Tag: baltimore personal injury law firm

Maryland Drivers – Please Be Extra Cautious on the Roads this Halloween

Posted on by YostLaw

Halloween is just around the corner. Statistics show that Halloween is one of the most dangerous times of the year for young pedestrians. Maryland drivers should be ready to take special precautions on the road this year to ensure that everyone can enjoy the holiday safely.

Children traveling in groups with their friends on Halloween may not always practice proper pedestrian safety. That means it is up to drivers to make sure that they slow down, avoid distractions, and prevent tragic pedestrian accidents from occurring.

Here are a few helpful safety tips for motorists this Halloween:

  • Slow Down: Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for pedestrian foot traffic, so plan your night accordingly. Carefully obey posted speed limit signs, and slow down even more in residential neighborhoods. Leave yourself more time to arrive at your destination, take your time and help make the roads safer for everyone.
  • Remain Alert: Keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians on both sides of the street at all times. You never know when a child could run out into the road, so always expect the unexpected. Also, be especially cautious when entering or exiting alleys or driveways. Go slowly and give any pedestrians plenty of time to get out of your way.
  • Be Aware of Popular Trick-or-Treating Hours: Most children are out trick-or-treating between the hours of 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Be especially cautious on the roads during these times on Halloween.
  • Yield to Pedestrians: Even if you are not approaching a designated crosswalk, stop and allow kids and parents to safely cross the street. Kids could be walking on the shoulder of the road, on the median or on the curb so make pedestrian safety your top priority.
  • Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving causes thousands of preventable pedestrian accidents every year. With more young children out and about on Halloween, it is more important than ever to avoid all driver distractions while behind the wheel. Keep your phone in your pocket or purse, and do not eat, groom yourself, adjust the radio or GPS when you should be focusing on the road.
  • NEVER Drive Drunk: There will be plenty of Halloween parties to attend, so be sure you plan a safe way home BEFORE you go out. If you will be consuming alcohol at a Halloween event, plan to take public transportation, designate a sober driver, or call a taxi or car service like Uber or Lyft.

At The Yost Legal Group, we want to make sure that everyone has a safe, fun and happy Halloween. By following these safety tips, Maryland drivers can help prevent tragic and avoidable accidents with pedestrians. Please be safe, drive defensively and click here to read additional Halloween safety tips.

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

High Lead Concentration in Soil Leaves Thousands of Indiana Children at Risk for Lead Poisoning

Posted on by YostLaw

Thousands of Indiana residents living near an old lead smelting plant are being forced out of their homes due to widespread environmental contamination. For more than 30 years, emissions from a now defunct lead refinery have seeped into the region’s soil and water, creating a dangerous and potentially hazardous situation for nearby communities. Children in these areas are undergoing testing to determine if they have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.

Unfortunately, the residents in this region were not made aware until very recently that their air, soil and water could pose a serious health risk. Back in 2011, the Centers for Disease Control released a report stating that the soil, air and drinking water near this former smelting plant posed no potential harm to children or families. However, a recent investigation by Reuters has found that this 2011 report was misleading and was created using incomplete data.

This situation is extremely dangerous because local residents were never warned to take precautions in order to avoid exposure to harmful levels of lead. In fact, the investigation revealed that nearly 22% of children in this region of Indiana tested positive for elevated blood levels.

Click here to read more about this investigation from Reuters.

When young children are exposed to high levels of lead, it can lead to a lifetime of devastating health problems. Exposure to lower amounts of lead:

  • Can slow a child’s development
  • May cause symptoms such as aggression, ADD and ADHD
  • Can cause learning difficulties
  • Antisocial behavior and more.

In more extreme cases of lead poisoning, children may be at risk for serious brain-related medical problems including brain swelling (encephalitis), convulsions, coma, or even death.

If your child has been exposed to lead due to old lead paint, environmental contamination, or any other factor, contact The Yost Legal Group right away at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential consultation. The Yost Legal Group is made up of experienced Baltimore Lead Poisoning attorneys that will fight hard to protect your rights and secure the justice you deserve.

When you call The Yost Legal Group, we will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you. You will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and there is never a fee until we recover for you.

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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