Eberstein Witherite LLP 1800 Car Wreck Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX , 08/07/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Although a majority of drivers think they can get away with distracted driving, it only takes one error to cause a catastrophic car accident.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified three major kinds of distracted driving, including: (1)

Visual Distraction – when a driver’s eyes are drawn away from the road, even if it’s only for a few seconds.
Manual Distraction – when a driver’s hands come off the wheel, often due to the fact that the driver is eating, applying makeup or talking on a mobile phone.
Cognitive Distraction – when a driver’s mind wanders, affecting concentration

In other words, any activity that takes your attention away from the road falls under the category of distracted driving. And when your focus is not on the road, it is much more difficult for you to make adjustments or take evasive action when something unexpected happens.

But it’s one thing to talk about the dangers of distracted driving, and quite another to see the dangers in live action.

That was the goal of recent major study of nearly 2,000 drivers, who agreed to allow researchers to videotape their behavior behind the wheel.

The results were eye opening, and could help government safety agencies develop better methods of educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving.

Distracted Driving Study Stats Sheds New Light

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recently completed research analyzing 1,600 drivers whose vehicles were equipped with video cameras, sensors and radar for one to two years.

The distracted driving study sheds new light on how drivers behave behind the wheel on a daily basis.

One of the first things researchers noticed is that it took very little time for drivers in the study to become used to the video cameras in their vehicles.

But more importantly, the results were quite surprising, with 1,600 “crash events” occurring during the two years of the study, including cars hitting curbs, and personal injury accidents. (2)

Half of those crash events were “higher-severity” accidents, which are accidents that caused some type of injury.

And in those crashes, a staggering 50 percent were the result of some type of distracted driving.

In fact, the study found that the likelihood of a car accident doubled when drivers took their eyes off the road and used a handheld cell phone, were reading or writing, or using touch screen menus.”

Video cameras showed drivers engaged in many types of distracted driving activities such as turning the radio or searching for a playlist on their mobile devices.

What Happens When You Drive Distracted?

While it’s clear that many drivers lose focus on the road because of other activities, the question is: What happens when you drive distracted?

In other words, what goes on inside your mind that makes distracted driving so dangerous?

According to MLive.com, the notion that the brain can multi-task is not accurate. (3)

Most drivers believe that they can operate their vehicle and talk on the phone without any loss of focus, but research has shown that the brain is not equipped to perform two tasks simultaneously.

So instead of being able to accomplish two things equally well at the same time, the brain actually shuttles between those tasks, focusing exclusively on each task within that millisecond.

As a result, your brain may not be able to react in time to an unexpected occurrence on the road, robbing you of precious seconds to avert a car wreck.

So you have to stop thinking that your brain can handle multiple tasks at the same without a significant risk that something will go wrong.

“We know that distracted driving continues to be a major contributor of car crashes,” stated Dallas Personal Injury / Accident Attorney Amy Witherite, partner at Eberstein Witherite, LLP. “If more people could see the video studies of distracted drivers, it could really help drive home the fact that these behaviors we’ve come to accept as normal are actually very dangerous.”

What Is Your Car Accident Injury Claim Worth?

There were nearly 400,000 distracted driving injury accidents in 2015, so the problem continues to affect the wellbeing of drivers on the road. If you’ve suffered an injury caused by a distracted driver, you may be wondering what your car accident injury claim is worth.

In most instances, your claim will involve economic damages from loss of work and property damage, and pain and suffering for your emotional and physical distress.

The experienced team at 1-800-Car-Wreck® knows exactly how to obtain the evidence required to work your case. We have handled many of these cases, and our job is not only to negotiate a fair settlement, but also to ensure that we keep life running for you and your family.

Media Contact

Lucy Tiseo

Eberstein Witherite, LLP

Phone: 800-779-6665

Email: lucy.tiseo@ewlawyers.com

#KeepLifeRunning

Connect with Eberstein Witherite on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+

SOURCE

https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/index.html
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/225270-the-dumb-distracted-things-drivers-do-before-they-crash
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/cellphones_and_driving_what_ha.html

source: http://www.1800-car-wreck.com/common-distracted-driving-behaviors.html

Like Submit123 PR on Facebook and get your news published

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/08/what-are-the-most-common-distracted-driving-behaviors/

ReleaseID: 24907

Boca Raton, FL, USA, 08/07/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Recreational vehicles (RV’s), after suffering major losses in sales after the 2008 recession, are selling again, many to those who’ve never driven them before. These large vehicles, either driven or towed, may be controlled by those behind the wheel for many hours. Florida residents should be on the lookout for RV’s warns Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne.

“This market is back on fire,” Gigi Stetler, of South Florida’s RV Sales of Broward, told the New York Post last year. She said many of her customers stopped RV’ing with their parents as teens but now are in the market buying them. Gen Xers, or those 35 to 55 years old, now own more RV’s than Baby Boomers with millennials becoming more frequent buyers. A record 396,400 RV’s were bought last year (more than double the number purchased in 2009). In 2015 $16 billion in new RV’s were bought.

Though this may be great news for RV dealers, vacationing families and the many businesses that rely on them in Florida this may not be great news for motorists. RV’s are often driven long distances by those who may be anxious to finally get to their vacation destination, distracted by GPS directing them to unfamiliar locations on busy roads and highways.

Two people died in an RV crash in Utah on Interstate 84 in May. Idaho State Police reported a Winnebago motor home towing another vehicle went off the left shoulder, over corrected, overturned and stopped on the right shoulder when it caught fire. The driver and the passenger were killed in the accident, according to KMVT.

A multiple vehicle crash that injured one on Interstate 57 south of Marion, Illinois, occurred when a motorhome and a SUV heading southbound collided in April. The two approached a work zone and while the SUV slowed down the motorhome behind it did not, reports WSIL. It rear-ended the SUV, injuring the driver.

One person was killed and five others injured after a collision involving a motorhome that cut off a pickup truck in California in April at the intersection of Highway 46 and Highway 41. The California Highway Patrol reported the motorhome made a sharp turn from Highway 46 onto Highway 41 into the path of the pickup. Two people were ejected from the motorhome, one was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken from the scene by a helicopter to a local hospital, according to KSBY.

There are many reasons an RV may crash and many potential dangers when you drive near or around an RV.

The driver may have been driving a long distance, fatigued, distracted and unfamiliar with the area.

A camper or motorhome may have a high center of gravity, not handle well and may easily overturn if the driver makes a sharp turn or suddenly brakes.

High winds affect how an RV drives and can make it more difficult for a driver towing a camper trailer.

The driver may be inexperienced and rarely drive the vehicle or tow the trailer so may not fully understand how to safely drive it, especially in bad driving conditions.

Campers and motorhomes not driven often may be not maintained incorrectly and worn tires or those improperly inflated may blow resulting in a loss of control.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident involved an RV, contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/rvs-fun-owners-dangerous-others-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

Like Us on Facebook

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/08/rvs-fun-for-owners-dangerous-to-others-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

ReleaseID: 24904

Boca Raton, FL, USA, 08/04/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Higher temperatures decrease mental and physical performance so it should be no surprise our driving abilities hit a low when we hit year round temperature highs in Southern Florida. With hot temperatures tire failures are also more likely and can cause additional accidents. Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne says when August temperatures get super steamy be super careful when driving.

Though rain, snow, fog, wind, hail and ice are often discussed as risks to safe driving, the impact of heat on increasing the chances of an accident get less attention. Though higher temps are long known to cut our ability to perform physically and mentally a 2013 study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives looked at the relationship between high temperatures and traffic accident fatalities and injuries in the Catalonia section of Spain.

Researches stated there were a total of 118,489 vehicle crashes causing injuries or deaths that occurred between May 15 and October 15 each year from 2000 to 2011, an average of 64.1 crashes per day.

The chances of vehicle accidents significantly increased, by 2.9%, during heat waves and the connection was stronger when only accidents where driver performance issues were the problem, increasing the risk by 7.7%.

The risk injury causing fatal vehicle accidents increased by 1.1% for each 1°C increase in maximum temperature.

Overall the chances of a serious accident sharply increased during heat waves, especially when distractions, driver error, fatigue or sleepiness were to blame for the collisions.

While other issues are a far greater threat (drivers have a 300% greater risk of an accident if they’re using a cell phone and driving) heat related driver performance problems still add up to a large number of accidents over the years.

In addition to the sleepy, distracted drivers behind the wheel on hotter days the roadway and tires can be safety problems too. Worn, older, improperly inflated tires travelling at highway speeds on hot pavement baking in the Florida sun for hours can literally explode because the tire weakens over time and use and pressure built up inside them. If a driver is negligent in the care of his or her tires and a blowout causes an accident which results in injuries or deaths, that driver may be held accountable for his or her carelessness.

Tire failures resulting from aging are more common in the summer, during daylight and while the vehicle is operating at highway speeds, according to a 2014 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, reports the Palm Beach Post. All tires breakdown with age and heat speeds up the aging process.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) suggests drivers should perform a number of vehicle checks when the weather heats up, including tires.

They should be looked at when the vehicle hasn’t been driven for a while and be inflated to the air pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (not the pressure figure on the tire sidewall).

The manufacturer’s recommendations are normally found in the owner’s manual or on a tire information sticker on the driver’s door jamb.

Tire treads should be looked at for adequate depth and signs of uneven wear and sidewalls with cracks or bulges are signs of trouble.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted or fatigued driver in the heat of the summer or it’s the result of a tire blowout, contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.

Press Contact:

Joe Osborne personal injury lawyer

561-800-4011

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/hot-weather-bad-drivers-no-coincidence-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

Like Submit Press Release 123 on Facebook

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/04/hot-weather-bad-drivers-no-coincidence-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

ReleaseID: 24887

Hillsborough, NJ, USA, 08/04/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Bionical’s Communication division continues to expand its custom patient education services with the hire of Katie O’Neill as Vice President of Patient Communication. Katie will be responsible for driving patient-centric business development initiatives, partnering with clients to solve their most pressing brand challenges to deliver innovative solutions throughout the brand lifecycle.

On joining the company, Katie says, “I am excited to be part of a vibrant organization that is truly committed to improving patient outcomes. I look forward to growing Bionical’s footprint and continue to build our trusted partner status with our customers.”

Katie will report to Andy Woolf, CEO, US who commented, “I’ve known and admired Katie’s work for some time and her background in creating clinical health education solutions is a perfect complement to the digital services at Bionical. We are looking forward to enhancing our range, helping brands further differentiate themselves.”

Group CEO of Bionical, Graham ‘Mac’ McIntosh states, “Katie’s appointment comes at a critical time as our Communications Division has grown in our ability to offer multi-channel solutions that help with treatment adherence, building up to our overall goal of improving patient outcomes.”

Katie is a graduate of Villanova University.

Join the conversation:

Website: http://www.bionical.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bionical-limited

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BionicalGroup/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BionicalUSA

Instagram: @Bionical_Group

About Bionical

Bionical provides high quality solutions to pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and public health companies in the global healthcare industry.

With a mission to improve health outcomes, the services offered at Bionical accelerate product and treatment development and enhance communication and engagement with healthcare professionals and patients. Bionical’s services span the product lifecycle and include comparator supply for clinical trials, contract research support, clinical educator services, field sales teams, call center support, recruitment, digital and educational platforms.

Like Submit123 PR on Facebook and get your news published

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/04/bionical-strengthens-team-as-katie-oneill-joins-as-vp-patient-communication/

ReleaseID: 24884

Dallas, Texas, 08/02/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Most people are familiar with Uber, the popular rideshare service that lets you summon a car with a few clicks of your smartphone.

But does this innovative technology work for semi-trucks? Uber is giving it a shot.

According to a CNBC report, Uber unveiled its Uber Freight app in May 2017. The report states that the new app could be a major disruption to the trucking industry, which at nearly 10 million drivers and other workers, is the fourth largest employment group in the country.

What Does Uber Say about Its New Trucking App?

According to an Uber blog post, its trucking app will reduce truckers’ stress levels and speed up payments for completed deliveries. Uber touts its new app as one that “aims to empower truck drivers and small trucking companies to run and grow their business.”

Like the regular Uber app, Uber freight will purportedly connect businesses that need freight transported with truck drivers who are available to make the deliveries.

According to Uber, truckers can locate the load they want, negotiate a price, and receive a rate confirmation in seconds.

But what about safety? Is Uber equipped to ensure that the truckers who use its app are following federal rules and state regulations that govern the trucking industry? What happens if a trucker hauling an Uber Freight load is involved in an accident that injures someone or costs another driver their life?

As another media report points out, trucking — particularly long-haul trucking — is “physically demanding and time-consuming.” There is a big difference between driving a passenger from their hotel to the airport and hauling thousands of pounds of freight across the country in a semi-truck. Truckers don’t just drive — they plan their routes, budget their trips, and perform important equipment checks on a regular schedule.

Some also question whether the same problems that have plagued Uber’s regular ridesharing service will spill over to its freight operations. Specifically, the company has battled lawsuits alleging that it treated independent contractors as employees without compensating them as employees. Uber drivers have also fought to form unions in an effort to obtain more workplace protection.

Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Discusses Trucking Safety

Texas truck accident lawyer of 1-800-Truck-Wreck®  Amy Witherite states: “Innovation is a major driver of the economy, and it’s definitely important. However, advances in technology sometimes move so fast that safety rules don’t have a chance to keep up. It will be interesting to see how Uber handles the many federal regulations and state laws that govern the trucking industry.”

If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck crash, or you have lost someone you love in a truck accident, compassionate and experienced legal help is available today. Contact a Texas truck accident lawyer right away to discuss your rights and options.

Sources:

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/18/uber-launches-uber-freight.html
https://medium.com/official-uber-freight-blog/uber-freight-leveling-the-playing-field-for-americas-truck-drivers-73530215a1f1
https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/18/15657798/uber-freight-truck-app-ios-android

Media Contact:
Lucy Tiseo

Eberstein Witherite, LLP

Phone: 800-878-2597

Email: lucy.tiseo@ewlawyers.com

www.1800truckwreck.com

#WeKeepLifeRunning

Connect with Eberstein Witherite on Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter

source: http://www.1800truckwreck.com/uber-freight-truck-wrecks.html

Like Submit Press Release 123 on Facebook

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/02/uber-freight-truck-wrecks/

ReleaseID: 24859

Linthicum, MD, United States, 08/02/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

NFM Lending, a mortgage lending company, is pleased to announce the new location of their corporate headquarters at 1190 Winterson Road, Suite 300, Linthicum, MD 21090. All branch locations across the United States will remain unchanged.

The move comes as the result of rapid growth in recent years. Since 2015, NFM Lending has nearly doubled in size and has expanded into the Midwest and the western United States, adding branches in Ohio, Colorado, and Arizona.

“This is another big milestone for NFM,” said David Silverman, CEO. “As we enter our 20th year in business, our corporate headquarters is moving into a brand new, state-of-the-art space in Maryland. Less than a half a mile from our former headquarters, we are excited to begin the next chapter of the NFM story and look forward to helping as many of our clients realize ownership of the home of their dreams.”

NFM Lending opened its doors in 1998 in Baltimore, MD, with just four Loan Originators, and has since grown to have over 400 employees and more than 35 branches nationwide. The corporate office houses all NFM Lending’s operations.

“I am very excited about our move,” said Bob Tyson, COO/CAO. “We have come a long way from a small office in the heart of Baltimore City to now proudly displaying our logo on the front of a 4-story building in Linthicum. Throughout our growth, we have always focused on taking care of our number one asset: our employees. Our new space is full of upgrades and amenities to further enhance our employees’ experience while they provide our customers with exceptional service. It is truly an exciting time to be part of the NFM family.”

NFM Lending looks forward to this opportunity to better serve its employees, business partners, and clients.

About NFM Lending

NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 29 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter.

Like Submit123 PR on Facebook and get your news published

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/02/nfm-lending-announces-new-corporate-headquarters/

ReleaseID: 24861

Boca Raton, FL, USA, 08/02/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

You want to get somewhere and you thought the highway would be the quickest way there. You found out too late that a traffic jam has forced vehicle speeds down to a crawl. No matter what your plans may have been, you are going nowhere fast. As big as a pain as this might be, Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne says, the fact is that vehicles coming from behind you may not stop in time to avoid crashing into those stuck in the traffic jam.

An accident on Interstate 75 south of Ocala earlier this month involved nine vehicles and left one person dead and several people injured, according to Ocala Star Banner. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that southbound traffic stopped because of a crash ahead. As drivers waited for that accident to be cleared, a semi truck coming to the scene failed to stop, drove off the highway, hit a guardrail, sideswiped a minivan and FedEx truck and struck six more vehicles before coming to a stop. The accident happened shortly before midnight on July 14 and it took about ten hours to clear all the wreckage.

Negligence is often at the heart of why these kinds of accidents happen.

Many times in these situation drivers just aren’t prepared to stop in time to avoid striking vehicles slowing down, or stopped, ahead of them. They may be driving too fast, too focused on getting where they want to go and not prepared for the fact traffic could stop in front of them at any time.

This crash happened in the evening so it may be more likely drivers are dozing off, asleep or simply distracted because they’re tired or fiddling with an app on their smart phone hoping to find an alternate route around the tie up. By the time they understand what’s going on it’s too late to act and avoid a crash.

In the case of a semi-truck under ideal conditions if it’s going the highways speed it could take more than 500 feet (or almost the length of two football fields) for the truck to stop. So a truck driver needs to pay attention not only to the traffic directly around the truck but also to what’s going on more than 500 feet ahead. In this accident, the driver may have driven off the highway to avoid colliding with more vehicles, but severe damage was done, including the death of one person and injuries to several others.

If the truck isn’t properly maintained and the brakes fail that can also lead to an accident at a traffic jam.

If the truck is overloaded it will take a longer distance to come to a stop.

If cargo in or on the trailer isn’t properly loaded or tied down and the driver slams on the brakes the truck could jackknife, roll over or cargo could spill off the trailer and onto, or in front of, other motorists on the highway.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by a traffic jam, contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.

Press Contact:

Personal injury lawyer Joseph Osborne
561-800-4011

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/traffic-jams-nuisance-says-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

Like Submit Press Release 123 on Facebook

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/02/traffic-jams-are-more-than-a-nuisance-says-boca-car-accident-lawyer-joe-osborne/

ReleaseID: 24864

Dallas, TX, USA, 08/02/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

They have both involved the federal crime of computer hacking under Title 18 US Code section 1930.

The Federal Crime of Computer Hacking:  From the 2016 Presidential Election to Major League Baseball

United States intelligence agencies say they have proof that a group of Russian computer hackers, known as Fancy Bear, who was working with Russian intelligence, accessed computers of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign, took emails and documents, and caused them to be released publicly on the Internet, reports John Helms Dallas fraud lawyer.  The precise method they used has not been disclosed, but Fancy Bear has been known to use a technique called “spear phishing.”  This involves sending fake information to target individuals to trick them into knowingly or unknowingly giving up their computer credentials. The spear phisher can then put malware into the target’s computer network that searches files, collects information, and sends it back to the phisher. If Russians do this to political parties or campaigns, is this a crime under US law? Absolutely.

In 2016, former St. Louis Cardinals executive Chris Correa was sentenced to almost 4 years in federal prison for improperly accessing a computer database of the Houston Astros that contained highly confidential player evaluations, scouting reports, trade strategies, and other information. Correa apparently did this in a much more low-tech way. A Cardinals employee with a team-issued laptop was leaving to join the Astros. The employee had to turn in his laptop and password when he left to go to Houston. Correa correctly guessed that the former Cardinals employee would use essentially the same password in his new job. Correa was, therefore, able to access the Astros’ email system and database using the password.

I have also had a case in which a former employee was able to get into a former employer’s computer system using his old password, which the employee had not disabled.

Some people might be surprised to learn that all of these can be federal crimes, but they definitely can be. The federal computer hacking criminal law is very broad. It covers accessing not only government computers, but also computers that are involved in interstate commerce or that use interstate communication. Virtually any computer with Internet access qualifies.

The federal computer hacking law requires accessing a computer or network, either without authorization or in a way that exceeds authorized access. This means that it covers situations in which people are allowed to be on a network but are not allowed to access certain information. The access can be through a sophisticated hacking program like what Fancy Bear uses, or it can be through less sophisticated means like using a stolen password or an old password that still works.

The law covers both situations in which information is stolen or accessed and those in which a hacker causes “damage.”  The term “damage” is defined broadly. It includes everything from infecting a network with a virus that shuts it down to implanting code that creates an undetected “back door” through which the hacker can enter the system later.

The maximum punishment depends on the type of system accessed and the type, purpose, and seriousness of the hacking. It can be up to one year, up to five years, up to ten years, or up to twenty years. Therefore, a lawyer defending one of these types of cases needs at least a general understanding of hacking techniques and a good understanding of how they fit into the framework of the computer hacking law.

If you or a loved one is accused of violating the federal computer hacking criminal law, you should hire a fraud defense attorney with both federal criminal trial experience and one who knows about this particular statute and hacking techniques in general.

If you, a family member or someone you know has been charged with fraud or any other serious crime, contact John Helms Dallas fraud lawyer in at (214) 666-8010 or fill out the online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and freedom.

Press Contact:

John Helms
(214) 666-8010
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-helms-69172699

source: http://johnhelms.attorney/major-league-baseball-trump-election-dallas-fraud-lawyer-share/

Like Submit123 PR on Facebook and get your news published

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/02/major-league-baseball-trump-election-dallas-fraud-lawyer-on-what-they-share/

ReleaseID: 24867

Eberstein Witherite LLP 1800 Car Wreck Fort Worth, 08/01/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

One of the pleasures of action movies Is watching car chases, but very few people actually stop to think how that kind of reckless driving on the silver screen can influence teenagers in their real behavior when they are behind the wheel.

In fact, studies have found that some of the crazy driving feats that young drivers see in films, may make them more likely to drive recklessly.

“It’s the same debate that once raged about the effects that violent video games may have had on teenagers in real life,” stated Attorney Amy Witherite, partner of the law firm Eberstein Witherite, LLP. “Is it more likely that teenagers who are reckless drivers are more attracted to movies that depict reckless driving, or does watching reckless driving at the movies spur teenagers to more dangerous driving behavior?”

According to a report by Geico, 20 percent of 16-year-old drivers in their first year of driving have had a car wreck. Furthermore, 33 percent of all fatal accidents involving teenagers were caused by speed. (1)

And Teen Driver Source reported that 16 to 19-year-old drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than drivers who are 20 years or older, and that 75 percent of car wrecks involving teens are the result of speed, driver distraction, and “the lack of scanning that is needed to detect and respond to hazards.” (2)

What Exactly Is Reckless Driving?

Although each state has its own specific definition, reckless driving is any type of behavior that creates a hazard for other drivers on the road.

In Texas, reckless driving is categorized as, “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” (3)

This is a large umbrella term, under which you can fit speeding, unsafe lane changes, drag racing, racing other vehicles, and racing through red lights.

It’s important to remember, however, that charging someone with reckless driving is most often a judgment call exercised by law enforcement personnel.

Therefore, a driving behavior such as speeding is not always going to be considered reckless driving. To reach that standard, the speed at which a person was traveling would have to greatly exceed the speed limit. For example, a teenager driving a sports car at 75 mph on a road with a speed limit of 45 mph, would likely be charged with reckless driving by most police officers.

But it’s this discretion that has given certain states, such as Texas, the reputation of being lax on reckless driving.

A report in the Star-Telegram cited a recent study which found that Texas ranked first as the “most lenient among all 50 states and the District of Columbia when it comes to passing laws against speeding and reckless driving, and punishing violators.” (4)

Reasons for this include the fact that Texas has no specific speed that is defined as reckless driving, does not have a state law against street racing, nor does it stipulate minimum jail sentences or license revocation for first-time reckless driving offenders.

So Do Movies Cause Reckless Driving?

There have been many studies about reckless driving among teens, but a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, took a different angle and surveyed 1,630 teens ages 10 to 14 about the number of movies they watched that included reckless driving.

Six years later, when those teens became drivers, they were surveyed again about their driving behavior.

A majority of those surveyed who had watched more movies that featured reckless driving “reported lower seat belt usage and more reckless driving, [and] exposure to movie reckless driving during early adolescence predicted adolescents’ reckless driving, suggesting a direct modeling effect.” (5)

Caution is in order, given that this was just one study, but because young drivers are so much more likely to speed and exhibit driver distraction than other groups, the effect on their psyche of fast cars doing furious things in movies, deserves more exploration.

Recovery Is About More Than Just a Settlement in a Motor Vehicle Accident

The consequences of reckless driving can be life changing and devastating. It is important that we educate teen drivers about the dangers of excessive speed, especially since car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. The aftermath of a high-speed car crash can linger long after your case has settled. That’s why the team at 1-800-CAR-WRECK ® strives to do all the things necessary to keep your life running after an accident.

“We have two primary goals when we take on a client who has suffered injuries in a car wreck,” stated Amy Witherite. “One, get them back on their feet, physically and mentally, and two, make sure every aspect of their lives keeps running as we work their case. If we can do those two things well, everything else takes care of itself.”

SOURCES

https://www.geico.com/information/safety/auto/teendriving/statistics/
http://www.teendriversource.org/stats/support_teens/detail/57
http://www.defensivedrivingus.com/blog/reckless-driving-in-texas.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article29815543.html
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0113927

Media Contact:

Lucy Tiseo

Eberstein Witherite, LLP

Phone: 800-779-6665

Email: lucy.tiseo@ewlawyers.com

#KeepLifeRunning

Connect with Eberstein Witherite on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+

source: http://www.1800-car-wreck.com/link-teens-reckless-driving-movies-like-fast-furious.html

Like Us on Facebook

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/01/is-there-a-link-between-teens-reckless-driving-and-movies/

ReleaseID: 24829

Dallas, Texas, 08/01/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

The Bill Cosby sexual assault case has dominated headlines over the past year. The case is complicated, as it involves thorny questions about statutes of limitations and whether Cosby previously admitted or acknowledged that he engaged in some of the behavior the plaintiffs accuse him of.

When the case ended in a mistrial in June 2017, many people had questions about what exactly that meant. Does it mean that Cosby is a free man? Does “double jeopardy” mean that he can never be tried again? Or can the court order an entirely new case against him?

Mistrials Explained

According to the American Bar Association, the short definition of a mistrial is a trial that is “not successfully completed.” Because the trial is not brought to a complete conclusion, it does not trigger the double jeopardy clause, which states that a criminal defendant can’t be tried twice for the same crime. This means that the court can convene a whole new jury and start the prosecution again.

Mistrials happen for a variety of reasons, including:

A juror or attorney passing away in the middle of a trial.
A mistake or something inappropriate happening in the middle of jury selection.
An error during the trial that harms the defense or causes prejudice to the defendant’s case.
Juror misconduct.
A deadlocked jury.

Perhaps the most common reason for a mistrial is a deadlocked jury. This occurs when the jury simply can’t reach a conclusion. When the jury can’t agree no matter how many times they hold a vote, the judge is forced to declare a mistrial. People who followed the OJ Simpson case closely in the 1990s might remember that a mistrial was a significant concern for the prosecution and the defense. In that case, both sides worried that being forced to select a new jury and retry the case would harm their side.

In Cosby’s case, the New York Times reported that the jury deliberated for six days — a total of 52 hours — without reaching a verdict. The Times also reports that the prosecutor has stated he will pursue a new trial against Cosby with a new jury.

Another relatively common example of mistrials is when one side makes a mistake that harms the defendant’s chances of getting a fair trial. Perhaps the prosecution does something improper with evidence, or maybe the prosecutor makes inappropriate statements to the jury that cause irreparable harm to the defense. If the jury hears it, and it was improper, the jury can’t simply “unhear” it. In that situation, the court must declare a mistrial.

Speak to a Texas Sexual Assault Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you have been charged with a crime in Texas, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away. Don’t wait to speak to a knowledgeable Texas criminal defense attorney about your case.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/17/arts/television/bill-cosby-trial-day-11.html?ref=todayspaper
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/mistrials.html

Texas Sexual Assault Criminal Defense Lawyers

http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/

Dallas Texas Sexual Assault Criminal Defense Attorney Broden & Mickelsen, LLP

2600 State St Dallas, Texas 75204

Main Phone: (214) 720-9552

source: http://www.brodenmickelsen.com/blog/what-is-a-mistrial/

Like Submit Press Release 123 on Facebook

Read the full story at http://newsreleases.submitpressrelease123.com/2017/08/01/what-is-a-mistrial/

ReleaseID: 24832