Posted by Daniel Clayton in Personal Injury
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, riding a bike without a helmet significantly increases a bicyclist’s risk of sustaining a head injury in the event of a crash. I have seen studies asserting that wearing a helmet can reduce head-injury chances by 85%. Of course, the most significant head injuries are those involving brain bleeds and skull fractures. Intracranial bleeds can cause death or catastrophic injuries.
In 2010, more than 600 people on bicycles were killed in collisions with motor vehicles across the country, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. At least 70 percent of the victims were not wearing helmets.
Other than motor vehicle accidents, bicycle injuries are linked to more childhood injuries than any other product.
Don’t Forget the Helmet!
If you are a bike rider – always wear a helmet. Tennessee does require those under the age of 16 to wear a helmet while riding a bike. (To view helmet laws listed by state, please visit www.iihs.org. This site also provides the statistics for cycling fatalities). Naturally, it is important to make sure the helmet fits properly. If you’re not sure if it fits, then ask a pro.
In Hermitage, I recommend The Bike Pedlar, owned by Kerry Roberts. (http://www.facebook.com/bikepedlar)
In Franklin, a great bicycle shop is MHB bike shop (http://macsharpethbikes.com). A couple of weeks ago, I bought a bike from them - and they were awesome!
Also, you might try Harpeth Bikes (http://harpethbikes.com).
Tags: Bike Accidents, Personal Injury, Catastrophic Injuries
Showing posts with label Personal Injury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal Injury. Show all posts
Monday, June 4, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Sleep Apnea and Commercial and Truck Drivers: A Deadly Combination
Posted by Daniel Clayton, www.DanielClaytonLaw.com in motor vehicle accidents
People who experience pauses during sleep could possibly have a life-threatening breathing disorder called sleep apnea. These breathing interruptions can occur up to 400 times a night and last for 10 seconds or more. It is difficult for people to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea in themselves, so it often goes undiagnosed.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), around 28 percent of commercial truck drivers may have obstructive sleep apnea, which is a scary combination. Around 17 percent have mild sleep apnea, while close to 6 percent have a moderate form and almost 5 percent have severe sleep apnea.
One study noted that drivers with untreated sleep apnea have a higher risk of being involved in a truck accident. The study also indicated that during a series of performance tests, drivers with untreated sleep apnea fared worse than those with higher than legal blood alcohol concentrations for commercial truckers. This research shows that for any commercial drivers with symptoms of sleep apnea, being on the road is a dangerous and potentially fatal situation.
Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are a combination of loud snoring, daytime fatigue, sleeping at odd times, memory difficulties, lack of focus, irritability and morning headaches. While sleep apnea can afflict men or women of any age, people who are overweight, smoke, drink alcohol, have large neck sizes or who are over 40-years-old are at an increased risk. Additionally, people with family members who have sleep apnea are more likely to develop it. After sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated, many commercial drivers can once again take to the road to perform their jobs safely.
For commercial truck drivers who suspect they may have sleep apnea, it is best to visit a qualified state medical examiner for a medical fitness evaluation. Many states have medical requirements for commercial drivers that include sleep apnea as a disqualifying condition when it is moderate to severe and prevents safe driving practices. Drivers with mild to moderate sleep apnea can undergo treatment, however, to requalify for their commercial driving licenses.
It is safer for both commercial truckers and others on the road if those operators with moderate to severe sleep apnea have limited driving privileges.
Source: “Sleep Apnea and Commercial Drivers,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), around 28 percent of commercial truck drivers may have obstructive sleep apnea, which is a scary combination. Around 17 percent have mild sleep apnea, while close to 6 percent have a moderate form and almost 5 percent have severe sleep apnea.
One study noted that drivers with untreated sleep apnea have a higher risk of being involved in a truck accident. The study also indicated that during a series of performance tests, drivers with untreated sleep apnea fared worse than those with higher than legal blood alcohol concentrations for commercial truckers. This research shows that for any commercial drivers with symptoms of sleep apnea, being on the road is a dangerous and potentially fatal situation.
Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are a combination of loud snoring, daytime fatigue, sleeping at odd times, memory difficulties, lack of focus, irritability and morning headaches. While sleep apnea can afflict men or women of any age, people who are overweight, smoke, drink alcohol, have large neck sizes or who are over 40-years-old are at an increased risk. Additionally, people with family members who have sleep apnea are more likely to develop it. After sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated, many commercial drivers can once again take to the road to perform their jobs safely.
For commercial truck drivers who suspect they may have sleep apnea, it is best to visit a qualified state medical examiner for a medical fitness evaluation. Many states have medical requirements for commercial drivers that include sleep apnea as a disqualifying condition when it is moderate to severe and prevents safe driving practices. Drivers with mild to moderate sleep apnea can undergo treatment, however, to requalify for their commercial driving licenses.
It is safer for both commercial truckers and others on the road if those operators with moderate to severe sleep apnea have limited driving privileges.
Source: “Sleep Apnea and Commercial Drivers,” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Tags: sleep apnea, truck accidents
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