Lake Charles Personal Injury Law Blog

Working on a boat or ship is a dangerous occupation, but if you are like many maritime workers, you probably could not imagine working anywhere else. The reality is that for many workers on Louisiana boats, accidents and dangerous situations can be avoided by following proper safety protocols and planning carefully for the unpredictability of the waterways. A good start to preparing properly is understanding what the greatest risks are when you work on a boat.

According to Marine Insight, a common onboard accident scenario is a worker getting stuck in a space with a flammable or toxic gas. Following proper safety procedures for entering confined spaces can help to eliminate these risks. 

One type of car accident injury that often does not get much attention in the Lake Charles area involves airbags. These devices are a standard safety feature in vehicles. They are designed to provide cushioning to help protect victims from the impact of collisions and minimize the likelihood of life-threatening injuries and death. According to Popular Science, airbags have helped save more than 37,000 lives in motor vehicle collisions that occurred from 1975 to 2012. Unfortunately, the same safety feature that is meant to save lives is often a source of injury for some motor vehicle accident victims. 

Motorists should understand that airbag injuries are possible in car accidents, especially if the devices malfunction or are defective. When issues occur that interfere with the proper deployment of an airbag, victims are likely to sustain the following injuries. 

• Abrasions
• Bruises and burns
• Broken bones and fractures
• Concussions
• Internal hemorrhaging
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Vision and hearing issues 

Have you ever wondered why you see and hear about so many car accidents in the Lake Charles area that happen in the morning during your commute? One reason involves third shift workers. People who work the late evening and midnight shifts often leave their jobs feeling drowsy. According to Medical Daily, nightshift workers tend to suffer from sleep impairment and are more likely to crash their vehicles than day shift workers. 

Numerous studies show how dangerous drowsy driving can be. The drowsier the driver, the greater the risk of collision. Sleepy motorists are not fully alert to their surroundings. They cannot avoid potential hazards if they are not aware enough to take measures to avoid them. Sleep impairment also makes it harder for them to make the right decisions when driving. Their driving skills mimic the abilities of intoxicated motorists and the results are often just as deadly. Forbes states that drowsy driving caused more than 5,000 motor vehicle fatalities in 2015. 

When car accidents happen in the Lake Charles area, it is not because they are planned. They usually happen unexpectedly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “more than 1,000 people end up with mild to serious injuries in accidents caused by distracted motorists.” With the number of motorists who text-and-drive increasing, accidents are often unavoidable. You cannot predict when you might end up in a motor vehicle collision. But there are actions you can take to prepare yourself. 

Keep a car accident kit in your vehicle. Think of the essential items you might need if your car becomes disabled and you become stranded. Your emergency car accident kit should include batteries, flashlights, blankets, hats, scarves, bottles of water, flares, protein bars or snacks, a spare cellphone and charger and first-aid kit.