injury lawyers

Top tips to prevent dog bites

Whether you’re a dog lover, owner or just have dogs in your life they can bring lots of joy and companionship. But sometimes dogs can bite or launch a full-blown attack. However, before it gets to that there are things you can do to prevent dog bites and dog attacks from happening. Here are some key points from Best Friends Animal Society on safety when it comes to canines:

Build on their social skills

Dogs are very social animals and require a lot of attention. Socialize your dog by integrating them into regular activities both inside and outside your home as early as possible. Your aim should be to give your dog a series of positive social experiences to progressively build on their social skills. However, while introducing your dog to new situations, places, people and animals it’s important to exercise caution. Think about where your dog is at in their socialization progress to avoid overwhelming them or putting them in a negative social situation that could end badly.

Take the right approach to training

Training your dog with a certified professional is a great way for your dog to learn suitable behaviour in an effective way. Using positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage positive behaviour over negative behaviour in your dog while building the bond between you and your dog. Using physical punishment or rough play are things that you should avoid with your dog.

Give them lots of exercise

Whether it’s fetch, frequent walks or hiking trips, giving your dog lots of exercise is vitally important. Interaction with your pet with play strengthens the bond between you and the exercise will burn off their energy.

Avoid tying them up and letting them roam independently

Putting your dog in situations where they can potentially feel vulnerable can make them more likely to bite. When your dog’s ability to run away from potential danger is inhibited it can leave them feeling vulnerable, and when potential danger approaches (like another animal or person) they can feel forced to attack. Also, when you let your dog roam on their own it can leave them feeling vulnerable and lead to aggression if they feel confused or scared.

Pay close attention to their behaviour

Take note of your dog’s behaviour and tendencies. If you notice behavioural changes they could be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Take them to the vet to make sure everything is alright.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

May 11, 2018 Uncategorized

Easy ways to improve your driving

Even though you may be an experienced driver, over time you can pick up bad habits. Not only do bad habits put you at risk on the road but they also endanger those driving around you.

If you are looking to progress your driving there are some simple ways to get better that will help keep you safer behind the wheel. Here are some quick tips:

Go back to basics

It’s nothing out of the ordinary to see drivers forgetting to execute the basics that you learn in driving school. But forgetting to do so is dangerous. Simple things, like entering the left lane of the street you’re turning on to when turning left at an intersection, signaling when changing lanes or when backing out of a parking spot, and coming to a full stop at stop signs, are key for your safety. Also, bad habits like driving when you’re in a rush, distracted or over-tired are all dangerous habits that can lead you to drive recklessly. Try to only drive when well rested, give yourself time to make the trip and put the phone away when you’re behind the wheel.

Adjust your mirrors

Make sure your side mirrors are adjusted properly. While you can’t completely eliminate blind spots, and need to fully turn your head to check them before changing lanes or turning, having your mirrors adjusted optimally can greatly reduce them. To adjust your driver’s side mirror, move the mirror so you can barely see the edge of the vehicle in the mirror’s right-hand side when your head is against the left-side car window. To adjust the passenger side mirror, move it so that you can barely see the side of the vehicle in the left-side of the mirror when your head is just above the center console. This will give you much better view around your vehicle while driving.

Learn high-beam protocol

High-beams are a key tool to help you see on poorly lit roads at night and extreme daytime weather, but they can also be blinding. Make sure to turn off your high-beams when approaching another vehicle to prevent other drivers from becoming blinded by your lights. If other drivers on the road fail to do this it’s recommended to look at the right side of the road and follow the painted edge line instead of looking directly at the lights.

Make your left turns safer

When waiting to make a left turn point your wheels straight rather than to the left. If a car strikes yours from behind and your wheels are turned left you will be pushed into oncoming traffic. Stay safe by keeping them straight.

Keep your eyes moving

Don’t go into auto-pilot with your eyes while driving. Make sure to be checking your mirrors, looking far ahead and at the vehicles around you. Some drivers have a tendency of focusing solely on the car in front of them which can make it harder to realize that you’re getting closer and closer to them.

Keep your distance

While driving we can get in the habit of not leaving enough room between our car and the one in front of us. Time the distance between your car and the one in front of you by noticing when the car in front of you passes a marker on the road. When it does, time how long it takes for you to reach that same marker. A recommended time-distance to leave between your car and the car in front of you is 4 seconds which gives you enough reaction time in case the car in front of you suddenly breaks.

Go back to class

Over time the rules of the road change. If it’s been a long time since you last took a driving course perhaps a driving refresher course would be good for you. Doing so can help keep you up to speed on changed driving rules as well as keep your driving skills sharp.

Study your car

Get a deep understanding of your car’s features. Vehicles today are coming out with an increasing number of safety features on them, like rear-view cameras and lane departure warnings. Take time to research to learn their abilities and limitations so you don’t over rely on them but also take advantage of all your vehicle has to offer.

Learn how to properly use a roundabout

The one thing that many experienced drivers are still daunted by is roundabouts. If you find roundabouts intimidating focus on learning how to use them properly. There is an online guide available from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Go to the optometrist

Having good eyesight is key for keeping your driving skills sharp. As you age eye problems can arise gradually, so they can be difficult to notice yourself. Getting your eyes checked regularly by an optometrist can help you catch any problems and allow you to have them addressed.

While you can be a very safe driver, sometimes accidents do happen. Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

March 30, 2018 Driving, Road Safety

How to talk to elderly loved ones about unsafe driving

As we grow older how we feel about our ability to drive shifts. When you get your driver’s license for the first time you get a new sense of freedom and independence. As an adult the privilege of being behind the wheel is one many of us rely on. Also, as you age more and more your driver’s license becomes a valued symbol of self-sufficiency.

However, aging can come with a number of common physical changes that can make driving increasingly difficult and eventually dangerous. Stiff joints and weaker muscles can make it harder to turn your head, brake in a safe manner, or turn the steering wheel quickly enough. Reduced quality of eyesight and hearing can become dangerous when it comes to taking in visual and auditory signals on the road. Also, slowed reflexes and side effects from medications can impact your driving ability.

If a loved one of yours is becoming an unsafe driver due to age, having a conversation with them about turning in their keys for good can be a difficult conversation to have. Following some of these tips might help make it smoother:

Avoid confrontational language

When initiating a conversation with an elderly loved one about their ability to drive it can be easy for them to feel like a calling-out of their deteriorating ability to drive is an attack rather than an expression of care and concern. Make sure to emphasize your concern. When deciding what you will say and how you will say it, structure your statements referencing yourself more than them.

Focus on safety

After a lifetime of driving to everything they love, feeling a push to give up driving can also feel like a push to give up everything else they love. Make it clear that the focus in getting them to stop driving is on safety, and that they can still continue doing the things they love.

Have alternatives prepared

Offering reliable alternatives instead of driving can make prospects of them giving up driving not as daunting. It’s possible that they may not be aware of what is available to them. Help them find more information if needed to start using alternative modes of transportation or, if possible, help by driving them.

Use specifics and multiple voices

You want your loved one to take this conversation seriously. Avoid sounding like one person nagging. If multiple people have concerns let them come together with you on this to show your elderly loved one that they have a group of people who care about them and are concerned about their safety. Also, when having the conversation voice generalizations less and offer specific examples instead.

Show empathy

This is likely a difficult conversation for your loved one to have or thing for them to hear. Make sure to approach the conversation with an empathetic view of how they may be feeling when facing these prospects. Be supportive, show respect and offer positivity.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

March 23, 2018 Driving, Road Safety

For brain injury victim family members

6 tips to help ease your way through recovery

Brain injuries don’t just affect those who are injured, they can affect entire families. If a family member of yours has experienced a brain injury chances are it might have placed emotional, social or financial challenges in your path. Every family’s experience is unique but all can experience the same types of changes.

It can be helpful to take some guidance from experts who understand your situation. Thankfully the Ontario Brain Injury Association has created a number of recommendations for family members of those experiencing brain injury. Some of these six tips might work for you:

1. Share responsibility

If you are becoming the main caregiver for the injured person the massive life change that your loved one’s injury can bring to your life can bring a lot of stress as well as personal strain. Know that you are not alone. If your injured loved one is capable of helping you in any way, allow them to help around the home.

While it can be challenging living with someone who has sustained a brain injury, there are support networks around you to help, whether that’s friends, family, support groups, programs or organizations.

2. Ask the nurses

Knowledge is power. While caring for someone who is recovering from a brain injury it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about their condition. Your loved one might have medical problems specific to their injury. You’ll want to learn all you can about the problems your loved one will be facing and how to properly manage them. Nurses who are caring for your loved one can be a great resource to ask questions that you may not have been able to get in when talking to specialists or doctors and walk you through specifics so you are more prepared for providing care on your own.

3. Consider getting a neurophysical evaluation

A neurophysical evaluation can give you a better understanding of your loved one’s injury, including how their abilities will be affected by the injury. Knowing this can help you in a number of ways. Because a brain injury can have significant affects on your loved one’s cognition and behaviour, this can cause significant changes in their life going forward. It’s important to understand what your loved one is facing. Secondly, knowing what these challenges are can help you moving forward in being able to care for them and look out for their wellbeing. Knowing what specific challenges they face, and what they are capable of doing, can help you predict issues in upcoming situations as well as know what you can expect of them.

4. Join an organization

There are many organizations and groups available to offer you support and resources, like brain injury associations. The information and community they provide can help you to improve your loved one’s quality of life on the recovery journey ahead.

5. Push for what you need

It’s important to be a strong advocate for your loved one. You have the expertise in what they were like before their injury, as well as the knowledge you gain from daily interaction with them. Ask questions, learn about their rights, and be firm when it comes to having their needs met.

6. Consult a lawyer

Talking to an attorney should be an urgent priority. Make sure to talk to a lawyer experienced in representing brain injury victims, especially before signing any paperwork.

An experienced lawyer is valuable to brain injury victims for a few reasons. They can help guide you through your options after the injury and help you find valuable resources for yourself and your loved one. The help of a personal injury lawyer can remove a lot of the stress that comes when a loved one suffers a brain injury.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

February 23, 2018 Uncategorized

What is Your Circle of Care?

Your world can be turned upside down in the wake of an accident. The aftermath can cause physical, mental, emotional and financial stress on you and your family that can be very overwhelming.

Navigating the path to recovery can be difficult, so it’s important to reach out to your circle of care, or people that are able to help you with the services you need to get there. Each member of the team plays an important role to get you on your way to recovery – here is a list of the top eight that you should have documented and prepared.

1. Police and EMS

Police

When involved in a serious accident where property is damaged or you are injured (like a traffic accident) it’s crucial to immediately report the accident to police. In addition to tickets they may issue, their reports are detailed and contain valuable information about the details of the accident and the at-fault party. These are important documents if you later need to build a case while seeking the personal or property damages you need

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The first responders to your serious injury are usually EMS. They play a key role in providing care to you as soon as possible and are the first step towards your physical care and recovery. They also write detailed reports about your injuries and the medical care provided to you by them, which are useful while building a case for the compensation you need.

2. Social Workers

If you’re seriously injured, those close to you and your caregivers can be affected immensely. Social workers can be a great support to your family or caregivers to help solve problems and cope with the changes that the accident has brought into your life, and the lives of those around you.

3. Insurance

Insurance companies play an important role in your access to the personal or property damages you deserve. While seeking personal or property damages, you will usually be dealing with the insurance company to get the money you deserve.

4. Psychologists and Family Counselors

Personal injury doesn’t only cause physical distress—it can cause mental and emotional stress as well. And it cannot only affect you but those very close to you as well. Reaching out to psychologists and family counselors when needed to help cope and deal with the stress and emotions involved with a personal injury is important for well-being and a smoother road to recovery.

5. Doctors

Doctors provide assessment, treatment and examinations throughout the personal injury recovery journey. It’s important to see a doctor early and let them know about even the smallest injuries or mental stress associated with the accident – follow their instructions for care and go to any necessary follow-up appointments. When interacting with doctors for examinations it’s important to give proper backstories while being very descriptive and showing that the injury you’re experiencing has changed over time and why. Doctors provide many pieces of documentation used during and after your recovery that is important for building your case for the personal damages you need.

6. Registered Nurses

Being in the hospital due to a personal injury can make nurses a key role in the journey to recovery from injury. They provide essential treatment of your injury in addition to education about it.

7. Rehab and Physiotherapy

Accidents can cause a range of personal injuries, some of which physiotherapy or physical rehabilitation provide fantastic treatments for. Physiotherapists can also help with the recovery journey by providing education about the injury and helping enable management of it and it’s symptoms.

8. Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal injury lawyers are there to protect you. They represent you and work hard to get you what you deserve in your journey to recovery.

Dye and Russell works hard to protect your rights and get you the best possible outcome on your claim. We are a dedicated part of your circle of care that makes sure everyone is committed to helping you recover and supporting you every step of the way.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

August 18, 2017 Uncategorized

Top tips to prevent dog bites

Easy ways to improve your driving

How to talk to elderly loved ones about unsafe driving

For brain injury victim family members

Recent Posts

Categories

Categories

Recent posts

Get Your Free Claim Assessment