Tag: baltimore car accident lawyers

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Posted on by YostLaw

Cerebral palsy (CP) occurs in nearly 1 in every 500 births, making it is the most prevalent cause of motor function impairment. A disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture, CP is a neurological condition caused by brain damage which is usually suffered before, during or soon after a baby is born. CP may also cause seizure disorder (epilepsy), swallowing, speech and eye movement problems, and can cause intellectual disabilities.  Premature birth significantly increases an infant’s risk of CP.  There are several different types of CP, with each type classified according to the type of body movement and posture problem present. Ataxic cerebral palsy is the rarest type of cerebral palsy and involves the entire body.

Ataxic CP causes problems with:

  • Balance
  • Precise Movements (may reach too far or too close to touch objects)
  • Coordination (may walk with feet unusually far apart)
  • Hand control (may have trouble buttoning clothing, writing or using scissors)

If there is birth trauma during labor and delivery, it is possible for the baby to suffer from a brain injury due to hypoxia, or lack of oxygen. Medical staff is expected to monitor the baby’s heart rate and the mother’s contraction rate to ensure the safety of the baby and avoid birth injury. Medical negligence in this area could be the reason why you child suffers from cerebral palsy.

Motor functioning impairment greatly affects quality of life. Additionally, the cost of care for a child with brain damage is high. If your child’s brain injury was caused by a medical mistake at birth, or caused by an extremely premature birth which healthcare providers negligently failed to prevent (such as a failure to diagnose and treat preeclampsia), the experienced Birth Injury lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are here to help.

Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential, no-obligation consultation. When you call, you will speak with a Baltimore Birth Injury attorney with real experience absolutely free. At The Yost Legal Group, there is no fee or expense unless you recover.

 

Pets Deserve Legal Protection Too

Posted on by YostLaw

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) more than 60% of Americans have a pet and more than 35% of pet owners consider their pet to be a member of their family. Despite these statistics, Maryland has done little to enact and enforce laws designed to protect pets.

As in other states, it is a crime in Maryland to abuse or neglect an animal. Maryland is lenient on animal abusers though, with a maximum sentence for animal neglect or animal cruelty of 90-days versus six months to one year in many other states.

This year, the Maryland Legislature is considering several laws aimed at protecting animals, including:

  • A law that would require veterinarians to report suspected cases of animal cruelty;
  • A law that would require licensing of commercial breeders;
  • A law that would require animals no longer needed for research purposes to be made available for adoption; and
  • A law that would give judges the ability to order defendants in animal abuse cases to pay for the cost animal shelters incur caring for animals seized.

Additionally, if a pet is injured in Maryland as a result of someone else’s negligence, § 11-110 of the Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article caps the recovery at $7,500. This means that if you successfully sue the person who hurt your pet you cannot get more than $7500, regardless of the severity of the injury or the amount of your vet bills or other expenses. The cap on damages for cases involving injured pets fails to recognize that many pet owners consider their pet to be a part of their family.

Deterrence is one of the goals of both the criminal and civil justice systems. Maryland’s leniency towards people who hurt animals fails to properly deter people from abusing or neglecting animals and must be rectified.

If you or a loved one of any species is seriously injured and it was not your fault, call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529). When you call, you will speak with an experienced, compassionate Maryland lawyer absolutely FREE.

We will investigate every detail of your case and fight hard to ensure that your rights are protected. At The Yost Legal Group, you will never pay an attorney’s free up front and we don’t get paid until you do.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

 

“Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” Starts this Sunday 11/6

Posted on by YostLaw

Now that fall is in full swing, the sunsets come earlier and the nights are longer. That means that it is almost inevitable for us to feel sleepier earlier in the day, and that can be a dangerous combination when paired with driving.

Sunday, November 6th is the start of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a national movement aimed towards the elimination of sleepy driving. While many Maryland drivers are familiar with the risks associated with impaired driving and distracted driving, it is not widely known that drowsy driving holds many of the same risks, such as slower judgement, delayed response time and wandering thoughts.

Below are some disturbing statistics about the severity of drowsy driving in the United States, according to the National Sleep Foundation:

  • 100,000 police-reported vehicle crashes are caused by drowsy drivers every year
  • Drowsy driving is linked to approximately 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries every year
  • The total value of drowsy driving accidents is nearly $12.5 billion per year
  • 11 million drivers admitted that they were in a crash or a near crash due to being too tired behind the wheel

Here are a few important tips recommended by the National Sleep Foundation that can help prevent drowsy driving:

  • Be well rested: There is a lot of responsibility that comes with driving, so make sure you are as alert as possible while operating a vehicle.
  • Pull over: If you notice yourself drifting off, make sure you are in a safe location and take a 15-20 minute nap.
  • Bring a buddy if you are planning a long road trip. Not only will you be able to drive in shifts, your driving buddy can pick up on signs of fatigue if you start to drive dangerously due to drowsiness.
  • Drink caffeine: This can increase your alertness for several hours. Please note you should not solely rely on caffeine to get you through long road trips.

Don’t get behind the wheel if you are drowsy, the risks are simply too high.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a car accident that was not your fault, call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential consultation.

The attorneys at Yost Legal Group are experienced professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination. When you call, one of our experienced Baltimore Car Accident attorneys will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to protect your rights.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

People Are Injured Every Day Due to Distracted Driving Across Maryland

Posted on by YostLaw

Distracted driving is a selfish decision that thousands of Americans make every day. When drivers choose to be distracted on their phone instead of concentrating on the road, they are not only putting their own lives on the line, but also the innocent lives of motorists and pedestrians around them.

Looking at Maryland specifically, it was found that 80 people are injured everyday due to distracted drivers. Not to mention there are 53,000 distracted driving crashes in Maryland every year that result in 28,874 injuries. These alarming numbers shed light on how serious distracted driving can be and the deadly consequences associated with it.

Texting used to be the culprit behind distracted driving, but it has now expanded to social apps such as Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Google Maps and Spotify to name a few. Below are some shocking statistics that expose the dangers associated with distracted driving:

  • 9 people are killed every day by distracted driving across the U.S
  • 70% of teens admit to using mobile apps while driving
  • 48% of adults admit to texting and driving even though they know it is unsafe
  • The risk of being in an auto accident is increased 4x when you pick up your mobile device

To read more about distracted driving in Maryland, click here.

At The Yost Legal Group, we want all Maryland motorists to drive as safe as possible. That means never using your mobile device while operating a vehicle. It is that simple.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Association advises these following tips to keep yourself and others safe on the road:

  • Turn off your phone. Turn off your phone or put it in silent mode before you get in the car, then stow it away out of your reach.
  • Pull over. If you ever need to make a call or send a text, reduce your risk of getting in an accident by pulling to a safe spot on the side of the road.
  • Use passengers. Ask a passenger in your vehicle to make a call for you or shoot a text, as well as navigate directions for you if needed.
  • Refrain from eating, drinking, reading, grooming and smoking. These activities distract you from the road and increase your odds of being in an accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver or in any type of motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, call The Yost Legal Group for help and guidance. We have years of experience dealing with all types of Auto Accident and Injury cases, and we promise to represent your rights to the fullest.

Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) to speak with an experienced, dedicated and compassionate car accident attorney about your case. You will receive a FREE, confidential consultation with a Baltimore Auto Accident attorney. If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Call today.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights.

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