A study was conducted at Virginia Tech between 2005 and 2007. The study monitored 203 drivers, as they covered about 3 million miles of real driving. The trucks were fitted with video cameras that focused on the drivers’ faces in the six seconds prior to and during a crash or crash avoidance maneuver. The video revealed texting to be the most high-risk behavior, mainly because their eyes were off the road for nearly 5 seconds while texting. In that amount of time, a truck traveling at 55 mph can cover the length of a football field. These texting drivers were 23 times more likely to have a collision than non-texting drivers.

Dangers of Texting and Driving

Statistics are starting to support the need for legislation to ban texting while driving. The three most prominent studies on driving while texting are:

• Virginia Tech
• Car and Driver
• University of Utah

Here are some national examples of accidents caused by texting and driving:

• In April, 2009, the driver of a semi truck revealed he was texting just prior to slamming into a school bus in Florida, killing one student passenger.
• A Boston public transit conductor said texting kept him from seeing a red light. His trolley rear-ended another trolley, injuring 49.
• On September 12, 2008, the operator of a California commuter train sent a text message 22 seconds before the train crashed, 25 people were killed and 135 injured. The train failed to stop at a red signal.
• The evening of June 26, 2007, five teenage girls were killed in a fiery head-on collision in Rochester, New York. Local officials said it was due to text messaging.

Recommendations on Texting and Driving

Virginia Tech came up with these recommendations based on findings from their research study performed from 2005 – 2007:

• Driving is a visual task and non-driving activities that draw the driver’s eyes away from the roadway, such as texting and dialing, should always be avoided.
• Texting should be banned in moving vehicles for all drivers. As shown in findings overview, this cell phone task has the potential to create a true crash epidemic if texting-type tasks continue to grow in popularity and as the generation of frequent text message senders reach driving age in large numbers.
• Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use because the primary risk is associated with both tasks is answering, dialing, and other tasks that require your eyes to be off the road. In contrast, true hands-free phone use, such as voice activated systems, are less risky if they are designed well enough so the driver does not have to take their eyes off the road often or for long periods.
• All cell phone use should be banned for newly licensed teen drivers. Our research has shown that teens tend to engage in cell phone tasks much more frequently — and in much more risky situations — than adults. Thus, our studies indicate that teens are four times more likely to get into a related crash or near-crash event than their adult counterparts.

~ BLACKSBURG, Va., July 29, 2009

Teen Drivers and Texting

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) spearheaded a seven year study of teen driving behaviors. The study showed 4 main things that distracted them from their driving:

• texting while driving
• emotional state of mind
• having friends in the car
• talking on the phone

Parents and teens need to discuss driving and texting issues because, despite the risks, teens tend to ignore the restrictions. Some ideas to help guide the conversation:

• know the state laws — Minnesota does not allow for teens under 18 to talk while driving and no driver is allowed to text while driving
• talk about the responsibility of a driver and set family rules — have and enforce appropriate punishment for breaking the rules
• actions speak louder than words — parents need to follow the rules, too
• consider signing a teen driving contract — SADD provides a Contract for Life at www.sadd.org/contract.htm

This information is provided as a service of TSR Injury Law. Our attorneys are consistently named Super Lawyers by their peers and Chuck Slane has been voted one of the 2009 Minnesota Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys have years of experience with car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents. We have represented thousands and secured millions in compensation for our clients. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free case consultation form on the top, right of this page.

• medication
• behavior modification
• physical therapy
• chiropractic adjustment
• injections into the joint

If the pain does not abate through any of these standard, conservative measures, in all likelihood you have sustained a facet joint injury. Facet joint injuries can cause severe pain even when no injury is evident on an MRI.

About Facet Joints

The spine is comprised of facets joints. They facilitate movement. There are two sets of facet joints at the back of each vertebra — one facing up, one facing down, and a joint on either side of each vertebra. Facet joints allow flexing, extending, and twisting motion. The interlocking nature of facet joints give the spine its stability.

Each facet joint is connected to two medial nerves that carry signals (including pain signals) away from the spine to the brain and the rest of the body.

How Radiofrequency Neurotomy Works

A radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is a type of injection procedure in which heat is used to injure specific nerves with the goal of killing the nerve. If the nerve is killed, it will interrupt the pain signals to the brain and eliminate the pain.

The doctor is able to pinpoint the exact nerve by using gentle electric pulses through a needle. When the painful nerve is found, it causes muscle twitches or tingling sensations. That confirms that the needle is precisely positioned next to the targeted spinal nerve branch.

Radiofrequency neurotomy provides relief from pain in about 75% of the cases. It is important to realize that RFN is a treatment, not a cure. The nerves will regenerate about every 11-12 months. The procedure will need to be repeated every year in order to maintain pain-free living.

Radiofrequency Neurotomy Complications

As with all medical procedures, there are possible complications with a radiofrequency neurotomy. Complications seldom occur with this procedure, but they could include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Pain around the injection site
• Numbness around the injection site
• Worsened pain due to muscle spasms in the area of the injection
• Permanent nerve pain
• Allergic reaction to medication
• Nerve or spinal cord injury

RFN is fairly expensive, ranging from $3,000 – $10,000 per treatment. Insurance companies will fight to keep from paying for this treatment. It is vital to have a spinal cord injury attorney with experience in radiofrequency neurotomy to receive optimal compensation.

This information is provided as a service of TSR Injury Law, a leading personal injury law firm serving Minneapolis and the entire state of Minnesota. Our partners are skilled litigators with years of experience handling spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and workplace injuries. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the presence of sound in the head when no external sound is present. Tinnitus can be discontinuous or perpetual, in one ear or both ears. The volume can range from low, annoying tones to high-intensity, disabling noises.

A basic part of hearing is facilitated by the delicate, hair cells in your inner ear called cilia. They are positioned at the turns in the snail-shaped cochlea. The cilia at each turn of the cochlea transmits a separate level of frequency. The cilia move in relation to the pressure of the sound waves, sending electrical signals to the brain. When the cilia get damaged from an airbag deployment, it usually damages all of the hair cells at one turn of the cochlea — so, one entire range of sound is no longer heard.

Instead of creating total deafness, the brain becomes confused by the silence in that range and creates its own noises. The noises are generally described as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling, or hissing.

Tinnitus Sounds MP3 Downloads

Tinnitus Buzzing (MP3)
Tinnitis Roaring (MP3)
Tinnitis Static (MP3)

Sound Levels

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). They recommend earplugs for 85 decibels and above. Here are a list of noises and their decibels:

• ticking watch – 20 dB
• refrigerator hum – 40 dB
• sewing machine – 60 dB
• rush hour traffic – 90 dB
• blow dryer – 100 dB
• rock concert and thunder – 120 dB
• jackhammer – 130 dB
• AIRBAG DEPLOYING – 160 dB

Complications from Tinnitus

Tinnitus can severely effect the quality of life in these areas:

• Sleep disorders
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Lack of concentration
• Memory issues
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Depression

Tinnitus Management

There is no cure for tinnitus. Once cilia have been damaged or destroyed they are gone forever. If you have been diagnosed with tinnitus, you will have to learn to manage the frequency and intensity of episodes. People have tried different things to minimize the effects or lessen the severity of tinnitus, including:

• drug therapy
• vitamin therapy
• biofeedback
• hypnosis
• electrical stimulation
• relaxation therapy
• counseling
• tinnitus maskers

Tinnitus maskers are similar to a hearing aid and produce sounds to mask the tinnitus sound. The masking sound works as a distractor, for some people, to minimize the tinnitus sound and make it more tolerable. People tend to prefer an exterior sound over the interior sound of tinnitus. If you suffer from hearing loss, the masker and hearing aid can be combined and work together.

Another way to minimize the tinnitus, is to have a background noise going at all times. Sound machines are available. Other options are:

• fish tank with pump
• fan
• indoor waterfall
• low-volume music

It may also be helpful to join a self-help group. They offers strategies, encouragement, and hope.

This information is a service of TSR Injury Law. We have argued and won many cases of tinnitus. We know how debilitating this condition can be. Our partners will work on your behalf to validate your injury to the insurance company. Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, and Rich Ruohonen are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience in personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, and traumatic brain injury. Our attorneys have been named Super Lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politics. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.

Categories of Spinal Injury:

• Herniated Discs
• Laminectomies
• Paraplegia
• Radiofrequency Neurotomies
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Spinal Fusion
• Burst Fractures

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. The emergency care for spinal injuries has improved significantly. Emergency rooms now aggressive treat and rehabilitate patients with spinal cord injuries. They are able to minimize the damage to the nervous system with use of the steroid drug methylprednisolone; given within the first 8 hours after injury it reduces damage to the nerves. In some cases, this aggressive treatment will even restore limited abilities.

If respiratory complications are included, that usually means a more severe and long-term debilitating injury. Approximately one-third of neck-area spinal cord injury victims will need help with breathing which will require respiratory support.

Eventually treatment will include rehabilitation therapy. The rehabilitation program will combine physical therapy, skill-building activities, and counseling for social and emotional issues.

Spinal Cord Injury Prognosis

Victims sustaining incomplete spinal cord injuries, where the spinal cord is still able to convey messages to and from the brain, will retain some motor and / or sensory functions below the injury. The amount of function will be determined by the amount of damage and how regularly and aggressively physical therapy is performed.

A complete spinal cord injury means that there is a total lack of sensory and motor function below the point of injury. This will usually mean many more medical complications. The complications may include:

• chronic pain
• bladder dysfunction
• bowel dysfunction
• respiratory problems
• heart problems

These chronic conditions need to be handled and monitored on a daily basis to optimize the degree of recovery.

This information is provided as a service of TSR Injury Law. Our Minnesota Spinal Injury Attorneys are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience with cases involving spinal injuries from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, or pedestrian accidents. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.

Evaluate Your Car Accident

These ideas should help you assess your car accident and determine whether you want to speak to a legal professional.

If you have any of these questions, you may want to seek legal guidance:

• Are other types of insurance coverage available?
• Is my insurance provider acting in bad faith?
• Do I wonder how to best handle negotiations with the insurance company?
• Do I know my rights?
• Do I have questions about the terms of my insurance policy?
• Am I confused by all of the forms and paperwork?

If any of these statements are true, you should seek legal counsel immediately:

• An injury was sustained that required a hospitalization (broken bones, concussion)
• A permanent injury was sustained (joint damage, paralysis)
• A death occurred
• Other parties involved (car, pedestrian, bicyclist)
• Accident happened in a construction area (additional insurance to pursue)
• Police report has major discrepancies from what you remember
• You have low insurance limits / inadequate coverage
• Your insurer calls in an attorney

After evaluating your car accident case, if you decide to seek legal assistance, call TSR Injury Law at 612-362-0000 for a free consultation or submit our contact form. Our partners are expert personal injury attorneys and are consistently named Super Lawyers and Chuck Slane has been named to the Minnesota Top 40 Personal Injury Attorneys. We will review your case, answer your questions, and help you win the compensation you deserve.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

• No-Fault Accidents
• Bodily Injury Claims
• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Uninsured Motorist
• Underinsured Motorist
• Insurance Claims
• Wrongful Death
• Mechanical Defect/Malfunction
• Highway Defect
• Hit and Run

• poor judgment
• excessive speed
• slow reaction time
• physical limitations
• lack of attentiveness

It is important to be diligent after a car accident / car collision. Important facts and details need to be written down immediately. It would also be a good idea to take pictures with your cell phone. The more you have observed and recorded the more credibility you establish. It will also make your case easier to prove in a court of law, with a jury of peers. These are some of the things you should write down:

• How you were feeling before and during the accident – how recently you ate, had you taken any medication, headache, were you happy, sad, upset
• The weather conditions – rain, snow, ice, how hot / cold, sun brightly shining, fog
• Exact time of day – to establish the angle of the sun, the amount of light
• Road and traffic signs and their condition – was the stop light working, the stop sign visible, were the signs in place (for a sharp curve, etc), were the roads and lanes painted properly
• Observation about the other vehicle / vehicles involved – bald tires, broken mirrors, broken headlights or tail lights
• Car system failure – were your brakes mushy, cruise control working, power steering feeling fine
• Any distractions or obstructions – animals, cones in the road, potholes, rocks, pieces of wood / trash, roadkill

All of this information can be used to build a strong, credible case for your insurance company, police officer, or for a lawsuit.

This information is provided by TSR Injury Law. Our Minnesota Car Accident Attorneys are expert personal injury lawyers with years of experience. They have helped hundreds of victims recover millions in compensation. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

• No-Fault Accidents
• Bodily Injury Claims
• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Uninsured Motorist
• Underinsured Motorist
• Insurance Claims
• Wrongful Death
• Mechanical Defect/Malfunction
• Highway Defect
• Hit and Run