Every day, millions of people across the country cross the street without incident. Unfortunately, careless and negligent drivers put these pedestrians at risk and sometimes seriously injure them. Parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, crosswalks, and public walkways are all common sites of pedestrian accidents. But anywhere that you find people walking and driving can potentially be dangerous. Sadly, pedestrian accidents can result in fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even brain injuries. Most pedestrian accidents are linked with negligence and traffic violations. Determining who is responsible can be a complex analysis which often defies common sense. By consulting with a pedestrian accident lawyer, you can protect any potential legal claims you may have. Remember, it’s a dangerous world out there – try to be careful.
Billings attorney Solomon Neuhardt has a great reminder that dog bites are personal injury on his blog. Too often, people think that an attack by a neighbor’s dog is part of life in Montana, and forget that their entitled to compensation for the cost of treatment, lost work, or permanent disability caused by the injury. As Solomon aptly points out, “it is depressing to know that of all the dog bite cases across the country, only one out of three have been reported.”
Solomon Neuhardt recommends a few immediate actions if you are attacked by a dog:
- If the dog’s mouth is foaming, it is probably suffering from rabies. See a physician as soon as possible.
- If possible try to know the breed of the dog. It helps the physician assess the extent of injury.
- Don’t quarrel with the dog owner.
- Report the incident to the police.
For Montanans interested in injury law, Solomon’s blog is an excellent source of information and advice on all aspects of injury law.
If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, remember – Dog Bites are Personal Injury. You shouldn’t be forced to suffer financial losses and emotional trauma because someone else can’t control their animal. If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, please contact a lawyer to discuss your options.
According to the Department of Transportation, distracted drivers caused nearly 6,000 deaths and injury to over 500,000 people in 2008. This includes drivers talking on cell phones and texting. The report states that 16% of all fatal crashes in 2008 involved driver distraction. The release of the report coincides with a meeting between government officials, safety advocates, researchers and lawmakers who are discussing ways of developing a consensus on the roadway hazards.
A main topic of conversation were bills outlawing texting and emailing while driving. New York Senator Charles Schumer, who will address the gathering, introduced legislation in July that would require states to ban texting or emailing while operating a moving vehicle or lose 25% of their annual federal highway funding. This parallels the approach taken by the federal government in its efforts to reduce drunk driving. According to Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, “we need a combination of strong laws, tough enforcement and ongoing public education to make a difference.”
18 states, and the District of Columbia have passed laws making texting while driving illegal and seven states and the District of Columbia have banned driving while talking on a handheld cell phone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
As a Montana Personal Injury Lawyer, and more importantly a driver, I’m shocked by how often I see drivers paying more attention to their cell phones than the road. Hands-free devices can help, but the bottom line is that anytime you’re actively doing anything other than driving while behind the wheel, you’re putting lives in danger.
