Parents have recently been capturing startling footage of cars not obeying traffic laws at school bus stops. Cell phone cameras have caught drivers nearly running over children who are boarding school buses, even when buses are stopped with flashing lights, a stop sign displayed, and a safety bar extended. Failure to stop when a school bus is picking up students can lead to serious injury of a child, and a driver will not only face criminal consequences, but they may be held financially responsible for the injuries caused.

According to Tennessee law, a driver may not pass a school bus when it is stopped, its lights are flashing, and it has a stop sign and safety arm extended, unless there is a median strip between the car and the bus. If a driver fails to stop, he or she can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which includes a fine of up to $1,000.

According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, every 34 seconds, a child under the age of 13 is involved in a car accident. Each state in the country has its own specific laws regarding child safety when traveling in a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the most appropriate safety restraint system to use to keep their child as safe as possible.

Tennessee’s Child Restraint law has clear rules for how a child should be secured at every age. A car accident can cause catastrophic injuries to a child, and that is why it is mandatory in every state for children under the age of 16 to be securely fastened while riding in a vehicle. If your child is injured in an auto accident, a skilled personal injury lawyer can advise you on steps for taking legal action against a negligent driver or manufacturer.   

With the sun out and temperatures beginning to rise, more and more pedestrians will be outdoors. Unfortunately, thousands of pedestrians are seriously injured or killed in traffic collisions throughout the United States each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 5,400 U.S. pedestrians were killed after being struck by motor vehicles during a recent 12-month period. If you or a loved one are injured after being struck by a motor vehicle, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. 

Remaining Safe as a Pedestrian

Approximately 129,000 pedestrians are treated annually in U.S. emergency rooms after being struck by automobiles. In many cases, there is nothing a pedestrian can do to avoid a collision. Other accidents are preventable. Here are some safety tips you may want to consider the next time you go for a walk. 

On Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019, a female bicyclist was fatally injured when a car struck her bike in Perry County. The accident, which occurred on Highway 438, ultimately resulted in three serious injuries but only one fatality. For bicyclists throughout the state of Tennessee, the accident served as a reminder that no cyclist is safe from motor vehicle collisions. If you or a loved one are injured in a bike accident, you should work with an attorney to determine your options for pursuing compensation. 

Bicycle Injuries Are Incredibly Common 

Throughout the United States, thousands of people are injured in bicycle accidents each and every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 467,000 Americans were injured in bicycle accidents in 2015 alone. Of those, over 1,000 people suffered fatal injuries. In the state of Tennessee, 10 bicyclists were killed in 2015 after being struck by a motor vehicle. Despite the fact that bicyclists only account for an average of 1% of all annual travelers, they are much more likely to be injured than those traveling in motor vehicles. 

Avoiding Bicycle Injuries 

While many bicycle accidents are impossible to avoid, there are a few simple steps you and your family can take to decrease the chances of being seriously injured in a collision: 

According to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over three million Americans are hospitalized each year due to slip and fall injuries. While most slip and fall injuries are non-fatal, an elderly American dies every 20 minutes due to falling. Fall injuries cost Americans roughly $5 billion in medical costs each and every year. If you have suffered a fall injury, it is important to contact a legal professional, even if the initial injury symptoms are minor. 

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

According to the CDC, only half of all fall victims alert their doctor about their fall. Fall injuries can result in painful chronic injuries that often come with delayed symptoms. Serious injuries that can occur in a fall include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: Falling is the leading cause of head and brain injuries. Injuries to the brain can come with a wide array of symptoms that affect a victim’s quality of life. From minor concussions to permanent cognitive damage, brain trauma of any sort should not be taken lightly. 
• Hip Fractures: The CDC states that a staggering 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. Hip injuries can be severely painful, and they can have life-threatening health implications for elderly Americans. Regardless of age, a hip fracture can lead to limitations in mobility and chronic pain. 

Helping Your Elderly Loved One Avoid Falls

In many cases, fall injuries are unavoidable, but there are a few steps you can take to help your elderly family member lower their risk of slipping and falling. Ensure that your elderly loved ones wear well-tractioned footwear, do not mix medications that could impact their balance, and always give increased assistance to those that have vision or mobility problems. If your loved one is injured after suffering a fall, a personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether the fall occurred because of someone’s negligence and work with you to pursue compensation.