Terry Bryant August 30th, 2007
Following years of steady decline in the number of motorcycle accidents, the trend began to reverse in 1998. That year there were 937 fatalities, an increase of 11.2%. The overall increase in accidents has continued to evidence as more people are taking it up. Most of this growing group of enthusiasts is over 40.
And the occupations of owners have changed to reflect the gentrification of cycling. In 1985, 23.2 percent of owners were laborers or semiskilled. That was down to 6.9 percent in 2003. In 1985, 19 percent of bike owners were professionals. That number was up to 31.2 percent in 2003.
The average age of a rider in 2005 was up to 42 years old with a household income of $56,000. The demographic that is growing most rapidly is the rider over 50. Female riders account for ten percent of the motorcycle population.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law we support our community riders and want to encourage you to be safe. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “per vehicle mile, motorcyclists are about 16 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash.” We also know that two-thirds of all car vs. motorcycle crashes are caused by the car driver. According to the Hurt Study Findings on motorcycle accident cause factors this is primarily due to the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic. The study concluded that this is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents.
If you are a rider, here are some facts that may heighten your awareness and help keep you safe:
- Always, always, always wear a helmet. The NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a fatality by 29% in a crash.
- Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists is below 50%.
- More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads.
- Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash.
- Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash.
- Almost 60% of motorcyclist fatalities occur at night.
- More riders age 40 and over are getting killed.
Be aware of rampant driving distractions and drive defensively. You never know when you might encounter an automobile driver that is occupied on a cell phone and not paying attention. We believe that safety awareness is key and as a law firm that has represented numerous victims of serious and sometimes fatal motorcycle accidents, we can’t impress upon you enough the need to always be mindful of safety awareness when you ride.
It is certainly our hope that you will enjoy safe riding. But, if you or a loved one is the victim of a motorcycle accident, we want you to know that we are available 24/7 to talk with you as to how to protect your legal rights. You can call our offices at 713-973-8888 or toll free at 800-444-5000. For additional information please visit our website at http://www.terrybryant.com/texas-motorcycle-accident-lawyer.php.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Terry Bryant August 21st, 2007
The popularity of MRI and MRA scans to help diagnose medical problems has grown dramatically. But for persons with kidney disease, these scans can be deadly.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) are used by doctors as a way to look inside your body and examine it for tumors, clogged arteries, brain irregularities and other problems. Some patients who undergo an MRI and all patients who undergo an MRA are injected with dye that helps the doctor see any problems.
However, if that dye contains a metal called gadolinium, a person with moderate to end-stage kidney disease could contract a disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fribosing Dermopathy.
Symptoms can develop over the course of several weeks. This disease attacks the skin, causing swelling and tightening of the skin, usually on the extremities. Those who contract a severe case may be unable to walk or to fully extend their joints. The skin’s texture may also change to a wood-like consistency or feel like orange peel. These symptoms will be accompanied by sensations of burning or itching and severe sharp pain. Some cases can be fatal.
If you or someone you know has experienced any of these symptoms following an MRI or MRA, we strongly recommend that you follow up with your family physician as soon as possible. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law we are also happy to speak with you about protecting your legal rights. You can call our office at 713-973-8888 or toll free at 800-444-5000. Our specialists are available 24/7 to take your calls.
Popularity: 10% [?]
Terry Bryant August 17th, 2007
Some of the most common limitations associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) include:Â partial paralysis, cognitive limitations, memory loss, and impaired speech, among other things.
But what we rarely hear about are the 5.3 million Americans who experts have referred to as the “silent epidemic” because their initial injury is often dismissed as nothing more than a “bump on the head?” At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law we often see clients very shortly after their accident or injury occurs and we know first hand that many of the injuries initially minimized as just a “bump on the head” are really far more serious and need to be treated accordingly.
If you or a loved one has sustained any type of head injury it is imperative that you seek medical treatment to determine the scope of the injury and the best course of treatment.
Below are some of the symptoms that may indicate a brain injury:
- Headaches or neck pain that won’t go away
- Trouble with such mental tasks as remembering, concentrating, or decision-making
- Slow-thinking, -speaking, -acting or -reading
- Getting lost or easily confused
- Feeling tired all the time, having no energy or motivation
- Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason)
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping)
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy, or losing balance
- An urge to vomit (nausea)
- Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions
- Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Ringing in the ears
Time is a critical factor with all head injuries. For years, it was believed that most brain damage occurred immediately upon impact. But we now know that damage to the brain continues for hours or even days. The good news is that if TBI is diagnosed and treated quickly, much of the damage can be avoided.
If you recognize any of the symptoms listed above in someone you love, it is important that you get them proper medical care as soon as possible. For more information on this topic and to learn how Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Lawyers advocate for TBI victims and their families, please call our offices at 713-973-8888 or Toll Free – 800-444-5000.
You can also find more information at:
http://www.terrybryant.com/texas-brain-injury-lawyer.php.
Popularity: 17% [?]
Terry Bryant August 6th, 2007
We all assume that the food we eat is safe. However that is not always true. Thousands of cans of food processed by Castleberry’s Food Company of Augusta, Georgia, are being recalled because people became sick with botulism after eating the canned food. The recall involves chili, stew, hash, gravy and even dog food. So many products are being recalled because the canning process at the plant apparently did not kill the botulism toxin causing it to grow and spread.
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by a poison that affects the nervous system. Symptoms generally begin within 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as ten days. Symptoms include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or muscle weakness. If untreated, the illness may effect the entire body with paralysis of the face, arms, breathing muscles, trunk, and legs.
Products contaminated with the botulism toxin often do not look or taste any differently than safe food. If you or your loved ones ate food you suspect was contaminated, watch for the symptoms listed above for ten days after consumption; if you have any of these symptoms, get medical help immediately. If you have a can that has been recalled, handle it with extreme care – even a small amount of the toxin that is eaten or absorbed through a break in the skin can make you very ill.
For a complete list of recalled products, check out the Food and Drug Administration’s list at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we would be happy to talk with you if you or a loved one has consumed a contaminated product and would like guidance as to how to protect your legal rights. For more information as to how to contact us, please click on this link. http://www.terrybryant.com/contact.php
Popularity: 21% [?]
