Risks Associated with Summer Road Trips

Posted on by bradeg

Summertime is an ideal time of the year for people to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and pleasant weather. Unfortunately, it can also be a time of year in which people find themselves hurt in a number of different kinds of accidents that only become more common during the warmer months because there are more people partaking in activities and increasing the likelihood of possible injury risks.

People hurt during summertime accidents must be quick to seek legal representation for assistance with injury claims so they can know that they will be taken care of and receive all appropriate treatment for their injuries. A New Orleans personal injury attorney will make a world of difference for any person who sustains serious injuries in a summertime accident.

 

Car Accidents

When we are talking about summer road trips, driving will be inherent to traveling. Being on the road thus increases the chances of injuries in car accidents.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) report that teenage crash deaths were most frequent during the summer months of June, July, and August in 2020. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from 2020 shows that June, July, and August were the three months with the highest percentages of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal crashes.

In addition to higher rates of alcohol-impaired drivers on the road in the summer, there is also just the matter of driver fatigue. Hotter conditions make people more likely to become dehydrated and thus feel the effects of trying to operate motor vehicles in hotter conditions that can lead to accidents.

 

Pool and Spa Injuries

Swimming pool accidents can include drownings and near-drownings, entrapments or entanglements, diving board or slide injuries, slip and fall accidents, and malfunctioning electrical systems. Owners of public or private swimming pools can both be liable for negligence when they fail to maintain safe swimming pools.

Injury victims in these cases often have premises liability claims against pool or spa owners, but you need to be aware that both pool or spa owners and their insurance companies are very likely to deny liability for any accident and will instead claim you were somehow responsible for your accident. For this reason, it is critical for any swimming pool or spa accident victim to quickly seek legal representation for assistance fighting to recover adequate damages.

 

Bicycle and Motorcycle Accidents

The summer months are incredibly popular times of year for more people to ride bikes, some with motors and some without. Either two-wheeled ride can be incredibly dangerous because all bikes will still have to deal with motor vehicle traffic at some point.

Many drivers are simply not paying attention to take appropriate notice of bikes, so there is always an increased risk of accidents for people on motorcycles and traditional bicycles. Worse yet, individuals riding bikes often have much less protection in accident scenarios, meaning they are much more likely to suffer potentially catastrophic injuries.

 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your loved one suffers injuries in any kind of summertime accident in New Orleans, be quick to hire a lawyer for assistance in holding the negligent party accountable. Egenberg Trial Lawyers know how common these kinds of accidents can be and fights to make sure that victims are able to recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.

Our firm will be able to conduct our own independent investigation into your accident to help prove liability and take the appropriate steps to recove3r adequate damages that actually cover all of the costs you incur because of your accident. You can call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation so we can sit down with you and learn everything about your case before working to make sure that you are taken care of.

When Can Victims Recover Compensation for Swimming Pool Injuries?

Posted on by bradeg

While most people associate swimming pools with fun in the sun, it is important to know that swimming pools are commonly one of the most recurring elements of lawsuits based on what is known as the attractive nuisance doctrine. An attractive nuisance is typically some kind of dangerous condition on a person’s property that could particularly attract small children onto the land and pose a risk to their safety.

Children are not the only people who can be harmed in swimming pools. In fact,  adults regularly suffer serious injuries in swimming pool accidents. Many victims are dismayed to be injured and confused about what rights they have to recover compensation in these cases. In the event that you have been injured in a swimming pool accident, you should call a New Orleans personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.

 

Common Swimming Pool Injuries

Swimming pools can involve a wide range of possible injuries, some of which are minor to ones that can be completely life-changing or even fatal. Some of the most common kinds of swimming pool injuries generally include:

  • Slip and fall injuries
  • Broken bones 
  • Lacerations
  • Diving board injuries
  • Infections
  • Electrocution
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Drownings

A swimming pool injury generally results in some kind of premises liability action in which a victim seeks compensation from a property owner for not warning them about potential dangers or failing to safely take care of their pools. You need to keep in mind that a premises liability claim can involve three different kinds of property entrants:

  • Invitees are people who were expressly invited onto property and are owed the highest duty of care.
  • Licensees are also invited onto property, but not for the benefit of the property owner. A property owner still needs to notify a licensee about known hazards, but there is no specific duty to inspect the premises before allowing a licensee to enter.
  • Trespassers have no right to be on property and are owed no duty of care, although a property owner cannot deliberately attempt to injure the trespasser.

 

Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents

One major consideration in any swimming pool lawsuit will concern whether a pool where the accident took place was private or public. A private pool is owned by an individual, while a public pool is typically owned by a local government.

Some of the most common causes of swimming pool accidents include:

  • Failure to maintain pools
  • Drain entrapment
  • Defective or missing pool equipment
  • Lack of safety equipment
  • Damaged diving boards or ladders
  • Faulty gates or fences
  • Inadequate pool depth markers
  • Improperly trained staff
  • Lack of supervision
  • Overcrowding
  • Poor lighting

Victims of swimming pool accidents can be entitled to many different kinds of compensation for their injuries. Premises liability cases can be incredibly complex and stressful, so anybody who was harmed in a swimming pool should retain legal counsel.

 

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

Egenberg Trial Lawyers is an experienced team of trial attorneys who have a record of success in all kinds of personal injury actions. We can discuss your swimming pool injury case with you and outline what might be possible when you call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to schedule a completely free initial consultation.

May is National Water Safety Month

Posted on by bradeg

National Water Safety Month is an annual awareness campaign coordinated by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance that enjoys support from the American Red Cross, National Recreation and Park Association, and World Waterpark Association. While May is almost over, the official National Water Safety Month website notes that safety is not seasonal.

An incredible number of accidents occur on the water every year in Louisiana, Texas, and all over the Gulf Coast. It is said that children are frequently among the victims, but adults too can become hurt in a wide variety of accidents on the water.

Types of Water Accidents

Some of the most common kinds of accidents that happen on the water include, but are not limited to:

  • Pool Accidents
  • Boat Accidents
  • Water Skiing Accidents
  • Open Water Accidents
  • Water Park Accidents
  • Splash Pad Accidents
  • Diving Board Accidents
  • Water Slide Accidents

Injuries in these cases can range from slip and fall injuries to broken bones to lacerations to spinal cord injuries. Severe cases such as drownings may result in death.

In many cases, victims may be entitled to seek damages from negligent parties responsible for supervising water activities. In cases involving swimming pools, a property owner can be liable for an accident in a private pool, while a governmental agency may be responsible for a public pool accident.

Water Safety Tips

Many families can enjoy some time together on the water. All of them should make an effort to keep the following tips in mind when they do hit the water:

  • Do Not Swim Alone — People should never swim by themselves unless there is a lifeguard on duty. With children especially, encourage the use of the buddy system to make sure kids are always swimming with friends who will help them look out for one another.
  • Teach Children to Be Aware of Their Surroundings — It is important to educate kids on proper safety, especially around boats or other large water equipment. Moreover, stressing the importance of awareness to children can help reduce the risks of possible slip and fall injuries.
  • Always Supervise Children — Never let children swim alone without an adult keeping an eye on them. In addition, parents need to pay attention when supervising and should avoid being distracted by cell phones and other 
  • Make Sure Gates are Sturdy — Fencing around pools needs to be reliable in order to be safe. Make sure there are no defects with your own gate.
  • Wear Life Jackets — It is especially important for children to wear a Coast Guard-certified life jacket in the water.
  • Stay Clear From Pool Drains — Pool drains can be interesting to small children, so it is a good idea to tell kids exactly what they are and why they need to stay away. Pool drains regularly account for a number of serious accidents that can include fatal drownings.
  • Avoid Alcohol — While many people view time on the water as being ideal for drinking, you need to know that alcohol consumption clearly impairs a person’s judgment, coordination, and balance. Being drunk will not be beneficial in an emergency situation.
  • Learn CPR — Get CPR certification through the American Red Cross, a local hospital, or some other community organization. CPR can be a huge difference in an emergency situation when every second matters, and a person’s actions on the scene could mean the difference between life and death.

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

Egenberg Trial Lawyers certainly hopes everybody has fun on the water this summer, but we also know that there will be people who are harmed in accidents caused by another party’s negligence. You can have our attorneys help you when you call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

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