What Employers Need to Know about Being Held Liable for Cell Phone Crashes Involving their Employees
In 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Texting while driving causes over 3,000 deaths and 330,000 injuries every year according to a study by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis. Talking on a cell phone while driving is very dangerous too because our brains are not capable of focusing our full attention on the road while talking on the phone. Overall, drivers are four times as likely to crash their vehicle when using a cell phone while driving. The risk of cell phone crashes needs to be taken seriously by drivers and their employers.
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Read MoreAre Wrongful Death Lawsuits Increasing Because of COVID-19?
Wrongful death lawsuits are filed to hold a negligent party accountable and to recover damages for the wrongful death of a loved one. With more than 100,000 Americans now dead after contracting Coronavirus, some may be wondering if wrongful death lawsuits are increasing because of COVID-19?
Thousands of low-paid essential workers are being exposed to the virus every day and that means employers are vulnerable to lawsuits for failing to protect their workers. We already shared a post about the estate of a Walmart worker suing for wrongful death after he died of Coronavirus complications. For low-paid workers with meager health insurance coverage, a wrongful death lawsuit may be the only hope for the family to pay for the medical expenses incurred by their loved one for treating Coronavirus. The question is how many will bring lawsuits and will they be successful?
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Read MoreTop 5 WA State Bike Laws to Remember with More Bicyclists on the Road
Bike sales in Whatcom County have exploded over the last couple of months with families at home due to Coronavirus looking for things to do and keep fit in the beautiful spring weather. There are less bike commuters right now – just like there are less car commuters – so it is safe to say that much of the new bike traffic is coming from people out for a pleasure ride and that it will continue through early fall. Sales of entry level bikes seem to be the most popular, which indicates an explosion of new riders who may not be familiar with the rules and responsibilities of cycling. With more bikes on the roads and trails, this is a good time to remind and teach new cyclists about Washington State bike laws meant to keep everyone safe and accountable.
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Read MoreNSC Estimates Memorial Day 2020 Traffic Fatalities
Every year, the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates traffic fatalities for holiday periods throughout the year by comparing fatality data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for the holiday in question to similar length periods. The period assessed for Memorial Day is from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday. This year’s estimate is based on data from 1995 to 2018 for comparable weekends.
When analysts compared the deaths over Memorial Day weekends from 1995-2018 to comparable weekends, they found that over the last six years, Memorial Day had a 9.4% higher than average number of traffic deaths. This is considered statistically significant.
Using a time series model built on 48 months of traffic deaths recorded from April, 2016 through March 2020, the NSC forecasts an estimate of 366 total traffic deaths for Memorial Day weekend, 2020.
Read MoreDespite Steep Drop in Traffic Amid COVID-19 Orders, Motor Vehicle Accident Fatality Rate Spiked By 14% In March
Motor vehicle traffic has been dramatically reduced since stay at home orders have swept across the nation, beginning in March. While motor vehicle accidents are down dramatically overall, a shocking reality has emerged: A National Safety Council (NSC) report has found that the motor vehicle accident fatality rate* spiked by 14 percent in March, 2020 over the March, 2019 rate. But, how can this be?
Read MoreMay is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,985 motorcyclists killed in collisions in 2018. While this was a five percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities, motorcyclists still made up a disproportionately large portion of traffic fatalities; 14 percent of all traffic-accident fatalities, while representing only three percent of all registered motor vehicles. Motorcycle riders are about 28 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than passenger car occupants. During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, the NHTSA reminds motorcyclists and drivers to help keep everyone safe by sharing the road. They also advise motorcyclists to remain alert at all times, to make themselves as visible as possible, to use DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, and to never drink and ride.
The Importance of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Read More2019 Changes to WA State Wrongful Death Laws
Effective, July 28, 2019, Washington State’s wrongful death laws were expanded with the amendment of four statutes in SSB 5163. In short, the Substitute Senate Bill allows a broader category of people to be able to sue for wrongful death (RCW 4.20.020) and expands the types of damages they may recover (RCW 4.20.046). Note that the law was remedial and retroactive and applied to all claims that were not time barred, as well as any claims that were pending in any court on July 28, 2019.
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Read MorePresident of The UFA Outlines How to Keep Alaska Fishing Crews Safe During Pandemic
The 2020 Alaska salmon season is approaching and that means that soon salmon fishermen will be heading up to Alaska to do their work. But, the president of the United Fisherman of Alaska (UFA) wants to make clear that this coming season will not be “business as usual” and that vessel operators must adhere to a “high standard of caution and personal responsibility” in order to keep their crews safe. The State of Alaska has announced Health Mandate 17, which mandates that independent commercial fishing vessels implement protective measures and requires operators to sign an Agreement Form (Appendix 02). Vessel operators are responsible for their crew’s compliance with the mandate and in general, are responsible to provide a safe working environment with reasonable safety precautions and a clean and healthy place to work.
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Read MoreHow is COVID-19 Affecting Personal Injury Cases?
Coronavirus has directly impacted all Americans in one way or another. Some have become gravely ill; many have lost loved ones and others are simply missing social gatherings and the regular events they attend in the spring. People with an active personal injury claim may be wondering how COVID-19 personal injury is affecting cases? Those who have been recently injured or who are within the statute of limitations for their injury and would like to bring a personal injury claim may be wondering if they can bring a claim at this time.
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Read MoreHead on Crash Kills Little Women: Atlanta’s Ashley ‘Minnie’ Ross
As reported by people.com, Little Women: Atlanta’s Ashley ‘Minnie’ Ross is dead at the young age of 34 after a horrific head-on car crash in Georgia. South Fulton police told PEOPLE that Ms. Minnie’s vehicle crashed into another car that was driving in the opposite direction after she collided with the curb. Ross’ publicist shared that Ross was seriously injured when the car that she was in crashed into another vehicle near Old National Highway in Atlanta around 11 p.m. on Sunday, April 24. She died Monday night at a local area hospital. The other driver had minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
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