Are Today’s Toys Safer than they were a Few Years Ago?

While toys are becoming safer and recalls are on the decline, toys continue to pose a danger to children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that during 2010, approximately 181,500 children under the age of 15 were treated in emergency rooms for toy-related injuries.  Balloons and small balls were associated with 47 percent of the reported deaths; most deaths were from asphyxiation or choking.

When it comes to toy safety, you can't always count on the manufacturers (or Santa). Despite regulations and the CPSC staying abreast of unsafe toys, the bottom line is that sometimes potentially dangerous toys will continue to make their way on store shelves.  Sadly, the general public will be unaware of the risks until injuries, or a death occurs.

Parents need to be vigilant by choosing age-appropriate toys and keeping small parts out of the hands of young children.  With the proper knowledge and vigilance, parents can ensure that their children are protected from the dangers some toys can present.

Everyday, not just during the holidays, "think safety" first when buying children’s toys.

·         Choose toys according to a child's age, interests, and skill level.

·         Be sure to check the warning labels for safety information.

·         Supervise your children while they play

·         Check toys regularly for damage (such as sharp edges, small parts.)

·         Return, repair or discard broken toy.

For additional toy safety tips, visit the CPSC website.  Parents should also stay informed about any unsafe toy products on the market by checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall website at http://www.recalls.gov.  To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go to: www.saferproducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.

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Tragic Example that Teens Should Slow it Down and Turn it Down

Good Samaritans were unable to revive a 17-year-old girl who died from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident on N.C. 150.  Four others in the vehicle, the 17-year-old driver and three children under 5-years of age where taken to the hospital with non-threatening injuries.

 A Chevy Blazer left the road coming out of a curve and landed in a steep ditchbank.  The top of the SUV was caved in, suggesting it had rolled. It also hit a utility pole before coming to a stop on a homeowner's front yard. The deceased teen was found on the ground 100 feet from the vehicle.  The homeowner said she heard loud music blaring from the vehicle.  Speed may also have been a factor.

 This auto accident is not only a reminder that speed and distracted driving can kill, but also why many states have imposed tougher requirements on young drivers by requiring three stages of licensing — learner's permit, intermediate stage, and full license — and set 16 as the earliest age for entry into the learner's permit process.  These restrictions are part of a continued effort to save lives and minimize distractions for teen drivers.

Researchers found that teens have a higher risk of auto accidents and are 2 1/2 times as likely as adults to be in a crash. The risks increase when teens have other passengers in the car, especially other teens. The graduated system helps young drivers by limiting these high risk driving situations, increasing adult supervision and extending the educational requirements of the novice driver.

 It is important to keep re-enforcing safe driving habits with your teen.  This includes understanding the importance of adhering to the speed limit, avoiding distractions while driving, and how to respond to situations on the road without panicking.  Unfortunately, a parent has no way of knowing if their teen will always follow these rules once they leave the house. Nor can they control the actions of other drivers. Having proper insurance coverage is another way to protect your teen. Talk with your insurance agent about various options and be aware of your state’s requirements.

Lawsuit Financial encourages everyone to help our young drivers become conscientious and safe drivers. We understand that even the most responsible driver may find themselves in an auto accident. If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in an automobile accident at no fault of your own, you may be able to recover damages for medical bills, loss wages, and pain and suffering. It is important to contact an attorney who specializes in these types of cases. Worried about paying bills and meeting other financial obligations? Lawsuit funding is a valuable service that offers a better solution than settling your valuable personal injury lawsuit for less than it is worth.

Elderly Man Dies in Pedestrian-Auto Accident

In Las Vegas, an 82-year-old man died after being hit by an automobile.  Witnesses said the victim was watching for traffic before attempting to cross the street, but was looking the wrong way when he stepped into the path of the oncoming vehicle.  A crosswalk was 100 yards away from the accident site.  It does not appear that the driver was impaired or otherwise distracted.

Pedestrian accidents may be the most devastating of all automobile related accidents, because they involve at least one person on foot, unprotected by a vehicle, seat belts, and airbags. When a car collides with a pedestrian, there is an extremely high potential for serious injury, even death. It is imperative that pedestrians

• Cross the street only at intersections or marked crosswalks

• Do not cross in the middle of a street or between cars

• Continuously watch for traffic while crossing the street

• Avoid walking on roads without sidewalks and crosswalks

• Always look both ways before crossing the street – even if it is not a busy intersection

• Do not assume that cars are driving slowly enough for you to cross or for them to stop

• Do not run or dash into the street

If you are seriously injured or lose a loved one in a pedestrian-auto accident that was not your fault (or, was only partially your fault), you may be able to recover damages for medical bills, loss wages, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and funeral expenses. Contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in handling pedestrian accidents. Determining fault can sometimes be a complicated process.  

Insurance companies will sometimes try to reach a quick settlement and limit recovery to the lowest possible amount, before you retain an attorney. Avoid the trap of agreeing to settle too early for too little; always consult with an attorney before considering any offer of settlement from an insurance company.

Even if you consider everything, sometimes, despite the fact that your case is worth more than the insurance company is offering, despite the fact that you have retained an attorney and he/she is recommending against taking the offer, you, simply, need the money. You want to fight for your rights; you want to follow your attorney's advice.

A service called lawsuit funding can help you in your financial time of need.  A litigation funding company will provide the legal financial assistance you need to get through the litigation process without having to settle under severe financial distress. Ask your attorney for advice on whether auto accident lawsuit funding would be the right move for your situation.

Road Rage Blamed for Deadly Accident

A Kentucky driver said he witnessed something he had never seen before – road rage.  According to an accident report, the witness said on October 12 he watched a red pickup truck and a red Ford Explorer tailgating, changing speeds rapidly, and cutting each other off for miles. All of a sudden, the driver of the Explorer lost control and flipped the vehicle.  The witness stated that just before the accident, the driver of the Explorer made a rapid lane change from the far left lane all the way over to the right lane, hit a guardrail, and flipped several times.  The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle; he was pronounced dead at the scene.  Four days later, police were notified by an attorney for the driver of the pickup.

The dangers of road rage should never get in the way of safely reaching your destination. Ultimately it's up to all of us to help prevent road rage. By recognizing the signs in others and ourselves, we can significantly reduce road rage accidents and perhaps help save a life.  An angry driver can’t start a fight unless another is willing to join in. Don’t be tempted to retaliate. It could be a decision you regret later. Instead, give the angry driver plenty of space. Isn’t that better than finding yourself in a potentially dangerous situation? Avoid eye contact and if necessary, seek help. Remember, the most important thing when it comes to protecting yourself is that there is nothing to gain from willfully engaging in a physical confrontation with an angry person. The so-called winner can face legal ramifications and the so-called loser may face permanent injuries or death.

If you have been seriously injured or a loved one has been killed in any type of auto accident or personal injury accident, only an experienced attorney can tell you whether you have a right to compensation. If an attorney takes your case and files a lawsuit, pre-settlement funding may be available to assist you through difficult financial circumstances caused by a serious or fatal auto accident.

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