Depending on the severity of the injury, it could last for months, years, or the rest of their life.
Even though car seat manufacturers try to ensure their products are safe, the products they sell often come with a defect that took place during the manufacturing process or the car seat fails to work how it is supposed to after it is installed.
In these cases, having experienced counsel to guide you through the process of filing a product liability lawsuit against the car seat manufacturer is essential in seeking and getting justice for yourself and your child.
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]]>The post When playtime turns tragic appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>History tells a story of certain toys once flying off toy shelves, only to lead to life-changing consequences for their young users.
The inflatable dwellings can still be found at birthday parties and other occasions. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics claim injuries are in the tens of thousands due to improper staking. One particular incident resulted in five children dying due to sudden wind gusts that untethered the structure.
The Back to the Future movie trilogy introduced the viewing audience to hoverboards. Fiction became fact in 2015, an ironic time for any BTTF fan. Hoverboards were available for purchase. Soon after, numerous accounts of these scooters exploding during use resulted in bans that saw retailers removing them from store shelves. Stronger regulations improved the safety of the transports. However, a 2021 recall of 237,000 Razor hoverboards resulted from defective battery packs presenting fire risks.
While seemingly harmless, fidget spinners soon gained the attention of watchdog groups and their safety reports. Of specific concern were children removing the metal bearings out of the device and swallowing them. Target also removed them from shelves due to the significantly high lead levels.
Considering their audience, toy manufacturers should attend to every detail to ensure that their products have the highest standards of safety. Falling short carries catastrophic consequences and has resulted in numerous injuries and deaths.
The list of suspect toys continues to grow, forcing parents to do their homework. A long-awaited holiday or birthday gift should bring joy, not tragedy, to a child.
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]]>The post How to handle chronic back pain after a car accident appeared first on Marsh, Rickard & Bryan.
]]>This pain is not only debilitating but can also significantly alter your daily life and hinder your ability to perform routine activities. How can you manage this pain and restore your quality of life?
Chronic back pain manifests in various ways, such as dull aches, sharp pains or constant stiffness in the back. This pain is more than a simple discomfort; it can become a daily nuisance if you do not treat it properly. Identifying the underlying cause will help you determine the right course of treatment.
You must act quickly when dealing with chronic back pain. Ignoring the pain and hoping it will go away on its own is not the solution. Consult with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. A thorough examination and the right diagnostics will pinpoint the exact cause of the pain, leading to a more effective treatment plan.
Physical therapy is a method that can manage and often alleviate chronic back pain. Working closely with a physical therapist, you can engage in exercises and stretches that suit your specific situation. These exercises will strengthen the affected area and increase flexibility, helping you reduce pain over time.
Different pain management techniques can help you depending on the nature and severity of the chronic back pain. You may want to use hot or cold compresses, exercise regularly or use certain over-the-counter pain relievers. Remember, each situation is unique, and your healthcare provider will guide you on the best course of action.
Living with chronic back pain after a car accident can be challenging and frustrating. But by understanding what steps to take, you can take proactive steps toward healing. Always work closely with healthcare professionals who understand your situation, and approach the process with patience, knowing that recovery takes time and persistence.
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