Archive for April, 2012

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30
Apr

Florida Motorcycle Crash Leaves Arkansas Police Chief In Critical Condition

April 30, 2012

According to the Hurt study, a motorcycle accident report, three-fourths of all motorcycle crashes involve a collision with another vehicle. Also, failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents.

One such accident this past weekend in the Florida panhandle left an Arkansas police chief fighting for his life. According to FOX 16 News, the crash occurred Friday night while the chief was vacationing in Panama City, Florida. Reports say that the man was passing through an intersection on his motorcycle when another vehicle failed to stop for a red light and collided with him. The vehicle responsible for causing the crash then sped away, leaving the man in the street.

Witnesses called for help and rescue crews were able to take the man to Bay City Memorial Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The driver was eventually caught and arrested by Panama City Police. Police have not announced what kind of charges the driver may be facing.

The Arkansas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt and Sexton ask that drivers be more aware of their surroundings and other vehicles on the road, as the warming weather will bring more motorcycles to the roadway. Another way to avoid a collision with a bike is to eliminate loud noises in your car. This will allow you to hear any motorcycles in your vicinity.

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23
Apr

Two-Vehicle Atkins Crash Kills One, Injures Four

April 23, 2012

A tragic two-vehicle car accident in Atkins, Arkansas, Friday night claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman and left four other individuals seriously injured. According to The Courier News, the crash happened at exactly 8:56 p.m. on State Highway 247.

Reports from troopers with the Arkansas State Police who responded to the scene stated that the 35-year-old woman was driving a 1993 Geo Storm west along the highway when she crossed the center dividing line and struck a 2006 Chrysler 600 carrying four people head-on.

While occupants of both vehicles were properly restrained at the time of the crash, the Pope County Coroner declared the driver of the Storm dead at the scene. The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the body and head. The other four crash victims, two middle-aged married couples, were taken to Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center to receive treatment for the numerous injuries they suffered.

The accident remains under investigation pending toxicology tests that were conducted on the body of the driver who was responsible for the accident at the state’s crime lab.

The Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to send their thoughts and condolences to the family of the victim who died in this crash. The firm would also like to wish those who were injured a full and speedy recovery from the injuries they sustained in the accident.

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16
Apr

Stuck Accelerators Prompt Possible Manufacturing Regulation Changes

April 16, 2012

Toyota’s recall of thousands of vehicles due to faulty accelerators that could get stuck while the car is in motion has prompted federal lawmakers to consider passing measures that would require all vehicles to have an override system to combat the problem. According to KATV 7 News, the system would work by stopping the vehicle’s acceleration if both the gas and brake pedals were pressed at the same time.

While many feel that these regulations will work to protect the public from the problems of faulty automotive devices, manufacturers say that there are too few cases of stuck accelerators to warrant the change. Instead, they argue that most of the accidents are caused by drivers’ “misapplication” of the pedal in which they accidentally step on the accelerator rather than the brake while driving.

The point was countered with the story of four people who were killed in August 2009 near San Diego, California, after a floor mat caused the accelerator to stick in their Lexus.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s proposal states that the changes in manufacturing regulations would not occur for at least another three years while legislation is further examined.

The Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton encourage drivers to be extra vigilant of where they place their feet when driving. Make sure that anything that could obstruct your feet is cleared from the floorboards as well before driving.

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9
Apr

Little Rock Worker Killed After Being Electrocuted By Power Lines

April 9, 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. An estimated 780 workers died from preventable accidents while working in the industry in 2010 alone.

The most recent accident that claimed a life occurred last week in Little Rock, Arkansas. According to reports released by FOX 16 News, the incident occurred Friday as two men worked to install aluminum siding on a home.

Officers with the Little Rock Police Department stated in reports of the incident that the 25-year-old man was working with a partner to move a ladder outside a home on Chambery Drive when the 30-foot metal climbing device tipped back and made contact with nearby power lines. The contact allowed a powerful electric current to travel through the ladder and into the worker’s body. The shock sent the man falling to the ground where he laid unconscious until paramedics arrived. They transported him to a local hospital, but were unable to resuscitate him. He was declared dead shortly after arrival at the facility.

The Arkansas Wrongful Death Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt, and Sexton know just how dangerous exposed electric currents can be. That’s why they say that workers should be extra vigilant around power lines. Also, cover all exposed electric outlets if you have children in the home, and if someone is electrocuted, contact 911 for medical assistance immediately.

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2
Apr

University of Arkansas Football Coach Injured In Motorcycle Accident

April 2, 2012

A motorcycle accident near the town of Crosses, Arkansas, has left University of Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino seriously injured. According to reports from KATV 7 News, the crash happened around 6:45 p.m. Sunday along Highway 16 in Madison County.

A spokesman from the Arkansas State Police, Bill Sadler, stated that the coach, who is an avid motorcyclist and often rides at nearby Beaver Lake, was about 20 miles outside Fayetteville when his bike left the highway and crashed. Rescue crews took him to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries. He remains there in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

Investigators say the will continue to examine what may have caused the crash to occur.

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has shown that the total number of motorcycle accidents in Arkansas that result in serious injury or death has slowly risen over the last 10 years. In 2009 alone, a total of 1,585 motorcycle accidents occurred in the state and killed 74 people, nearly double the number of accidents at the beginning of the decade.

The Arkansas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to wish the injured coach a speedy recovery from his injuries. The firm would also like to remind motorcyclists of the importance of always putting on a helmet before riding, no matter how far you are going.

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