Washington Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Regan Zambri & Long Law Firm : DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Although many states do allow the use of cell phones while driving, in the District of Columbia, it is illegal to use any kind other than a hands-free device.   For each offense, drivers are fined $100.00 for violating this law, in effect since July 1, 2004. 

Motorists who talk on wireless phones while driving tend to drive slower, forgo opportunities to pass slow-moving vehicles, and generally take longer than other drivers to reach their destinations.  Overall, people who talk on the phone while driving have the cumulative effect of congesting traffic.  The finding is the result of recent research conducted at the University of Utah. , and presented at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board. 

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The high volume of traffic in and around the metro area means lengthy commutes for many area residents, and lengthy commutes eat into relaxation time, as well as time motorists could devote to home and work responsibilities -- it's a situation that creates significant frustration and often contributes to aggressive driving.   Aggressive driving has a significant impact on the safety of DC-area roadways.  The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages area motorists to help address the problem of aggressive driving by adopting the following safe driving practices related to aggressive driving:

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Recent charges from a fatal accident involving a teenage driver reminds us of the particular dangers when mixing teenagers and motor vehicles.  Contributing factors often include lack of experience, distracted driving, excessive speed, aggressive driving, not using seat belts, driving while drowsy, alcohol and drug use, dare-devil activities. 

A fatal single-vehicle crash in Charles County, Maryland that claimed the life of one area teen last November has resulted in charges of reckless and negligent driving against the driver -- a 17-year-old Brandywine girl.

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Here in the metro area, an abundance of restaurants is the perfect solution to those meal times when you just don't feel like cooking.  Particularly this time of year, however, when temperatures are cold, and you just don't feel like bundling up your family and facing the winter weather, placing a delivery or take-out order is likely to be an attractive option.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), take-out and delivery orders, while convenient, pose some special food safety concerns.  Before you place that next meal order for carry-out or delivery, take a minute to review the following safety tips relating to transported food:

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There are many instances where a small, portable heater can be useful in a home or garage during the winter season.  Portable heaters are available in many models, including those that burn propane, kerosene or other fuels.  Many homeowners opt for electric models which don't produce noxious fumes or produce an open flame, because they appear safer.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), however, many homeowners exhibit a false sense of security related to electric space heaters -- appliances which can, in fact, be very dangerous when used improperly.

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Chronic medical conditions require a variety of routine medications.  Unfortunately, many of those medications are known to cause drowsiness, sap energy and slow reaction times in drivers.  In most areas of the U.S., it's necessary to drive to remain independent -- to get to the grocery store, the doctor, to visit friends, and even to get to work.  Because our ability to drive safely can be affected by prescription medications and our health, in general, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers the following facts and tips regarding safe driving for individuals who take multiple medications:

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If you're working outside this winter or participating in outdoor recreational activities, you already know how uncomfortable the cold weather can become in the metro area.  Too many people don't realize the safety challenges winter weather presents, however -- challenges such as the prevention of hypothermia.  Hypothermia is different than frostbite, and it can quickly become a deadly medical condition, even in comparatively warm temperatures.  Worse, you may never realize you're affected.  Before you spend prolonged periods of time outdoors this season, take time to familiarize yourself with the following hypothermia safety facts, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic:

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Walking is a great way to exercise and experience the beauty of the winter season first-hand.  On particularly snowy days, it may even be the only reliable mode of transportation!   Walking over snow and ice can easily lead to injuries, however.  Before you bundle up and trudge your way to work or school, take time to review these winter walking safety tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

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When it comes to skiing and snowboarding injuries, prevention is often much more pleasant than the cure.  Before you or your loved ones hit the slopes this season, take time to familiarize yourself with things you can do to reduce your odds of injury while snowboarding or skiing.  The National Ski Patrol offers the following tips for skiers and snowboarders of all ages:

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This winter, whether you're clearing snow or ice from roofs or gutters, removing broken tree limbs or even taking down exterior holiday lights, be cautious with your ladder.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that each year in the United States, approximately 164,000 emergency room visits are attributed to ladder-related injuries.

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According to an estimate by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are 20,000,000 unsafe cribs/play yards either in use or in storage.  It's important that parents and other care givers check for safety before putting a baby into a portable crib or play yard. 

The following crib and play yard safety checklist from the CPSC is labeled as a hotel and motel safety checklist.  However, checking for these safety hazards is common sense advice that should be applied to any crib or play yard that is expected to be used.  

"Check the crib for the following safety hazards:

Additional comments or concerns:

Note: If any item receives a "yes" response, the crib should be removed from service until it is repaired or replaced.

Mesh Cribs/Play Yards:

Play yard brand name and model # ___________________________________

Check the mesh crib/play yard for the following hazards:

Additional comments or concerns:

Note: If any item receives a "yes" response, the crib should be removed from service until it is repaired or replaced.

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Radon poisoning kills 100 times as many people each year as carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Furthermore, the agency warns that:

• "Breathing home indoor radon causes nearly one hundred times more deaths each year than carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
• Some 20,000 people will die this year due to breathing too much radon without even knowing it."

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Recent articles in the Washington Post highlight the prevalence of carbon monoxide poisoning, the leading cause of accidental poisoning in America:

"Eight people who were overcome by carbon monoxide Wednesday night were in stable condition yesterday, and all are expected to survive, authorities said. The carbon monoxide came from a leak, probably in a faulty furnace, . . . ." 

"A new report underscores the importance of taking precautions to protect you and your loved ones from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, especially when using heating appliances during the winter.

From 1999 to 2004, accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning killed an average of 439 people a year in the United States, says a study in the latestMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas produced by devices such as natural gas-powered furnaces and portable generators. Many people overlook or aren't aware of symptoms of CO poisoning, including headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion.

From 1999 to 2004, there were a total of 2,631 unintentional, non-fire-related CO deaths in the nation, for an annual average age-adjusted death rate of 1.5 deaths per one million people. Those most likely to die this way included adults over age 65 (628), men (1,958), non-Hispanic whites (1,941), and non-Hispanic blacks (305).

The report also noted that unintentional CO exposure causes about 15,000 emergency department visits a year in the U.S.

The authors called for increased public education, especially during the winter heating season, to help prevent deaths from CO poisoning. They also recommended establishment of a national surveillance system to monitor CO-related health outcomes. This information could help target public prevention efforts and reduce CO-related injury and death."

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Alpine snowboarding and skiing are popular winter activities across the U.S., but a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Injury Prevention suggests that the incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury associated with these sports has steadily increased in every country that reports injury data. 

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Kitchen sponges are cheap and convenient items for cleaning countertop messes and absorbing spilled liquids quickly.  Unfortunately, they also harbor foodborne pathogens, yeasts and molds, and could put you and your family at risk if not properly disinfected on a regular basis.  Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recently published some study results and disinfection tips concerning kitchen sponge disinfection.

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