Category Archives: Accidents

Accidents

Teach Your Child About Safety

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Once the summer ends and school is back in session, you shouldn’t have to worry about your child, wondering if he or she is safe. While schools should be a safe environment for children of all ages, children are still prone to injury at school or during extracurricular activities. It’s impossible to follow your child around all the time nor can you create a magic bubble to protect them from harm. You can, however, teach your children how to be safe at school and during other activities away from home. Your child may still suffer an accidental injury, but if he or she is prepared to be safer the chances of injury are less likely.

At School

 

Children of any age are prone to injury from time to time, it just seems to be a natural occurrence. Whether your Kindergartener tripped on his untied shoelaces or your teen daughter slipped on the ice while wearing slick soled shoes, you can’t always predict when an accident will occur and if an injury will be the result. When your child attends school, he or she is taught about school safety and what choices are safest. Unfortunately, like many children are known to do, some follow the rules only some of the time. Here are some ways to reinforce your child’s  safety at school:

 

  • Remind your child to follow directions and don’t break any safety rules.

 

  • Encourage your child to think before he or she makes a choice at school. For example, ask questions that will make your child think about consequences. What would happen if you pulled on your classmate’s shirt? What might happen if you jump off of the monkey bars? How would you feel if your chair fell on the floor because you were tipping backwards?

 

  • Explain your expectations and discuss consequences for not following safety rules at school.

On the Field

 

Kids who play sports are almost destined for an injury. Each year, millions of children of all ages visit the ER for various sport related injuries from dislocations to concussions. While it’s the coach’s responsibility to supply safety equipment and teach your child how to use it properly, you can be influential in your child’s safety during sports. Explain to your child why safety equipment, such as helmets and pads, are essential while playing a sport. Encourage your child to talk to you if he or she feels like the sport is too dangerous or if he or she sees that the equipment is not being used properly. Additionally, always encourage your child to warm up and to stay hydrated in order to prevent injury.

Out and About

 

Whether your child walks home from school with a friend or is taking the bus for an extracurricular activity, your child must know how to be safe. While goofing around on the school bus seems to be the “cool” thing to do, remind your child how to be safe while riding a school bus and explain that failing to follow directions can lead to injury.

 

If your child is old enough to walk home from school or walk around the neighborhood with friends, he or she may still need to be reminded about safety. Even in low traffic neighborhoods, children may be injured as a result of failing to pay attention to traffic or walking in the street.

 

If a child is well-informed about safety and injury prevention, he or she can have more independence without causing you stress or worry.

Accidents

Pedestrian Safety Tips

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Every day in the United States, an estimated 445 pedestrians seek emergency treatment for traffic-related injuries. In 2013, the most recent year data is available, there were 4,735 pedestrian fatalities and another 66,000 injuries. That’s about one pedestrian death every two hours, and one injury every eight minutes. If you are one of the tens of thousands of pedestrians injured every year as a result of a vehicle-related accident, there are critical steps you should take directly after the event that will help ensure your rights. But, avoiding an accident in the first place should be your focus. Here are some easy-to-follow tips on how to stay safe as a pedestrian.

Never Assume

Just because someone is driving a vehicle doesn’t mean he is paying close attention to the road. Distracted driving habits, including eating and cell phone use, lead to more than 3,300 fatalities a year, many of which involve pedestrians. Other factors, including vehicle blind spots and driver drowsiness, can also play a role in pedestrian-related accidents.

Instead of assuming that a driver can see you, make sure the road is clear before attempting to cross the street. If you’re in a particularly busy area, and waiting for traffic to clear isn’t plausible, make eye contact with any driver in your proximity before crossing the street, even when you have the right of way and are using a crosswalk.

Distracted Walking

Drivers are not the only people who can be distracted when they’re on the go. Pedestrians can be just as easily distracted. When you’re reading a text message, playing a game, or are otherwise engaged with your mobile device, you aren’t paying attention to your surroundings, and just as with a distracted driver, the results can be disastrous. When you are walking, put away your cell phone or tablet. If you must reply to a text, step to the side, out of the way of others, and then respond.

Follow the Law

Jaywalking is not only illegal, but it can be fatal. In fact, pedestrian noncompliance is the leading cause of injuries and fatalities. In 2013, 69% of all pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersections compared to 20% of fatalities occurring in an intersection, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The balance of the fatalities occurred in parking lanes, driveways, roadsides, and other locations. When you need to cross the street, use the crosswalk, and never cross against the light.

Special Circumstances

The sidewalk is the safest place for pedestrians. Occasionally, however, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to walk somewhere, but no sidewalk is available. In that instance, walk as far onto the shoulder of the road as possible, and always walk facing traffic. If your back is to traffic, you won’t be able to see oncoming dangers, and you’ll be unable to avoid them.

If you’re walking at night, it is imperative that you wear light, bright, or reflective clothing, and carry a flashlight, even if you plan on staying on the sidewalk. At some point, you may have to cross the street, and if drivers cannot see you, they won’t be able to avoid you.

Pedestrian safety requires vigilance on the part of both the driver and the pedestrian. When you head out for a walk, always follow traffic laws, make sure drivers can see you, and pay attention to your surroundings. When you follow those simple tips, you’ll be increasing the odds that you will reach your destination safely.

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Accidents

Driving Safely: What to Do in Case of a Car Accident

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In 2013, the most recent year for which complete statistics are available, 2.3 million people in the United States were injured as a result of car accidents, and another 32,719 were killed. The leading cause of those accidents was driver error, which can include everything from speeding to unsafe lane changes and distracted driving. Regardless of the reason for a car accident, though, it is a traumatic experience that is often exacerbated when emotions are allowed to take control. However, by remaining calm, pulling to the side of the road, and taking the appropriate steps directly after impact, further injury or loss can be prevented, and you can help expedite the investigation and insurance claim. That way, you can get back to life as you know it that much sooner.

Assess Injuries and Danger

Immediately after the accident, it is critical that you move your car off the road, if possible. Sometimes a vehicle is rendered immobile after a car accident, and if that’s the case use discretion about whether or not to exit the vehicle. If the surrounding traffic makes it too dangerous to get out of the car, remain inside with your seatbelt still fastened. Call 911 for immediate assistance.

If you are able to safely exit the vehicle, and the situation allows for it, do a quick assessment of both your passengers and the passengers in the other vehicle(s). If immediate first aid is required, assist with what you can, but do not attempt to extract injured people, as it may worsen the injuries. The exception to the rule would be if there are liquids leaking from the vehicle, or there is smoke or fire. In such extreme circumstances, use discretion when deciding how much assistance you can safely offer. Once an initial assessment has been made to determine whether or not there are life-threatening injuries or a life threatening situation, move to the side of the road and call 911 if you haven’t already done so.

Take Pictures

Depending on the circumstances in which you find yourself, you may or may not be able to safely take pictures of all involved vehicles. If you can, however, make sure to get shots of the following areas: driver’s and passenger’s sides, front and rear, all corners, and the license plate. In addition, take photos of the surrounding area, including landmarks, buildings, street and traffic signs, accident-related debris, damaged property, and skid marks.

Gather Information

If you and the other driver are able to calmly exchange information, do so. Provide your name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance information. Ask the other driver for the same set of information. Also jot down the make and model of the other vehicle to go along with your photos. Since emotions will be heightened, it will be easy to forget what information is needed, so keep a checklist in your vehicle at all times.

As soon as is reasonable, contact your insurance company with the details of the accident and forward to your agent all of the information you have, including the photos. A final note about exchanging information: never admit fault during the course of the conversation. Allow the police and insurance companies to make that determination.

The period directly following a car accident can be a time of fear, confusion and uncertainty. However, if you remain calm, keep safety in mind at all times, and document the incident thoroughly, you will save time and frustration, and you will be back on the road before you know it.

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