Truck drivers can be just as negligent as passenger vehicle drivers. For instance, they can travel while drowsy, drunk or distracted. Drowsiness is significant because it can be hard to prove sometimes. If you were injured by a trucker in North Carolina, there’s a chance you can recover damages. There just has to be proof of the trucker’s negligence.

High caffeine consumption, more crashes

With their long hours, truckers face drowsiness as a constant temptation. Unfortunately, many drivers try to stay awake by consuming large amounts of caffeine, and according to a recent study, this may only worsen the situation. The study was conducted jointly by researchers at the Virginia Tech Transport Institute and a Loughborough University Design School lecturer.

A total of 3,007 truck drivers from eight states participated. They were chosen specifically for their caffeine-consuming habits as one group consumed only one cup (or glass or pill) of a caffeinated beverage each day while the other group consumed more than five. Asked if they had been in a crash in the past three years, 21.6% and 27.8% of the first and second groups, respectively, answered yes.

Poor health reported among high caffeine users

The second group also tended to suffer from worse health. This was reflected in their lack of restful sleep; poor diet; and in some cases, a habit of smoking or drinking excessively. While researchers cannot directly link high caffeine use with higher crash risk, poor health can lead to unsafe driving.

What makes the study unique

This is perhaps the first large-scale documentation of caffeine-consuming habits among truckers. Previous studies have only analyzed the effect of caffeine on truckers in a laboratory setting. Still, further research will be needed to explore this effect.

A lawyer to protect your rights

Victims of motor vehicle accidents who are not to blame for their injuries are entitled to compensation. North Carolina follows the rule of contributory negligence, so it may be wise to have a lawyer assess the case beforehand in light of this strict rule.

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You may have been involved in a crash with a drowsy driver, and now you’re wondering if you can file a claim here in North Carolina. First, it would be a good idea to know in what way drowsy driving is dangerous.

Drowsiness impairs judgment and reactions

Fatigue can make drivers three times more likely to crash. If they drive after being awake for 20 hours straight, it won’t be surprising if they’re pulled over for suspected DUI. This is because they’ll act like someone with a blood alcohol concentration of .08, which is the legal limit in this state.

When drivers fail to achieve the recommended seven or eight hours of sleep a day, they become slow in their reactions and inattentive. It may get so bad that they experience four- to five-second bursts of inattention called microsleep. At highway speed, drivers in microsleep will travel the length of a football field as if they were blind.

How common are drowsy driving crashes?

There are some 100,000 police-reported drowsy driving crashes every year, but since drowsy drivers can escape detection, the number of crashes is higher, as the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety puts it at 328,000 each year. Of these, an estimated 109,000 end in injury and 6,400 in death.

Fifty percent or more of drowsy driving crashes involve drivers under 25, a sizeable portion being male. Parents of teen drivers may help reduce the number of crashes, though, by setting up clear rules against drowsy driving. Universities may do their part with educational programs aimed at their students, many of whom don’t even get six hours of sleep.

A lawyer to protect your rights

While North Carolina operates under an at-fault system, it does follow the strict rule of contributory negligence. This means that victims of car crashes must not have contributed even slightly to the crash; otherwise, they cannot recover damages. To see how your case holds up to this, you could schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

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Distracted driving is a big problem in North Carolina. In fact, it is the second leading cause of crashes caused by driver error. It accounts for 19.7% of these crashes. Only speeding, which leads to 33.3% of these crashes, ranks above it.

Because of the prevalence of distracted driving crashes in this state, there are specific laws that address the problem. For example, all drivers are forbidden from emailing or texting while they drive. Failing to obey this law can lead to a $100 fine on a first offense. Drivers who are under 18 can’t even use the hands-free options that are available.

Many causes of distracted driving

Some individuals become so focused on cellphones when they discuss distracted driving that they forget there are other causes. For example, it is legal to eat while you drive in North Carolina, however, this isn’t a good idea because drivers should have two hands on the wheel. When you eat something, you take a hand off the wheel and your mind focuses on eating. You might even look at the food instead of the road.

Drivers should keep their full attention on driving. This includes keeping their eyes on the road, hands on the steering wheel and mind on making decisions about their driving duties. When any of these three is missing, they are putting other people at risk of being involved in a crash.

Even short distractions are dangerous

It takes an average of just under 5 seconds to check a text message. In that short time, your vehicle will traverse the length of a regulation football field if you’re driving at 55 miles per hour. Many accidents can occur in that vast distance.

Even if you are driving slower than that, you can still cause serious damage to other vehicles and people if you aren’t paying attention. It’s especially important to remain vigilant when there are others around you, including motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

All drivers matter

You can only do your part to keep the roads safe. It’s possible that another driver might cause a distracted driving crash even if you’re watching the road as you should. If you’re the victim of one of these wrecks, make sure you contact the police to file a report. You should also seek medical care if you need it. Seeking compensation is possible, but be prepared to show that the other driver was negligent and that contributed to the wreck and your damages.

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Staying safe on the roadways takes a driver’s full attention. Some might not realize that aggressive driving is something that can lead to crashes. One behavior that people must be careful about is speeding. Driving too fast for the current road conditions is never acceptable.

When speed limits are set for roads, they are based on what speeds are safe when the conditions are optimal. It is never a good idea to drive faster than that or to try to reach those speeds when the weather isn’t the best.

Reasons for speeding vary

People speed for a variety of reasons. Some become aggressive when they’re running late. Others might just always feel as though they have to go faster than everyone else. Some people don’t view their vehicles as the deadly weapons they are. Instead, they think that they’re immune to anything going on around them. It’s also possible that some just don’t have any regard for the laws or safety of anyone who’s on the road with them.

Handling aggressive drivers

Coming into contact with a driver who’s speeding and driving aggressively is dangerous. When it is possible, allow them to pass you so that you don’t have to be in close proximity to them. If the driver is harassing you or refusing to pass, you may have to call police to get them to lend a hand.

Aggressive driving is dangerous

A person who’s driving aggressively isn’t only putting their own safety at risk. They’re also taking a chance on the safety of everyone around them. It will take longer for them to stop if they’re driving faster. They might lose control of their vehicle and strike someone else. Faster speeds mean that the injuries possible can be worse than if the crash occurred at a slower speed.

People who are injured in a crash with a speeding driver or one who’s driving aggressively can suffer catastrophic injuries. These can be costly, and they are often associated with high medical care costs. If you’re in this position, you might choose to seek compensation from the aggressive driver through a personal injury lawsuit. This is a way for you to pass that financial burden back to them while you focus on healing and returning to a life as close as possible to the one you had before the wreck.

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Having a family member who has a catastrophic injury changes the entire family dynamic. The healthy adult, such as a spouse or parent, will have to care for the person. While many people, understandably, focus on the health of the injury victim, the caregiver also needs to think about themselves.

It is often hard for the caregiver to focus on what they need because they spend so much time caring for their loved one. This is a labor of love, but it can be downright difficult to get everything done.

Finding routines

You will have to find a routine that enables you to take care of your needs, as well as your loved one’s needs. This isn’t always easy. Things like preparing food ahead of time and choosing meals that are easy to make can help you, especially during the transition period.

You might find that things that worked for your family before the accident don’t work now. This is understandable, so being able to be flexible as you adjust to the changes can benefit everyone involved.

One thing that’s usually difficult is adjusting to the limitations of your loved one. This isn’t just about physical changes. You may realize that there is a period of grieving that comes along with this type of situation.

Setting time aside

You need to find a way to set time aside for yourself. Make sure that you’re able to take care of basic tasks, such as showering and sleeping.

Around three-fourths of caregivers don’t even go to the doctor when they should. Approximately 63% of caregivers surveyed note that they have poor eating habits.

Not taking care of yourself means that you might not be able to care for your loved one like you should, so try not to neglect yourself. Up to 70% of people who are caregivers are depressed and 41% have back problems.

Friends and family members might offer you help. Don’t be afraid to take them up on that offer. Even having a meal brought to your home for dinner can mean that you have a little more time to yourself.

One thing that is especially challenging in these cases is making ends meet. When you have a loved one who was injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you might choose to pursue compensation. This enables you to try to hold that party financially liable, which can take some of the money worries out of your life. Remember, North Carolina has time limits for personal injury claims, so take action quickly.

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Hotel staff members play an important role in Wilmington’s booming travel industry, but they face several risks as they go about their daily duties. It is up to each hotel to implement a safety plan that puts workers’ needs first. Relaying the protocol during training and again throughout the course of employment can help to ensure that everyone remains as safe as possible.

One of the most grueling job duties in the hospitality industry is housekeeping. These individuals face some very real hazards that can become critical. Even though this is a competitive industry, there is never an excuse to put guest comfort before employee safety.

Daily cleaning hazards

Just the basic task of cleaning a hotel room can lead to serious issues. One hazard has to do with the products used to clean. Bathroom cleaner and similar cleaning agents can cause respiratory conditions and skin irritation.

The material safety data sheets must be available for each chemical. This gives workers who have to use them the ability to minimize risks.

During the cleaning of the rooms, workers might be exposed to bodily fluids and unknown substances. They should have gloves and other personal protective equipment. In fact, wearing gloves when changing out bedsheets and towels might be a good idea.

Additional tasks

Sometimes, housekeepers have to flip mattresses or move them around in a room. This can lead to muscle injuries if the lifting isn’t handled properly. Heavy cleaning, which might involve moving furniture, can lead to serious musculoskeletal injuries. These additional tasks might also lead to stress when the management doesn’t plan proper time for them to get done.

Risk of violence and harassment

These workers face the risk of violence from unhappy guests. They can also be subjected to harassment. These situations must be covered by hotel policies so all workers know that they don’t have to deal with these types of issues while they are working. It must be clear that they need to report the issues, and steps must be taken to address the problems when they creep up.

Injured hotel workers have the same rights to workers’ compensation as people in other industries. This includes being covered to receive medical care to treat injuries. Workers who have to take time off work to heal may also be eligible for partial wage replacement while they are off.

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Now that the holiday season is here, anyone on the road needs to ensure that they are aware of the signs of a drunk driver. If you spot someone who you suspect is driving under the influence of alcohol, try to stay away from them. This might be challenging; however, it could help you remain safe on the road.

There are several signs that a driver might be impaired. These include behaviors like swerving between lanes, driving off the road, stopping in the middle of the traffic lane, failing to obey traffic signals or tailgating. Some impaired drivers won’t turn their headlights on once it gets dark outside. Others might straddle the centerline, accelerate quickly, drive too fast or too slowly and drive against traffic. All of these behaviors are dangerous and put innocent people in danger of being struck.

One thing that you should do if you see a driver who might be drunk is to report them to the police department. Try to have a passenger in your vehicle do this or use a hands-free device so that you can avoid becoming distracted. Don’t try to match the driver’s actions. You might only be able to relay a make, model and color along with the route of travel and the direction when you contact the police.

It isn’t always possible to avoid a drunk driver. If you are struck by an impaired individual, contact emergency services so that you can have the police and an ambulance come out. You might opt to pursue a claim for compensation for the damages that you suffered, but you need to do this before the time limit for filing expires.

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Commercial trucks are several times taller, longer and heavier than even the largest passenger vehicles on the road. That means that they create unique concerns for the people driving them. Commercial truck drivers have to go through special educational programs to safely manage large commercial trucks, and standard driving school usually includes lessons on sharing the road safely.

As someone in a passenger vehicle, you want to avoid getting into a collision with a commercial truck, as their size makes it highly likely that you will suffer devastating injuries or catastrophic property damage. Knowing how to stay out of the big blind spots around a commercial truck can help keep you safe.

Pay attention when driving close to commercial trucks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises that all drivers avoid the blind spots around big trucks. Even with large mirrors, the drivers may not see you if you drive too close to the truck.

You want to leave at least 20 feet between the back of your vehicle and the front of a commercial truck at all times. Remember, they take much longer to stop than smaller vehicles do, and take extra care when merging in front of a truck.

You also want to make sure there are at least 30 feet between the front of your vehicle and the back of a commercial truck in case either of you needs to stop quickly, as underride crashes often prove fatal for the person in the smaller vehicle.

Finally, you want to avoid driving directly to the left of the trailer attached to the truck, as well as in the two lanes directly to the right of the truck. By avoiding these areas, you reduce the potential for a crash.

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People typically assume that working in an office setting is pretty safe. While it is true that these workers don’t have a lot of the same hazards as construction workers or others who have manual labor to handle, there are still some risks that office workers face that must be addressed.

Even in an office, there is sometimes lifting that must be done. This might be picking up a case of paper or other office supplies. In order to do this safely, you have to ensure that the object isn’t too heavy to lift alone. If it is heavy or bulky, you should get someone else in the office to help you lift it.

When you do have to pick something up, make sure that you use your legs and not your back. This helps to protect your back and could prevent considerable pain. If you are getting the item from the floor, be sure to squat down to pick it up. Trying to lift something by bending over puts all the weight on your back.

You also need to watch for other hazards in the office. This includes trip hazards like cords on the floor or loose carpeting. Falls are a big source of injury for people who work in office spaces. When you fall, you run the risk of hitting your head or back on something, which would increase the chance that you suffer a serious injury.

Even if you are as careful as possible, there is a chance that you will have an office accident that causes injuries. Remember, workers’ compensation is here to help you in those cases. You may receive medical benefits and partial wage replacement, as well as specific other benefits when you file your claim.

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People who ride motorcycles understand that safety must remain a priority while they are on the roads. It is imperative that they don’t do things that might lead to them having accidents, but bikers can’t control every potential hazard that they face. Other drivers are a huge risk for people who are on motorcycles.

The weather here lately hasn’t been conducive to riding, but that doesn’t mean that motorcycle enthusiasts are staying off the roads. Some choose to ride even though it is colder than normal, and they might also decide to head out when wintry precipitation is expected. For this reason, all drivers must ensure they remain vigilant as they traverse the state.

One way that motorcyclists can improve their safety is by matching their speed to the conditions on the roads. If the roads are wet or slick because of rain, snow or ice, you shouldn’t try to speed. In fact, those are conditions that require you to dial back how fast you go. It is usually better to drive a bit slower than the speed limit if you have any doubts about the road conditions.

Motorcyclists should ensure they are wearing proper safety gear, including a helmet. When they are out on the roads, having the lights illuminated on the bike can also help to improve safety. This is especially important if the weather is dreary or it is darker than normal outside. If you drive from dusk to dawn, be sure that you keep the lights on, and consider wearing gear with reflective properties to help increase the chance other drivers will see you.

If a motorcyclist is injured in a crash, they might choose to seek compensation for the injuries they suffer. This can help them reduce the financial impact the incident has on them.

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