Many Mississippi drivers know that texting while driving is dangerous. However, as phone technology has dramatically improved over the past decade, drivers are finding other ways to become distracted. Some drivers operate their vehicles while on popular phone apps, such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. These apps, in addition to the widespread "Pokémon Go", are blamed for causing multiple accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately eight people are killed every day as a result of distracted driving accidents. However, the number of distracted driving deaths may actually be under-reported due to the fact that it is very difficult to prove that the liable driver was distracted.

Essentially, a vehicle can travel the length of an entire football field in the amount of time it takes a driver to read a text on their phone. Within that time span, anything can happen. Drivers may never see stoplights or pedestrians who are crossing in front of them or they may not be able to react should another vehicle make a lane change.

If a distracted driver causes an accident, those who were involved can suffer serious injuries such a traumatic brain injury and broken bones. If it can be proven that the driver was driving unsafely or was distracted at the time the accident occurred, an attorney may help the injured person seek compensation for the damages they sustained. The attorney may submit evidence to prove the driver was distracted. This evidence may include the police report and witness testimony. The injured person’s medical records and photographic evidence may show the severity of the accident.

A report from the CDC analyzed data from WHO and the OECD from 2000-2013 and found that the United States has the highest rate of car accident deaths among wealthy nations. In 2013, there were roughly 90 fatalities each day, which equated to over 32,000 for the entire year. The data takes into account accidents involving bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.

Although traffic deaths have declined since 2000, that decline still lags behind other countries. In the United States, there was a 31 percent decline compared to an average of 56 percent among 19 other wealthy nations. Spain had a reduction of 75.1 percent in that same time period while Denmark saw a decline of 63.5 percent. In addition to leading in deaths per year, the United States was also tops in deaths per 100,000 people and per 100,000 vehicles.

Driving at high rates of speed, driving while impaired and inconsistent seat belt use were three reasons why the CDC believes the U.S. crash death numbers are so high. In fact, the United States was third-worst when it came to seat belt use, and the problem exists with both adults and children. In 2013, 38 percent of accident victims under 12 were not wearing a seat belt at the time. The CDC believes that 3,000 lives could be saved annually if seat belts were worn at all times.

After a car accident, serious injury or death is possible. Family members of those killed in a wreck may take legal action for wrongful death. Compensation may be available for lost future earnings, final expenses and any medical costs that may have been incurred prior to passing. The estate of the other driver may be responsible for costs if he or she also passes in an accident he or she caused.

When most people think of nursing home abuse, their mind goes to incites images of misconduct by staffers. When these stories are in the news, they typically involve tales of misconduct from the employees who are tasked with taking care of the elderly residents. These stories often expose negligence resulting from poor training or malicious behavior on the part of those employed by the facilities.

There is another cause of nursing home violence that is perhaps even more common than that which involves caretakers; however, the fact that this form of abuse often goes untold makes it a surprise to many. Unfortunately, many acts of nursing home abuse involve bullying by other nursing home residents.

Up to one in five nursing home residents are abused by fellow residents

A recent study published by the Center for Aging Research and Clinical Care found that as many as 20 percent of elderly residents who live in nursing homes have been subjected to mistreatment as a result of the words or actions of their neighbors. According to the study, which viewed more than 2000 nursing home residents, more than 400 residents were the victims of abuse by fellow residents. The majority of these acts tend to involve verbal assaults, including name-calling. The remaining abuse is physical in nature. According to the study, physical acts of abuse include:

· Sexual assault

· Physical violence, such as being run over by a wheelchair

· Stealing food or personal belongings

Clearly, nursing home facilities must do more to minimize these acts of assault. According to the authors of the study, creating a more welcoming environment could reduce stress on nursing home residents, especially those with dementia. More lighting and less noise could soothe patients and make people less likely to act out. Without protection, anyone’s parents or grandparents could become victims.

If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect of any kind, our team at Williams Newman Williams PLLC can help you examine your options and guide you through any potential legal process that may lie ahead. Based in Jackson, our law firm works with families across Mississippi.

We’ve been looking in recent posts at the federal hours of service rules and the ongoing developments regarding the 34-hour restart rule. As we pointed out last time, the whole discussion of trucking safety, rules and regulations is an important not only because it directly impacts highway safety, but also because it impacts the ability of those harmed in trucking accidents to recover damages from negligent truck drivers.

In any personal injury case, building a solid case requires that a plaintiff prove various elements to establish liability. Generally speaking, there are four primary elements that must be supported with reliable evidence: duty; breach; causation; and harm. Without meeting the requirements of each of these elements, an accident victim does not have a meritorious case.

Trucking safety regulations relate to the duty aspect of personal injury litigation. To establish duty, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant was bound by some legal duty at the time of the accident. This can be any number of things, including: the duty to follow traffic regulations; the duty to keep a commercial motor vehicle properly maintained; the duty to comply with federal hours of service rules; or just the general duty to exercise reasonable care in the operation of a motor vehicle.

The more strongly a plaintiff is able to establish both the defendant’s duty and the breach of that duty, the more meritorious his or her case will be in court, assuming causation and harm can be adequately proven. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure a truck accident victim will have the strongest possible case and put the best foot forward in court.

Many elderly persons in Mississippi reach a point in their lives when they are no longer capable of living on their own. In such situations, it is not uncommon for adult children to help their parents take up new residences in nursing homes or other assisted living facilities. Nursing home neglect remains a significant problem in many areas, and anyone considering such care will want to conduct careful research ahead of time in order to make informed decisions and the best choices possible.

Even after visiting multiple facilities, studying available statistics and discussing the situation at length before choosing a nursing home, incidents of abuse may still occur. The important thing to realize is that when a medical professional has been negligent in the care provided, and a resident has suffered injury due to that neglect, a personal injury claim may be filed to seek legal accountability against the party deemed responsible. If an injured victim is unable to speak or act on his or her own behalf, an immediate family member may seek authority to do so.

At Williams Newman Williams PLLC, we are well aware of the poor training and supervision that exists in many nursing facilities. Our experienced attorneys are also often able to recognize signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse. Our commitment to our clients involves working without charge unless we obtain a successful outcome. We offer this service because we believe strongly in fighting for justice when a loved one is injured by medical neglect.

If you suspect nursing home neglect has caused your family member to suffer in a Mississippi facility, feel free to contact Williams Newman Williams PLLC for guidance. We are prepared to guide you through the entire process of filing a personal injury claim to seek full recovery for your losses. It is our aim to hold any and all responsible parties legally accountable for their actions.