Law Office Of D. Hardison Wood - Car Accident Attorney in Cary

Car Seat Usage after an Accident

After an accident it is important to examine your child's car seat. If it looks in any way damaged you should think about immediately replacing the seat. NHTSA has put out the following message regarding car seat re-usage after minor accidents.

• NHTSA recommends that child safety seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers.

• NHTSA recommends that child safety seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.

• Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;

  • The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;

  • There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;

  • The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND

  • There is no visible damage to the safety seat

• Clarifying the need for child seat replacement will reduce the number of children unnecessarily riding without a child safety seat while a replacement seat is being acquired, and the number of children who will have to ride without a child seat if a seat were discarded and not replaced. The clarification will also reduce the financial burden of unnecessary replacement.

• Recent studies demonstrate that child safety seats can withstand minor crash impacts without any documented degradation in subsequent performance.

• The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia ( ICBC ) subjected nine new and used child seats restraining 3-year-old dummies to a series of 50 consecutive 15 km/h sled tests into a 40% offset barrier. Three seats were inspected visually; no damage was apparent as a result of the impacts. Three seats underwent x-ray inspection; no damage was detected. Three seats were tested in accordance with Canadian federal standards (CMVSS 213) and were found to be in compliance with all standards.

• ICBC performed four vehicle crash tests at 48 and 64 km/h, with two child seats restraining 3-year-old dummies in each vehicle. Each seat was subjected to multiple impacts and visually inspected. Defects were noted and the seats were re-tested. Seats always performed as well in subsequent tests as they did in the first test.

• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performed 30 mph vehicle crash tests with dummies from six months to three years in a variety of child restraint systems (CRSs). Most seats sustained minor damage (e.g., frayed webbing, small cracks in the hard plastic shell, strain-whitening on the plastic shell or chest clip) but all dummies remained well secured by the restraints. Four of the damaged seats were subjected to three additional 30 mph crash tests. Although additional minor damage was observed in subsequent tests, the seats met all federal standards.

• The agency searched for, but was unable to find any cases in which a child safety seats were damaged in a minor crash (as defined in NHTSA Position).

The agency is committed to maintaining policies that are science-based and data-driven. Stakeholders with data that address post crash re-use of child safety seats are encouraged to provide this information to the agency.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney?

You have been injured in an accident and are considering hiring a lawyer. But then you think to yourself, "why do I need to hire someone to do this? I can handle it on my own." While the process may appear simple, not all things are as they appear. Attorneys are professionals and in North Carolina they are not only required to pass a rigorous bar examination, they also must prove their ethical fitness for this profession.

Your attorney is required to give you the best neutral advice he can with regards to the law. If you are depending on the insurance agent to be upfront and honest, it is important to remember that their interests lie with their company. They are going to do what is best for their insurance firm.

Confidentiality is another reason to consider hiring an attorney. What you tell the insurance adjuster is not protected – and he or she will use what you say against you if it puts them in a better position. What you tell your attorney is protected information. Further, your attorney, once hired by you, is obligated to ensure that he is working for your sole interests and is required to make sure there are no conflicts.

If you have medical liens, an attorney is going to make sure the medical provider follows the law in terms of asserting the lien. An attorney will also work towards negotiating down such liens. If you are unrepresented, the medical providers and the insurance adjuster are going to speak directly with one another and whatever the medical provider states is the lien the insurance company will pay them that amount reducing any potential recovery you may have received.

The most important thing to remember is that your rights and liberties are at stake. When your legal rights are in jeopardy, you may seriously want to consider hiring an attorney. It is important to realize these professionals work tirelessly on their client’s behalf. If you think you may need an attorney, and would like to discuss your potential claim, don’t delay, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood today.

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Identifying the Most Injury-Prone Jobs in America

No matter how safe a workplace may seem, injuries can happen across all sectors. However, certain jobs are more likely to lead to aches and pains than others. Any employee hurt in the workplace should consult a local attorney about filing a workers’ compensation claim. Here is a look at some of most injury-prone jobs in the United States:

Nursing Home Workers

Working in a nursing home can lead to sprained muscles and repetitive stress injuries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that for every 100 employees working in elderly care facilities, 13.2 are hurt every year. This field may not seem particularly dangerous, but nursing home work often involves lifting heavy loads, pushing wheelchairs, and other tasks that can lead to injury. Believe it or not, nursing homes have more injured workers than hospitals and other medical facilities.

Police and Firefighters

These jobs often come to mind when one thinks of injury-prone jobs. Almost 11% of all police officers and more than 13% of all firefighters are injured on the job every year. These positions are physically taxing and may involve exposure to firearms, hot temperatures, and unsafe heights.

Construction Workers

Throughout the past several decades, construction workers have continued to suffer injuries at higher rates than other professions. However, with the development of better safety equipment and training, fatalities on construction sites are down almost 25% from four years ago. Overall injury rates of construction workers are now lower than those of freight truck drivers and ski instructors.

The Law Office of D. Hardison Wood is a personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm that knows North Carolina law inside and out. If you were hurt on the job, you are likely entitled to payment from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. Call (919) 238-4668 today to reach our Raleigh-area staff and discuss the specifics of your workplace injury.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

Birth Injuries: A Look at Cerebral Palsy

When you are expecting a child, your biggest worry is your unborn child’s health. But what are your options if something out of your control causes long-lasting medical issues? If your child has cerebral palsy, for example, the medical professionals responsible for delivery may be to blame. Here is a look at the causes, symptoms, and legal options available for those in this situation:

Causes

Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, and may appear soon after birth or during early childhood. If brain tissue is deprived of oxygen for too long during pregnancy or delivery, the child can have long-lasting muscular issues due to the damage to his or her synapses. One way for cerebral palsy to occur is through sudden pulling or other sharp movements in the birth canal, where blood vessels in the neck can pull away from the shoulders and stop blood flow.

Symptoms

Once a brain is deprived of oxygen, symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. Most parents generally notice cerebral palsy’s effects before the child turns three. The specific mix of developmental difficulties and physical symptoms may vary from child to child. These can include abnormal walking, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures, and eating and digestive issues. Your child’s unique symptoms will likely require costly medical care and a lifetime of monitoring.

Pursuing Medical Malpractice

In some situations, the sudden decrease in oxygen is due to medical error. If your unborn child was monitored in a hospital setting wherein negligence led to a sudden shutoff of oxygen to the brain, you may be able to hold the hospital or doctor accountable. Since filing a lawsuit against medical professionals can be very complex, you’re best off seeking the help of a personal injury attorney.

If you suspect that your child’s palsy was caused by a medical processional, consult a local personal injury attorney. North Carolina residents in need of actionable advice regarding medical malpractice should call the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at (919) 238-4668.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.