A study released this week by the AAA’s safety foundation shows that teens driving with their friends in the car is much riskier than driving alone or with an adult. This study is one of the first that has been done since changes were made in driving laws in many states, which began in the mid-1990s. Many states now restrict teens from driving with passengers under the age of 21 and prevent driving at night.

The study was based on teen crashes that occurred between 2007 and 2010. The study found that a 16 or 17 year old’s risk of death when carrying one passenger younger than 21, and no adults, increased 44 percent when compared with driving alone. The risk is double that when carrying two passengers under the age of 21, and quadruples when carrying three or more young passengers. However, the risk of a teen driver dying in an accident when driving with a passenger aged 35 or older decreases by 62 percent.

The good news is between 2000 and 2010, the number of 16 and 17 year olds involved in fatal crashes fell by more than half each year. Much of the credit for those declines is attributed to graduated licensing laws, more seat belt use, less drunk driving and better car safety equipment. Among those young teen drivers who were killed between 2000 and 2010, 40 percent had at least one passenger under the age of 21 and no older adult passengers.

This new study shows just how distracting young passengers can be to teen drivers. If you have a young driver in your family, consider what rules you want to put into place about driving with other young passengers or alone – that can make a huge impact on the odds of a crash occurring.

Have you been involved in an accident that was caused by a teen driver? If so, you could have a cause of action against that teen. Call the Dallas car accident attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529 to learn more.

Although it’s not something that’s talked a lot about, electricity causes thousands of deaths and fires each year. There are more safety measures to prevent property damages or electrocutions from occurring than in decades past, so many people feel more comfortable around electricity and take risks they shouldn’t. May is National Electrical Safety Month, which is designed to bring about awareness of electrical hazards.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 53,000 home fires occur each year because of an electricity malfunction. Also, about 400 deaths are caused when people are electrocuted by consumer products. However, this doesn’t have to happen. Here are some safety tips to prevent electrical accidents:

• Don’t plug in too many plugs in one outlet. This could cause a short, which may lead to a fire.
• Keep smoke alarms on every floor of your home, and also in every bedroom.
• Don’t play with light sockets, outlets or electrical cords. If you have young children, use child safety plugs in outlets.
• If you need to unplug an appliance, don’t yank on the cord – hold on to the plug instead.
• Don’t leave extension cords plugged in outside, particularly older cords.
• Make a family plan for what to do in the event of a fire.
• Don’t allow your children to play near an electrical substation.
• Keep electrical items away from water.

Have you or a loved one been injured by a defective electrical appliance or an electrical problem in your home? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact the personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 866-986-1529 today.

Childproofing can be an overwhelming job for new parents. The list of potential dangers can seem never ending. However, the Consumer Products Safety Commission has compiled a helpful list of 12 safety devices it recommends to make your home safe for children.

First, be sure to install safety latches or locks for drawers or cabinets that contain any medicines, cleaners, matches or lighters, knives, or other sharp objects. To help prevent children from entering rooms that contain dangers, use door knob covers or door locks.

Water can be dangerous in several ways for children. First, use anti-scald devices for faucets and shower heads. If you have a pool or spa, completely surround the pool or spa with a tall fence with self-closing, self-latching gates.

In order to prevent injuries from falls, use corner and edge bumpers to prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges. Safety gates can prevent children from falling down the stairs, or can keep children from entering rooms. To prevent falls from windows, balconies or decks, window guards and safety netting should be used.

There are also a lot of hidden dangers for kids. It’s also important to install carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or fire injuries. Although many parents don’t think about it, window blinds can pose strangulation hazards. It’s important to use a tassel on each cord. Many parents also don’t consider the dangers of furniture or appliances tipping over onto children. Be sure to anchor the products to the floor or attach them to the wall. Electrical outlets can also pose a risk of electrocution – be sure to use outlet covers or outlet plates.

Although childproofing may seem overwhelming in the beginning, with the right safety devices you can ensure your home is safe for your children. If your child has been injured by a dangerous device, you may have a claim against the manufacturer or the retailer of the product. Contact theDallasproduct liability attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 817-329-5095.

In a tragic accident that occurred Saturday night, a man fell from a platform and was dragged beneath a Dallas Area Rapid Transit train and was killed. The accident occurred inCarrollton. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Although it’s possible DART was not responsible for the accident that occurred Saturday night, common carriers do have a responsibility to keep passengers safe. “Common carriers” are those whose business it is to transport individuals from one place to another for compensation, and whose services are open to the public. Some examples of common carriers include commercial buses, trains, subways, airplanes, taxis and ferries.

Common carriers owe their passengers a special duty to passengers. In general, common carriers are required to use the highest degree of care and diligence in transporting passengers to their destinations. The common carriers must have the equipment and skill to transport passengers.

Although common carriers do owe a high degree of care for their passengers, they are not considered insurers of their passengers’ safety. They are only required to exercise that degree of care that could reasonably be expected. If a passenger is injured, it’s not automatically the responsibility of the common carrier – the accident could have been caused by the passenger’s negligence.

If you have been injured in a common carrier accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800 as soon as possible. It’s important to preserve evidence and investigate the accident before it’s too late.

Spring break season is upon us. Thousands of high school and college students across the country are enjoying time off and travelling with friends. However, spring break season can be notoriously dangerous. Last week, a 21 year oldDallasman was beaten and stabbed nine times on South Padre Island during his spring break. He has suffered a collapsed lung and two surgeries and is fighting for his life. Friends and family say he probably would not have survived if he had not been in such great physical shape.

It’s important to take safety precautions whenever you travel, but especially on spring break. First, before you leave, pack some essentials, like medications, proof of insurance, identification, and copies of itineraries with your loved ones. Once you finally leave, it’s important to arrive safely. Buckle up. When alcohol is involved, if you plan on driving make sure there’s an assigned designated driver before you leave. If you are in an area in which there are dangerous neighborhoods, map out your route before you go to ensure you don’t end up in lost in a bad part of town.

While you are having fun on the beach, remember that the beach poses its own dangers. Use lots of sunscreen applied frequently throughout the day to avoid sun poisoning. Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Be sure to wear life vests when needed. Don’t swim or drive a boat if you’ve been drinking.

Finally, be sure to surround yourself with people you know and trust. Travel in groups, particularly to places such as ATMs. Make sure you get enough sleep throughout your trip so that you are able to make wise decisions.

Spring break can be a great time as long as you take some basic safety precautions. If you have been injured on a spring break trip due to the negligence of another person, contact the personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800. Our attorneys will fight for your legal rights.

It’s so tragic when a highway worker gets hit by a car and killed or injured. However, it’s not uncommon – road workers have one of the highest injury and fatality rates of all occupations. In order to stay safe in work zones, keep in mind the three S’s: speed, space and stress.

First, watch your speed. It’s very dangerous, and not to mention illegal, to speed through a work zone. Maintain a consistent speed throughout the work zone. Don’t accelerate to your normal speed once it appears that you have left the work zone. Instead, wait until you see signs that say it is safe to resume your normal speed.

Next, it’s important to be aware of the space around you. Leave enough room for braking between your car and the car in front. If you become stopped in traffic, leave some distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. If someone rear ends you, you could avoid hitting the car in front if there is sufficient space between the vehicles. Make sure to leave enough distance between your car and the highway workers, trucks, and equipment. Also, be aware of tailgaters in construction zones. Some drivers become impatient when forced to slow down. If possible, pull over and let them pass.

Finally, manage your stress in work zones. It can be frustrating to encounter a work zone if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, but calm down. Try not to become distracted, which could lead to an accident.

Have you been injured in an accident in a Dallas work zone due to another driver’s negligence? If so, contact the Dallas car accident attorneys at the Barber Law Firm. Call them today for a free consultation at 817-329-5095.

With the weather warming up, and with gas prices sky-high and most likely rising more before summer, increasing people are turning to scooters, mopeds, and other forms of transportation instead of their automobiles.

Many people don’t consider scooters to be dangerous. However, they can be. Scooters move faster than bicycles and do not offer many protections. To stay safe on scooters, there are a few safety tips to follow. First, obey all traffic laws. Try to keep on the right side of the road, like a bicycle. Be sure to use the proper safety equipment, including a helmet that is approved by the Department of Transportation. Although it may be tempting to wear shorts and other summer clothing, you may wish to consider wearing gloves, pants and a riding jacket to avoid hand, leg and torso injuries in the event of an accident.

It’s extremely important to be observant when riding a scooter. Many other drivers report having trouble seeing motorcycles, which are bigger and louder than scooters. Stay close to the edge of the road and use mirrors to see the area behind your scooter. It’s also important to follow safe riding practices, such as riding defensively. If you must ride at night, wear bright colors and use reflective strips to make yourself visible to other cars. Use your headlights. Finally, if you are in an accident, speak with the police officer at the scene. Get all necessary information from the other driver, such as insurance information and contact information. Take pictures if possible.

Scooter riding can be a fun and safe hobby if good safety practices are followed. If you have been injured in aDallasscooter or moped accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact theDallaspersonal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm today at 972-231-5800. Our attorneys have assisted numerous accident victims in obtaining the compensation they deserve.

Dallas had some precipitation this morning, although temperatures were above freezing in the metropolitan area. However, a winter weather advisory went into effect for Denton, Collin, Parker, Fanin and Lamar counties over the weekend through this morning. Although this winter has been mild, you should review these basic winter weather driving tips to avoid being involved in an accident should the streets become icy.

The most important winter weather safety tip is to slow down. Driving too fast for the road conditions plays a major role in fatal crashes, especially during the winter. Even if you have snow tires, exercise extreme caution and drive slower than you normally would if the roads are slick.

It’s also important not to follow too close. Tailgating is another common cause of winter weather accidents. The closer you follow the car in front of you, the less time you have to react. At a minimum, leave one car length between you and the car in front of you for every 10 miles per hour you are travelling.

It’s also important not to drive when you are tired during dangerous road conditions. If the roads are slick, it will take all of your concentration to stay safe. If you are already tired, you are at a serious disadvantage. Call someone who can pick you up or pull over somewhere safe for a quick nap.

Have you been involved in an accident in the Dallas area due to slippery streets or icy weather conditions? If so, contact the accident attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 817-329-5095. They will work hard to help you obtain compensation from the negligent driver who caused the accident.

Tragedy struck a Dallas area family the other day when a mother accidentally ran over her son with her vehicle. The mother was dropping off her two children at their grandmother’s house before heading to work. She saw her daughter get out and head towards the house, but didn’t see her four year old son. She started backing up to look for her son, but didn’t realize he was bent over behind her vehicle until it was too late. The boy suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately he passed away.

Unfortunately, backing accidents are common – they cause about 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries per year. Backing accidents are especially common with SUVs and children under the age of five. However, if you follow a few simple rules, the majority of backing accidents can be avoided.

First, know where your vehicle’s blind spots are. For larger vehicles, blind spots can be significant. Remember that your mirrors cannot show you everything while you are backing. Before you back up, consider doing a walk-around or use a spotter who can tell you if it’s clear. When you are choosing a parking space, think ahead – choose a space with an easy exit if possible. If it’s possible to avoid backing up, and if you are in an area where backing up could be dangerous, park so backing up won’t be required. Finally, if you are in an area with small children, either visually locate the children before backing up, do a walk around, or ask a spotter if it’s clear before backing up.

If you have small children, consider a long term solution. You may wish to install rear vision camera systems, which can help you see the rear of your vehicle with no blind spots. If you have a new vehicle, practice backing it up so you get used to the way it reverses before you are in a situation where you have to reverse.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a backing up accident? If so, contact the Dallas personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800. We will help you get compensation for your injuries.

Air bags are a great safety device, if used correctly. It’s estimated that frontal air bags have saved over 25,000 lives between 1987 and 2008. Air bags haven’t only saved lives; they are also very effective in preventing debilitating head and chest injuries. A recent study showed that over two-thirds of those who would have suffered head or chest injuries in a crash did not because of air bags. However, keep in mind that air bags are only intended as supplemental safety devices – you should always wear your seat belt.

 As wonderful as air bags are, people have been killed by them, although it is rare. It’s important to remember that air bags can be dangerous for children under the age of 13. Place everyone under age 13 in the rear seat. If they must be in the front, check the on-off switch (if your air bag has one) to ensure that the switch is off.

 Every person who has been killed by an air bag has one thing in common – they were too close to the air bag when it deployed. Sometimes, this occurred because their seats were too close to the air bags. However, it more often occurred when they were not wearing seat belts or sitting in child seats, which allowed them to be thrown forward into the air bag.

 In order for air bags to be effective, you can make some minor changes that will minimize the risk of serious injury. Short drivers should adjust the position of their seats. Those under age 13 should only sit in the back seat. Everyone should buckle up. It’s also important that those with unusual medical conditions who have been advised that air bags are dangerous to them should turn the air bag off, or avoid sitting near an air bag.

 If you have been injured in a car accident in the Dallas area, contact the Barber Law Firm, which works extensively with accident victims. Call today at 972-231-5800.