According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “everyday, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 52 minutes. In 2019, these deaths reached the lowest percentage since 1982 when NHTSA started reporting alcohol data — but still 10,142 people lost their lives. These deaths were all preventable. Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). In every state, it’s illegal to drive drunk, yet one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States in 2019.” 

Why .08? – The Consequences of Not Adhering to the Mandated Blood Alcohol Level

If you are a driver and are somewhat aware of U.S driving regulations, you know that in most states, anyone driving under the influence of alcohol cannot exceed the .08 blood alcohol concentration. What you may not be as informed about is the reason behind the decision to set .08 as the blood alcohol intake limit in most U.S states with the exception of Utah where the maximum is .05. The effects of certain blood alcohol concentrations on the body are thoroughly explained in a chart shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In it, we see that at a .02 BAC, individuals will experience some loss of judgement, relaxation, slight body warmth and altered mood, while drivers will feel a decline in visual functions (rapid tracking of a moving target) and a decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention), at .05 BAC, individuals will experience a potential loss of small-muscle control (e.g., focusing your eyes), impaired judgement, and lowered alertness among other things. Drivers will feel reduced coordination, ability to track moving objects and response to emergency driving situations, and difficulty steering. Finally, at .08 BAC, balance, speech, vision, reaction time and hearing become poor, danger detection decreases, processing capability and reasoning and memory are impaired. 

This slow increase from .02 to .08 blood alcohol concentration and the steady journey through its effects on the human body, shows why driving under the influence even with a .02 BAC poses a risk, and how that risk increases to very dangerous levels with a .08 BAC. This is why those who drive while with .08 BAC or beyond, where there’s a clear deterioration of response time and ability to drive much less to drive safely, are so harshly persecuted by the law. If you have been personally affected, be it through the loss of a loved one or emotional devastation  due to the negligence of another party and need experienced counsel to guide you through the legal process, we recommend you contact a personal injury attorney in Traverse City, Michigan at the Neumann Law Group at (231) 221-0050. 

Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common personal injury incidents. Yet, their daily occurrence doesn’t mean they garner as much attention as car accidents or medical malpractice cases, because the truth is that they are often seen as lower risk and are therefore treated as insignificant or not as critical. Nevertheless, those who have experienced slip and fall accidents know that that certainly isn’t the case. In fact, slip and fall victims can suffer serious injuries such as major sprains, fractures and concussions. If you or someone you know has recently been in a slip and fall accident at a commercial property due to the negligence of another party, we suggest you reach out to a seasoned personal injury attorney in Omaha, Nebraska. 

The Grave Consequences of a Slip & Fall Injury 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Many falls do not cause injuries. But one out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own. Falls can cause head injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners). Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities.” 

Along with the physical wounds associated with slip and fall incidents, there are psychological injuries victims are often exposed to. Most common among personal injury sufferers is post-traumatic stress disorder. Per the National Alliance of Mental Illness also known as NAMI, “traumatic events—such as an accident, assault, military combat or natural disaster—can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health. While many people will have short term responses to life-threatening events, some will develop longer term symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.” This condition just like any physical injuries the victim may have sustained could require continuous and possibly costly treatment. However, if an attorney can prove that the incident was caused by the negligent behavior of another party, there’s a chance they will have to cover all medical expenses and any other costs associated with the accident. 

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help You Pursue a Slip and Fall Injury Claim? 

To succeed in a slip and fall injury claim, you must establish the liability of the property owner. To do so, you will need to secure evidence surrounding the incident and present an unwavering case. If you are in the process of pursuing a slip and fall injury claim but need an attorney to evaluate your case and represent you in the legal setting, we suggest reaching out to a personal injury attorney in Omaha, Nebraska at Rensch & Rensch. 

Rensch & Rensch Law can be reached at:

Omaha Law Office

7602 Pacific Street, #102

Omaha, NE 68114

Phone: 800-471-4100

Website: www.renschandrensch.com

Columbus Law Office

1470 25th Avenue

Columbus, NE 68601

According to Trucks “Trucker deaths continue to rise and are at their highest level in more than 30 years, according to data released [in 2019] by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The federal agency said 885 large truck occupants died in 2018. That’s an increase of almost 1 percent compared to the prior year. It is the highest since 1988 when 911 occupants of large trucks died. Looking beyond truckers, overall deaths involving crashes with large trucks also continue to rise. The agency said 4,678 people died in collisions with large trucks …. [in 2018].” Clearly, the recurrence of these incidents is fatal for both truck drivers and car drivers yet, they don’t seem to be stopping any time soon and the lives of those who have been personally affected by these catastrophes continue to be ravaged in real time. If you or someone you love has been impacted by a motor vehicle accident but specially a truck accident, we recommend reaching out to a practiced personal injury attorney in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Breaking Down Truck Accidents & Their Ruinous Effects 

Motor vehicle accidents are intricate events and tracing the causes behind them can be a lengthy and arduous process. Nevertheless, there are some external and internal factors that have been known to contribute to the incidence of these crashes. Alcohol consumption, especially if it’s above most states’ mandated .08 blood alcohol level, fatigue, and speeding are some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents. However, there’s also other components such as the driver’s mental and emotional state, their use of medication, vehicular defects (both known and left untreated by the driver, and unknown manufacturer defects), road conditions which can on their own complicate driving conditions and (coupled with drivers’ careless behavior, i.e, cutting other drivers off, not using signal lights) can cause significant crashes. 

These ingredients paired with the fact that according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, “trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes” make truck accidents some of the deadliest personal injury incidents. “Truck braking capability can be a factor in truck crashes [too]. Loaded tractor-trailers take 20-40 percent farther than cars to stop, and the discrepancy is greater on wet and slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes.” 

Managing the Damages with the Help of a Personal Injury Attorney 

Those who have been involved in a truck accident for instance, are generally too emotionally and physically pained to return to their regular lives right after the event. This is why being able to fully rely on a personal injury attorney isn’t only important but critical to ensure those most affected can take time to recover without renouncing their right to obtain compensation for their damages. To schedule a consultation with experienced attorneys, contact Ballard Law at (769) 572-5111. 

According to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute, “a misdemeanor is a crime punishable by less than 12 months in jail. Community service, probation, fines, and imprisonment for less than a year are commonly issued punishments for misdemeanors. More grievous crimes, felonies, carry stiffer penalties, including jail time of more than 12 months.” If you have been recently charged with a misdemeanor, we recommend that you act as soon as possible, and reach out to a criminal defense attorney in Traverse City, Michigan to review your case and prepare an unwavering defense. 

Misdemeanor Types & How Michigan Law Tackles Them

Misdemeanors just like felonies are treated differently depending on the state and jurisdiction. While a second or third offense will likely result in harsher punishments and could challenge the probability of negotiations, it all hinges on the circumstances surrounding your case and the attorney’s ability to present a sound defense that can allow for more lenient penalties.

Per Michigan Courts, “some of the more common traffic and nontraffic misdemeanor cases are assault and battery, vandalism, shoplifting, trespassing, prostitution, disorderly conduct, reckless driving, and first or second drunk driving offenses. They are usually handled by the district court closest to where the crime occurred.” Just like in most states, Michigan state law proposes a lengthier jail time and higher fees for second and third time offenders in both nontraffic and traffic misdemeanor cases. Young adults are treated with more leniency, and are sometimes allowed a probation period, followed up with a driver improvement course. Points are also added to their driving records. 

Criminal Defense Attorney’s Advocating for the Rights of Misdemeanor Offenders

Whether you are a young adult or 21 and older, if you are criminally charged you will be exposed to probes in which your rights and privileges will be put into question. To ensure that you are protected from unjust queries and that your constitutional freedoms are preserved during the process, you need to rely on an attorney’s counsel and representation. Their understanding of the statutes and court opinions that make up the state’s criminal laws will be an incredible asset for anyone trying to fight either a misdemeanor or felony charge, especially if they believe the charges to be unreasonable or uncalled for. If you or someone you know is in need of a criminal defense attorney in Traverse City, Michigan, reach out to the skilled and vigorous attorneys at the Neumann Law Group at (231) 221-0050. They will conduct a thorough evaluation and recommend the best approach for your legal defense. Cases like these depend on the prompt action of the parties involved. 

How are Arkansas employees protected against sexual harassment? The Arkansas Civil Rights Act has been successfully used in at least one sexual harassment case. However, the Act only refers to employment discrimination based on gender, including pregnancy and childbirth, but without explicitly mentioning sexual harassment. In most cases, your best recourse is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, widely used all over the US in such cases. If you live in Arkansas and think you have a sexual harassment case you need to speak with a local lawyer as soon as possible. Why suffer more?

Before you proceed, you need to understand what constitutes sexual harassment in the eyes of the law.

First of all, there’s the physical harassment which refers to unwelcome touching or gesturing. If a coworker is constantly bumping into you, just for a quick grope, that’s a clear sign of sexual harassment.

Then, you have verbal harassment. Lewd remarks made in your presence, obscene jokes or sounds are all instances of sexual harassment. The same can be said of requests for a date. However, you’ll need good sexual harassment lawyers to understand if you have a case. If a coworker has a crush on you and asks you out on a date, you cannot call that sexual harassment if that was a one time thing and the guy understood you were not interested. Only if they keep pestering you with such requests can you file a complaint.

Requests for sexual favors fall in the same category. If your supervisor is constantly suggesting sex, promising you a raise or a promotion, that is a quid pro quo case and skilled employment lawyers won’t have any problem dealing with such a clear case of sexual harassment.

A third type of sexual harassment refers to the use of photos, drawings or videos of a sexual nature displayed around the office or sent to you via email or messaging apps with the clear intention of humiliating you. Those are the easiest to document, so don’t be afraid to take pictures and save any such message as they will be very useful in court.

Should you call a lawyer as soon as you’re subjected to this type of treatment? The answer is no, and it is very important you understand what are the steps you’re required to follow to stay within the law.

When you’re faced with any type of sexual harassment in the work place, the first thing you need to do is notify your employer. According to the law, your employer is required to take action as soon as they receive your complaint. If you do not formulate a complaint, it will be very difficult to take your employer to court.

However, once you’ve dully notified your employer of the sexual harassment taking place in their company and they don’t take any action, seasoned Arkansas sexual harassment lawyers will help you take your case first to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and then to court.

In many cases, these unpleasant situations can be resolved through mediation, but if you cannot reach an agreement with your employer the only thing left to do is take them to trial.