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[ No Comments ] Posted on 05.18.10 under CAR ACCIDENTS, CHILDREN, Power of Attorney, SAFETY, Uncategorized, WILLS AND ESTATES
Every parent has had at least one person say “they grow up before you know it”. This is true in many ways. Very few people would say an 18 year old is an adult. However, for purposes of Florida law they are an adult. More importantly, the parent no longer has the right to any information about the child– even if they still live at home. If your child is hurt in an accident, the parent has no right to information and no right to participate in any decision regarding the child.
The only way a parent can assist the child is if the child has executed powers of attorney. No one wants to think of their child being hurt or incapacitated, but preparation is the best you can do for your child. Every person over age 18, regardless of financial circumstances, needs a durable power of attorney and medical power of attorney. With Summer at the doorstep and kids heading off to school and jobs (often out of state), the time to act is now.
Tracy Troutman Cheek at Billings, Morgan & Boatwright offers a special Power of Attorney package for young adults that costs only $100. Call Tracy at 407-679-9900 for an appointment.
[ No Comments ] Posted on 03.15.10 under CAR ACCIDENTS, CATASTROPHIC INJURIES, CHILDREN, SAFETY
BACKOVER ACCIDENTS
Vehicle backover injuries and deaths occur when someone is positioned behind a vehicle as the driver is backing out of a driveway or other parking spot. Most victims of backovers are the elderly and children and the driver is often a neighbor or relative.
Keeping your children out of harm’s way requires ongoing education and supervision. However, safety experts advise employing the following strategies to help reduce the risk of a backover tragedy:
* Ensure your children are properly supervised at all times, especially wherever motor vehicles might be present.
* Teach children NEVER to play in, under, or around vehicles.
* Always assume children are present and carefully check the area around your vehicle before backing out.
* To prevent curious children from ever putting a vehicle in gear, never leave vehicles running and keep all vehicles locked.
* When backing up, always know where all children are and have them stay in your full view and away from your vehicle.
* Look behind you as you back out S-L-O-W-L-Y with your windows rolled down to listen for children who may have dashed behind your vehicle.
Finally, if you drive a truck or SUV, remember that the blind spot behind your vehicle can be especially large and requires greater care whenever you back up.
[ No Comments ] Posted on 08.26.09 under CAR ACCIDENTS, CATASTROPHIC INJURIES, SAFETY
Most of the population realizes the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving, but recent statistics show cellphones may be even more dangerous. These devices are believed to be the cause of more than a thousand fatalities and crashes every year.
Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that cell phone use by drivers caused approximately 955 fatalities and 240,000 accidents in 2002. More frightening is the fact that hands-free devices do not decrease the risk of accident. Research shows that motorists talking on a cell phone are four times more likely to crash than other drivers, and are as likely to cause an accident as someone with a .08 blood alcohol level.
The NHTSA recommends that drivers never use wireless communication devices—whether or not they are hands-free—except in an emergency.
[ No Comments ] Posted on 06.02.09 under CAR ACCIDENTS, CATASTROPHIC INJURIES, SAFETY
Is your child safe in the car?
Every parent wants to protect their child. The car is an especially vulnerable location and the information on child car seats is confusing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided an easy to follow chart to determine the right seat for every child. This chart is found under Consumer Information and Services at the following link:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9f8c7d6359e0e9bbbf30811060008a0c/