Backup crashes can result in extensive property damage and serious injuries. Children are especially vulnerable in such crashes. However, drivers in Mississippi should know that there is safety tech out there that has been demonstrated to cut down on the number of backup crashes. A report says that rear automatic braking is linked with a 62 percent drop in backup crashes.

The same report claims that a combination of rear automatic brakes, rearview cameras and backup warning sensors will reduce the chance of a backup crash by 78 percent. However, rear automatic brakes are an option on only 5 percent of new vehicle models.

This same combination of technology has been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS gave superior ratings to the 2017 Subaru Outback and Cadillac XT5 SUV, both of which have backup warning sensors and reverse automatic braking. Not all vehicles with the technology performed well; one backed into a dummy car parked at an angle when the automatic braking failed to detect it.

Rearview cameras have become mandatory on all new vehicle models in the U.S. Automatic front braking will be considered standard in most vehicles by 2022, yet no similar plan exists for rear automatic brakes. These brakes are meant for avoiding obstacles, but technology may expand to cover pedestrian crashes.

Someone who incurs property damage or injuries in a backup crash can find out from a lawyer if they have the grounds for a personal injury claim. A successful claim could cover the physical damage, medical expenses and any pain and suffering. The lawyer could hire third parties to obtain the police report and any other evidence that can be brought against the defendant, including eyewitness testimony and camera footage. The lawyer could then proceed to negotiate a settlement.

People in Mississippi may look forward to the development of newer electronic systems that can help cars and their drivers to have a safer experience on the road. These semi-autonomous driving systems have been widely publicized and are a major selling point for some vehicles. However, aware drivers are still critical to avoid dangerous crashes. Cars and trucks with these kinds of electronic systems intact may not always sense the presence of stopped vehicles, and if drivers rely on the system rather than their own awareness of the road, they could wind up in a serious crash.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued a paper focusing on the realities of these technologies. Researchers tested five systems from major manufacturers like Mercedes, Tesla, BMW and Volvo on tracks and public roads in order to gauge their effectiveness. The study found that many of these systems could significantly contribute to highway safety and even save lives. However, they are not infallible and do not excuse driver negligence.

Researchers found that when cars are put under semi-autonomous control, they may operate in ways that people do not expect. These actions could put drivers and those around them on the roads at risk of injury or worse. All of the vehicles except the Tesla Model 3 failed to brake on their own for stopped cars ahead on the road, and the Tesla itself failed to brake automatically to avoid crashes when adaptive cruise control was turned off.

Whether cars are equipped with semi-autonomous technology or not, drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to the road and avoid crashes. The alternative can have severe consequences for others on the road, leading to serious injuries and even death. A personal injury lawyer may help people injured in car accidents through no fault of their own to seek compensation for the damages they have suffered.

Virginia Tech University and the National Institutes for Health collaborated on a study that analyzed teen driver behaviors before and after they obtained their licenses. Car crashes are the leading cause of death among 14- to 19-year-olds in Mississippi as in every other state, so both teens and parents will want to be familiar with what this study reveals.

Researchers observed the behaviors of 90 teen drivers in Virginia using dashcams and special software that recorded speed and braking times. The study period began when the teens obtained their learner’s permits and ended one year after they became licensed. Researchers then calculated the risk for crashes and near-misses. The likelihood of teens getting into an accident or near-miss increased eight times between the last three months of having their permits and the first three months of having their licenses.

While unsafe driving behaviors like severe turning and harsh braking decreased once the teens became licensed, the crash risk did not. The report also showed that teens are more careful than adults are when driving in bad weather and at night but less so on bright, clear days.

The authors of the study believe the most important thing to do is gradually decrease parental supervision during the first few months that teens are licensed. This way, they can more easily learn those skills that can only be developed alone. Lengthening the permit phase could also be beneficial.

If teens disregard their safety and get into a car collision, they may be liable for the other person’s injuries and vehicle damage. Victims can consider filing a claim against the negligent driver’s auto insurance company. If successful, the claim could cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Gathering proof and negotiating with the insurance company can be hard, so victims will want legal representation. Accident attorneys usually have networks of professionals who can assist as well.

Women in Mississippi may be more likely than men to use their cellphones while driving according to a new study published in Risk Analysis: An International Journal. The research was conducted in South East Queensland, Australia.

Around 25 percent of all car crashes in the U.S. involve cellphone use. In fact, statistics show that drivers who text behind the wheel are six times more likely to crash their vehicle, and drivers who talk on their cellphones are twice as likely to crash. However, many drivers still don’t believe that distracted driving is dangerous. The Australian study, which surveyed 447 drivers, found that 68 percent of participants admitted they were skeptical about the hazards of texting and driving. The study also found that separation anxiety and a fear of missing out pushed many drivers to risk using their phones while operating a vehicle.

According to the study, certain people are more likely to be distracted drivers, including women and drivers who are overly attached to their cellphones. Drivers who are highly uninhibited and those who have a general disregard for safety are also more likely to become distracted behind the wheel. However, the study also found that difficult driving conditions and the presence of law enforcement officers tend to discourage people from engaging in distracted driving behaviors.

Car accidents caused by distracted drivers injure thousands of Americans each year. Victims of such crashes may wish to speak to an attorney about their legal options. In some cases, it may be possible to take legal action against the driver who caused the crash. For example, by filing a personal injury lawsuit, an injured victim might be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.

If you have a loved one who lives in a nursing home, you may have concerns about his or her well-being, since you are not able to monitor your loved one’s care on a daily basis. You trust the nursing home to take good care of your mother or father, but, unfortunately, not all nursing homes perform their duties adequately, and some are actually negligent.

There are certain signs of nursing home abuse that you should be aware of, so that if this unfortunate occurrence happens in your loved one’s situation, you are prepared to handle it. Even better, if you keep a vigilant eye out for detecting nursing home abuse at all times, you can help prevent further abuses from taking place.

Defining abuse and neglect

Elderly abuse and neglect are both forms of maltreatment, but they are not the same. Abuse is a deliberate action intended to inflict harm, pain, mental anguish or intimidation. Neglect may or may not be intentional. It is the failure to provide services that are needed to avoid harm.

Signs of abuse and neglect

Some types of abuse are more evident than others. For example, if you see an injury and there is no sufficient explanation, this may be a sign of abuse. Neglect can show up when there is improper care devoted to hygiene (such as unclean or soiled clothing or bedsheets) or basic nursing home care such neglecting to move a patient in bed, which can result in bedsores.

Sometimes, you may note a certain psychological or physical reaction to a particular staff member. If your loved one becomes agitated, nervous or scared in the presence of someone who works at the nursing home, it may be a sign that that person is committing abuse or neglect.

Keep in mind that there may be good and valid explanations for injuries, and not all signs are necessarily evidence of abuse or neglect. However, vigilance on your part is necessary, because some of the signs are so subtle that the average person may easily miss them.

Spotting signs of abuse and neglect early ensures that you can take action to stop any potential abuse from reoccurring. If you have suspicions and need assistance investigating them, or if you need additional information about how to proceed, you should seek the legal advice of an attorney with experience in nursing home abuse cases.