Baton Rouge Louisiana Personal Injury Law Blog

What factors affect a trucker's braking speed?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in truck accidents on Friday, September 18, 2020.

One of perhaps the biggest mistakes that passenger car operators make is assuming that truckers can stop just as fast as they can. There are many factors, including speed, grades and weight, that make this impossible. While there's nothing much that a tractor-trailer operator can do to avoid an accident if a motorist cuts in front of them, there are steps that truckers can take to minimize their chances of causing other crashes.

A good rule of thumb for truckers is that the higher the truck's weight, the more time they need to come to a full stop after they brake. A similar rule applies to speed. The faster a trucker travels down the road, the more time they need to give themselves to reach a full stop after applying their brakes.

How common are adverse drug events among antibiotics patients?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in defective drugs on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Various medications that doctors may prescribe their patients can cause adverse effects. This includes antibiotics, opioids, stimulants and depressants. Antibiotics, in particular, may be among the most dangerous.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contends that antibiotics are one of the more commonly misused medications that result in adverse drug events (ADEs), leading to patient admittance to the emergency room (ER) far too often.

How prevalent is drunk driving in the United States?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in drunk driving accidents on Friday, September 11, 2020.

Drunk driving is a serious problem both here in Louisiana and throughout the U.S. Data collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2014 showed that police arrested as many as 1.1 million motorists for driving under the influence (DUI) that year. Another study, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2013 showed that an astounding 28.7 million motorists admitted to operating their vehicle after consuming alcohol. The shocking drunk driving trends don't stop there either.

FBI data from 2014 also shows that drunk motorists take to the road as many as 300,000 times per day. Police only end up taking 3,200 into custody, though. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that a new person dies in a drunk driving crash every 50 minutes.

Why do delayed or misdiagnoses occur?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in medical malpractice on Monday, September 7, 2020.

Cancer is a big concern in the United States. Statistics compiled by The Doctors Group capture how at least 25% of Americans will get diagnosed with cancer during their lifetimes. That same data shows that all but 40% will lose their battle with the disease. Early detection is critical if individuals hope to survive their cancer battles. Doctors often confuse a patient's symptoms for other conditions aside from cancer, resulting in a patient suing their doctor for medical malpractice.

There are many reasons doctors make delayed or inaccurate diagnoses. It's not uncommon for physicians to too readily accept a patient's presenting concerns on face value instead of attempting to investigate the root cause of the problem, something that could shed light on a more serious diagnosis such as cancer.

ADHD linked to car accidents

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, September 3, 2020.

When you think about distracted driving, it's easy to see the problem. Someone who is not focused on the road is at greater risk of causing an accident through their own inattention. Naturally, then, you may wonder if there is a link between a disorder like ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and the odds of a crash.

Researchers who have studied it have determined that there is a link and that those with ADHD are more likely to get involved in "serious transport accidents." While this commonly applies to car accidents, it could also apply to truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents and much else.

How are truckers' hours of service rules changing on Sept. 29?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in truck accidents on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's updated hours of service plan goes live on Sept. 29. Four primary changes will go into effect on that day. Many traffic analysts fear how these updated regulations could adversely impact driver safety in the future.

One aspect of the hours of service rules that will be different once the update goes into effect on Sept. 29 is how regulators handle 30-minute breaks. Truckers currently have to take time away from driving for this respite eight hours into their on-duty shift. Tractor-trailer operators won't have to take their 30-minute break until they're at least eight hours into their driving time once the new rule goes into effect. Regulators will also start counting any non-driving, on-duty time and count that as a trucker's mandatory break as well.

Are all senior citizens unsafe drivers?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys on Monday, August 31, 2020.

Some people think that senior citizens who drive are putting others on the road at risk. They assume that these individuals aren't as safe because they might drive a little slower and not take as many risks. The fact is that age has nothing to do with how safe someone operates a vehicle.

One of the major factors that determines how safely a person drives is their experience. A driver who has more experience is more likely going to make safer decisions when they're facing hazards than a driver who hasn't spent much time behind the wheel. Any driver, regardless of age, who is operating a vehicle unsafely can cause a crash that results in injuries.

What type of packaging errors result in drug recalls?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in defective drugs on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

When many individuals hear about drug recalls, they immediately default to the thought of potential contamination, the discovery of new side effects or some actual problem with the prescription or over-the-counter medication itself. People seldom think about how the design or marketing of a product may lead to a recall. There are many instances in which drug manufacturers or federal officials recall these products due to ineffective packaging.

Data analyzed by researchers at ExpertBriefings.com captures how at least one-half of all drug recalls may be attributable to packaging artwork or labeling errors.

Drinking makes concentration and thinking difficult

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in drunk driving accidents on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

Drinking alcohol has a drastic impact on your body, and it happens in a very short time. The initial buzz can actually feel invigorating. You may feel more social or like you have more energy. People often continue to drink because they think they can get back a buzz that they have lost or make that buzz better.

What really happens, experts warn, is that the depressant side of alcohol kicks in. People start to become sluggish and confused. The fun buzz disappears and will not return. Their judgment becomes impaired and they do things they would not do if they were sober.

What problems should you look for at your loved one's group home?

On behalf of MGM Attorneys posted in medical malpractice on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

Group homes are communal living facilities that aim to provide adults with disabilities with living skills to take care of themselves more effectively. Residents in these homes may either have mental or physical impairments. Regulators expect individuals who operate these homes to make sure that they're safe and comfortable. They assume that residents will receive the support they need to care for their basic needs. However, not all facilities or staff members that don't live up to those expectations.

Group homes must obtain a license to operate within their state borders legally. These residences must pass stringent operational guidelines and regulations and comply with state regulations. These facilities are subject to periodic inspections to ensure that they remain in compliance with all existing ordinances. A lawfully licensed group home should be able to provide proof of previous uneventful state inspections if you request such information. If they can't, then this may be quite concerning.