June is National Safety Month!

June is National Safety Month, which is all about focusing on reducing the top causes of injuries and death at work, on the road, and in our homes and communities by raising awareness. We can all work to keep each other safe year-round, so take part in this important month by learning more about what you can do to help yourself as well as others.

Staying Safe on the Road

Unsafe driving habits claim thousands of lives every year. In 2015, over 38,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes, and thousands more sustained life-altering injuries. The leading causes of road fatalities in the country are actually preventable, including drunk driving, speeding, and distracted driving. That means it is within our power to change it and make the roads safer for one another.

Distracted Driving

We have made incredible advancements in phone technology, but this has been a major contributory factor for the increase in distracted driving. In a poll conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), 80% of drivers indicated that they believe hands-free devices are a safe option for using a phone while driving. This is an erroneous belief, however, as has been proven by studies relating to the brain and its ability to effectively multi-task. When listening to or speaking on the phone, the area of the brain that processes moving images decreases by at least a third.

Teen Drivers

Car crashes are among the leading causes of death among teens and are largely owed to their inexperience on the road. Graduated Driver Licensing Systems can help reduce these unfortunate numbers by teaching kids safer driving habits.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a crucial skill to learn, especially for individuals who drive for a living. Employers would do well to offer defensive driving courses to not only save lives, but reduce costs associated with such accidents, which can up resulting in $1 million per death and $78,000 per disabling injury. Completion of these courses can also decrease insurance premiums, control liability costs associated with work-related vehicle crashes, and decrease workers’ compensation claims.

Safety in the Workplace

Given the number of fatal injuries that occur in the workplace, National Safety Month is also about keeping workers safe. The Bureau of Labor Statistics 2014 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries revealed that 4,821 people died while performing their jobs. Improved safety measures can help prevent these terrible occurrences. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the NSC have partnered up to accomplish this by developing compliance assistance tools and best practice documents as well as holding various occupational safety and health forums.

Keeping Each Other Safe

The NSC’s National Safety Month will feature a different safety topic every week:

• Week 1: Stand Up to Falls
• Week 2: Recharge to Be In Charge (Focus on Fatigue)
• Week 3: Prepare for Active Shooters
• Week 4: Don’t Just Sit There (Focus on Ergonomics)
• The NSC will also have a member-exclusive bonus week: Road Safety for Workers

Remember to always practice good safety habits all year round, no matter where you are.

Skilled Montgomery County Personal Injury Attorneys Ready to Take Your Case

Since our founding, Morris Wilson, P.C. has established itself as one of the most accomplished litigation firms in Southeastern Pennsylvania and have achieved recognition for our client-centric advocacy and dedication to obtaining big results. Our experienced trial attorneys handle medical negligence, product liability, and automobile and construction accident cases.

When someone is injured due to the negligent acts of another, that person is suddenly faced with life-changing decisions and overwhelming legal complications. These unforeseen accidents often lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, loss of work, and decreased quality of life, causing immense hardship for injured victims and their families. Our mission is to alleviate the stress and anxiety of dealing with the legal details of these situations, regardless of the type of accident you have suffered. With nearly a century’s worth of legal experience, our Montgomery County personal injury attorneys are more than adept at handling a wide range of injury cases. In fact, within the past 5 years alone, we have secured over $30 million in verdicts and settlements, alleviating the financial difficulties injury victims often face.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to another individual’s fault, call our firm today at (610) 825-0500 to discuss your case during a free case evaluation with one of our skilled and experienced Montgomery County personal injury attorneys.