There are no protective elements surrounding the body when one is riding a motorcycle. A helmet and heavy gear (leathers or other) are the only standard forms of protection for motorcyclists. In addition, many drivers of motor vehicles may not be adequately aware of the need to look for motorcycles. These factors result in a significant number of motorcycle accidents leading to head injury.

to help prevent head injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the CDC recommend that motorcyclists use helmets, and many states require the use of motorcycle helmets. While head injuries can still occur when one is wearing a helmet, such injuries are typically less severe than if one is not wearing a helmet (1,2). At present the protective potential of helmets is assessed by a variety of rating scales (3,4). All helmets must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) standard. An additional, voluntary certification known as Snell certification is also included for some helmets. The Snell certification is often sought after because the criteria for certification are more strenuous than the minimal DOT standards and all other standards in the US. Although controversy has arisen regarding the Snell rating system for motorcycle helmets, you should consider the Snell rating when purchasing a motorcycle helmet.

We represent people injured in motorcycle accidents. From a legal standpoint the amount of compensation awarded in a motorcycle accident case may be affected if the injured person was not wearing a helmet. This depends on the state in which the accident took place and the facts of the case. Contact us for a free consultation after a motorcycle accident. We are a national law firm and represent injured people throughout the United States.

Resources:

1. (2007) Accid Anal Prev 39(1):190
2. (2006) Traf. Inj. Prev. 7(1):49-54.
3. www.webbikeworld.com
4. www.motorcyclistonline.com

Labels: head injury, helmet, motorcycle accident, motorcycle accident lawyers, motorcycle safety

Reduce the risk of injury from any frontal airbag by observing the following:

• Buckle your safety belt.
• Keep about 10 inches or more between your chest and the airbag cover.
• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag, even a reduced-power or advanced air bag, unless the air bag on-off switch is in the OFF position.
• Place children age 12 and under in the back seat, and make sure they are properly restrained, either in a safety belt or a child safety seat that is appropriate for their size, weight, and age.
• Watch for car recalls involving airbags.
  

Warning!!! Even with advanced air bags, children can be killed or seriously injured by air bags. Always put children age 12 and under in the rear seat.

We have a national reputation in the area of product liability. If you were in a car accident and the air bag did not deploy, contact us regarding your accident toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit our online consultation form (right) for review by one of our car accident lawyers.

Labels: air bag, airbag recall, airbag safety, car accident lawyers

A husband and wife are in critical condition after they were hit head-on by a Freightliner semi truck near Windom, Minnesota, on Tuesday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol incident report, Carol Kirstein, 67, of Wilder, Minnesota, was driving a Buick LeSabre northbound on Highway 71 when she crossed over the centerline and collided with the Freightliner, which was pulling a 53-foot trailer. At the time of the accident, Robert Kirstein, was a passenger in Carol Kirstein’s vehicle. Mrs. Kirstein broke her leg and sustained other injuries. Mr. Kirstein sustained internal injuries. Both were airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

As the family deals with the physical and emotional difficulties of this situation, insurance companies will be contacting the family regarding a number of issues. Whenever someone is seriously injured in a car accident, it is critical to contact a Minnesota car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Once the family retains a lawyer, the insurance companies generally are not allowed to contact family members, and the family’s lawyer will take care of all issues involving the insurance companies, including medical expenses and compensation for pain, suffering, disability and wage loss.

In a case where a spouse is a passenger in the vehicle, obtaining adequate compensation for pain, suffering, disability and wage loss can require the spouse-passenger to make a claim or even file a lawsuit against the spouse-driver. This may seem outrageous, but given the language of insurance contracts, it is usually necessary. The spouses and other family members need to understand that sometimes legal actions are necessary for the good of everyone in the family. For more information, please contact a car accident lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen, a Minnesota law firm with a national reputation. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.

Labels: car, collision, Minnesota accident, pain, semi, spouse passenger, suffering