Here is a post my friend, Matt Dolman, Esq., shared with me. He is a Florida motorcycle attorney >> Click Here. and I asked him to share this with you. He says that motorcycle helmets, known to heavily reduce brain injuries and casualties from collisions, have also shown the ability to reduce the risk of spinal injuries, according to a recent study concluded by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Analyzing data obtained from just over 40,000 accidents between 2002 and 2006, researchers point out that there was a 22% reduction of cervical spine injury for riders wearing helmets, compared to those who lacked cranial protection.

Results from the study contradict anti-helmet lobbyists who believe that the heaviness of the helmet actually increases the risk of spinal injury. In a press release, John Hopkins assistant professor of surgery leader Adil H. Haider M.D. stated that, “Using this new evidence, legislators should revisit the need for mandatory helmet laws. There is no doubt that helmets save lives and reduce head injury, and now we know they are also associated with a decreased risk of cervical spine injury.” As an injury law attorney, I see first hand the trauma suffered by bikers who fail to wear a safety helmet. Motorcyclists are already predisposed to a much higher risk of serious injury as a result of not having 2000+ pounds of steel surrounding them as you will see in an automobile. By not wearing a safety helmet the likelihood of suffering a serious injury as a result of a motorcycle accident is significantly increased.

Haider noted the new data discredits a 1986 study conducted by Jonathan P. Goldstein, an economics professor at Bowdoin College, which claimed that the weight of a helmet causes severe torque on the neck area that is detrimental to the spinal cord. This study has been refuted with clear evidence that the helmet alone significantly reduced the occurrence of a serious injury to the spine. Although substantial evidence illustrates that helmets reduce injury and mortality, several states have repealed mandatory helmet laws for the past 15 years due to lobbying motorcyclists’. As of today, only twenty (20) states require mandatory helmet use for motorists. The remaining states, including Florida, either lack a law on helmet usage, or only require helmets for riders under a certain age, typically 18 or 21. Reconsideration of the universal helmet law should be acknowledged in these states.

Motorcycle use has steadily increased over the past ten (10) years. Since 1997, motorcycle injuries have risen by approximately 5,000 per year and fatalities have sadly doubled. Fortunately, the design of helmets has improved with advancements in technology. Haider states that, “they are now significantly lighter, sturdier, and more protective.” Sadly, the rate of motorcycle injuries has increased over the past decade. This can be attributable to a myriad of factors including distracted drivers who are texting and driving, bikers who fail to adhere to safety warnings regarding the use of helmets, and the operators of automobiles who fail to exercise due caution and look out for motorcycles. Even if your state does not enforce it, the injury law attorneys at the Dolman Law Group highly suggests that motorcyclists follow the necessary precautions to remain safe on the road, which includes wearing DOT approved head protection.

With Michigan passing a new helmet law, many motorcyclists are questioning all of the state’s motorcycle helmet laws. As an aide to bikers in their travels across United States, the Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. created the “Motorcycle Helmet Laws” Graphic.
The graphic is a map of the U.S. with a color key that defines the helmet laws in every state.

The Motorcycle Helmet Laws graphic also shows which states have the highest fines and maximum jail time for violating their bike helmet law.
To view the graphic visit http://bit.ly/MIMotorcycleAccidentLawyers

Although there are different views on whether or not helmets do protect the safety of the biker, the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) reported some interesting statistics regarding motorcycle accident injuries and helmet statistics. These include:

• Helmets are estimated to prevent 37 percent of fatal motorcycle injuries for motorcycle riders (operators)
• Helmets are estimated to prevent 41 percent of fatal injuries for motorcycle passengers
• Helmets saved over 1,800 riders lives in 2008
• Wearing a helmet reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent
There are five different variations in motorcycle helmet law requirements across the United States, ranging from free choice (no bike helmet restrictions) to no choice (everyone on a motorcycle must wear a helmet). States not only differ in biker helmet laws, but also punishment for violation of their helmet laws.

Motorcyclists should know the motorcycle helmet laws in the states in which they plan to travel. If you are ever in question of the state laws, seek out the helmet laws graphic created by the bike accident attorneys of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. The attorneys at their office are top rated winning the highest settlements for bikers injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident.

It’s funny how conversations evolve over time.  Just recently, I was talking about the epidemic of motorcycle accidents in California with my colleague in Chicago, attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld.  While discussing the severity of many of these incidents, Jonathan reminded me how devastating motorcycle accidents can occur at any speed.  He was telling me his thoughts on G-Forces involved in these types of collisions and how the roll cage and seatbelts are non existent on a bike. Today, Jonathan was kind enough to share his experience with some of different types of fractures sustained by motorcyclists in his Chicago personal injury law practice.

Even at slow speeds, a motorcycle accident can spell tragedy for the involved motorcyclist due to the limited protection afforded by the motorcycle and protective gear worn. In the event that a cyclist is thrown from his or her bike, resulting fractures could require surgery in order to repair properly. Orthopedic surgery and the required therapy to get back on your feet can be extremely expensive, so if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may want to speak with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney.

Treating Complex Fractures In Motorcycle Accidents: Forms of Reduction

The process of restoring a bone to its correct anatomical position so that it can heal properly is called reduction. When a bone is fractured, it usually falls out of alignment and needs to be set back into place or it will not heal properly and may even become disfigured. There are two common forms of reduction, which are referred to as open reduction and closed reduction. Closed reduction refers to non-invasive means used by a doctor to set the bone into place while open reduction refers to the need to set the bone into place by surgical means.

In many motorcycle accidents, fractures occur that require open reduction either because the bone fragments into pieces or the severity of the fracture requires surgery to correct properly. Once the bone is set it place, it then needs to be held there until the bone heals. This is done through fixation, and like reduction, there are different means in which to hold a bone into place.

Internal Fixation versus External Fixation

The traditional method in which a bone is held into place is through a cast, which restricts movement and allows the bone to heal properly. However, when open reduction is used, the fracture commonly requires the use of an internal or external device in order to keep the bones securely in place. Internal fixation is a technique that implements tools such as plates, screws or nails in order to secure the bone to ensure proper healing. In some cases, the hardware is never removed and in all cases, there can be complications in the procedure that include infection, development of arthritis, chronic bone pain and muscular or skeletal damage that affects range of motion.

External fixation implements the use of a device outside of the body in order to secure the bone. In an open reduction external fixation procedure, holes are drilled into healthy parts of the bone and secured to either a rod or a curved apparatus that has special ball and socket joints that can be adjusted throughout the healing process if necessary. It can take six to twelve weeks to heal most fractures and longer in the case of more complex fractures that involve fragmented or shattered bone.

Recovery From Serious Fractures In Motorcycle Accidents

Whether internal or external fixation is used, the healing process after experiencing a fracture as a result of a motorcycle accident (fracture as a result of a motorcycle accident, http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/personal-injury/injury-types/fractures-broken-bones/) can be long and painful. When surgery is involved, it increases the chance of arthritis both during recovery and later in life and in many cases some form of physical therapy is required after the bone has been repaired. Most motorcycle accidents are the result of a motorist failing to see a motorcyclist— either by not checking a blind spot, negligence or in some cases, substance abuse that impairs judgment. Because of the limited amount of protection that cyclists have access to, accidents normally leave the victim with injuries that he or she may never fully recover from.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that could have life changing consequences, you will need a reliable Chicago motorcycle accident attorney (Chicago motorcycle accident attorney, http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/motor-vehicle-accidents/motorcycle-accidents/) that is both an advocate and a friend. Jonathan Rosenfeld understands the painful and expensive process of undergoing surgical operations and the recovery process and will treat your case with the highest level of understanding and care. As an experienced injury lawyer, he has represented many clients who have been involved in life changing accidents and fights to hold irresponsible and reckless motorists responsible for the life changing ramifications of their actions. For a free consultation, call Jonathan at (888) 424-5757 or email him at jonathan@rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com for more information on how he can assist you in earning damages for your injuries.

Sources:

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/brokenbones/g/orif.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/External_fixation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduction_(orthopedic_surgery)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_fixation

As a Clearwater motorcycle injury Attorney, I all too often see the tragic results of injuries that a motorcyclist could have avoided had he or she simply worn a safety helmet.  Many fatalities and traumatic brain injuries could have been avoided had the driver worn a safety helmet.

The Facts:
Motorcycles are more likely to be in a crash than cars; therefore when motorcycles crash, their riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, so they’re more likely to be injured or killed.

Wearing a helmet while riding greatly reduces the severity of injury and potential trauma to the head, the probability of death, and overall cost of medical care. A helmet is designed to cushion and protect a rider’s head from the collision of a crash. Much like a seatbelt in cars, a helmet can’t provide total protection against head injury or death. However, wearing a safety helmet decreases the incidence of both. Recent motorcycle crash statistics show that helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing crash fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates a rider not wearing a helmet is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to acquire a nonfatal head injury than a helmeted motorcyclist.

•    Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. (U.S. Department of Transportation/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, State Legislative Fact Sheet)
•    Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, Motorcycles, 2006)
•    Wearing a properly fitted helmet can actually improve the rider’s ability to hear by streamlining the head and ear, which can deduce wind noise allowing the rider to hear other sounds. (Safe Cycling-Motorcycle Safety Foundation Publication.)
•    Helmets prevent eye injuries and distraction from dust, dirt and debris thrown up by other vehicles on the road. (Safe Cycling-Motorcycle Safety Foundation Publication.)
•    Helmets prevent the incidence of traumatic brain injury as related to motorcycle accidents.

Please make sure to check out the link: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles
•    How to Identify Unsafe Helmets
•    Motorcycle helmets saved 1,829 motorcyclists’ lives in 2008.
•    Motorcycle helmets do not interfere with the rider’s vision or hearing.

Do you think that your bankruptcy petition is going to harm your personal injury claim? If so, below are some significant points that you should keep in mind. These things are vastly concerned with your personal injury claim before declaring bankruptcy.

Usually, debt burdened consumers often choose either a debt settlement, or bankruptcy in order to get rid of their debts. If you are, however, thinking of filing bankruptcy, then first prepare a list of your owed amount. Don’t forget to include the required documents of your assets along with the list of your debts. You might not know, but a personal injury claim is always considered as an asset. So, make sure to include that within the list of assets while declaring bankruptcy.

These days, most of the people become skeptical about disclosing personal injury claim as they think this may snatch their right of bankruptcy filing. Further, the mental chaos for not getting a good compensation for the injuries can be very destructive.

Now, how can you become eligible to get a good compensation for personal injury after filing bankruptcy?

If you are not sure that, you will be able to get the compensation alone, hire the services of a personal injury attorney. Especially, when your bankruptcy filing is complete, but the personal injury claim is still in an oscillating situation. After receiving the services of a qualified attorney, you can certainly get a reasonable compensation for the damages.

If you file bankruptcy, would your personal injury compensation be possessed?

Though there is not any specific law regarding protection for individuals on a personal injury claim, you can receive a general protection in some states.

You should remember that bankruptcy protection does not give privilege to punitive damages. However, if you are physically injured, you can ask for a protection under bankruptcy.

Lastly, make sure your attorney is experienced and knowledgeable enough to manage both your personal injury and bankruptcy cases. If you have hired an attorney with utmost prudence, you need not bother for the later. All you can leave upon your lawyer.

Motorcycle accidents are potentially deadly and all-too-common; that’s something that few people can dispute. However, do most motorcyclists realize the numbers that back that statement? Knowing the statistics concerning motorcycle accidents can be a helpful way for a motorcyclist to remain aware of threats on the road, hopefully avoiding them. This primer is intended to assist you in understanding the dangers of riding a bike.

The most common type of accident:

Most frequently, accidents involving motorcycles involve another automobile, usually a car. This type of accident comprises approximately 75 percent of motorcycle accidents. Often, the automobile driver was unaware of the presence of the motorcycle because of the low visibility of motorcycles.

The most common location of accidents:

Surprisingly, despite slower rates of speed, 91 percent of two-vehicle motorcycle accidents occur not on the interstate but on non-interstate roads. Half of those occurred at intersections.

The effects of alcohol on motorcycle accident statistics:

Alcohol involvement results in 2.5 times the number of fatalities in a motorcycle accident than happen in automobile accidents. While blood alcohol content (BAC) is considered 1 percent for intoxication, 69 percent of the motorcycle fatalities involving alcohol recorded over 8 percent BAC, 8 times higher than the illegal level in all states. Simply put, combining alcohol and motorcycles is deadly.

The role of speed in motorcycle accident statistics:

While many may assume that high-speed has a role in most motorcycle accidents, the opposite is actually true. In two-vehicle accidents, only 27 percent of the motorcycle accidents involved considerably higher rates of speed than posted speed.

Weekend versus weekday driving and motorcycle accident statistics:

Not surprisingly, two-vehicle motorcycle accidents are more likely to occur on weekends rather than weekdays with the likelihood for accidents being 1.5 more likely on a weekend. Night time accidents are also more frequent on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with 55 percent of nighttime accidents occurring on those days.

Crash position frequency in motorcycle accidents:

The most common position of two-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles and an automobile is that of a front-to-side crash. This type of accident results in 57 percent of all two-vehicle motorcycle accidents, with the next most frequent position being much less frequent at 18 percent for head-on accidents.

Passenger vehicle versus motorcycle accident and driving violations:

Statistically, according to the NHTSA, 30 percent of car drivers who were involved in motorcycle accidents are charged with a driving violation in 2005. Of those accidents, there were no violations assigned to the motorcyclists as you cannot charge someone who was fatally injured.

Crash avoidance maneuvers and their role in motorcycle accidents:

No attempts to maneuver the vehicle or motorcycle to avoid an accident are taken in over 35 percent of accidents. However, when motorcyclists attempt to maneuver to avoid an accident, that rate is over 55 percent versus 42 percent by the other driver. Braking maneuvers to avoid an accident by the driver are 3 times more frequent for motorcyclists than car drivers.

The most common killer of motorcyclists in accidents:

The most common fatality of motorcyclists is that of a motorcycle versus car accident with a 90 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities resulting from this type of accident.

The usefulness of statistics for the motorcyclist:

Statistics help the motorcyclist to understand that while motorcycles are fun, driving them is serious business. The motorcyclist should constantly be aware of everything going on around him and drive defensively. A motorcyclist should never assume that the driver of the car by him sees him as motorcycle accident statistics show that this is more often not the case. By being aware of visibility limitations, his own vulnerability, and safety precautions, hopefully the motorcyclist can enjoy more safety on the road, and less danger.

Where to seek help if you are in an accident:

If you or your loved one is the unfortunate victim of another’s negligence and have been involved in a motorcycle accident, Michael Ehline of Ehline Law Firm, PC, can help. Michael Ehline has not only a high success rate specifically with motorcycle-versus-automobile accidents, but also a personal knowledge of motorcycles and the motorcyclist lifestyle as he is a long-time motorcyclist. His status as a Marine assures that his clients will have a tough but ethical attorney on their side to protect their rights and fight for fair recompense. Ehline Law Firm has offices conveniently located throughout California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego. If you would like more information on how Michael Ehline can help you and your cause, please call Los Angeles personal injury attorneys today at 1-888-400-9721.

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March 29, 2010-According to reports the man that allegedly robed several area banks could face 132 years and was referred to as the “Sport Bike Bandit.” The man identified as Robert Gordon Lockwood of Long Beach has been indicted for the robbery of several area banks in which he used a sport motorcycle as his getaway vehicle, giving him the name “Sports Bike Bandit.”

Motorcycle Bandit arrested

According to the documents indicting Lockwood he allegedly robbed Citibank for $8057, Cal National Bank where he took $3,958 and F& M where he robbed them for $606. The documents also accuse Lockwood of armed robbery, three counts of showing a weapon, assaulting and placing the lives of employees and customers in jeopardy.

The robbery at Citibank at 2250 Bellflower Boulevard on December 15th, on January 26th Cal National Bank located at 5757 Pacific Coast Highway was robbed and Farmers and Merchant Bank at2302 Bellflower Boulevard on March 5th. In the indictment the 51 year old Long Beach resident is accused of carrying a .45-caliber Springfield Army 1911-A1 semi automatic handgun and a Smith and Weson .357 Magnum revolver during the F & M robbery, which he fired.

According to the US Attorneys Office spokesman Thom Mrozek if Lockwood is convicted on all the charges he faces up to 132 years in federal prison. The three robbery counts could equal a maximum sentence of 75 years, and an additional 57 years for the use of a gun during the crime. Mrozek also stated that due to the fact that it is a federal crime Lockwood would have to serve 85 percent of the prison sentence.

The “Sport Bike Bandit, was scheduled to appear on Monday morning in Downtown Los Angeles for arraignment according to Mrozek. Lockwood the owner of a machine shop in Signal Hill was arrested during a robbery when he was tackled by Rich Camp and Long Beach resident David Jones. The men disarmed Lockwood and held him until the Long Beach Police arrived on the scene.

According to witnesses Lockwood entered the bank yelling obscenities and threatening to shoot everyone. He then grabbed a deposit bag from a customer that entered the bank and shoving the man to the floor. According to Camp Lockwood threatened to shoot him, Camp was trapped where the counter separates the customers from the bank employees as Lockwood began going over the divider. Camp jumped on Lockwood’s back as he went over the counter, causing Lockwood to open fire. According to court documents Lockwood shot over his shoulder and between his legs in an attempt to free himself of Camp.

The shots that were fired by Lockwood injured Camp, an elderly woman and himself, but were not life threatening.
Camp a small construction business owner has since filed a lawsuit against the bank that alleges it was not properly secured. The suit claims that the there is a lack of bulletproof partition for bank employees and that the one security guard was socializing in the bank parking lot at the time Lockwood entered the bank.

In this case, instead of a motorcycle lawyer, this “bandit” looks like he’ll be needing a criminal defense lawyer. The “Sport Bike Bandit” who was released from the hospital and transferred into federal custody under armed guard according to the FBI and police, told authorities at the time of his arrest he had robbed the banks because he was deeply in debt. He stated he was unable to pay the mortgage on his East Long Beach home where he and his wife Pamela Lockwood reside.

March 8, 2010-According to reports actor Tom Cruise was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. The accident reported on the Internet according to the actor and his representatives was untrue, the actor has stated on several websites and Twitter that he was not involved in a motorcycle crash. Cruise said he has not been on his bike in two days prior to Sunday’s reported accident due to weather.

The reports online were that Cruise was involved in an accident at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday in Los Angeles in the vicinity of La Cienega and Sherwood Boulevards intersection. The reports went onto state that Cruise was on his red Ducati motorcycle and leaned to the left when his bike slid into a brown SUV after another vehicle ran the stop sign. The report stated there was damage done to the SUV’s back tires and five people helped the actor up and get the bike on its side, which had damage to the gears on the left side.

The bogus report goes on to say that Cruise limped away to sit outside the KOI Restaurant where he made two phone calls and waited for paramedics to arrive. The accident according to reports was told according to two eyewitnesses.

The 47 year old actors publicist Amanda Lundberg has stated Cruise was on involved in an accident, the reports are totally false including that he needed medical attention at a nearby hospital. Motorcycle lawyer Los Angeles, Michael Ehline believes that there is probably no lawsuit for defamation.

Motorcycles are made for fun and accidents severe; this is because there is little protection for the rider or passenger. Helmets are the only protection for the head to protect against severe or deadly head injuries, protective clothing is usually other protection the motorcycle rider has to keep from being injured.

The rider of one of these two wheeled motorized vehicles were involved in an accident do not have the airbags, seatbelts and metal enclosure like the driver of a four wheeled vehicle. This means that in the event of an accident the injuries will be severe or even fatal. Injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle crash can include broken bones, severe head injuries, gaseous cuts and scrapes.

Motorcycle rider that is involved in a crash and severely injured will lose work, will have mounting medical bills, and possibly need continued ongoing medical care or surgery. This can be devastating to the motorcyclist and their family, not only is it the stress of the injuries but then there is also the financial loss.

Motorcycle accident can occur even when the rider is obeying every rule the road and riding defensively, this is because of several different factors. The first is the motorist four wheeled vehicles have blind spots when turning, to not consider the amount of room the motorcycle needs to be safe on the road and either one of these can cause an accident. The other factors that could be the cause motorcycle accident are debris on the roadway and uneven pavement. Either one of these event that it is unavoidable by the motorcyclist can quickly cause an accident, because motorcycle has two wheels on which balances.

Motorcycles are made for fun and accidents severe, because matter how fast or slow a motorcycle is moving the rider still has very little protection for their body. The motorcycle rider experiences an accident and is injured will need the experience of the Los Angeles motorcycle attorney. This lawyer understands California laws and how they protect the motorcyclist and they are able to hold the insurance company or the agency responsible for maintaining roadways.

The injured motorcyclist and their family deserve compensation from the party responsible for causing motorcycle accident and this takes the knowledge of the experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney. This attorney has the resources to investigate the accident and prepare a winning case, which will compensate the motorcyclist with their family the maximum amount possible awarded.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, contact Ehline Law Firm PC 633 West Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-596-9642.
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January 12, 2010 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports Canadian actor Dean McDermott was injured in a motorcycle crash over the weekend. The crash occurred at the California Auto Club Speedway during a practice session at turn three, where the actor stated he came on the curve to fast.

McDermott the husband of Tory Spelling injured his left arm in the crash and stated that crashing on the speedway is far different than a motorcycle crash on the roadways of California. McDermott said that he slammed the pavement and severely bruised his scapula, which is the bone that goes into the shoulder. He went on to say that his wife supports his sport of motorcycle riding at the California Auto Club Speedway, since she knows that it is much safer than riding on the road.

This was the actor’s third crash, which occurred after he lost control at 70 miles an hour, the actor stated that his first crash was at 40 miles an hour and his second was 110 miles an hour. If you were injured and need a motorcycle attorney, call Ehline Law Firm PC now at 888-400-9721.
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