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Author: Anthony Proffitt

Categories
Injuries

The truth behind PTSD myths

Not all debilitating injuries from an accident are physical in nature. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological condition that can affect people who have experienced or witnessed a disturbing event, such as a serious accident.

People understand injuries that leave physical wounds, marks or scars behind. Because these are not present with psychological conditions like PTSD, people do not understand them as well. What follows is the truth behind many common misconceptions that people continue to entertain about the condition.

  1. PTSD affects people other than soldiers

There is a strong association between PTSD and war. In the past, the condition bore names that reflected this, such as combat fatigue or shell shock. It is true that serving in combat is a significant risk factor for post-traumatic stress, but it is not the only possible cause. Any traumatic event, such as a car accident or a physical assault, has the potential to produce symptoms of PTSD.

  1. Symptoms of PTSD do not necessarily show up right away

PTSD symptoms usually start showing up sometime within the first six months following the trauma. However, delayed onset after the initial six months have elapsed is also possible.

  1. Not every trauma results in PTSD

The incidence of trauma is much greater than that of PTSD, which suggests that most traumatic experiences do not result in symptoms of post-traumatic stress. It is not entirely clear why some people experience PTSD while others do not, but it does not indicate that the person is weak. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an illness, and it is no more possible to overcome it through force of will than it is to talk oneself out of diabetes or the common cold.

  1. PTSD is treatable

Unfortunately, due to the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, some people never seek treatment. While it is true that there is not a cure for PTSD, medications and other therapies can help people manage the symptoms so that they no longer disrupt other life activities.

PTSD due to an accident is a personal injury like any other. Therefore, it may be possible to hold those responsible to account.

Categories
dangerous and defective products

Is vaping dangerous?

Vaping is often touted as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, but that does not mean it is completely without risk. Vape products, such as e-cigarettes, are known to cause health issues, including injuries caused by defective product components. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you or someone you love currently uses vape products and are concerned about safety risks. 

Problems with defective vapes 

Mechanical failures and overheating can lead to the e-cigarette battery exploding, which may cause a wide range of injuries. In one case, a 17-year old in Nevada suffered from burns and a broken jaw as a result of an exploding e-cigarette. The force of the explosion was enough to fracture jawbones and knock out several teeth, which resulted in the need for numerous procedures and surgeries to correct the injuries. 

This is just one of many injuries occurring to e-cigarette users over the course of several years. And while many injuries are relatively minor, an exploding e-cigarette can lead to hospitalization. It is expected that injury rates will rise as vaping becomes more prevalent with each passing year. 

Health problems linked to vaping  

You may be able to avoid injuries caused by defective vaping products, but there are other health issues to be aware of as well. Certain vaping products, such as those including THC liquids, are associated with a greater risk of lung injury. In rare cases, these lung injuries have been severe enough to cause loss of life. 

Additionally, the chemicals in vaping liquids are not widely known. Some may cause serious lung problems after prolonged exposure, including asthma and lung disease. For those who use traditional tobacco products and vape also have a greater risk of developing heart disease. 

Categories
motor vehicle accidents

Driver kills a man in a vehicular collision

When people get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they take on a responsibility to drive safely, stay alert and protect other motorists on the road. Motorists should avoid distractions while driving, get plenty of rest and never drink and drive. Those who do not take the rules of the road seriously may end up taking the life of an innocent person.

This is what recently happened on Dolly Parton Parkway. A 26-year old man lost his life when a car crashed into his vehicle, causing it to start on fire. The man was trapped within the burning car, and first responders were unable to get him out. The man was stopped at an intersection when the 30-year old woman hit his car. She was speeding at the time. A law enforcement officer witnessed the accident and said that the intoxicated woman was driving at high speeds then suddenly turned in an attempt to stop at the intersection. The woman was charged with vehicular homicide and DUI and booked into jail.

One bad decision made by a negligent driver can take the life of a friend or loved one. People who choose to drink and drive should be held responsible for their thoughtless actions. If you are going through a similar situation, you may want to consult an attorney in Tennessee who is experienced in handling cases involving motor vehicle accidents and driver negligence. An attorney may help you organize a case that will bring justice to your situation.

Source: Knox News, “One dies in car crash on Dolly Parton Parkway, other driver arrested for DUI and vehicular homicide,” Allie Clouse, Mar. 15, 2020.

Categories
motor vehicle accidents

Causes of rollover accidents

A rollover accident is a very serious situation that often results in fatalities or serious injuries. Vehicles do not have a design intended to provide safety when rolling over onto the roof. Because of this, rollovers are a particularly dangerous type of accident. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation explains that this violent type of accident is almost always something that officials can link back to the interactions leading up to it between the driver, vehicle and road. More so than other types of crashes, rollovers are commonly single-vehicle accidents, which means that you are responsible for avoiding them and understanding what can lead to such a crash. 

Typical circumstances 

Rollover accidents are most common in vehicles that have a higher center of gravity, such as an SUV or a van. They happen most often on two-lane roads with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or more. Most of these accidents are in rural areas. 

It is also common for rollover accidents to happen during routine driving activities. What this means is that you are most likely to have such an accident when you are just driving down the road without any interference from another vehicle or anything else that may lead to an accident. 

Common factors 

The biggest factor that contributes to rollover accidents is bad driving behavior. Distracted driving, for example, usually plays a role because rollovers often are a result of a loss of control. 

Alcohol is the most common factor in a rollover accident. About half of all accidents will involve alcohol, which affects your ability to control your vehicle. 

Speed is also a common factor in this type of accident because it affects your ability to control the vehicle and adjust to changes in the roadway or environment. When speed is a factor, it is more likely that you and your occupants will die in the crash. 

Categories
nursing home abuse and neglect

Do you know the signs of financial abuse in the elderly?

You put your aging mother or father into a Tennessee-based nursing home, hoping to provide your loved one with superior care. While your parent may not suffer physical abuse, that does not rule out other forms of abuse, such as financial. 

WebMD describes financial abuse of the elderly and what to do about it. Understand how to protect your mother or father both physically and financially. 

Breaking down financial abuse  

Depending on your parent’s overall mental or physical health, you may have to help with finances. While looking over your loved one’s bank accounts, you may notice some odd withdrawals, ones your mother or father cannot explain. Or, there could be missing or suddenly altered legal documents. Both are examples of financial abuse. While missing bank account statements and unpaid bills could be signs of such conditions as Alzheimer’s or dementia, they could also be the work of unscrupulous nursing staff members taking advantage of residents. 

Taking action on financial abuse  

So, you think your loved one may be a victim of elderly financial abuse. What next? It is in everyone’s interest that you take action as soon as possible, no matter how negligible your suspicions may seem. Sit down and talk with your mother or father about your suspicions, explaining your concerns and your desire to help. Pay close attention to how your parent responds. Unusual reluctance to speak or outright silence could indicate signs of coercion or threats. 

You may also need to contact Adult Protective Services to help you handle the situation. After making your report, an official investigates your concerns and ensures that your parent is safe. 

Do not sit idly by if you suspect financial abuse of your mother or father. Talk with a legal representative to formulate a strategy. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

Highway 10 collision kills two

A good deal of disagreement may exist over exactly how far the responsibility that a driver in Knoxville has to the passengers in their vehicle. Many might argue that when an adult agrees to travel as a passenger in another’s vehicle, they accept any risks that may result from their decisions. Others may say, however, that it remains the responsibility of the driver of the car to ensure that every precaution is taken in order to see to a passenger’s safety. That can include everything from avoiding diving at excessive speeds to ensuring that passengers wear their seat belts. 

Even some as simple as people ignoring the latter can produce devastating results. This fact was on full display in an accident that recently occurred on Highway 10. Two people (one from Hartsville, the other from Lebanon) were killed after the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by a semi-truck. Authorities say that neither was wearing a seat belt when the collision took place. While an investigation into the accident is still ongoing, a preliminary report states that the driver of the vehicle the women were traveling in pulled out on to the highway in front of the truck. They also sustained serious injuries; the driver of the semi escaped injury. 

Given that the accident victims in this case were adults, it might be argued that they were responsible to ensure their seat belts were fastened. The driver, however, may come under scrutiny for choosing to pull out in front of an oncoming vehicle. Victims in cases such as this one may not initially wish to seek a liability claim, yet ultimately the costs of accident leave them with little choice. Those needing to do so may want to first consult with an experienced attorney. 

Categories
motor vehicle accidents

Legal options after an accident

After an accident, you may want to move on quickly and not spend a lot of time mulling over what happened. If you had property damage or had to undergo medical treatment, you may be fine with just accepting whatever the insurance company offers you. However, taking this type of approach could be quite detrimental.

You may lose out on many benefits and not get what you should by not considering all your options for how to react after the accident. While you may be hesitant to bring a lawyer into things, it could be the most ideal way to protect yourself and your interests.

The insurance company

While you may think that insurance companies are on your side, that is not true at all. Insurance companies always look out for their interests, according to U.S. News and World Report. They want to find solutions that cost them the least amount of money. Furthermore, they handle a lot of cases, so it is not uncommon for an insurer to make a mistake. If you do not know what you should get in an accident situation, then you will not know if the company is providing you with the optimal benefits.

The legal aspects

An accident may bring about a variety of legal considerations. If you do not understand personal injury law, this could leave you in a very vulnerable position. Having an attorney on your side, even if it is just to explain what is happening or to answer your legal questions, can ensure that nobody takes advantage of you or cheats you out of anything to which you have a right.

Just knowing that there is someone in your corner after an accident can put you more at ease. When you hire an attorney, you have someone fighting for you when everyone else, the other party and the insurance companies, are opposing you.

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driver takes the life of passenger in Covington Pike accident

When people in Tennessee and across the United States choose to drink and drive, they put other peoples’ lives at risk. In 2017 alone, drunk drivers killed more than 10,800 people and injured more than 300,000 in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That equates to one death every 48 minutes. 

A young man’s poor choice to climb behind the wheel after drinking took the life of a Covington Pike man and injured another driver. The victims’ car was turning at a green arrow light onto the interstate when the drunk driver ran a red light and collided into them. 

The passenger of the car died at the scene of the accident, while the driver was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The drunk driver fled the scene on foot and apparently had arranged for some friends to pick him up. Yet, a witness to the accident ran after the suspect, caught up to him and held him until police arrived. The man faces a multitude of charges, including vehicular assault, public intoxication, vehicular homicide while intoxicated, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a deadly accident, driving without a license, disregarding a red light, DUI, failure to exercise due care and violation of financial law. 

Drivers who injure and kill innocent motorists should be held responsible for their negligent actions. An attorney in Tennessee may help victims of DUI accidents receive the compensation they deserve. 

Source: News Channel 3, “Witnesses help catch driver in deadly DUI crash at I-40 Covington Pike,” Eryn Taylor, Jerrita Patterson and Andrew Ellison, Feb. 28, 2020. 

Categories
dangerous and defective products

Recalled food continues to make people sick

Grocers and retailers have a responsibility to keep their shoppers safe, but all too often consumers may be unaware of the risk and use recalled food products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48 million people throughout the U.S. suffer from illnesses resulting from contaminated food products each year. Foodborne illnesses may result in serious health issues and, in some cases, death.

USAToday.com reports that recently, 167 people contracted E. coli after eating contaminated romaine lettuce from California, prompting a recall of the popular salad green. In recent years, there has been a significant uptick in food recalls. Product recalls involving meat and poultry increased by 85% between 2013 and 2019. When customers know about the danger, they may throw the food out and avoid getting sick; however, the message about recalls do not always make it to shoppers.

Removing recalled products from the shelves may stop further purchases, but it does nothing to protect those who have already purchased the products and have them in their homes. Posting signs in conspicuous locations and sending out notifications using loyalty programs or shopper purchase histories would allow retailers and grocers to easily notify customers about recalls. However, the results from a recent study show stores woefully fail to educate consumers about recalls and how they can get notifications. Graded on their efforts to warn shoppers about food recalls, 84% of 26 of the country’s largest supermarkets received failing grades.

People who suffer foodborne illnesses as a result of purchasing recalled products at a grocery store may benefit from talking to an attorney. A legal representative may provide insight into their options for pursuing financial compensation or the other types of help they have access to.

Categories
motor vehicle accidents

An average of 68 TN teenagers die yearly from crashes

Susceptibility to peer pressure and vulnerability to distractions make teenagers some of the most dangerous drivers on the road. They are also the most at risk. Every year, dozens of teenagers die because of unsafe driving practices in Tennessee. Sometimes, they are at fault. Other times, they are passengers. There are also instances where lack of experience makes it difficult for them to safely maneuver out of dangerous situations caused by other drivers on the road.

Tennessee’s state website reports that motor crashes form the number one killer of children who fall between the ages of 1 to 14 years old. It is also the second most common reason that these children are hospitalized or seek emergency care. When it comes to teens between the ages of 15 to 19 years old, car crashes claim 68 lives in Tennessee each year.

One of the reasons teens often do not survive car crashes is a refusal to wear seatbelts. A campaign called Battle of the Belt hopes to combat this. Schools compete against each other for the highest compliance rates with seatbelt use laws. The school with the best educational campaign and the highest seatbelt percentage use gets a trophy at the end of the year.

Perhaps, some bittersweet news is that Tennessee does not rank among the worst states for teen drivers, though it does not stand with the best either. Believe it or not, WalletHub reports that the safest state for teen drivers is New York; the worst is Wyoming. Tennessee ranks at 34 out of the 50 American states. Researchers used several factors to calculate safety for teen drivers. These include teen driver fatalities, quality of roads, driving schools per capita and teen DUIs.