Distracted Driving in 2024: Prevention and Injury Help
Distracted driving takes thousands of lives every year. But you knew that already.
Distracted driving takes thousands of lives every year. But you knew that already.
Rideshare companies have revolutionized the way we travel. As of 2021, ridesharing services had facilitated 11 billion trips in 10 years, and public transportation use decreased by 6% in the same time period in the United States.
No one wakes up and thinks, “I’m going to get into a car accident today.” They just happen. And, when they do happen, you don’t expect them to have a lasting impact on your life.
At Carabin Shaw, we always recommend getting checked out by a medical professional after a car accident, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. There’s a good reason.
Previously, it was widely believed that trauma was limited to soldiers who had experienced extreme events outside normal human experiences. However, modern psychological literature understands that trauma can happen to anyone, including children. In fact, children are especially vulnerable to trauma because of their inability to recognize or anticipate danger.
(December 28, 2022) In a previous post, we discussed search and seizure laws pertaining to automobiles. We saw how a warrantless vehicle search must meet two requirements: probable cause and mobility. But how much of the vehicle can police officers search under this rule? If they see evidence of illegal contraband (illegal substances, for example), do they have the ability to search the entire vehicle? What about bags or locked containers in the passenger compartment or trunk? Let’s take a look at what’s covered under the mobile conveyance exception – and what is not.
(December 28, 2022) The United States Supreme Court case Mapp v. Ohio established the historic exclusionary rule, which forbids any evidence collected illegally to be used in court, which is consistent with the fourth amendment that protects against unreasonable search and seizure. However, this rule created a tricky situation for traffic officers. It frequently happened that traffic officers had probable cause to believe that illegal activity was being enabled by automobiles. However, by the time they came back with a warrant to search the vehicle, it was out of their jurisdiction, or the evidence was gone. To combat this problem, the Supreme Court ruled in Carroll v. United States to include an automobile exception to the exclusionary rule that allowed traffic officers to conduct warrantless vehicle searches… if certain conditions were met. So, when can an officer search your vehicle without your consent?
(August 25, 2022) San Antonio is officially back to school this week. Back to school means busy parents are rushing to drop off their kids before work, and school buses are adding to the already congested construction traffic areas. It’s important during this time that drivers brush up on their back-to-school safe driving techniques. In this article, we’ll look at crash statistics and cover tips for safe driving practices during the school season, as well as what to do if your child has been injured in a school transportation accident.
Did you know?
(August 23, 2022) The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for San Antonio and the surrounding hill country for the extremely heavy rain we have recently experienced. This rain is expected to stay for the remainder of the week. Driving in the rain comes with many complications and unique dangers that can increase your risk of being in an accident. In this article, we’ll take a look at some safety tips for driving in the rain, as well as the causes of hydroplaning and how to avoid it.
Did you know?
On Monday, March 28, 2022, a four-year-old girl tragically lost her life in a deadly rollover accident in Boerne, Texas. The young girl’s car seat was not adequately secured to the vehicle, which allowed her to be ejected from the vehicle, along with her two-year-old and infant siblings, whose car seats were also improperly installed. The young girl was pronounced dead on the scene, and her two siblings were rushed to the hospital with major injuries, including a broken neck and hip, according to the affidavit (KSAT News, 2022).
The tragic death of young children due to an improperly installed car seat is an avoidable yet common mistake. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Even though most parents comply with the law and utilize safety seats for their children, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 59% of all car seats are misused, meaning that they are not properly buckled and anchored to the vehicle. Failure to properly restrain a child results in a fine of up to $250, according to Texas law. Children under the age of eight years old are required to be secured in a safety seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Children 12 and older must wear a seatbelt. These restrictions are designed to keep our children safe. Children younger than eight years old cannot be protected by seatbelts designed for the average adult. Their smaller size and weight put them at risk of being ejected from the vehicle or being struck in the head at impact. When properly installed, car seats raise children to a safer height and firmly secure them to the seat, greatly minimizing the risk of serious bodily injury. The best way to keep your children safe from injury is to use the appropriate safety seat for their age, height, and weight.
Not sure if your child’s car seat is properly installed?