Stay Safe from Injuries in the New Year

Some injuries happen and are beyond your control, but there are steps you can take to keep you and your family as safe as possible. As the New Year approaches, remember the following tips and, if someone is injured due to the negligence or fault of another, contact a Tulsa personal injury attorney. 

Accidental injuries send nearly 40 million people to the emergency room or doctor’s office each year in the United States. While you might think you lead a relatively low-risk life, the chances that someone or something else might cause you injuries is a very real one. While you cannot control the actions of others or prevent all types of accidents, there are some steps you can take to lower the chances of injuries for you and your family. 

In the event that you or someone you love does suffer an injury, and you believe another person or party was at fault, you shouldn’t wait to contact a Tulsa personal injury attorney so that they can evaluate your rights and legal options. 

Get a Vehicle Check-Up

If you and others in your family drive cars or SUVs, it is important to make sure they are in good working order. There could be issues with your vehicle that are not noticeable if you are not a mechanic, and such issues can lead to serious crashes if left unchecked. Simple items like checking the tire pressure (especially as the temperatures decrease) and replacing your wiper blades can make a difference. 

It is always worth your time to schedule a check-up for the vehicles in your household. While you cannot prevent all vehicle parts from malfunctioning, you can often reduce your chances of emergency situations on the road if you schedule a check-up and necessary repairs.  

Check for Product Recalls 

We all have a wide range of products in our homes, and the holiday season often means additional products come in as gifts. With new or existing products comes the risk that something might be defective and cause injuries when being used. Some products that might come with risky defects include:

• Toys
• Games
• Bicycles and other sports equipment
• Furniture
• Electronics
• Baby products
• Appliances
• Tools
• Vehicles

When a manufacturer learns of a possible defect or unreasonable risk of a product, the company should issue a recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) publishes a recall list of defective products, and you can check the recall list for any new products that recently entered your home. Often, “new” Christmas gadgets and toys given as gifts may have been sitting in the gift giver’s closet for months (or years!), and they would have no reason to know of any recalls. 

Review Driving, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Safety

It is very likely that people in your household drive cars, ride bicycles, or walk near traffic – even if it is only in your neighborhood. It is important to regularly review safe practices for being on or near the road to help prevent accidents whenever possible. This is especially the case for teen drivers. With the pandemic and so many school-age children home during the week, it’s especially important to go over safety rules with your young drivers to avoid a potential tragedy. 

Some things to review might include:

• Defensive driving
• Staying aware of traffic on a bicycle
• Using sidewalks and crosswalks
• Never crossing the street without an adult
• Avoiding distracted or impaired driving

While others might still be negligent and cause crashes and injuries, you can help ensure your family members do their part to stay safe, and to keep those around them safe as well. 

Know What to Do if an Accident Happens

As mentioned, no matter how careful and proactive you and your family may be, there is always the chance that others around you can cause serious accidents. It is important to know what to do following an accident to protect your health, safety, and legal rights. 

Some steps you might take after an accident and injuries include:

• Get to a safe space when you can, such as pulling over to the side of the road
• Call 911 so emergency personnel can report to the scene
• Get the medical diagnosis and treatment you need as soon as possible
• Collect information from all others involved in the accident
• Contact an experienced personal injury attorney if you believe that another party caused the accident. 

Learn About Your Rights from a Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney

While you can never prevent all injuries from happening, you can regularly review safety tips and what to do should an accident and injuries occur. Setting up a free case evaluation with a Tulsa personal injury lawyer is an essential step in protecting your rights. Many injury victims can financially recover for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

At Wandres Law, PC, we help clients dealing with injuries and losses from a wide variety of accidents, including traffic accidents, falls, and those caused by defective products. Call (918) 641-4044 or contact us online to learn more about our services and how we can help you.