A horrifying Nascar crash earlier this month made headlines when at least 30 fans were injured at a race in Daytona, Florida. The accident occurred when a racecar going almost 200 miles an hour suddenly drove into the spectator area. The victims were hit with large chunks of debris when the car hit the fencing protecting the grandstands.

There is a long history of racing fans being injured at car races. The worst tragedy at a racing accident occurred in 1955 when 83 spectators and one driver were killed, and 120 were injured after two cars collided near the main stands for fans. Although that accident is very unusual, fans do get injured and killed in accidents in the U.S. occasionally. Between 1990 and 2010, 46 spectators were killed in U.S. racing accidents. Most of those were killed at small off-road courses or small tracks. However, of those spectators killed, six were killed while attending races at large tracks. Among those victims, three were killed in 1999 at a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway when a wreck caused a tire to fly into the grandstand. That accident caused track officials to raise the level of the catch fence from 15 feet to 21 feet.

Despite safety efforts from racing officials, spectators are still injured at racing events, as illustrated by the accident earlier this month. If you plan on attending a racing event, be aware that although the odds of you being injured at a professional race are very slim, accidents do happen. Although most injuries occur to people who are sitting near the safety fences, the accident that happened earlier this month injured two spectators who were sitting in the top section of the grandstand.

If you are planning on attending a race, the most important thing you can do to ensure your safety is to stay alert. Although there may not be time for you to avoid being hurt by flying debris, it is possible an alert spectator could duck or move to safety in time. If you’ve been injured at a Nascar race or another professional racing event, you may have a legal right to compensation from the race track, the racing organizer, or another party. If you’re in Dallas, call the Dallas personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529.

Recently, an investigation was conducted by a Dallas television station into the way in which school buses in Dallas are maintained and driven. The investigation found that although the officials say that safety is their top priority, many buses are badly in need of maintenance.

As part of the investigation, reporters talked to many bus drivers and also officials in the school system. The bus drivers had a myriad of complaints, including defective brakes, defective parking brakes, bad tires, repeated breakdowns that took hours to fix, non-working headlights, and horns that didn’t honk. Although the bus drivers had many complaints and personal examples of problems, officials from Dallas County Schools say that overall the buses are safe.

Dallas County Schools have 1,690 buses and 62 mechanics to fix them, or one mechanic for every 25 buses, which is about the national average. If needed, supervisors can be called into work as mechanics. DCS says that they have implemented a program that will monitor repairs as they happen. They also claim that their accident rate is better than some other school systems, and worse than others.

When you send your children off on the school bus, you are doing so with the belief that the school buses are safe and properly maintained, or you would transport them yourself if possible. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. School bus accidents happen in Dallas, and the injuries suffered in such an accident can range from mild to fatal. If you have been the unfortunate victim of a school bus accident in the Dallas area, contact the Dallas school bus accident attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529. We will help you seek compensation from the responsible party. Call us today.

The federal government issued a warning last week about the dangers of counterfeit airbags, which are becoming an increasing problem in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of motorists could be at risk.

Although it may be difficult to tell who has a counterfeit airbag and who does not, those most at risk are motorists who have had their airbags replaced in the last three years by a repair shop other than a new car dealership. Consumers who fear they may be at risk can visit www.safercar.gov to learn more on how to contact auto manufacturers to tell if their vehicle is among those for which counterfeit airbags are known to have been made.

Last month, the government tested 11 counterfeit airbags, and 10 of them failed to inflate properly. In one of the tests, the bag shot flames and metal shrapnel out. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been tied to the counterfeit bags, although it would be difficult to identify a counterfeit bag from a real one.

Unfortunately, fees for checking out airbags are between $100 and $200, and the cost of replacing a driver’s side airbag is usually between $750 and $1,000, which will have to be paid by the vehicle’s owner. The reason the owner must pay is that the counterfeiting problem is not the fault of the manufacturer or in most cases the repair shop. The counterfeit airbags came from China and look as if they are the real thing. The problem came to light in August after nearly 1,600 counterfeit airbags were seized from an automobile mechanic in North Carolina.

If you have had your airbags replaced in the last three years, get your vehicle examined as soon as possible. If you have been in an accident and believe a counterfeit airbag was involved, call the Dallas personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529. We will help to determine who the responsible party for the accident is and to hold them responsible. Call today.

Earlier this month, another accident victim attempted to call 911 in Dallas, only to find the system unavailable. This accident is the latest in a string of failures by Dallas 911 to handle all of their incoming phone calls.

The accident occurred when a tire blew out and the driver pulled to the side of the road. As he was pulling over, a vehicle hit his car from behind. The passenger was injured in the accident and the driver attempted to call 911 four times but never got through. The driver exited the vehicle and tried to get help, and he was then struck by a car. The driver blames the 911 service, claiming that if help was on the way, he wouldn’t have had to get out of the car.

This latest accident comes after a few highly-publicized problems with 911. In July, a house in Dallas burned to the ground while an emergency call wasn’t answered. In August, a woman was murdered while she was on the line with a 911 operator for 11 minutes reporting an attack. Earlier this month, aDallaswoman was on the phone with 911 for two and a half minutes while her call was being transferred to another jurisdiction.Dallas officials claim that there is currently new leadership in the 911 center. The city is in the process of spending $2 million to hire more employees and upgrade the 911 equipment.

We all rely on the 911 system to respond quickly in the event of an accident or a criminal attack. If it doesn’t, tragedy can result. If you have been involved in an accident, call the Dallas accident attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529. We will help you pursue reasonable compensation for your injuries.

Most people have heard of post traumatic stress syndrome or post traumatic stress disorder. It is a psychological condition that occurs after an individual is exposed to an extremely high level of stress or extremely stressful conditions. When most people think of post traumatic stress syndrome, they think of a war veteran returning to theU.S.or a crime victim who is having trouble getting over the attack. However, any stressful life experience can trigger post traumatic stress disorder.

It’s natural to be traumatized following a major traumatic event. After a life threatening accident or a violent attack, it is normal to be scared, think about the event constantly, or to feel numb. However, most individuals gradually recover and their symptoms improve. If you don’t start to feel better, but instead feel worse, you may be experiencing PTSD.

Some symptoms of PTSD include the need to avoid any reminders of the traumatic event, increased anxiety and frequently re-experiencing the event. These symptoms could come about out of the blue, or may be triggered by an event. Some people experience sleep problems, anger, jumpiness, flashbacks, a loss of interest in life, emotional detachment, and more. Other victims of PTSD may have suicidal thoughts, depression, guilt, or substance abuse.

There are treatments for PTSD, which generally include several types of individual and family therapy and medication. Victims may want to seek a counselor who is experienced at dealing with victims of PTSD. Support groups can also be very valuable. It’s also important to avoid alcohol and drugs during this difficult time.

PTSD can often result from traumatic accidents such as car accidents that are particularly bad. PTSD can affect not only the person involved in the accident, but also family members who were involved, and police officers and emergency officers who helped with the accident.

If you have been a victim of an automobile collision or another traumatic incident, and you feel you may be experiencing PTSD, seek help. Resources are available. You may also be entitled to compensation for not only your accident, but also the after-effects, such as PTSD. If you are inDallas, call the personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529. They will help you get the maximum compensation you deserve for your accident.

It may be too early to tell yet what the aftermath of the tragic shooting last week in Aurora, Coloradowill be. Most likely, it will lead many people to consider purchasing guns for personal protection. Guns can be very effective for self-defense. Many people who may otherwise consider guns for self-defense are afraid to for fear of having an accident with the gun. However, guns can be very safe if gun owners follow basic safety tips.

First, before you decide to purchase a gun or shoot, know how to safely use guns. Learn how a gun operates and how to handle it. This may mean taking a gun safety class offered at a local gun store. Before shooting, wear the correct ear and eye protection. Only buy the proper ammunition for your gun – if you aren’t sure, ask an expert at a gun store.

When you have your gun out, never point the gun in the direction of a person. Always keep it pointed somewhere safe. Also, don’t ever keep your gun loaded until it’s ready to use. If you pick up a gun and think it’s not loaded, double check. Look in the chamber and open the action. Finally, always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

When you are ready to shoot your gun, be very aware of where you are shooting. Know what’s beyond your target. Absolutely do not shoot in an area in which people could be hit. Don’t consume any alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs before shooting. Make sure your gun is ready to operate safely before you shoot. If you think there’s a mechanical problem, consult an expert.

Finally, make sure you store your gun properly. After using your gun, clean it properly to prevent accumulated moisture, dirt or oil from building up on your gun. Store guns so that people who shouldn’t get them, can’t, including children. You will have to take your personal situation into account when deciding how to store your guns.

Unfortunately, not everyone follows proper gun safety procedures, which leads to accidents, some of them serious or fatal. If you or a loved one has been injured in a gun accident, contact theDallaspersonal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or RSD, is a type of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). RSD and CRPS are types of nerve disorders that can be caused by injuries to the tissue and/or the nerves. RSD and CRPS can be caused by trauma to the extremities, such as trauma sustained in an automobile collision. Some examples of the trauma that cause RSD and CRPS are brain injuries, damage to nerves or blood vessels, surgery, sprains and broken bones.

RSD and CRPS result in changes in bone and skin, severe burning pain, the swelling of tissues, sensitivity to touch, and excessive sweating. Specifically, the primary symptom of RSD/CRPS is a continuous and intense pain that is much worse than it should be considering the severity of the injury, if an injury was involved, and which worsens over time. RSD/CRPS most often occur in the legs, arms, feet or hands and also involve changes in skin temperature, changes in skin color, changes in skin texture, burning pain, very sensitive skin, changes in nail and hair growth, swelling and stiffness, and motor disability.

There is no cure for RSD/CRPS, but there are several treatments. The primary treatment is physical therapy. Other treatments include surgery, medications, a nerve block, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit (TENS unit). It’s vitally important that treatment begin within three months after symptoms begin. Individuals with RSD/CRPS often deal with depression, so it’s important to also obtain counseling or visiting a support group for individuals dealing with chronic pain.

In many cases, RDS/CRPS is the result of a physical trauma, which can commonly be an automobile accident or a work-related accident. If so, and if the accident was the fault of another party, such as another driver or an employer, monetary help may be available. If you are inDallas, call theDallas personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529. They will help you obtain compensation to help with your chronic pain. Call today.

The Barber Law Firm just launched their new website, which is located at www.barberlawfirm.com. The site is easy to navigate and offers consumers who need to choose a personal injury law firm a lot of information about the Barber Law Firm.

One exciting new feature of the website is the Testimonials section. There, previous clients of the firm offer their experiences in working with us in both writing and in video. The new website also prominently features awards we’ve been given from various organizations. Sometimes, it can help to hear from a person who’s worked with us, or an organization in the legal field, in order to make a decision about whether or not to choose us to handle your case.

We have also added a lot of videos to our site, in which we explain answers to a lot of frequently asked questions, such as “What’s a Fair Settlement” and “What to Do When You’ve Been Injured on the Job.” These videos can help explain answers to common questions that clients may be curious about but don’t want to take the time to call a law firm and ask.

The new site also gives a lot more ways to connect with us. First, there’s a page in Spanish to reach out to potential Spanish-speaking clients. The website provides a handy link both to a form to email us, as well as a link to write an email from your own account. Phone numbers and contact information for all of our offices are easily accessible.

We hope you like the new site. Feel free to provide us with feedback on it. If you are looking for a personal injury law firm in the metroDallasarea, contact the Barber Law Firm. We are eager to help you get the compensation you deserve for your accident.

A motorcycle rider was tragically killed in an accident Wednesday night in Dallas. The accident occurred on Northwest   Highwayat Pickwick Lanewhen a female driving a Hyundai turned east onto Northwest   Highwayand hit a motorcycle that was driving westbound on Northwest Highway. The motorcyclist, who was about to celebrate his 24^th birthday, was speeding. He died at the scene. The driver of the Hyundai suffered only minor injuries.

Speeding on a motorcycle poses serious risks, primarily to the motorcyclist, but also to other drivers on the road. In 2010, 4,502 people were killed in theU.S.in accidents involving motorcycles. An additional 82,000 were injured. Among fatal accidents, approximately 35% of those bikers were speeding. That means almost 1,600 people in theU.S.died because they were speeding on a motorcycle. In addition, 27 percent of motorcyclists in non-fatal accidents had prior speeding convictions. Speeding is an especially big problem with motorcyclists under the age of 30.

Drinking and driving can be a contributing factor – when people drink, they can lose their inhibitions and do something they might not normally do. About 28 percent of all motorcyclists in fatal accidents have blood alcohol concentrations over the legal limit.

It’s always tragic when a young person loses his or her life because of an avoidable accident, such as this motorcycle wreck. If you or a loved one has been injured in a wreck with a motorcycle, call theDallaspersonal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800. We will advise you on the best course of action to take.

Dallas police are asking parents of teenagers to discuss the dangers of street racing, after two tragic wrecks occurred in the past two months involving teenagers racing. According to police, the racing is not occurring late at night in empty areas. Instead, racing is occurring on main roads with heavy congestion.

The most recent accident happened on January 1 on Singleton Boulevard in West Dallas. A 16 year old driver was racing and killed a 53 year old father who was making a left turn in his pickup. The other accident occurred in November, after two teenagers in BMWs were racing at speeds over 100 miles per hour. One of the drivers lost control and caused a crash that killed another 16 year old. In both of the accidents, minors are facing charges.

 Unfortunately, speeding is a big problem that often gets overlooked. According to studies, speed is a factor in almost one-third of fatal crashes. Another study found that when many states raised their speed limits on interstates in 1996, motor vehicle fatalities went up significantly in those states. Speeding not only reduces the amount of time available to avoid a crash, but it also increases the severity of a crash once it occurs. For every 10 mile per hour increase in speed, crash forces on impact double, greatly increasing the chances of fatalities. When you factor in inexperienced teen drivers, speeding can be particularly deadly.

 Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in an accident in the Dallas area involving speeding? If so, contact the Barber Law Firm. Our attorneys have significant experience in helping accident victims get the help they need. Call us today at 972-231-5800.