There are several advantages you can expect if you make the decision to apply for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. However, filing for bankruptcy does have at least a few unpleasant consequences.
The biggest impact that a bankruptcy can have is on your credit record. You can expect the bankruptcy to remain on your credit record for a period of 10 years. During this time, you may find it difficult to purchase a home, buy a car, or purchase life insurance.
When you file for bankruptcy protection, you can expect to lose at least some of your luxuries. You will also automatically lose your credit cards. Once you file for bankruptcy protection, you may not be able to obtain a mortgage in the short term. However, you may be eligible for a mortgage again after five years.
Additionally, filing for bankruptcy does not mean all of your debts are completely eliminated. Some kinds of debt like student loans may still remain on your record.
Besides, there's the emotional impact of filing for bankruptcy. For most people who put off a declaration of bankruptcy, the reason is very often simply a reluctance to admit defeat.
The above reasons are not meant to discourage you if you are considering filing for bankruptcy. There are several benefits to filing for bankruptcy protection, including the elimination of harassment by creditors. Los Angeles bankruptcy lawyers would however recommend that a person filing for bankruptcy is well aware of all possible consequences of these actions.
The good news is that almost none of these consequences will actually last over the long-term. After a few years, you may be able to get your life back on track, and eliminate the bankruptcy from your record.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Study on Motorcycle Safety Promises New Observations about Preventing Accidents
When the Motorcycle Safety Foundation announced that it would be initiating its own study into motorcycle accident causation relying on naturalistic methods, Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers were intrigued. That study has now begun.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's study emerged out of the group’s disapproval of another study commissioned by the federal government. That study was to have been conducted by the Oklahoma State University's Oklahoma Transportation Center, and initially was designed to analyze 900 motorcycle accidents. However, due to funding concerns, the number of motorcycle accidents that would be included in the study was soon reduced to 300. At this point, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation withdrew its pledge of funding approximately $3 million for that study.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation study is being assisted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Administration.
The naturalistic study uses strategically positioned, unobtrusive video cameras on motorcycles. The cameras will record motorcyclists’ riding behavior, especially the events that surround an accident. This is real-time data which doesn't get any more authentic. Through these cameras, researchers will be able to pinpoint the causes surrounding the crash, and determine the kind of motorcyclist behavior that contributed to, or prevented a crash. This is the world's first naturalistic study into motorcycle crash causation.
A total of 100 motorcycle riders will be recruited for the MSF 100 Motorcyclist Naturalistic Study. Anonymous motorcyclists have been recruited on the basis of the age and model of the motorcycle. The motorcycles will be equipped with extensive recording equipment, including five video cameras, a GPS receiver, gyro, accelerometers, sensors and trackers. With this equipment, the researchers hope to capture data that is comprehensive and accurate, providing results that could help develop stronger and updated motorcycle accident prevention policies.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's study emerged out of the group’s disapproval of another study commissioned by the federal government. That study was to have been conducted by the Oklahoma State University's Oklahoma Transportation Center, and initially was designed to analyze 900 motorcycle accidents. However, due to funding concerns, the number of motorcycle accidents that would be included in the study was soon reduced to 300. At this point, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation withdrew its pledge of funding approximately $3 million for that study.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation study is being assisted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Administration.
The naturalistic study uses strategically positioned, unobtrusive video cameras on motorcycles. The cameras will record motorcyclists’ riding behavior, especially the events that surround an accident. This is real-time data which doesn't get any more authentic. Through these cameras, researchers will be able to pinpoint the causes surrounding the crash, and determine the kind of motorcyclist behavior that contributed to, or prevented a crash. This is the world's first naturalistic study into motorcycle crash causation.
A total of 100 motorcycle riders will be recruited for the MSF 100 Motorcyclist Naturalistic Study. Anonymous motorcyclists have been recruited on the basis of the age and model of the motorcycle. The motorcycles will be equipped with extensive recording equipment, including five video cameras, a GPS receiver, gyro, accelerometers, sensors and trackers. With this equipment, the researchers hope to capture data that is comprehensive and accurate, providing results that could help develop stronger and updated motorcycle accident prevention policies.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
CHP Urges Caution after String of Motorcycle Accidents in San Diego
San Diego County recorded some of the highest numbers of motorcycle accidents in California in 2009. The California Highway Patrol is now urging motorists to exercise greater caution while driving.
In 2009, they were 1,100 motorcycle accidents in San Diego County. Out of these, twenty-six occurred at a particularly dangerous intersection. In 2010, there had been seven fatal motorcycle accidents, and during the first six months of 2011 alone, there have been five fatal motorcycle accidents here. In San Diego, motorcycle accident fatalities account for a large percentage of the total accident fatality toll every year. They account for less than 5% of vehicles, but comprise more than 30% of the total number of accident fatalities annually.
The California Highway Patrol and California motorcycle accident lawyers have been sufficiently concerned to urge motorists to look out especially closely for motorcyclists this summer. According to the CHP, the worst intersection for motorcyclists in San Diego County is a particular intersection in the East County where there have been more than twenty-six motorcycle accidents. Out of these, more than 50% of the accidents involved motorcycles and cars.
The California Highway Patrol is urging motorists to slow down while driving, especially when they're near intersections. In fact, according to the agency, approximately 90% of motorcycle accidents would not even occur if motorists were driving at safe speeds.
Drivers must look out for motorcyclists near intersections, and also in their blind spots. A motorcyclist can easily be hidden in the driver's blind spot, emerging suddenly out of seemingly nowhere, with dangerous consequences. Motorcyclists can also do their part by learning about the blind spots in a motorist’s field of vision, like right behind the car, and avoiding staying in these fields for long.
In 2009, they were 1,100 motorcycle accidents in San Diego County. Out of these, twenty-six occurred at a particularly dangerous intersection. In 2010, there had been seven fatal motorcycle accidents, and during the first six months of 2011 alone, there have been five fatal motorcycle accidents here. In San Diego, motorcycle accident fatalities account for a large percentage of the total accident fatality toll every year. They account for less than 5% of vehicles, but comprise more than 30% of the total number of accident fatalities annually.
The California Highway Patrol and California motorcycle accident lawyers have been sufficiently concerned to urge motorists to look out especially closely for motorcyclists this summer. According to the CHP, the worst intersection for motorcyclists in San Diego County is a particular intersection in the East County where there have been more than twenty-six motorcycle accidents. Out of these, more than 50% of the accidents involved motorcycles and cars.
The California Highway Patrol is urging motorists to slow down while driving, especially when they're near intersections. In fact, according to the agency, approximately 90% of motorcycle accidents would not even occur if motorists were driving at safe speeds.
Drivers must look out for motorcyclists near intersections, and also in their blind spots. A motorcyclist can easily be hidden in the driver's blind spot, emerging suddenly out of seemingly nowhere, with dangerous consequences. Motorcyclists can also do their part by learning about the blind spots in a motorist’s field of vision, like right behind the car, and avoiding staying in these fields for long.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Decline in Auto Accident Deaths in California Last Year
For the fifth consecutive year, there has been a drop in car accident fatalities in the state of California. According to statistics by the California Office of Traffic Safety, auto accident fatalities in 2010 dropped to 2,715 from 3,081 deaths in 2009. That was an 11.9% drop, and is the biggest drop recorded in California since 1944. For some more perspective, it is a drop of 37% from 2005.
The California Office of Traffic Safety attributes this decline to a number of factors, including increased and high visibility enforcement, expanded use of sobriety checkpoints across California, as well as the use of public awareness campaigns. However, Los Angeles car accident attorneys believe that the drop has much more to do with the fact that people are driving safer cars and that there are now fewer accidents involving people who think it is safe to drive after they have had a few drinks. The fact that drunk driving accidents have been down over the past five years, has contributed to a substantial decline in auto accident deaths.
The California Office of Traffic Safety also believes that safer highway design and easier access to emergency and trauma care services is helping save more lives in accidents.
More than 2,700 accident deaths in a year in spite of safer vehicles, fewer drunk drivers and greater adherence to traffic safety laws, is no reason for celebration. Fortunately the California Office of Traffic Safety does not plan to let up on accident prevention efforts. The agency plans to give out millions of dollars in grants to local agencies around the state to be used for highway safety initiatives.
However, most of the grants will fund prevention of drunk driving accidents, with little attention paid to other growing accident factors, like the increasing number of drivers driving under the influence of prescription medications, or distracted drivers.
The California Office of Traffic Safety attributes this decline to a number of factors, including increased and high visibility enforcement, expanded use of sobriety checkpoints across California, as well as the use of public awareness campaigns. However, Los Angeles car accident attorneys believe that the drop has much more to do with the fact that people are driving safer cars and that there are now fewer accidents involving people who think it is safe to drive after they have had a few drinks. The fact that drunk driving accidents have been down over the past five years, has contributed to a substantial decline in auto accident deaths.
The California Office of Traffic Safety also believes that safer highway design and easier access to emergency and trauma care services is helping save more lives in accidents.
More than 2,700 accident deaths in a year in spite of safer vehicles, fewer drunk drivers and greater adherence to traffic safety laws, is no reason for celebration. Fortunately the California Office of Traffic Safety does not plan to let up on accident prevention efforts. The agency plans to give out millions of dollars in grants to local agencies around the state to be used for highway safety initiatives.
However, most of the grants will fund prevention of drunk driving accidents, with little attention paid to other growing accident factors, like the increasing number of drivers driving under the influence of prescription medications, or distracted drivers.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Spiritual Health Can Help Brain Injury Patients Heal Better
A strong spiritual relationship may help patients with a brain injury heal faster. According to researchers from Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, belief in a higher power or a supreme being can help a brain injury patient’s process of rehabilitation. The research is published in the journal, Rehabilitation Psychology.
According to the researchers, they were aware that religion and spirituality is typically associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. However, they had little information about what kind of effect a strong religious foundation would have on recovery after a brain injury.
To establish a link between spiritual health and brain injury recovery, the researchers interviewed 88 persons with traumatic brain injury. Most of the subjects were male African-American Christians. The participants were also put through a neuropsychological study of their cognitive abilities. The partners of these participants were also involved, and gave their input about the individual's cognitive abilities.
The researchers found that a majority of the participants who had a belief in a supreme being, reported higher rates of success in emotional and physical rehabilitation. Intriguingly enough, the study did not find that participation in religious activities, like going to church, speeds up a person's recovery after a brain injury. In fact, such religious activities seemed to have no effect at all on the results of the rehabilitation.
According to the researchers, this is likely because patients who suffer from a traumatic brain injury do not have the ability to attend religious activities on their own. These people may be dependent on others to take them to church, or to participate in socio-religious activities. This may be why these activities don't dramatically impact recovery after a brain injury.
California brain injury lawyers would explain this effect of spirituality on rehabilitation through the widely-accepted fact that faith helps individuals through difficult times. These people may feel less stressed about their condition. A sense of calm and lowered stress levels can only be conducive to any kind of rehabilitation.
According to the researchers, they were aware that religion and spirituality is typically associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. However, they had little information about what kind of effect a strong religious foundation would have on recovery after a brain injury.
To establish a link between spiritual health and brain injury recovery, the researchers interviewed 88 persons with traumatic brain injury. Most of the subjects were male African-American Christians. The participants were also put through a neuropsychological study of their cognitive abilities. The partners of these participants were also involved, and gave their input about the individual's cognitive abilities.
The researchers found that a majority of the participants who had a belief in a supreme being, reported higher rates of success in emotional and physical rehabilitation. Intriguingly enough, the study did not find that participation in religious activities, like going to church, speeds up a person's recovery after a brain injury. In fact, such religious activities seemed to have no effect at all on the results of the rehabilitation.
According to the researchers, this is likely because patients who suffer from a traumatic brain injury do not have the ability to attend religious activities on their own. These people may be dependent on others to take them to church, or to participate in socio-religious activities. This may be why these activities don't dramatically impact recovery after a brain injury.
California brain injury lawyers would explain this effect of spirituality on rehabilitation through the widely-accepted fact that faith helps individuals through difficult times. These people may feel less stressed about their condition. A sense of calm and lowered stress levels can only be conducive to any kind of rehabilitation.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Calls for Safety Technology to Prevent Table Saw-Related Accidents
According to the National Consumers’ League, every year more than 4,000 people suffer horrific amputation injuries involving the use of table saws. Most of table saw injuries occur at home. The average medical bill for a person who suffers a finger amputation from a table saw-related accident is about $30,000. The total cost of these injuries is more than $2 billion a year.
The worst part of it all is that these injuries are preventable. The technology to prevent amputations from the use of table saws and bench saws has been around for years now, but manufacturers of table saws have failed to adopt this technology in their tools.
Now, the National Consumers’ League is asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to pressure the industry to install amputation-prevention technology in their tools. The technology to prevent these injuries is Saw Stop. It has been around for a while, and has been widely proven to prevent amputation injuries from the use of table saws. Saw Stop works by detecting a finger in the path of the blade. When the finger is detected, the machine automatically switches off.
However, the company that manufactures Saw Stop has already begun its own line of tools incorporating the technology. Other manufacturers don't want the Consumer Product Safety Commission to mandate Saw Stop technology because it would give that company an unfair edge over their tools.
While manufacturers continue to delay, thousands of innocent people suffer serious injuries from dangerous products every year that can leave them incapacitated. Amputations can be life altering injuries. According to the industry, these tools are currently equipped with plastic guarding systems that protect them from injuries. However, Los Angeles personal injury attorneys believe that the guarding technology is hardly useful, because it discourages easy use of the tool, and therefore, consumers are simply likely to remove the guard.
The worst part of it all is that these injuries are preventable. The technology to prevent amputations from the use of table saws and bench saws has been around for years now, but manufacturers of table saws have failed to adopt this technology in their tools.
Now, the National Consumers’ League is asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission to pressure the industry to install amputation-prevention technology in their tools. The technology to prevent these injuries is Saw Stop. It has been around for a while, and has been widely proven to prevent amputation injuries from the use of table saws. Saw Stop works by detecting a finger in the path of the blade. When the finger is detected, the machine automatically switches off.
However, the company that manufactures Saw Stop has already begun its own line of tools incorporating the technology. Other manufacturers don't want the Consumer Product Safety Commission to mandate Saw Stop technology because it would give that company an unfair edge over their tools.
While manufacturers continue to delay, thousands of innocent people suffer serious injuries from dangerous products every year that can leave them incapacitated. Amputations can be life altering injuries. According to the industry, these tools are currently equipped with plastic guarding systems that protect them from injuries. However, Los Angeles personal injury attorneys believe that the guarding technology is hardly useful, because it discourages easy use of the tool, and therefore, consumers are simply likely to remove the guard.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
High Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury in Prison Population
A new report indicates a substantially increased risk of traumatic brain injury in prison inmates compared to the general, non-incarcerated population. Brain injury among prisoners is a much neglected and underestimated health and safety issue facing these people.
According to the study Traumatic Brain Injury among Prisoners, brain injuries are believed to affect an estimated 25% to 87% of the prison population in the country. In comparison, about 8.5% of the non-incarcerated population of the country suffers from traumatic brain injury. The incidence of traumatic brain injury in the prison population therefore, may be as much as 10 times as in the non-incarcerated population.
There have been other studies and surveys that have pointed to the causes of such injuries. In a study conducted among male prisoners in Minnesota, the survey found that of the 998 inmates, an approximate 82% reported having suffered from one or more head injuries during their lives. Most of these injuries were caused by assault, auto accidents and sports accidents. However, the Minnesota study seems to indicate that prisoners may also be at risk of suffering brain injury because of certain unique prison factors. For instance in Minnesota, incarcerated gang members are sometimes initiated through a procedure called “pumpkinhead,” in which a person is severely beaten until his head swells like a pumpkin.
Another study showed that traumatic brain injury occurs among prisoners who knock their heads against the cell walls or bars until they are unconscious. This is very often seen in persons who are restrained in isolated cells.
The report makes for fascinating reading. California brain injury attorneys suspect that the problem is even greater in California with its overcrowded and congested prisons that have recently been criticized by the Supreme Court because of the lack of medical care.
According to the study Traumatic Brain Injury among Prisoners, brain injuries are believed to affect an estimated 25% to 87% of the prison population in the country. In comparison, about 8.5% of the non-incarcerated population of the country suffers from traumatic brain injury. The incidence of traumatic brain injury in the prison population therefore, may be as much as 10 times as in the non-incarcerated population.
There have been other studies and surveys that have pointed to the causes of such injuries. In a study conducted among male prisoners in Minnesota, the survey found that of the 998 inmates, an approximate 82% reported having suffered from one or more head injuries during their lives. Most of these injuries were caused by assault, auto accidents and sports accidents. However, the Minnesota study seems to indicate that prisoners may also be at risk of suffering brain injury because of certain unique prison factors. For instance in Minnesota, incarcerated gang members are sometimes initiated through a procedure called “pumpkinhead,” in which a person is severely beaten until his head swells like a pumpkin.
Another study showed that traumatic brain injury occurs among prisoners who knock their heads against the cell walls or bars until they are unconscious. This is very often seen in persons who are restrained in isolated cells.
The report makes for fascinating reading. California brain injury attorneys suspect that the problem is even greater in California with its overcrowded and congested prisons that have recently been criticized by the Supreme Court because of the lack of medical care.
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