The Centers for Disease Control has just released a study showing the costs of deaths from motor vehicle crashes. In one year alone, deaths from motor vehicle crashes resulted in approximately $41 billion in medical costs and costs from loss of work. Texas was number two in the nation among states with the highest medical and work loss costs, only second behind California. Motor vehicle crash related deaths cost Texas $3.5 billion per year.

The CDC has recommended that states implement some strategies in order to save both lives and money. First, the CDC recommends that states adopt primary seat belt laws. Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement to pull over motorists and issue tickets only for failing to wear seat belts. In some states, police officers are allowed to issue citations for failing to wear a seat belt, but only if the vehicle is pulled over for another reason. According to the CDC, wearing seat belts reduces the risk of death to those riding in the front seat by about half.

The CDC also recommends that states adopt tough child passenger safety laws. Such laws require children to be placed in appropriate safety and booster seats according to their age and size. Using the appropriate safety seats, and making sure they are properly installed, can greatly reduce injuries and deaths to children who are involved in motor vehicle crashes.

The third strategy the CDC recommends that states adopt is a comprehensive graduated driver licensing system. Graduated driver licensing systems are aimed at reducing teen crashes by gradually increasing driving privileges in stages gradually over time. Graduated driver licensing systems have been associated with up to a 40 percent decrease in crashes among 16 year old drivers.

Finally, the CDC recommends that states adopt universal motorcycle helmet laws. Such laws require motorcycle riders of all ages to wear helmets. The use of a helmet can reduce the risk of death in a motorcycle crash by over one-third and can reduce the risk of head injury by almost 70 percent.

Deaths from motor vehicle crashes take not only a huge emotional toll on the loved ones of the victims, but also a huge financial toll on the state. Have you been injured in a motor vehicle crash? If so, call Kris Barber at the Barber Law Firm today at 972-231-5800 to learn more.

At any given time, approximately 6.5 million people are working at over 200,000 construction sites across the United States, according to the Occupational & Safety Health Administration (OSHA). Tragically, the fatality rate for the construction industry is higher than for any other industry in the nation.

OSHA offers tips for construction workers on staying safe while on the job site. First, always be careful when using scaffolding on a construction site. Over 4,000 workers are injured and 50 are killed each year from scaffolding accidents. Make sure the scaffolding is set on sound footing and is maintained. The scaffolding should not be altered in any way. It should not be used in bad weather or if covered with snow, ice, or any other slippery material. Scaffolds should only hold the weight they were designed for.

Always wear the right personal protective equipment for the job, which can include protection for the face, eyes, hands, feet and head. Before using, make sure the equipment is maintained and that it fits properly.

Electrical accidents are also a frequent source of injuries for construction workers. Do not put ladders or other equipment or materials within ten feet of power lines. Maintain all electrical tools and equipment in safe condition. Make sure that damaged electrical cords are replaced quickly.

Have you been injured in a Texas construction accident? If so, contact Dallas construction accident attorney Kris Barber at the Barber Law Firm. Call him today at 972-231-5800 to find out more about construction accident cases.

The Texas Department of Transportation is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving called Talk. Text. Crash. The campaign is intended to encourage Texans to put down their cell phones while they are driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities from distracted driving are on the rise. The proportion of fatalities reported with driver distraction increased from 10 percent in 2005 to 16 percent in 2009. A big portion of the increase can be blamed on cell phones and the increased popularity of texting or emailing while driving.

In Texas, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, about 25 percent of crashes involve driver distraction. In 2009, over 100,000 vehicles were involved in accidents in Texas involving driver distraction, and 408 of those crashes were fatal.

Although cell phone usage, including talking and texting, is one of the most common causes of distracted driving, there are many other driver distractions that can cause a driver to wreck. Some of the more common causes of distracted driving are eating, smoking, talking to others in the car, or using a GPS device or a radio. In 2009, 3,308 crashes in Texas were attributed to cell phone usage. In 41 of those accidents, at least one person was killed.

Have you been injured in a Texas accident that was caused by a distracted driver? If so, you may be able to recover damages for your injuries from that other driver. Contact automobile accident attorney Kris Barber at the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800 to learn more.