A Louisiana Family & Child Injury Attorney

Youth Concussion Legislation

2011-04-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Fifteen states have now passed youth sports concussion related legislation to help prevent the long term effects of concussions from sports injuries. The NFL is encouraging all 50 states to pass legislation that could help cut down on concussions suffered by young football players.

The suicide of former NFL Chicago Bears player, Dave Duerson highlighted the issue. Duerson allegedly requested that his brain be examined for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease caused by repeated blows to the head that is tied to depression, dementia and suicide.

The passed legislation requirements include requiring coaches to receive annual education in concussion and head injury training, requiring school districts to develop guidelines to inform coaches, youth athletes and parents of the nature and risk of concussions and the risks assoicated with continuing to play after sustaining a concussion or head injury, and requiring that a youth athlete be removed from play until a licensed medical physician trained in concussions certifies that an athlete can resume playing.

Opposition to this legislation include costs of medical examinations, opeining coaches and sport leagues to liability for failing to remove players from participation when showing signs of concussions and making parents fearful of allowing children to play in contact sports.

More Toyota and Honda Recalls

2010-10-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Haven't we heard this song before? And recently? Honda and Toyota have announced recalls of vehicles because of brake problems. Toyota announced recalling about 740,000 vehicles sold in the United States for issues of possible brake fluid leaks from the master cylinder that could cause the braking performance of the vehicle to be affected and decline. Worldwide, the recall encompasses approximately 1.5 million vehicles.

In the United States, this recall includes 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004 through 2006 non-hybrid Highlander and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250 and IS350 vehicles. Owners will be notified in early November of how to have the brake master cylinder cup replaced with a newly designed one at no charge to consumers. Although Toyota has admitted to receiving complaints regarding the problem since 2005, the manufacturer contends that just recently compiled enough data to institute the recall.

Honda Motor Company is planning to announce the recall of an undetermined number of vehicles because of brake fluid leaks. The recall is expected to affect certain 2005-2007 model year Acura RL sedans and Honda Odyssey minivans from 2005 to early 2007.

Detailed information and answers to questions for Toyota and Lexus customers are available at www.toyota.com/recall or www.lexus.com/recall and Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-225-3987.

The Dangers of Driving Distracted

2010-01-18T15:58:00.000-08:00

Did you know that CTIA, The Wireless Association, reported that on average an estimated 110,000,000,000 text messages were sent per month in the year 2008? With a number this high, we have to consider the amount of those texts that were sent while operating a motor vehicle. Studies done by the New England Journal of Medicine as well as studies done by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that people who use their cell phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in an automobile accident. The National Safety Council even reports that, “distractions are the leading cause for motor vehicle crashes and the number one distraction is cell phones.” Even with statistics like this, the majority of drivers continue to use their cell phones while in the car. In fact, a Nationwide Insurance poll showed that 81% of drivers admit to talking on their cell phones while on the road. A common misconception held by some people is that talking on the cell phone while driving is not as distracting as being under the influence of alcohol while driving; which if there is a child in the car, is a felony in some states. Focus Driven reports that a recent study showed that cell phone users were unable to react as fast to changing driving conditions as legally intoxicated drivers with a BAC level of .08. Another common misconception is that it is safe to drive and use a cell phone as long as you are using a hands-free device. Studies at the University of Utah recently showed that there is no difference in the amount of distraction caused by using a handheld device or using a hands-free device.

Distracted driving is dangerous to everyone, not only are you endangering your own life and the life of others in your car, but you are also jeopardizing the safety of other drivers on the road. Please help us make our roads a safer place by staying off your cell phone.