Were you impacted by these products in 2016?!

Most of us can agree that the year 2016 had its highlights, but also its shortcomings. But for those impacted by three major defective products identified by US Recall News as the worst defective products of 2016, there will likely be ongoing consequences into 2017 and beyond.

• Takata Air Bags  - According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), the airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, affecting one-in-seven cars. When defective Takata air bags deploy, they explode shooting shrapnel into the driver and passenger. So far, 11 people have been killed by the airbags and more than 100 injured.  It could be 2023 before all recalled airbags are fixed.
  
• GM Ignition Switches - At least 124 death and 274 injuries have been linked to the faulty switches. GM has already paid about $2 billion in penalties and settlements, and a ruling in July stated that bankruptcy did not shield the automaker from additional lawsuits, opening the company up to more suits with an estimated value of $7-10 billion.
  
• Talcum Powder - Johnson & Johnson has more than 2,000 pending cases involving women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer linked to talcum powder used for feminine hygiene.

If you or a loved one has been injured by any defective product, please contact the team at Hopkins, Barvie andHopkins, PLLC. Our team has the skills and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve!

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

We wanted to share with you some information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Motorcyclist fatalities increased in 2012 to 4,957, accounting for 15 percent of total fatali­ties for the year. This increase in motorcycle fatalities continues a tragic trend over the last 15 years, which only saw a one-year decline in 2009. Crash-related motorcycle injuries also increased from 81,000 in 2011 to 93,000 in 2012. Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.

FACTS ABOUT HELMET USE

·       Use of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets decreased to 60 percent in 2012, down from 66 percent in 2011, based on the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). The decrease was most significant among motorcycle passengers, decreasing from 64 percent in 2011 to 46 percent in 2012.

·        Helmet use continued to be significantly higher in States that required all motorcyclists to be helmeted. Ten times as many unhelmeted riders died in States without a universal helmet law (1,858 unhelmeted fatalities) as compared to States with such laws (178 unhelmeted fatalities).

·        In 2011, 60 percent of fatally injured motorcycle riders and 49 percent of fatally injured motorcycle passengers were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

FACTS ABOUT MOTORCYCLES AND ALCOHOL

• In 2011, the percentage of motorcycle operators who were intoxicated in fatal crashes (27%) was greater than the percentage of intoxicated drivers of passenger cars (23%) and light trucks (22%) in fatal crashes.

·        In 2011, 30 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle riders had BAC levels of .08 or higher.

·        Motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes at night were 3.4 times more likely to have BAC levels of .08 g/dL or higher than those killed during the day (47% and 14%, respectively).

·        Forty-two percent of the 1,997 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2011 had BAC levels of .08 g/dl or higher. Sixty-seven percent of those killed in single-vehicle crashes on weekend nights had BACs of .08 g/dl or higher.

TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

·       Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed. In 2011, more than one-fifth of motorcycle riders (22%) involved in fatal crashes were riding with invalid licenses at the time of the collision.

·       Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and use reflective tape and gear to be more visible. NHTSA estimates helmets saved the lives of 1,617 motorcyclists in 2011.

• Never ride while impaired or distracted—it is not worth the risk of killing or injuring yourself or someone else. Plus, a DUI costs $10,000 on average, and can lead to jail time, loss of your driver’s license, and higher insurance rates.

To learn more about the representation we offer Mississippi clients who have been injured in an auto accident, a dangerous product or through a slip and fall, contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients the representation they need. To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.
        
 

Have you been injured in a car accident?

Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere even to the safest drivers. You cannot control what careless or distracted motorists will do but you can take control of your life after a car accident.

In Mississippi a written accident report must be filed with the police with 10 days if someone is hurt or the property damage exceeds $250. It is a misdemeanor if you fail to file this report and could lead to a suspended driver’s license and it is illegal to provide false information in the report. We have listed below 9 steps to take if you are involved in a car accident as we realize that this can be overwhelming.

9 steps to take if you are involved in a car accident:

1. Be prepared before it happens. Have your insurance information in your wallet and glove compartment. It is also a good idea to have pen and paper in the glove compartment.
2. Stay calm.
3. Make sure everyone is OK. If needed seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
4. Call the police to report the accident.
5. Call your insurance company and report the claim.
6. Exchange vital information with the other driver such as contact information and insurance information.
7. Take photos with your cell phone or if you have a camera, including the surrounding areas, traffic signs, lane markings and damages to the vehicles.
8. Do not admit guilt. Express compassion but do not admit any fault. Do not answer questions or make statements to the other driver.
9. Treat parking accidents the same as road accidents.
   

Our law firm has the necessary resources and experience to effectively assist you with your car accident. We will discuss your situation in detail and go over the various options that are available to you. We will work with insurance companies and other parties involved to make sure that all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.

If you or a loved one has suffered a vehicle injury you need to hire an experienced auto accident attorney who can help make sure you receive the benefits you need. Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C handles all types of motor vehicle accidents including motorcycle accidents, boating accident, truck accidents and auto accidents. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Accidents Can and Do Happen

One wrong move can have major consequences at a construction site or other hazardous work site. Injured workers and the families of those who have been injured or killed may get some benefits from workers' compensation, but workers' compensation benefits may not be the only remedy available.

A few common causes of construction accidents include falls from heights, motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty gas mechanisms, forklift accidents, electrocution, machinery accidents and injury due to falling objects. Others may be from negligence of other site workers, mistakes and negligence caused by those under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective machinery, or inappropriate behavior of other site workers. Sadly in Mississippi we have the third-highest accidental death rate in the nation.

Accidents can and do happen no matter what the safety procedures in place are at a job site. Although you can file a workers' compensation claim on your own, there are cases which may benefit from the professional assistance of an attorney. Moreover, there are some instances in which you may have the right to file a personal injury suit instead of a workers' compensation claim.

If you or a loved one is in a construction accident a construction accident report must be filed immediately following the injury and then you should retain a lawyer. As both federal and state law may apply, Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins can assist you with this.

Many people do not realize that is Mississippi and many other states, an injured worker is barred from suing the employer for negligence. That means that if the worker or the employer is 100% at fault, remedies will be limited to workers' compensation benefits. However, if a third-party such as the employee of another supplier or contractor contributed to the accident, the injured party can file suit on a third-party claim.

The type of system in place at a construction site where an injury occurs is an important consideration in assessing the potential liability of those involved in the project. To determine who may be liable for injuries resulting from a construction accident, Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins will take a close look at the duties and legal responsibilities of individuals involved in the construction project.

Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins have the knowledge and expertise to help you. They will help you receive the compensation befitting your injuries. As soon as you've had an accident on a construction site, make sure to file the appropriate paperwork with your employer. Then contact Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins and you can rest assured that your case is being handled in the best way possible.

If you have been injured in a construction related accident, call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top personal injury attorney in your area.  Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

 

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

We have all read or heard the recent stories regarding distracted drivers. A couple examples are:

In 2017, State Farm Found that 82% of those surveyed considered talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving to be distracting, yet half reported doing just that.  They also found that 35% owned up to texting while operating a vehicle.  Nine Americans die per day in crashes that involve the driver;s attention being diverted.  

In 2015, Michigan saw more than 7,000 motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. More than 3,400 people were injured -- and 26 were killed. Those numbers are up from 2014, in which 14 people were killed and 2,429 others were injured.

Keep in mind that ANY activity that can divert your attention away from the task of driving is considered distracted driving. This includes but is not limited to anything that involves using your cell phone; Eating or drinking; Engaging with passengers, children or pets; Applying make-up or shaving; or reading a map. If you need to do any of these pull your vehicle over and handle them safely.

If you are one of the 82 percent of American drivers that believe hands free devices are safer than using a handheld phone the National Safety Council (NSC) states that is not the case. More than 30 studies have shown hands free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by conversation. The NSC stated that when talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them, such as stop signs, traffic lights and pedestrians.

So put down your cell phone, do not text and drive, stop eating that sandwich when driving and keep your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road. Take the pledge to drive cell free.

We urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted driving. To practice safe driving habits and to speak out if the driver in your vehicle is distracted. And remember that Mississippi House Bill 389 becomes effective July 1, 2015 which prohibits drivers from typing, sending or reading text messages, emails or social media messages.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a distracted driver you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 67 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                          

DISTRACTED DRIVING CAN BE DEADLY

This month our blog is on the subject of distracted driving. We have blogged on this subject several times as we cannot stress enough the importance of driving safely without distractions.

Simply put do not engage in other activities while driving. This can be talking to a passenger, grooming, texting, cell phone calls, eating or drinking, reading, watching videos or adjusting a radio. Any activity that diverts your attention away from driving is a distraction and can increase your chance of a motor vehicle accident.

There are three main groups of distractions, which are manual, visual or cognitive.

Manual distraction involved taking your hands off the wheel, visual distraction is taking your eyes off the road and cognitive distraction is when the driver’s mind wanders and is not on the act of driving.

Distracted driving is deadly serious! Our younger drivers are at the greatest risk for accidents causes by distracted driving. The following are some statistics taken from distraction.gov:

·    10% of drivers of all ages under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.

·    Drivers in their 20s make up 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes. (NHTSA)

·    A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. 20 percent of teens and 10 percent of parents admit that they have extended multi-message text conversations while driving.(UMTRI)

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Facts and Statistics each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,153 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

We urge you to drive safely and to avoid distractions. If you have to make a phone call, stop in a parking lot or other protected area.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a distracted driver you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 67 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Spring Safety Tips

Spring is finally here and we are getting out more and doing things. Many of us will be busy with yard and house work this spring and we wanted to give you a few safety tips. Let us know if they helped you. 

• Replace your Smoke Alarm and CO batteries as these alarms can save lives. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 2,400 people die each year because of unintentional home fire.

• Most hard surface cleaning can be done with mild products such as vinegar, lemons or baking soda. Never mix ammonia and bleach as it releases toxic gases. Keep all cleaning products out of the reach of small children and pets. You should always wash your hands before using cleaning products. Read the labels to make sure you are using the product for their intended purpose.
• Call the national Poison Help Line at 800.222.1222 if you have a poison emergency.

• Most people have coin or button sized batteries in their homes as they are used for remote controls, toys, games and other electronic products. These small batteries can cause life threatening chemical burns inside the body in as little as two hours. If a child has ingested one take them immediately to a hospital. Remember that even completely dead batteries have enough residual power left in them to cause serious injuries.

• If you own a trampoline remember to Zip, Cover and Scoot it. Zip up the surrounding enclosure; Cover the springs, hooks and frame in shock absorbing pads and Scoot the trampoline away from structures and trees.
• When working in your yard follow the directions that come with the equipment and other products you use. Do not be in a hurry and stretch your muscles before you do your yard work. When you use your garden hose roll it up and store it properly.
• When grilling do not leave it unattended as children and pets move fast. Keep your grill a safe distance from your home or any building. Do not use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire as they both can cause an explosion. Your mitts should be insulated and flame retardant and your sleeves rolled up.

To learn more about the representation we offer Mississippi clients who have been injured in an auto accident, a dangerous product or through a slip and fall, contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients the representation they need. 

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.