By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Nancy Owens and Vanessa Ramirez were at a birthday party together, where both have admitted to drinking. Ms. Owens reportedly allowed Ms. Lopez to drive her three children home, even though she admitted to police that she was aware Ms. Lopez was “drunk.”
By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Bob Dallas is the DIrector of State of Georgia – Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Director Dallas recently wrote a letter / statement that was published at the Florida (Jacksonville) Times Union Website. Director Dallas pointed out that “Americans are driven to distraction.” There are a number of causes of driver distraction these days including misbehaving kids, billboards, mobile phones, text messages, radio, video, and many other causes. Among the many causes of driver’s distraction, texting may be the biggest and dangerous problem these days. Texting requires that the driver keep his or her eyes on the mobile device screen rather than the road. A very interesting or engaging text message can turn into a tragic and fatal automobile accident. Text messages can wait and should wait for a safe time to read and respond to the text message. You can read more about the comments of Director Dallas at Driver Distraction Dangers.
By Scott Soutullo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Alabama, a mother was arrested for having her teenage child ride in a cardboard box on top of a van. The driver, Jackie Denise Knott, informed Albertville, Alabama police that she had a good reason for placing her teen on top of the van. The reason was that the driver needed someone to hold down a box. Here is a better idea for this driver: leave the box and avoid putting a child at risk for personal injuries. Several drivers had called in this dangerous situation to police.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Distracted driving has been a problem since people began driving. Over the years, there have been more things to distract a driver’s attention. Prior to the use of mobile phones, drivers were distracted by music, eating, talking, reading (yes reading) and other non-driving activities. With the availability and use of mobile phones and now smart phones like the Blackberry and iphone, drivers are now distracted by e mails, text messages, and internet browsing. The Gainesville (Florida) Sun Newspaper recently published an article ( States Send Mixed Messages on Texting While Driving Laws) that reviewed laws in various States regarding text messaging / mobile phone use and driving. Some States ban or restrict the use yet post traffic updates to mobile phones by text messaging / Twitter and other applications.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Grand Prairie, Texas, there was a serious van accident that involved personal injuries to 13 children on the van. Further investigation of this incident revealed that the day care center driver did not even have a valid driver’s license. Day care operators in Texas and other States have a duty to complete background screenings which includes a check of an employee’s driver’s license for those employees who will be transporting children. You can read more about this story Day Care Center Driver Did Not Have Valid Driver’s License – Grand Prairie, Texas.
By Will Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The State of Ohio has joined the majority of States by enacting a child booster seat law. The law will go into effect in October 2009. The Ohio law requires that children between the ages of 4 through 7 with specified height and weight requirements be placed in a booster seat. The law requires all Ohio residents and all those visiting the State of Ohio to comply with this law. Due to the size and body characteristics of children this age, adult seat belts often times are not effective in preventing injuries. Furthermore, in many instances, an adult seat belt without the presence of a child booster seat can cause serious injuries to a child. You can read more about the Ohio law and comments regarding the same at State of Ohio to Require Car Booster Seats for Children.
By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Grand Prairie, Texas, twenty three children were injured in recent day care van accident. A story posted at The Dallas Morning News reported that the automobile / van accident took place near the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport. The driver and all of the child passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment. There were no serious personal injuries reported; however, it will take some time and further evaluation to really determine the severity of the injuries to these children. Witnesses stated that that the van entered the intersection during a red light, collided with a SUV, and then rolled over.
By Steven Smith, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Albany, New York, a bar owner backed a vehicle out of her driveway into a day care center. Marion Albert (age 77) backed out of her drive way, jumped a curb and then crashed into a day care center. A 15 year old girl was injured and suffered a fractured leg. Two other people (a 21 year old in the day care center and a one year old) suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, most of the children enrolled in the day care center were on a field trip at the time of the crash. Ms. Albert was charged with reckless driving, aggravated vehicular assault, felony driving while intoxicated, and endangering the welfare of a child. You can read more about this story at Bar Owner Backs Vehicle into Albany, New York Day Care Center.
By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Pennsylvania and other states, teens and others have an affinity for their i Pods, i Phones, and other devices. While these devices are fun and can be great toys and tools, they are also dangerous devices in the hands of a driver. In Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, a 20 year old driver (Rachel Jankins) was driving a car and took her eyes off the road in search of an i Pod. As a result of this distraction and inattention, she ran over two friends who were leaving the Delaware County Memorial Hospital (DELCO Hospital). One friend (Nicole Gallo) died at the scene of the crash. The other (Christine Bochanski) was later treated at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.
By Ryan E. Alekman, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
In Brighton, Massachusetts, a man suffered serious personal injuries when he was hit by a car. The man was in the process of strapping a child into a car seat at the time that he was hit by a car. The injuries were reported as massive head trauma. The police arrested Cathy Bergin-August, age 47, from Boston Massachusetts. She was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injuries and the negligent operation of a motor vehicle. You can read about this story at Man Suffers Massive Head Injuries When Struck by a Car in Breigton, Massachusetts.
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