If you are like many other drivers in Wilmington, you have probably had a close call or two at Oleander and South College Road. And, if you haven’t actually had a car wreck yet, it is most likely only a matter of time before you become involved in a collision. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a car accident victim.

One of the best ways to avoid a car wreck is to understand some of the most common causes. Here are four common types of car accidents and ways you can avoid them.

Rear-end collisions

Rear-end crashes happen when one vehicle hits another from behind. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, almost 30% of all accidents are rear-end collisions. Most of these crashes happen because the at-fault driver was distracted. By staying alert and paying attention to your surroundings, you might be able to avoid becoming a victim of one of these drivers.

Accidents with parked cars

If you park your car in a parking lot to go shopping, there is not much you can do to avoid an accident if another driver backs into your car or sideswipes it. However, you can reduce your chances of being at fault for such a wreck by always being aware of your surroundings and the dimensions of your vehicle. One of the best ways to avoid becoming the victim or the perpetrator is to park your car further away, where other vehicles are not parked.

Hydroplaning

Have you ever driven just after it rains and hit an especially slick spot that made your vehicle slip and slide? Hydroplaning is a very common occurrence when the roads are wet or icy. When road conditions are less than optimal, the best thing you can do is to slow down and take your time.

Unfortunately, not everyone sees the need for this which means there could be other drivers on the road that continue to operate their vehicles over the speed limit. By driving more slowly, not only can you avoid hydroplaning, but it will give you more time to get out of the way of people who lose control of their cars due to slick roads.

Side impacts

Side impacts, or T-bones, also account for a significant amount of vehicle collisions according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This type of wreck also has one of the higher fatality rates. Always look both ways for oncoming traffic even if you have the right of way. Do not trust other drivers to be paying attention or to follow the rules of the road.

While the above tips can help you stay safe on the road, it may not be possible to avoid every wreck. If you become the victim of a car accident with a negligent or reckless driver, keep in mind that you have options. You might be able to file a claim for your injuries and other damages, and, subsequently, receive the compensation you deserve.

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People who work in the manufacturing industry often have serious hazards around them as a regular part of their job duties. Companies must ensure that their employees have the proper safety tools and procedures in place to help reduce the risks that come with these hazards. Unfortunately, not all do, and it is the workers who suffer when there are work-related accidents.

One of the most significant hazards that these workers have to face is the moving machinery that they work around. There is a chance that body parts or clothing might become caught in the moving components. This can lead to crushing injuries, lacerations and amputations. It is imperative that workers who operate these machines are properly trained on the safety guidelines for them. Nobody who is around machinery with moving parts should wear loose clothing, have unsecured hair or wear jewelry.

Many manufacturing plants have vehicles and other equipment that moves about the building. Drivers of these must be careful to avoid striking workers, but the workers must ensure that they are remaining out of the way. One thing that might help is to have clearly marked lanes for the motorized equipment. It might also help to have a spotter present at all time to help guide the operator and warn individuals to move out of the way.

Any plant worker who is injured in an accident at work should remember that employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This will cover your medical care and can also provide other benefits, but you might have to fight for them. Sometimes, decisions aren’t made correctly, and appeals are necessary.

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Motorcyclists face some very serious risks when they are out riding, so they don’t need anyone to make their time on the road even more dangerous. People who are taking care of a property’s landscaping might not realize that they may be introducing a serious hazard for motorcyclists. This occurs when they blow grass clippings into the road.

With only two wheels, motorcycles require constant traction from both tires to be able to remain upright on the road. Grass clippings can cause that traction to be lost. This causes the motorcyclist to lose control and can lead to a wreck. Unfortunately, it is possible that these crashes will be fatal or produce very serious injuries.

Some bikers note that hitting grass clippings while you are on a motorcycle is the equivalent to hitting black ice. North Carolina law states that you can’t litter or place debris in the roadway, but this law doesn’t pertain to grass clippings. Some municipalities do have an ordinance against blowing the clippings into the road, so there is a chance that some people who do it will face fines or a misdemeanor charge.

Making the hazard a primary focus of an awareness campaign might help keep motorcyclists safe. This can help save lives and can mean that bikers are able to enjoy their ride without having to worry about this type of hazard when there are so many others they have to be concerned with.

For motorcyclists who are involved in a crash, finding out if another party can be held liable is vital. This lets them know whether they have the option of seeking compensation or not.

At David & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we don’t want you to feel vulnerable during an already challenging situation. As such, we work hard to help you through the process to pursue the maximum compensation available to you. Our Wilmington motorcycle accident attorneys have built a strong reputation representing the injured in our community. When you need someone on your side, trust that we’ve got your best interests in mind every step of the way. Let us give you a voice against negligent parties and large corporations.

Call our firm at 910-251-8088 today to speak with a skilled legal professional in a free consultation.

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If you work in the construction industry, you will be exposed to high levels of risk every day. These risks include dangerous machinery, working on potentiality dangerous structures, and falling objects. As a construction worker, you will be relieved to know that, in most situations, you will be able to financially mitigate these risks through workers’ compensation.

It is important that you understand your legal rights if you have been involved in an accident when working in the construction industry. Even if your employer tries to tell you that you do not have a claim, they may be mistaken. The following are some employee rights that you should be aware of.

Only employees have the right to workers’ compensation

In order to claim what you deserve in a workers’ compensation claim, you must be an employee with a company rather than a contractor. Because of this technicality, many workers are wrongfully labeled as contractors, and, therefore, their employers try to argue that they are not entitled to make a claim. If you believe that you have been wrongfully labeled as a contractor, you should make sure to fight this so that you can claim the workers’ compensation that you deserve.

All necessary and reasonable medical expenses should be covered

Upon successfully claiming workers’ compensation, you should make sure that you have all of the reasonable and necessary medical expenses covered. If you require surgery, for example, this will be covered. You may also require physiotherapy, or even counseling to help you process what may have been a traumatic event. If you believe that such treatments are reasonable, you should make sure that these are covered by workers’ compensation, too.

You have the right to be supported in learning new skills

The construction industry requires certain physical capabilities in its workers for most roles. If you become disabled as a result of your injury, you may not be able to return to work. Workers’ compensation programs should help you to rehabilitate and learn new skills so that you can earn an income in the future.

If you want to get the workers’ compensation that you deserve as a construction worker in North Carolina, it is important that you understand what you are entitled to.

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Now that motorcyclists are heading out more to enjoy the beautiful weather, all drivers need to pay extra attention to ensure they don’t hit any of them. The issue with this is that many drivers won’t take that step. Instead, they only worry about reaching their destination and how they can do that as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this puts the motorcyclists in direct danger of being involved in a crash.

Motorcyclists can take some steps to help improve their safety as they ride. It is imperative that they do what they can to make it where they are going without incident, but the full duty doesn’t fall on them. All motorists must obey all traffic laws, so there really isn’t any excuse for them to hit a motorcycle.

Before you leave home, put on a full-face helmet to help protect your head. Make sure that you have bright clothing on, as well as some with reflective properties. This can help you to be more visible to other drivers, which can prevent some accidents.

Many motorcycle wrecks occur at intersections, so be sure to be very careful at them. This is actually one of the most dangerous places on the road for motorcyclists. This is especially true if another motorist at the intersection is turning left.

Another time to be extra careful is when it is raining. You have to worry about slick roads and reduced visibility. You also have to think about longer braking distances. Other drivers might underestimate the amount of time that it will take them to come to a complete stop.

For motorcyclists, any accident can lead to a very serious injury. Seeking medical care is imperative, but this is often costly. Filing a claim for compensation can help to defray the costs.

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Have you ever been driving across Wilmington and seen another driver behaving oddly? Maybe he is driving at night without his lights on or perhaps he is drifting a little too close to the edge of the lane.

If you are like many other drivers in the area, you have probably seen such a driver and taken evasive action to avoid a potential collision. In some cases, the driver might simply be distracted, which can be extremely dangerous.

However, you can also see the same behaviors in a driver who is drunk. For instance, weaving, erratic braking and rapid acceleration are all things that drunk drivers and distracted drivers have in common. If a driver is drunk, you might also see things like driving on the wrong side of the road, near misses or even collisions with objects, tailgating and driving at a very low speed.

If you identify a drunk driver on the road, there are a few things you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim of a drunk driving accident. Follow these steps if you spot a drunk driver.

Make safety the priority

If you see another vehicle that you think is being operated by a drunk driver, then you need to put your safety first. The best thing you can do is to keep your distance. After you have memorized the make and model of the car as well as its license plate, slow down and let the vehicle get far enough in front of you to no longer be a risk.

Choose an alternate route

If possible, take yourself out of the equation by exiting the highway, turning off the road or simply by pulling over in a safe area. If you are no longer on the road with a drunk driver, your risk of becoming involved in an accident decreases substantially.

Call 911

As soon as you are in a safe place, call 911 to report the drunk driver. You will need to provide the make and model of the vehicle and the license plate number that you memorized when you first identified the danger. Also, be prepared to give a description of the driver’s behavior, the location where you last saw the drunk driver and the direction he or she was traveling.

Unfortunately, a drunk driver might take you by surprise and you could end up in a car wreck. If this happens, you may be able to file a claim for your injuries and other damages as a result of the actions of the drunk driver.

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Semitrucks provide a valuable service to businesses and consumers, but this doesn’t come without a serious risk. The size of these trucks and the weight mean that they are potentially deadly weapons that are moving about freely on the interstates. If you are struck by a semitruck on the interstate, you should determine whether you need to seek compensation or not. By seeking compensation, you are trying to shift the financial difficult to the liable party.

Accidents with semitrucks are a bit different from some other vehicles. One of the primary tasks you will have in these cases is trying to determine what happened that led to the wreck. Depending on the answer to this can clue you into who you can hold liable for the wreck.

Truckers are sometimes at fault for crashes because they might be driving drunk, intoxicated or distracted. In all three of these cases, the driver is being negligent, which can be the basis of a personal injury claim.

There are cases in which the trucker might not be the liable party. This is sometimes the case when the trucking company promised very tight deadlines. It is also possible that a defective component, such as bad brakes might cause a problem. These cases could mean that you hold the trucking company or mechanics accountable. It might also mean that the manufacturer is responsible for your damages.

It is imperative that we look into all possible causes of the crash so that we know what options you have. We will review those with you so that you can move forward in the manner you feel is best for your life.

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Daycare workers have an important job of trying to help young children to remain safe and learn while they are away from their parents. Unfortunately, there are many hazards that come along with this very rewarding job. It is imperative that all daycares have adequate safety protocol to help ensure that workers don’t suffer unnecessary injuries or illnesses as a result of caring for the tykes.

The age of the children employees are working with has a part in what type of safety procedures a daycare’s workers need to follow. For example, wearing gloves when they are changing diapers and then washing their hands afterward can help to prevent illnesses from being transmitted from toddlers to workers. People who have older children might not have to worry about that factor.

Almost all daycare workers need to pay close attention to how they handle things like runny noses and ill children. Some parents might send their kids to the center when they are under the weather. Workers need proper vaccinations and must know what steps to take when a child does show up with something contagious.

Toys and spills on the floors are also a hazard. Teaching the children to pick up their own messes is a work in progress, but it is something that can help to keep everyone safe. Workers should always double check where they are walking to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Workers who suffer an injury at a daycare are able to receive workers’ compensation benefits to help with things like medical bills and missed wages. Find out if you are eligible and work to get the benefits that are due to you.

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Keeping a workplace clean and tidy is important for worker health and safety. Employers must ensure that they have set standards for cleanliness, especially if there are hazardous substances or conditions. The rules and guidelines that are set have to be clear, but the employer also has to provide the tools necessary to get the job done.

Not everything that helps to keep the workplace clean is the responsibility of the employees. Employers have some duties that only they can do. This includes replacing damaged flooring and adding non-slip options to areas that are likely to be slippery.

Regular housekeeping

Basic cleaning like dusting surfaces, sweeping floors and keeping everything tidy can make it easier to find things at work, but it can also boost safety. When the floors are clean, there is a decreased risk of anyone slipping. Cleaning can also help to reduce the transmission of germs and bacteria. Clutter and unclean surfaces can also lead to a pest infestation.

Safety checks

When a workplace includes hazardous substances, dangerous tools or heavy equipment, safety checks are important. There should be a set schedule for reviewing all of these items on a regular basis so that any worn components or broken items can be found before they cause a serious problem. Chemicals and other substances should be checked to ensure they are being stored and used properly and that they are still within the acceptable dates for usage.

Item securement

Most companies have stock rooms or shelving to hold items. Anything here must be properly placed and secured to reduce the risk of falling. The shelving units shouldn’t be top-heavy because having too much weight at the top and not enough at the bottom can cause it to tip over.

Client interactions

Workplace violence is a problem that some businesses fail to plan for. Keeping workers safe when they deal with the public is a huge undertaking, especially in the retail, service and food service industries. Anyone who is acting in a violent manner should be removed from the premises. This will probably require police assistance.

When a worker is injured or becomes ill due to factors in the workplace, they will likely need medical care. From there, they will have to determine whether workers’ compensation benefits are due. However, some incidents like injuries from defective power tools might result in a third-party lawsuit.

Posted in Workers' Compensation | No Comments »

Keeping a workplace clean and tidy is important for worker health and safety. Employers must ensure that they have set standards for cleanliness, especially if there are hazardous substances or conditions. The rules and guidelines that are set have to be clear, but the employer also has to provide the tools necessary to get the job done.

Not everything that helps to keep the workplace clean is the responsibility of the employees. Employers have some duties that only they can do. This includes replacing damaged flooring and adding non-slip options to areas that are likely to be slippery.

Regular housekeeping

Basic cleaning like dusting surfaces, sweeping floors and keeping everything tidy can make it easier to find things at work, but it can also boost safety. When the floors are clean, there is a decreased risk of anyone slipping. Cleaning can also help to reduce the transmission of germs and bacteria. Clutter and unclean surfaces can also lead to a pest infestation.

Safety checks

When a workplace includes hazardous substances, dangerous tools or heavy equipment, safety checks are important. There should be a set schedule for reviewing all of these items on a regular basis so that any worn components or broken items can be found before they cause a serious problem. Chemicals and other substances should be checked to ensure they are being stored and used properly and that they are still within the acceptable dates for usage.

Item securement

Most companies have stock rooms or shelving to hold items. Anything here must be properly placed and secured to reduce the risk of falling. The shelving units shouldn’t be top-heavy because having too much weight at the top and not enough at the bottom can cause it to tip over.

Client interactions

Workplace violence is a problem that some businesses fail to plan for. Keeping workers safe when they deal with the public is a huge undertaking, especially in the retail, service and food service industries. Anyone who is acting in a violent manner should be removed from the premises. This will probably require police assistance.

When a worker is injured or becomes ill due to factors in the workplace, they will likely need medical care. From there, they will have to determine whether workers’ compensation benefits are due. However, some incidents like injuries from defective power tools might result in a third-party lawsuit.

Posted in Workers' Compensation | No Comments »