New Orleans Personal Injury Law Blog

If you are a parent in Louisiana, you are probably aware of how distracting it can be to drive with your kids in the car. Whether you have a young infant or unruly teenagers, you are at a higher risk of getting into an accident than drivers who are not driving with young ones. The next time you get in the car, there are certain things you can do to improve safety of you and others on the road.

According to Parents, moms and dads make a lot of mistakes when driving, and this can lead to risky behavior. Many are short on sleep, and this fatigue can cause slowed reaction times and even brief periods of sleep while behind the wheel. As a parent, you deal with more distractions than other drivers do. Whether the baby is crying, someone dropped a toy on the floor or a child asks for a snack, taking the eyes off the road for even a little bit can be disastrous.

You expect rideshare companies to take all the proper precautions when hiring drivers. While it's true background checks are performed on drivers, many complain that these don't go far enough to establish a person's full history or fitness. CNN explains how popular rideshare services like Uber and Lyft conduct their background checks. 

Both companies use third-party services to conduct background checks on prospective drivers. While the exact processes can vary, in most cases checks use a person's social security number and public record searches to determine if there are any significant issues. For instance, Uber won't hire drivers with DUIs or serious moving violations within the last seven years. Felonies involving violent or sexual offenses also prevent drivers from being hired by the company. 

When it comes to car accidents, the emotional aspects of a crash should not be overlooked. People often focus on the physical injuries that people sustain in these wrecks, or the financial consequences they face following a collision. However, the emotional toll can be devastating, and strong emotions can even cause motor vehicle crashes in the first place. In this post, we will look into some issues related to panic attacks and traffic accidents.

Following a devastating crash, such as one which has left a victim with a serious injury, those involved may start to suffer from panic attacks. This intense anxiety can strike at various times, whether one is working or on the road, and can be very disruptive. Sometimes, these attacks are so serious that people are not able to resume driving following a crash that has left them mentally scarred.

There is a myriad of factors to consider when it comes to motor vehicle collisions and new parents. For example, some people may be more likely to find themselves in a crash after the recent birth of their child, whether they are tired and stressed out or divert their attention to monitor their infant while driving. Parents also need to familiarize themselves with safety guidelines when it comes to car seat use and driving with an infant. On the other hand, parents may also be struck by a reckless driver, which can be especially devastating when a very young child is in the vehicle.

Before taking to the road, parents should always ensure that their infant is placed in his or her car seat properly, and that the car seat is secured in the vehicle correctly. Sadly, some parents do not use car seats appropriately, and this can lead to serious injuries or the loss of their child’s life when a motor vehicle collision takes place. For some parents, especially those who are overwhelmed with work and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time to review these matters carefully. However, it is imperative for parents to do all they can to protect their children while driving.