What to do when in an automobile accidentWritten by Granny’s Mettle
In 2002, there were an estimated 6.3 million car accidents in United States. About 2.9 million injuries and 42,815 people were reported killed in auto accidents.Every year, rates are increasing. More and more, people are getting injured, if not killed, from automobile accidents. Unfortunately, most of us will experience this type of accident at some time. That's why it is important for us to know certain things that will provide significant assistance when we are in a car accident. Remain at scene of accident. If you are in an auto accident involving injury, or substantial damage to property, stay at scene of accident until police arrive and tell you that you can leave. There are laws requiring people involved to stay put and wait for police to arrive and investigate. Leaving scene of accident can get your license revoked, or worse, your behavior can result to criminal charges. Protect injured. If you are trained in providing first aid, administer if somebody is injured. However, it is important to remember never to move an injured person. Moving him/her may result to further damage. Ask for somebody to contact police and report incident. The person to contact police should inform that people are injured, and if possible, number of persons injured so that there will be enough emergency personnel to respond to accident. If accident occurred on roadway, turn on your flashers, or use flares to warn approaching traffic of accident. Get information. In any accident, it is important to get information that you will use later on, especially during your insurance claim. The following are information you should know: •The other driver's name, address, driver's license number, insurance information, and license plate number. •If there are witnesses, get their names, addresses, and telephone numbers. •Ask for a business card from police officer who investigated traffic scene. Also get "incident number" so that you can obtain an accident report. Most officers will provide you with information even if you don't ask. •Take note of location—the road conditions, speed limits, traffic control devices, weather, and lighting. •Take note of how accident occurred—the direction of travel of vehicles involved, and what cars are doing at time of accident. It is significant to note that you will be asked to share your notes with person you are suing or person who is suing you if accident may result to litigation.
| | Rulings on ADA Filing RightsWritten by Lala C. Ballatan
One of major issues on a democratic country is discrimination of a person on basis of disability. A "disability" is a permanent physical or mental impairment (like sight, hearing, speech, walking, breathing, motor skills, but not temporary sprains, breaks, or diseases) that substantially limits any major life activities, including learning, recreation and working. Under Americans with Disabilities (ADA) of 1990, more than 43 million Americans qualify as “disabled”, as noted by Forbes Magazine. The ADA was adopted to remove barriers that have prevented society from benefiting from participation and contributions of individuals with disabilities. Many states have also adopted and enforce versions of federal ADA. The ADA replaced a collection of “barrier-free site design” initiatives making disables access to employment, goods and/or services on an equal basis with rest of general public, a civil right. Now, regarding to Walter Olson’s post at http://www.overlawyered.com/archives/cat_disabled_rights.html on March 4, 2005, he had noted a series of scenarios and news bulletin which may cause a disabled golfer to file a complaint with regards to non-compliance with ADA rulings – in relation with accommodating disabled persons in golf clubs/areas. Olson may have been concerned or bothered at following concerns: • Says Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Tuscaloosa won't provide free golf carts. • The National Golf Course Owners Association maintains a page on ADA issues and compliance. • At Cybergolf, Jeffrey D. Brauer ("Must golf courses accommodate wheelchair golfers?" undated) discusses impact of wheelchair-access regulation on golf course design: "The golf industry at first feared that ADA might outlaw contoured greens and fairways, and possibly sand bunkers, to achieve disabled access.
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