Could Drone Technology Keep You Safe in an Emergency?

New drone installations are being introduced in the emergency response field. Imagine that you are in a terrible auto accident on the way up a mountain to go swimming in a lake during the summer. Your car is hit on the left side by an errant driver, pushing you off the road, and your vehicle then careens down a rocky cliff to your right. You regain consciousness and realize your leg is trapped under the vehicle, and rocks surround you. You know that an outsider would have a tough time reaching your car, since boulders shroud the accident site; however, there is an opening overhead. This is where emergency response can fly a drone in the opening; the drone can then assess the damage after you verbally state your location and injuries. This could save the emergency response team countless hours and resources spent locating the crash site and preparing for the injuries you have. This is an extreme case, but advances in technology are helping to keep you safe in emergencies. Keep reading for tips on what to do if you are trapped in an auto accident and what to do after you are safe.

How to React if You Are Trapped After An Auto Accident

• Try to remain calm: This will be very difficult, but in this situation, panicking will drain you of the limited energy you have left. The more energy you conserve, the longer you will be able to fight to stay alive.

• Call out for witnesses: Even if you are in a very remote area, there could be more people listening than you think. Try yelling for help periodically until you get a response. If people saw your accident, they are most likely already calling 911, which is cause for optimism. Utilize your OnStar emergency assistance and hands-free calling technology if possible.

• Have a first-aid kit: Having one in your car could be the difference between life and death in a devastating car accident like the one we described above. Have a box with a flashlight, a blanket, a first-aid kit, and water.

Take Action to Get the Compensation You Deserve

New advances in technology are making it easier to save lives. Despite this progress, people are seriously injured in auto accidents every day that may not be their fault. Suppose you have been in a serious accident and were not the driver at fault. In that case, the car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help you recover the compensation you deserve for injuries sustained in an auto accident.

Are Chemical Companies Poisoning Our Environment?

A few years ago, Denmark faced the difficult task of replacing popcorn bags that use grease resistant fluorinated chemicals called PFOA’s. These chemicals have been found to accumulate in human organs if ingested. Chemical manufacturing companies can be at fault, such as Dupont in West Virginia, where over 3,000 people filed personal injury lawsuits after local water sources were tainted with PFOA’s from a chemical spill. Dupont had to pay over $670 million for damages while producing Teflon, the substance used to coat pots and pans. These chemicals have been linked to multiple cancers, thyroid disease, and high cholesterol after ingesting. Facing backlash, companies have started using alternatives that are often derivatives of the same chemicals. These can still be dangerous for human health. Keep reading below for how to keep yourself safe from contaminants in your area.

How To Protect Yourself From Local Chemical Manufacturers

• Know your environment: Knowing major chemical manufacturing companies, the products they produce, and keeping up with local product safety and environmental news can help you know if something hazardous is in your area.
• Chemical manufacturers misstate facts: Representatives for chemical companies have stated that the alternative “shorter bonded” versions of the PFOA’s are not harmful, and use them instead. However, studies exist on these newer versions of the chemicals that say otherwise. They cannot break down in nature, so they are found pretty much everywhere that is exposed to them.

If you live near a plant that produces products such as fast-food wrappers, Teflon, or other known dangerous substances, monitor your health. If you think your health may have been damaged by a local manufacturer, let us know your story.

5 Must-Have Activities on Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Multiple aspects of your home should be checked each year during spring cleaning. For example, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors should be inspected and, when necessary, replaced. Failing to inspect or replace these items can be a disaster waiting to happen, so it is vital to include this activity on your spring cleaning checklist. It is also essential to check for product recalls on some of these items. The following tips can help you determine what to look for and when to replace everyday household items.

1. Check your smoke detectors: The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing them once per month and replacing the batteries twice per year. There are different types of smoke detectors, so always check your manufacturer’s instructions before making any repairs.

2. Inspect carbon monoxide detectors: If your home has fuel-burning appliances, it should be equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas that can kill you within minutes. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of fuel-burning appliances to reduce the chances of false alarms. You should ensure these alarms are clear of dust and debris. Replace batteries or ensure the detectors are plugged into wall sockets.

3. Inspect fire extinguishers: Depending on your home's size, you may need more than one. However, fire extinguishers can expire or deteriorate due to wear and tear. They must be checked regularly to ensure they have not expired. Inspect the pressure gauges and look for rips and tears in the hose and nozzle. The needle on the pressure gauge should be in the green area.

4. Replace first-aid kit items: Every home needs one. Unfortunately, items in this kit can expire and must be replaced periodically. You should also check for any missing items in the first aid kit. Any excess or expired medications should be tossed.

5. Replace dirty air filters: Check and replace them during your spring cleaning. Dirty air filters can become clogged with allergens and other particles that may be harmful to your health. It can also lower the spike in blood pressure you may experience after seeing your first electricity bill during the summer months.

Should You Check These Household Items for Product Recalls?

Always check for recalls on these products. For example, manufacturing defects can render smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors useless. Last year, Kidde recalled its combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms due to a defect that prevented the devices from working. Check the manufacturer name and model, then enter them on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website.

The Top 5 Most Costly Auto Insurance Policy Mistakes

It is easy to make mistakes while setting up your auto insurance policy. Insurance agents may try to steer you away from plans that provide the best coverage to lower your premium and win your business from competitors. Contracts also contain language and terms that you may find confusing. As a result, you may be unaware of exactly how you will be covered in the event you need to use your insurance after an accident. The following five examples are common policy mistakes.

1. Not including PIP: Although personal injury protection (PIP) is mandatory in Texas, you can sign a waiver to opt out. An insurance agent may entice you with lower monthly payments at the expense of signing away PIP coverage. PIP covers lost income, funeral expenses, and medical expenses after an accident.

2. Neglecting UM/UIM coverage: Always ensure you have UM/UIM coverage. It covers physical or property damage in the event an uninsured or underinsured motorist hits you. This coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, disfigurement, partial or permanent disability. If you lack UM/UIM coverage, you can only receive the maximum amount covered by the at-fault driver’s policy (if they have one).

3. Not knowing who is covered: Make sure you know in advance who is covered under your policy. If you allow other family members to use your vehicle, make sure they are listed as permissive drivers on your policy. This way, if they are involved in an auto accident, they are covered.

4. Buying the minimum required amount: Your auto insurance policy is the one thing you do not want to be frugal with, as it can come back to haunt you later. Texas law requires a minimum liability limit of $30,000. As personal injury attorneys, we can tell you from experience that this is nowhere near enough to pay for the medical bills and lost income associated with a catastrophic injury.

5. Not researching your policy: While you can review it beforehand, it may help to have an expert walk you through the details. Insurance contracts use confusing language on purpose. Know what you are getting into before signing your policy contract.

Mike Love & Associates, LLC, Can Review Your Auto Insurance Policy

Insurance agents do not have your best interests in mind. They are in the business of making money for their company, not ensuring you have what you need after an accident. Mike Love & Associates, LLC will review your policy at no cost. We can help you determine whether you have adequate coverage. It is better to know how you are covered before you need to use insurance.

Lawn Mower Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

Last week, our blog discussed how cleaning products can be misused with tragic results. There are additional spring cleaning tips that are necessary for staying safe. Lawn mowers can cause catastrophic injuries or death, sometimes without any warning. According to statistics collected by the Academy of Pediatrics, lawn mowers injure 68,000 people every year. More than 9,400 of those injuries involve children. Common lawn mower injuries to children include lacerations, amputations and fractures.It is a matter of vital importance to keep your children inside while mowing the lawn, and to ensure children they are old enough to use this equipment.

Why Should You Keep Children Inside While Mowing the Lawn?

There are several ways children can be injured while parents are mowing the lawn. For example, parents may fail to see their children are in the path of the mower. Last year, a Houston man accidently backed over his 4-year-old son’s foot while mowing the lawn. The boy was treated at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital for a lacerated foot. According to the father, he was unaware his son was in the path of the lawn mower.Children can also run behind or in front of lawn mowers while they are in use. In addition, lawn mower blades can strike rocks or other objects, turning them into high-speed projectiles.

What Other Tips Can Protect Your Children from Lawn Mower Injuries?

Keeping your children inside while you are mowing the lawn is the best surefire way to prevent injuries. However, experts with organizations like the Academy of Pediatrics have other tips that may help keep your children safe.The Academy of Pediatrics has the following suggestions:

• Children under 12 years old should never use push or “walk-behind” mowers
• Children under 16 years old should not use riding lawn mowers
• Parents should never allow their children to be passengers on riding lawn mowers

It is also important to carefully check your surroundings when mowing the lawn. You will not be able to hear children approaching from the side or behind while mowing. If you are going to put the mower in reverse, look behind you beforehand.You should also stay informed of possible recalls. Some lawn and brush mowers may have defects. For example, the Pro-XL-44 field and brush mower has a fuel tank malfunction that may release gasoline liquid or vapors this is a fire hazard.You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for more information on lawn or brush mower recalls. If you or a family member were injured by a defective lawn care product, you may have legal options to pursue damages against the manufacturer or retailer. The Texas product liability attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help you weigh possible options.