Do you get distracted while driving when you see a billboard? Emotionally charged billboards actually affect people’s ability to drive according to researchers at the University of Alberta. Driver distraction is the primary cause of car accidents and studies have shown that when subjects see emotional stimulus as opposed to a neutral one, they are slower in reaction times slower at visually searching.

A study involving 30 college students simulated driving past 20 billboards. Each one contained a series of words that were emotionally positive, negative or neutral. Positive words included excitement, fame, happy cash, love, sex and win. Negative words included abuse, poison, cancer, stress and war.

Researchers found that positive words lead to speeding though driving skills were not affected. Negative words caused participants to slow down, lose focus, drift and veer between lanes. Some actually crashed into simulated vehicles, trees and pedestrians. Age and gender did not influence the results.

The study shows that billboards can be dangerously distracting road hazards.

Read more about the study here: http://www.naturalnews.com/039204_billboards_driving_distractions.html

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only. You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

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As cliché as it might sound, honesty is the best policy. Do not fake or exaggerate information about your injury. Doing so is the best way to ensure that your personal injury claim is ruined because one way or another the lie will be discovered.

Some people believe that they will receive a higher settlement if they stretch the truth and lie to a doctor about their injuries, but the fact of the matter is that this type of mentality will destroy your case.

Insurance companies routinely employ private investigators to do video surveillance on people who are claiming to be injured. If an individual claims to have constant lower back pain that prevents them from walking long distances and a private investigator films them hitting golf balls at the country club then they can bet their case will be denied. If the case happens to go to trial, the plaintiff’s credibility will be completely ruined in the eyes of the judge and the jury.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

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Providing a recorded statement can have a negative impact on your case. The insurance company for an at-fault driver is not on your side nor are they looking to help you in any way. The insurance company will commonly request a recorded statement from the person who could potentially make an injury claim.  These companies know that the faster they can obtain a recorded statement, the easier it will be for you to make mistakes that could potentially damage your claim.

As an injured person you are under no obligation to give a recorded statement to a claims adjuster without your lawyer being present. They will stress how important it is to collect all of the facts while the event is still fresh in your mind. In doing so, their main objective is to have you openly discuss what took place without placing too much thought into how you answer.

Everyday conversation such as the adjuster asking you how you are doing and the response of “fine” can lead to conflicting information on a recorded statement. Another example of unethical tactics an insurance adjuster might use is to take a recorded statement while an injured person is still in the hospital and heavily medicated.

I fight to ensure that my clients’ rights are never intruded upon. If you are asked to give a recorded statement without the presence of your personal injury lawyer, simply say no.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

You’re driving on the freeway in steady traffic and your exit is coming up so you look in your blind spot to change lanes. While your head was turned the car in front of you hit their breaks and now your fight or flight instincts kick into full gear. You couldn’t avoid the impact but the physical damage was minor. Months later you begin to feel anxiety every time you get onto the freeway. It worsens during high traffic, in unfamiliar terrain and at night. The effects of such anxiety can be crippling as your heart races and your hands shake in a cold sweat.

If you have experienced this type of anxiety while driving then you are not alone. Both fear and comfort while driving is a learned behavior. Here are some tips help with driving anxiety:

Take care of yourself. Avoid driving on an empty stomach, while experiencing blood sugar imbalances or while sleep deprived .

Cut out caffeine. This one might be difficult because it is after all the greater Seattle area. Caffeine is known to trigger anxiety.

Carpool. Engaging in conversation means that you are less likely to think anxious thoughts. However, choose your carpool buddy carefully to avoid distractions.

Manage your Stress. Exercise, meditation and yoga help to distress the body. Extended periods of overwhelming stress can trigger anxiety.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

Medical records are a way for doctors and medical assistants to communicate a patient’s history including any allergies, symptoms and medications they might be taking; but they are also key evidence in your personal injury case. These medical records document how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis and may become quite extensive including multiple doctors, physical therapists and assistants. These documents will include MRI reports, various diagnostic results and laboratory findings.

Look through your medical records from time to time to ensure that the doctors who are treating you have taken accurate notes. This helps to ensure that your records are correct and that you receive appropriate medical treatment. If you find inconsistencies in your records then you want to correct them as soon as possible. A sing incorrect notation can change the insurance company’s evaluation of a case. Talk to a personal injury lawyer to find out how you can request your medical records.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com