The common rule that many drivers in Louisiana follow is what is referred to as the two-second rule. Basically, if a driver arrives at the same spot as the car in front of him in two or more seconds, he has a safe following distance.
The rule is a bit different, however, when it comes to following a motorcyclist. When a driver of a passenger car is trailing a motorcycle, she should leave up to four seconds of space between her vehicle and the motorcycle.
A relatively recent report sheds some interesting light on burn injuries that happen both in and around Houma, Louisiana, and in other parts of the country.
What should be of particular interest to Louisiana residents is that the South was the region with the highest rate of significant burn injuries, classified as those requiring a hospital stay or a trip to the emergency room. The report also showed that people in rural, low-income areas also had a higher rate of burn injuries.
While brain trauma is not something anyone wishes to think about or consider, the truth is that it is a very common result of car crashes. Many traumatic brain injuries are immediately identifiable during treatment for injuries following the crash. However, there are some brain injuries that have more subtle symptoms and can show up in the hours, days, and even weeks or months after the crash.
If you recently had a car crash and walked away unhurt and thus did not seek any medical treatment, you should still stay vigilant for any signs or symptoms of brain trauma. The reason you need to look out for these specific symptoms is that they may appear harmless and you may underestimate their seriousness. This puts your health in jeopardy because it could lead to delayed treatment. An undetected traumatic brain injury can put you at further risk for complications.
A Louisiana man driving a moped in a town north and west of Houma died in an accident after being thrown from his bike.
Although police indicated that they were continuing to investigate the accident, they said that it appeared a passenger car came up from behind the moped and struck it, throwing the victim off of his moped and in to a nearby ditch. Rescuers who responded to the accident pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Most people in Houma, Louisiana, know from public service announcements and other sources that the legal limit in this state is 0.08 percent blood alcohol level.
What this means is that if a person gets caught with more than 0.08 percent blood alcohol content, or BAC, in his or her system, is considered to be too intoxicated to drive, and the police have an improved chance of securing a criminal conviction for drunk driving. However, this does not mean that someone who gets in to an accident and blew under 0.08 into a breath test device is automatically sober. This distinction can have important implications for personal injury claims resulting from a car accident.
A previous post on this blog from about a month ago talked about how America's currently strong economy is inspiring many more Americans to hit the road over the major winter holidays this year. This previous post predicted a very busy Thanksgiving travel season, particularly with respect to motor vehicle traffic.
At least according to one major organization, it appears that this busy travel season is going to continue in to Christmas and the other winter holidays. The American Automobile Association, or AAA, is predicting that 102.1 million people will travel to their holiday destinations by car this year, an increase in 4.4 percent over last year.
It may come as a surprise to many Houma, Louisiana, residents that the most dangerous place, at least when it comes to the risk for burns, is one's own home.
According to statistics compiled by the American Burn Association, almost three out of four burn injuries, 73 percent, that get referred to burn trauma centers happen in one's residence. By comparison, 8 percent happen at one's place of employment, and only five percent happen on the street or highway, such as in the case of a car accident. Almost 10 percent of burn injuries happen at other undisclosed locations.
Whether you are driving around downtown Houma or cruising up highway 90 to New Orleans, you expect to stay safe behind the wheel. Even with your best efforts, though, you may find yourself in the middle of an automobile accident. If you have vehicle damage or a bodily injury, you may need to exercise your legal right to demand payment from an insurance company.
Following a car crash, you must immediately inspect both your body and your vehicle for signs of harm. While spotting vehicle damage is usually a straightforward process, not all bodily injuries are easy to identify. In fact, you may experience long-term health consequences even after a seemingly minor vehicle collision.
Doctors classify traumatic brain injuries as mild, moderate and severe, depending on the extent and scope of the person's injury.
However, a Houma, Louisiana, resident should not get confused by these labels in to thinking that someone who has suffered a mild brain injury is thereby going to be okay or has just had the equivalent of a bruise or a cut.
Although some dispute that it is a particular problem, there are many students and others on the campus at Louisiana State University who feel that the area is simply not safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. Over the past 5 years, over 40 pedestrians have been hit by cars in just about as many accidents. Most of these victims, about two-thirds, were students.
Some of these injuries have been quite serious. In one case from earlier this year, a young woman suffered serious brain injuries after getting hit, including a tear to her brain. She struggled with significant memory loss, to the point where should was not able to remember the names of her own relatives. She had to miss a semester of school because of her injuries.
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Fax 985-868-9429The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes 620 School Street Houma, LA 70360 Toll Free: 866-692-8703 Phone: 985-262-7799 Fax: 985-868-9429 Houma Law Office Map
