Researchers believe that Florida brain injury patients – and patients across the country who have sustained traumatic brain injury due to car accidents, workplace accidents, and other causes – may have a cause to celebrate. The National Institutes of Health haw awarded Orlando Health a $2.25 million grant. The grant is specifically earmarked for traumatic brain injury research.

The grant recipient and lead researcher at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Dr. Linda Papa, plans to use the money to develop more effective tools to diagnose brain injuries. According to Papa, about 90% of the roughly 2 million Americans who sustain a traumatic brain injury yearly sustain either a mild or moderate brain injury. In some instances, diagnosing these injuries is challenging for health care professionals.

Papa’s study will begin in 2008 and will try to create blood test that will help doctors evaluate biomarkers in the blood. Biomarkers are released by the brain during brain injury and Papa and her team believe they may be able to devise a test that not only helps to indicate brain trauma but could also potentially help tell doctors the seriousness of a traumatic brain injury. If successful, the test would help doctors select better treatment options for patients.

The research into this issue is badly needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 5.3 million people in the US currently live with brain injury-related disabilities. Almost 50,000 people die each year in the US due to brain injuries. Many people who suffer from a brain injury face life challenges such as suicide, depression, divorce, unemployment, substance abuse and other problems.

The difficult thing about traumatic brain injury is that many forms of brain injury can be avoided. Careful driving on the road, for example, can reduce the car accidents that lead to brain injuries. Careful evaluation of water depth before diving can help prevent not only brain injuries but also the spinal cord injuries that occur each year when swimmers dive into water that proves too shallow.

Most Florida residents have probably heard of the tainted milk scandal affecting China right now. A number of manufacturing companies, including Sanlu, a leading dairy producer in China, have been accused of illegally manufacturing milk that contains traces of an industrial chemical known as tripolycyanamide or melamine. Manufacturers allegedly watered down milk in order to make a greater profit and then added melamine to milk products in order to allow the milk to pass testing. Melamine added protein to the watered-down milk which allowed manufacturers to convince inspectors that the milk was adequately nutritious.

The scandal was initially uncovered when children using a baby formula began ill. Since then, the scandal has spread world-wide as it has become apparent that milk products around the world have been affected. So far, it is not known whether wrongful death suits will be filed outside of China over the scandal.

Melamine, when consumed, can cause kidney failure, kidney stones and other kidney illnesses, which can be especially dangerous to young children and the elderly. So far in China, it is estimated that 50,000 babies have fallen ill after drinking tainted milk. A worldwide figure for fatalities and illnesses is not yet known. Many countries so far have banned Chinese dairy products.

Although the US has not yet taken that step, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued some recalls linked to the scandal. For example, all flavours of White Rabbit Creamy Candy, distributed by QFCO, Inc. of Burlingame, California have been recalled. It is believed that the candies – sold in California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington – have been made with Chinese dairy products containing melamine. So far, there are no reports of any US consumers becoming ill from the products.

The FDA has also been advising consumers that some Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products sold by King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd, may be laced with melamine. The FDA advises that anyone who has purchased these products avoid consuming them. The agency also advises anyone who has consumed the products and has fallen ill to report their symptoms to a family doctor immediately.

In light of consumer worries over the melamine scare, the FDA has also made some suggestions to consumers to stay safe:

1) Continue to monitor the FDA website and the news media to learn of news recalls. Companies manufacturing any product with imported milk products – this includes Mars and Hershey products and infant formulas manufactured overseas that have met the requirements for distribution in the United States – are still considered safe, although testing of all possibly affected products remains ongoing.

2) Read labels carefully. The FDA warns the public that not all food products sold in Asian markets may be safe. For example, infant formula manufactured in China, and available for purchase at some Asian markets, may be tainted. Customers should exercise caution when purchasing any products that may not have been tested for distribution in the United States.

3) Do not buy Chinese-imported infant formula products or other milk-based products online. Products sold online are often not answerable to US laws surrounding recalls, so it is possible that tainted, recalled products will still be available for online purchase even if they are not safe. If a product has been recalled, do not buy that product, even if it is available for purchase online.

More than 36 million Americans are currently over the age of 65. By the year 2050, that number will increase substantially to 86.7 million. Although many senior adults require assisted living programs, special care or nursing home care, though, the licensing and monitoring of these programs has not kept pace with the greying of the population. Although there are many wonderful nursing homes and assisted living programs in Florida and across the country, there are also some care homes and facilities that offer poor medical care, untrained or abusive staff, and unsafe environments.

Instances of nursing home and elder abuse are especially tragic because not all elderly persons are easily able to communicate with friends and family. This makes them especially vulnerable to abuse and neglect and allows such behaviour to continue undetected. Also, some elderly persons have medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to slip and falls accidents, broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, hip fractures, and other injuries.

Although it is estimated that one million elderly Americans are victimized in nursing homes or assisted living programs each year, experts admit that estimating the numbers is very difficult because so many cases are never detected or reported. Elderly citizens are most vulnerable to neglect, which is also the most common form of negligence and abuse. However, instances of physical, mental, financial and emotional abuse as well as medical under-treatment are also depressingly common. In the most severe cases, abuse and neglect can lead to fatalities or permanent injury.

Although not every instance of nursing home and elder abuse can be foreseen and prevented, experts agree that there are many things that concerned family members and friends can do to prevent this problem:

1) Select a facility very carefully. Many cases of nursing home and elder abuse occur due to poor facility management, poorly trained staff or other preventable problems. In many cases, there are red flag signs that a facility has problems but many family members do not notice this. When selecting a care facility for an elderly loved one, ask lots of questions, drop in during visiting hours unannounced a few times and ask for thorough tours of the facility. Check references, credentials and polices carefully to ensure that your loved one will get good care. Trust your instincts – if you are hearing the right things but something seems “off,” keep looking.

2) Maintain vigilance. Even if you select the best facility possible, nursing home and elder abuse can still occur. Some excellent facilities may acquire new staff, management or develop new policies that affect care. Some facilities – even excellent ones – may overlook issues that affect your loved one. Sadly, nursing home and elder abuse can occur in any facility – even the best. Visiting your loved one regularly and checking up on the facility regularly are a must.

Any Florida family with a loved one in an assisted care facility may want to sit up and listen to the news out of Canada. In the city of Edmonton, an elderly man has died in a nursing home after drinking industrial dishwashing liquid. The man, Floyd Taylor, suffered burn injuries after drinking the chemical and died as a result of the incident. Taylor lived in t the Kipnes Centre for Veterans and was seen by witnesses spitting liquid into a sink on Sept. 12. It is now believed that liquid was the industrial dishwashing liquid that eventually killed him.

Taylor had Alzheimer's disease. When staff discovered that he had burns, he was taken to a hospital, where it was discovered that he had sustained serious burns to his mouth, vocal cords and esophagus. Taylor died four days later in hospital. The Taylor family thinks that the man drank the fluid thinking it was juice and believe the incident was preventable. It is not known whether a wrongful death suit will result from the accident.
Alberta Health Services is investigating the death and trying to determine whether the dishwashing liquid was left out inappropriately or was left in a cupboard that was unlocked.

The incident reveals that even good car facilities may inadvertently engage in some less than safe practices leading to nursing home neglect. Families can prevent similar accidents by:

1) Asking care facilities about the storage of dangerous chemicals, including cleaning products, over the counter medicines and other hazardous products. These products should be carefully stored in locked closets or cupboards and should be returned to these locked areas immediately after uses.

2) Ensuring that staff are adequately trained in safety procedures in the care facility. Asking what training staff have relieved is not excessive – it’s a good way to ensure that adequate care is taken. Mistakes can easily happen when staff are not clearly instructed as to what to do.

3) Knowing how staff deal with medication. Patients and residents should be given the right dosage of their medications at the right time each day. They should not be given bottles of pills or allowed access to larger doses of medication than they can take at one time. Medication doses and names should be checked before each administering to ensure that the right patient is getting the right medication in the right dose.

4) Raising any concerns promptly. One of the best ways to prevent tragedies is with frequent visits to the assisted living facility. Take tours and visit all common areas as well as your loved one’s room. If you notice any dangerous conditions – water on the floor that could lead to a slip and fall accident or an open container or paint – report the problem and follow up to ensure that it has been resolved. If you notice that dangers are not dealt with, contact authorities in your area or an attorney to protect your loved one.

Pedestrian accidents in Florida lead to many tragedies. Because cars and pedestrians are so unevenly matched, pedestrians struck by a vehicle often face significant injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, disfigurement, and other injuries. In addition, pedestrians face a high risk of fatalities when struck by a car.

Unfortunately, in many cases, it is not a pedestrian’s fault that they have sustained injury. Some Florida motorists take significant risks when driving, and these risks can lead to car accidents. Motorists all over the country have a responsibility to drive safely to prevent car accidents and pedestrian accidents. Drivers can help prevent such accidents by:

1. Maintaining good visibility. Being able to see the road is crucial when driving. Wearing sunglasses during daylight driving hours can help cut glare. Keeping glasses and the windshield clean can also help improve visibility. Of course, if you need glasses, you should get regular check-ups and ensure that you have the latest prescription available so that your eyesight is 20/20.
2. Obeying the rules of the crosswalks. All corners have crosswalks – whether those crosswalks are indicated by painted lines or signs or whether those crosswalks are unmarked. When approaching any corner or crosswalk, exercise additional caution and be prepared to stop quickly. Keep in mind that pedestrians have the right of way in all crosswalks. This also applies to crosswalks which are not marked.

3. Watching out for parked cars. Parked cars mean pedestrians, since people will be walking to and from their parked vehicles. At the same time, though, parked cars mean reduced visibility for drivers, since parked cars can mean that pedestrians step out between parked cars, where they may be less visible.

4. Becoming sensitive to motion. Keep your eyes moving and stay alert. If you see any motion, even from the corner of your eye, always check to see what made the motion and get prepared for the unexpected.

5. Looking out for spaces that are shared by pedestrians and vehicles. When entering or leaving a driveway, for example, stay alert for pedestrians. Keep in mind that driveways may have pedestrians as well as cars, and you need to stay alert for both. Parking lots and loading areas or docks are similar.

Although the medical industry often claims that medical mistakes are not very frequent, research suggests otherwise. According to one Harvard University study, 95 000 people are killed across America each year due to medical malpractice in hospitals. This does not take into account the many people who sustain head injuries, unnecessary amputations, permanent injury, brain injuries, burn injuries and other permanent or serious injuries due to medical mistakes and recklessness. According to a U.S. government study, 10% of physicians need discipline dues to recklessness or negligence, although only six-tenths of one percent of physicians are actually disciplined. This means that the vast majority of unsafe medical professions are still allowed to treat other patients. Often, it is only a tragedy that takes a life that results in discipline.

Although many instances of medical malpractice cannot be prevented because they happen outside of the control of patients – in labs, for example – there are many warning signs that patients can observe. Florida personal injury attorneys with experience in medical malpractice suggest that patients can prevent problems by:

1. Selecting their family doctor carefully. Do research and ask medical professionals as well as friends or family for referrals. Talk to previous patients of your doctor and schedule an interview before you select your doctor. Ask lots of questions about experience, education and procedures. Look for a doctor who is caring, experienced, honest, and board certified. Your family physician will be making many care decisions and will also be in a position to notice medical errors and possible red flags when you are referred to someone else. Look for a doctor who has a clean and organized office and an affiliation with a hospital. This will ensure that medical treatment runs smoothly and will cut your risks of injury and medical mistakes. Also, contact with local court record and the state medical board to determine whether your physician has been sued for malpractice. While everyone can make a mistake once or twice – or be the target of a frivolous lawsuit -- multiple suits are a definite warning signs.

2. Taking charge of your own health. Health care service providers are there to provide a service – you are still in charge. Despite this, many patients willingly surrender all their medical care decisions because they assume that doctors are more educated or know more. This can increase the chances of mistakes. Always ask plenty of questions and do your own research into your health conditions and your medication. If your own research uncovers something that gives you pause, ask your doctor about it right away. Consider writing all your questions down and brining a copy of these questions with you to appointments – that way, you won’t overlook anything.

3. Being proactive about lab results. Many people assume that if they don’t hear back from their doctor about test results, that means that there was no problem. Some doctors even tell patients that they will only be contacted in the event that something is wrong. This is a troubling practice, because it can mean that human error – someone forgetting to make a phone call – can postpone diagnosis and treatment. Always schedule a follow-up to discuss test results. Also, do not be shy about asking that tests be sent to a hospital or certified lab. These tend to offer more reliable results than doctors’ laboratories. Most important of all, if you continue to have symptoms even though a test result came back negative, request a second test be done. Many tragedies happen due to lab error.

4. Being careful about surgeries and treatments. If you need surgery, a medical treatment or any other procedure, get lots of information before agreeing. Ask about the procedure, recovery times, risks, benefits and alternative treatments. If your doctor does not have the time to answer all of your questions, find another doctor. Unnecessary treatments and surgical mistakes are a key cause of medical malpractice. Be sure to learn as much as you can about your surgeon and about the staff who will be helping him or her. If you are not comfortable with the surgeon or doctor who will be performing the procedure, do not hesitate to request another professional. If you need surgery, have the surgeon mark the area that will be operated on with pen shortly before the procedure. Wrong-site surgeries are a very common – and very preventable – problem at many hospitals.

Public swimming pools are intended to be a safe place of recreation. Swimming pools in recreation centers, community centers, schools, and clubs all are required to have safety measures in place. The safety measures include barriers that prevent people from entering the pool after hours, on-duty lifeguards, and other safety precautions. Despite this, children and adults alike are injured in pools every year.

USA Safekids reports that for children ages 14 years of age and under, drowning constitutes the second major cause of injury-related fatality. In 2004 alone, 3702 children had near-drowning experiences that required emergency treatment. In about 40% of these cases, children had nearly drowned in swimming pools. According to the Drowning Prevention Foundation, 19% of childhood drowning deaths occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present. The Orange County California Fire Authority reports that a swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a car to cause the death of children 4 years of age and under.

Parents should not just be worried about fatalities, either. According to the National Safety Council, 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to near-drowning-related injuries. Of these an estimated 15% die in the hospital while another 20% suffer severe and permanent disability. Common pool-related injuries include broken limbs, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and other injuries.

Most experts agree that parents can help prevent these types of injuries by:

1) Making sure that someone is watching children at all times pool-side. Many accidents occur because someone watching children in the pool was momentarily distracted. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, 70% of preschool drowning victims are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning. 75% of these victims are only left unattended or unobserved for five minutes or less. Most children who die of drowning – 86% -- are found after 10 minutes while 92% of survivors are discovered within two minutes of submersion, according to the National Safe Kids Campaign. Clearly, ensuring that no one has submerged for a long time is essential. Having several parents or adults observing at all times is key. Asking children to get out of the pool periodically is also essential.

2) Covering pools when not in use. Parents should make it their business to ensure that outdoor pools and any sort of public pools are covered and are not a temptation for children. If you see a pool that is not safely secured, ask the owner of the building to secure it.

3) Teaching children to swim. Swimming classes that teach children water safety are a good way to ensure that children respect pools and know how to prevent injuries. Providing extra classes with a qualified instructor ensures that children have the strength and know-how to swim safely. CPR and emergency courses for any adults supervising children pool-side are also a good idea.

4) Ensuring that children don’t run or engage in other risky behavior near the pool. Slip and fall accidents can easily turn deadly if a child slips into the deep end of a pool and bumps his or her head on the way in.

As several tropical storms approach Florida and other regions of the country, residents are bracing for impact. Although people living in hurricane areas often become somewhat complacent about safety – especially after a few bad storms with no injuries – it is always important to treat each new storm warning seriously. Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause serious injuries, including drowning incidents, head injuries and spinal cord injuries caused by falling objects or crumbling homes, and other types of injuries.

To keep yourself and your family safe:

1) Stay alert to the news. Have a portable radio and listen to the latest weather forecasts and warnings so that you know what to do. If you hear an advisory or warning, be sure to follow the instructions you are given about evacuations and dangers.

2) Understand the risks prevalent with storms in your area. If you live near the water, tropical storms can cause tidal surges and flooding. No matter where you live, storms with powerful winds can compromise home structural integrity and can cause heavy objects (including power lines and poles as well as trees) to come crashing down.

3) Develop a formal emergency plan for hurricanes. This plan should include charted escape routes from each area of your home and workplace. You should also discuss safe meeting places near your home and outside of your neighborhood. That way, if your family is not together during a storm you can meet together and ensure everyone is accounted for. Have an out-of-town contact everyone can call so that someone will know that you are all safe.

4) Create an emergency kit. Include water – at least 2 liters per person per day -- and non-perishable food. You will also want to have a can opener, flashlight, portable radio, extra clothes, and cash in small bills. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist for a two-week supply of medicine and supplies. Pharmacies may be closed for some time after a hurricane, so make sure you are prepared. Your kit should also include important documents – including ID and detailed medical histories and reports about medical conditions and allergies for every member of your household. Take pet food and pet supplies with you if you have a pet.

5) Follow orders and do not take any risks. If you are told to evacuate, do so, following the routes designated by authorities. If you know that a hurricane or major storm is headed for your area but you have not been told to evacuate, stay in your home and make sure that everyone who can safely get home gets home. Do not drive or go outside if you do not have to. If you think a storm will be severe, board up windows ahead of time and secure any items outside. Once inside during the storm, stay away from any windows or from the side of the house where any large trees are. Stay calm and listen to the radio for instructions.

Of all medical malpractice cases, few are as tragic as those cases involving birth injuries or birth trauma. Some couples spend years planning for and anticipating becoming parents. When a health care provider’s negligence or recklessness causes a birth injury or birth trauma, parents are often faced with extreme grief at a time when they also have to deal with in the medical, financial, and legal consequences of the incident. Worse, birth injuries can lead to a lifetime of pain and difficulty. Some children who do not receive proper treatment at birth suffer lifelong disabilities or injuries. Some do not survive their first few weeks of life. In addition, some mothers experience severe complications when neonatal care is not adequate.

A birth injury or trauma is defined as an injury that occurs to an infant during birth. One of the most common birth injuries occurs when a delay in delivery deprives the unborn child of oxygen. When this occurs, a child may sustain brain injuries or may suffer from cerebral palsy, erbs palsy, or other injuries.

Besides delayed delivery, other common injuries at birth include:

1) Cephalohematoma. This occurs when the area between a bone and its covering starts to bleed. In most cases, a few hours after birth this is noticed as a lump on the infant’s head.

2) Caput Succedaneum. This injury occurs when the tissues of a baby’s scalp swell significantly. Usually, this injury occurs when babies are delivered by vacuum extraction. While in some cases, the swelling goes away and causes no further problems, some babies develop bruising in the area and may even suffer permanent injury.

3) Forceps marks. When forceps are used incorrectly, they can leave marks or bruises on a baby’s head and face. In some cases, they can cause birth trauma as well.

4) Facial Paralysis. In some cases, the facial nerve can be injured during delivery, especially in cases where forceps or vacuum extraction are used. Usually, this injury is evident at once because a crying baby with facial paralysis cannot close his or her eyes and cannot move one side of his or her face. Where a facial nerve has been torn, an infant may need surgery to correct the problem.

According to the AAA, teen drivers between ages 16 and 17 are most likely to get into fatal car accidents Monday through Friday between 3 and 5 p.m. The rate of fatal car accidents during these hours is just as high as the rate of accidents between 9 p.m. 2 a.m on weekend nights. These accidents often lead to not only fatalities but also to serious injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken limbs, permanent injuries, disfigurement, burn injuries, and much more.

The University of Maryland’s Deparment of Public Community and Health suggests that to prevent these after-school accidents, parents can:

1) Show good driving skills themselves. Young drivers often learn by example, so parents who are courteous and careful drivers themselves are more likely to instill these same values in their own children.

2) Sign their young drivers up for defensive driving classes and additional driver training. More time with an experienced instructor means more skills on the road. Defensive driving classes are especially useful because they teach drivers to anticipate problems and be react before an accident occurs.

3) Set rules for driving. Parents can and should lay out rules for driving. Rules can include such guidelines as “no drinking and driving,” “everyone in the car must always be buckled up” or “no teenage passengers after class for six months.” Teens should be aware that when these rules are broken they will lose their driving privileges. Parents should also prevent teens from driving in high-risk conditions, such as driving at night or in poor weather.

4) Make teens responsible for their own tickets if they are caught breaking the law. Teen drivers may rethink their attitude about not wearing seatbelts, for example, if they have to pay a fine with their own spending money for the whim.

5) Encourage teens to stay calm with aggressive and angry drivers. Anger behind the wheel can cloud the judgement of any driver. Never allow an upset teen to get behind the wheel of a car.

6) Take teens on new routes with an experienced driver. If a teen is heading to a job interview, for example, tag along for the drive to note any potential road hazards and to allow the teen to get familiar with a new route.

Although Florida bus accidents are not very common, any bus accident is too many. Bus accidents lead to fatalities, permanent disability, brain injuries, broken limbs, disfigurement, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and much more. Obviously, they also cause immense distress for entire families. Since children are small and since most buses do not have safety belts, even minor accidents in a school bus can lead to serious injuries for children and minors.

Statistics show that, on average, about 20 students are killed each year in bus accidents. Another 6000 students are injured in bus-related accidents annually. While small buses that weigh less than 10,000 pounds are required by federal law to have seat belts, larges buses of at least 25,000 pounds do not need seat belts. Many experts think that increased seat belt availability would decrease fatalities and injuries, but not all experts agree. According to 2002 findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts that close around the lap increase the chances that a child in a school bus accident will sustain serious abdominal or neck injuries. The same study concluded that most children and minors wear shoulder-style safety belts incorrectly and therefore run greater chances of more injury.

According to the National Safety Council students can decrease their risk of injury during the school year by:

1) Waiting for the school bus away from the street and traffic. A safe area to wait for the bus is important, since not all school bus accidents occur while a student is on board a bus. Many injuries occur while a child is getting on or off a school bus.

2) Keeping away from the bus until the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the bus driver signals the student to enter. School buses – especially the larger models – have many blind spots and it is important for a student to make sure that the driver sees him or her.

3) Keeping a distance. When exiting a bus, a student should leave promptly and take at least 10 large steps away from the bus. Students should always keep a large distance between themselves and a bus, as this gives the driver more visibility. Drivers cannot always see students standing very close to the bus, and this can cause accidents.

4) Using handrails. When entering and exiting a school bus, children should use handrails to prevent slipping and falling. Not all school bus injuries occur while the bus is in motion and a fall down the stairs of a bus can result in injury.

5) Staying alert of traffic when exiting and entering a school bus. Drivers are expected to follow certain rules when around school buses, but not all drivers do. Students should be taught to be alert for drivers not obeying traffic rules.

The National Research Council has found that school buses are actually much safer for children than being dropped off at school by their parents. Nevertheless, for every family that has lost a child to a school bus accident, school bus accidents -- even if they constitute only a small percentage of vehicle accidents -- still occur far too often. Now that back-to-school season is almost here for Florida families, many Florida parents are thinking about back to school safety. Bus safety is a big part of that.

A school bus accident is every parent’s nightmare. Although these accidents do not often happen, they can cause fatalities, permanent injury, brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, and other serious injuries. The panic after an accident, when parents try to learn whether their children are injured, is often deeply frightening and traumatic for the whole family.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, almost one million public school students rode on school buses in 2001 alone. Between1998 and 2002, 4,830 school buses in Florida were involved in accidents. These accidents involved 53 children who were outside a bus and 32,207 children who were inside a school bus. As a result of these accidents, there were six child fatalities. Four of these children were killed getting off and on a bus while two children were killed in the bus. 56 injuries were so severe that they required emergency treatment as a result of these accidents.

School bus drivers were found to be not at fault in these accidents 69% of the time. Poor weather conditions were also mostly ruled out as causes of the accidents. However, drivers of school buses during this period between 1998 and 2002 were found to be cited more often than other motorists for improper turns and improper backing. In research conducted on school bus accidents, it was found that the school bus loading and unloading area is generally the most dangerous for children since a driver cannot see children on all sides of the bus.

As a result of the research done into school bus accidents, a number of recommendations were made. These included better school bus driver training and improved loading zone safety. A report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suggested that education programs for school bus safety include parents, children, as well as drivers so that everyone understands how child passengers can safely get on and off school buses. The report also suggested changes to safety belts and seating systems to make buses safer.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles report also concluded that private school buses performed better than public school buses in regard to the severity of bus crash injuries. Currently, all drivers who transport children must meet physical requirements, pass a yearly physical exam, and post a certificate. All school bus drivers also need to have at least 5 years of driving experience and must be able to pass a background check. Drivers must also complete 40 hours of training. Given that the requirements for bus drivers are the same for public and private schools, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would like more research done as to why one set of drivers seems to fare better in bus accidents.

Unfortunately, many pedestrian accidents that leave pedestrians seriously injured, killed, facing brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-threatening ailments, are hit and run accidents. While some motorists stop to assist pedestrians who have been injured in a collision, many motorists who accidentally or intentionally hit a pedestrian leave the scene of the crime.

USA Today has reported that fatalities in hit and run accidents have increased 20% since 2000. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 974 pedestrians were killed in hit and run accidents in 2005 alone. According to the AAA Foundation for pedestrians account for 60% of those killed in hit and run accidents. Between 1994 and 2003, 14,914 people were killed in hit and run accidents. Obviously, the statistics are sobering.

There are many ways a pedestrian can avoid collisions with motorists:

1) Even when at a crosswalk, look to your right and to your left twice before starting to cross the street. This allows you to look for turning vehicles, and vehicles who do not obey traffic signals.

2) Obey traffic signals. If you're on foot, and you feel that a car is still a long way off, it can be tempting to walk across a crosswalk on a red light. However, obeying traffic signals is important. Traffic signals are in place to keep you safe, and in some cases you may misjudge how close a car is or how quickly it is going. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

3) Stay alert and aware of cars as they come near you and pass you. Yes, cars and motorists are supposed to be aware of pedestrians and offer right-of-way. However, not all motorists obey the laws. Unfortunately, if a motorist is not obeying the laws and you are injured, the odds of you as a pedestrian being seriously injured are quite high, while it is very possible that the motorist will be uninjured. Just because you see a motorist, that does not mean that the driver sees you. Even if the driver sees you, that does not mean that he or she will give you the right-of-way or stop in time. Exercise caution.

4) Always walk on sidewalks or away from the roadway in areas where there are no sidewalks. Where possible, always remain on sidewalks or on areas that are designed specifically for pedestrians. If this is not possible, stay as far away from the vehicles area of the road as you can.

5) Wear visible clothes, especially when walking at night. Reflective clothing at night is a good idea, since it allows motorists to see you.

Pedestrian accidents claim the lives of many minors and children, and cause a host of injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious lifelong injuries. Since children are likely to be on foot, and since they often do not show the same alertness and awareness of cars around them as adults do, they're more likely to be in a pedestrian accident. Because of their relatively small size and weight, they're more likely to suffer fatal or serious injuries as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle.

According to USA Safekids.org, 599 pedestrian fatalities in 2002 involved children 14 years of age and younger. Almost 38,400 children ages 14 and under suffered pedestrian accident injuries that required hospital emergency treatment in 2003. USA Safekids.org reports that there are several things that parents can do to reduce childhood pedestrian accidents:

1) Teach children to be alert in areas where pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur. USA Safekids.org reports that children who are 14 years of age and under are more likely to be in a pedestrian accident in areas with no divided highways, high volume traffic, , a high number of parked vehicles on the street, and higher posted speed limits. Children should be supervised in such areas and should be taught to identify and show greater caution in such areas.

2) Have children play in areas far from roads. According to USA Safekids.org, children are more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents in areas where road traffic is nearby.

3) Petition your local government for pedestrian-control devices in areas where children walk – and encourage your child to properly use these devices where they exist. USA Safekids.org reports that areas with few such devices experience higher numbers of pedestrian accidents involving minors.

4) Supervise children even in residential areas and in areas that seem safe. USA Safekids.org reports that child pedestrian injuries are in fact more likely to take place in residential areas and straight, paved, and dry local roads. Children ages 4 and under should be supervised at all times near traffic, since this age group has the highest risk from child pedestrian death.

5) Teach children how to cross a sidewalk and how to enter a driveway safely. According to USA Safekids.org, almost 10% of child pedestrian injuries occur in driveways, usually when a vehicle is backing up. Teach children how to identify when a vehicle is backing up and show children where blind spots on a vehicle are.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, car accidents are the leading cause of accidental, injury-related deaths that affect children. The same source reports that children who are not wearing a seat belt are most likely to be injured or to die in a car crash. Children and minors, because of their small size, are often not much helped by air bags and can sustain serious injuries, including brain injuries, facial injuries, broken limbs, spinal cord injuries, and other serious problems. It is important to call for paramedics at once if after a car accident a child displays any of these symptoms:

*Unconsciousness
*Vomiting
*Drowsiness
*Difficulty breathing
*Severe bleeding
*Severe pain
*Bleeding from one or both ears

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there are many things that parents can do to help prevent injuries to children and minors in car accidents:

1) Make sure that each child has their own safety seat, booster seat, or safety belt. Read directions carefully to ensure that you know when a booster seat, child safety seat or seat belt is appropriate.

2) Even on short rides, never hold a child in your lap. If you are in a car accident, the child could be torn from your lap or crushed by your body.

3) Do not allow children to eat or drink in a moving car. Be especially cautious about food items involving sticks or popsicle sticks. In the event of even a minor crash, these food and drink items could pose a choking hazard. Pull over for a meal break.

4) Never allow any passengers – especially children and minors – to ride in the cargo area of a station wagon, van, or truck. These areas do not have proper safety belts and anyone riding in these cargo areas can be thrown from the moving car or severely jostled.

5) Always ensure that children age 12 and under ride in the back. The front areas of the car present many dangers in the event of a car accident. A deployed air bag can choke a small child and in a car with no seat belt, a child is likely to sustain a serious head injury by crashing against the hard dashboard.

6) Use child safety locks. It is difficult to monitor children in the back seat and child safety locks ensure that a child cannot open a car door while the vehicle is in motion.