Neck, Back or Spine Injuries – Automobile Accidents
Neck injuries are very common, especially to those involved in rear end automobile accidents. The main reason it is so common in vehicle accidents is that the vehicle headrest on the back of car seats limits the range of extension in one’s neck. A person’s head often is jerked back and forth rapidly sometimes forcing…
TIRE SAFETY: Everything Rides On It
Protection against avoidable breakdowns and crashes. Improved vehicle handling. Better fuel economy. Increased tire life. Just a few of the reasons to take five minutes every month to check your tires. Simply use the handy checklist below, and see the reverse side for more information on tire safety. Safety Checklist Check tire pressure regularly (at…
Study: Faster cars, higher speeds lead to more deaths
WASHINGTON — More deaths are occurring on the nation’s highways because car manufacturers are putting more horsepower under the hood of cars and drivers are using the muscle to go faster than ever, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A second study, by researchers from New Zealand, also showed…
Putting Child Safety Ahead of Speed
Nothing should come before the safety of our children. I have introduced legislation this session on an issue of importance to us all, especially those of us with kids in school: a bill to lower speed limits in the school zones of Minnesota’s communities. Current Minnesota law lets local authorities establish a school zone speed…
Air Bag Safety
In 1998, an estimated 4,759 motor vehicle occupants’ lives were saved because of deployment of air bags during a vehicle crash. Air bags and correct seat belt use together are 75% effective in preventing serious head injuries and 66% effective in preventing serious chest injuries. While air bags were responsible for the deaths of many…
Air Bag On-Off Switches: Questions and Answers
What does the final rule allow? Beginning January 19, 1998, the final rule allows repair shops and dealers to install "on-off" switches that allow air bags in passenger cars and light trucks to be turned on and off in appropriate circumstances. Dealers and repair shops cannot perform this work without an authorization letter from the…
What Causes Car Accidents?
The dictionary defines accident as "an unexpected and undesirable event, a mishap unforeseen and without apparent cause." Strictly speaking, most accidents are not accidents at all: they are collisions that could and should have been avoided. So, what causes them, and how can you avoid them? Four factors contribute to the vast majority of collisions….
Helmet Laws for Bicycle Riders-United States
There is no federal law in the U.S. requiring bicycle helmets. States and localities began adopting laws in 1987, but there is no formal central registry for them. Here are the ones we are aware of as of this date. The States are probably all included, but some localities are likely to be missing. If…
Bicycle Accident: Product Recall & Safety
Each title is linked to the recall involved; they are organized by date with the most recent first. Syntace USA Recall of Bicycle Handlebar Stems (January 19, 2006 ) Recreational Equipment Inc. Recall of Children???s Bicycles (December 22, 2005 ) Delta Cycle Corp. Recall of Picasso Two-Bike Folding Racks (October 25, 2005 ) World Wide…
Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws
Minnesota law gives bicyclists the same rights and privileges as drivers of other vehicles. Cyclists must be familiar with and obey all traffic laws applying to using the road. Highlights of the law: Ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when passing, preparing for a left turn…
Bike Safety
Bicycling is one of the most popular recreational activities in the U.S. and an important means of transportation. More than 70 percent of children ages 5 to 14 (27.7 million) ride bicycles. This age group rides 50 percent more than the average bicyclist and accounts for approximately 21 percent of all bicycle-related deaths and nearly…
Personal Watercraft Laws
The popularity of personal watercraft (wet jets, wave runners, sea dogs, jet skis) has exploded over the last several years. Unfortunately, along with this popularity has come a dramatic increase in injuries. Minnesota Laws ALL personal watercraft are considered motorboats. Thus, laws that govern any other motorboats also apply to personal watercraft. The following is…
Minnesota Personal Watercraft Laws
DON’T MEET BY ACCIDENT Many boaters in Minnesota enjoy the exciting sport of riding personal watercraft (PWC). These speedy little craft now make up over four percent of registered boats in the state. Although the number of personal watercraft accidents is declining, inexperienced riders still seem to account for many mishaps. They may not be…
Alcohol and Drugs
Minnesota law prohibits anyone from boating while intoxicated (BWI)—that is, operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or other illegal chemical. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment (you’re more inclined to take risks when drinking), and slow reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third…
“What to Expect after TBI”
By Tom Novack, PhD Presented at the Recovery after TBI Conference, Sept, 1999 Cognitive Difficulties after TBI The cognitive difficulties experienced by people after traumatic brain injury (TBI), often have more impact on their recovery and outcome than their physical limitations. Most people with traumatic brain injury, even those that are severe in degree, are…
The Road to Rehabilitation
Brain Injury Association of America Creating a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy. Introduction Everyone has experienced pain at one time or another. Although most individuals find it bothersome, many of them are able to continue going about their activities of daily living (ADLs) despite the pain. However, for some persons,…
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
A person with a suspected brain injury should contact a physician immediately, go to the emergency room, or call 911 in the case of an emergency. After an impact to the head, a person with a brain injury can experience a variety of symptoms but not necessarily all of the following symptoms. This information is…
Head Injury Impact Early Head Blows, Alzheimer’s Linked
10/23/00 – Veterans who had serious head injuries decades ago now have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a finding that suggests serious blows to the head may somehow cause long-term brain damage, researchers said today. The more severe the head injury, the greater the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the teams at the U.S. National…
Expert Involved in Treating Traumatic Brain Injury
Neurologist Physiatrist Neuropsychologist Respiratory or pulmonary therapists Physical therapist Occupational therapist Speech pathologist Cognitive therapist Vocational rehabilitation counselor Educational therapist Social worker Therapeutic recreational specialist Rehabilitation case manager Pediatric neurologist Neurologist Neurologist What is a neurologist? A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain…
Additional Sources for Traumatic Brain Injury
What Research Is Being Done for the Cognitive and Communication Problems Caused by Traumatic Brain Injury? Researchers are studying many issues related to the special cognitive and communication problems experienced by individuals who have traumatic brain injuries. Scientists are designing new evaluation tools to assess the special problems that children who have suffered traumatic brain…