Archive for October, 2014

Kansas City Motorists: Safe Driving Tips for Your Thanksgiving Travels

Friday, October 31st, 2014

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which starts the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and goes through the Sunday after the holiday, is considered by most travel experts to be the busiest days of the year to be on the road. Last year, more than 38 million people were expected to travel over 50 miles from home via automobile to get to their Thanksgiving destination. While an official estimate of travelers for this holiday season has not yet been released, drivers can expect this Thanksgiving holiday to be busy as well. Many drivers opt to drive rather than fly, due to lower gas prices and airport related hassles. With so many Americans on the road, Thanksgiving weekend can also be a more dangerous time to drive. This is why it is so important for motorists to take extra precautions this holiday.

Having a safe road trip starts before you even leave your driveway.

Making it to your Thanksgiving destination safely starts early. About a week before your trip, take the time to perform some routine maintenance on your vehicle. A driver can reduce his or chances of being in a wreck by making sure his or her vehicle is in good repair. Make sure your brakes and headlights are in working order and all fluids are topped off.  You will also want to check your tire pressure and your windshield wipers for wear. It is also helpful to start off your trip with a full tank of gas.

Another essential safe travel tip is to make sure all passengers are wearing their safety belts. Young children should be in a safety seat that is appropriate for their height and weight. Proper safety seats and belts do not just prevent serious injuries, they also save lives. Make it a rule when you drive, that the car does not start until everyone is safely buckled in. This means children as well as adults. Adults can help ensure that young children and teens alike will always wear their seat belts by setting a good example.

Before you are on your merry way, you should also make sure that the person driving is okay to drive. This of course means that he or she must be sober. The selected driver should also be well-rested and mentally alert. Lastly, it is important the driver has familiarized him or herself with the travel route. Having a map or a GPS system and a fully-charged cell phone are also helpful necessities.

Once you are on the road.

While it can be tempting to try to make it to your turkey-day destination as quickly as possible, your chief goal should be safety, not speed. Make sure to slow down in construction and work zones. This is not just smart, it is also the law. Drivers should also assume that travel times will be slower due to increased traffic. Rather than stomping on the brakes, decrease your speed and increase your following distance. Letting traffic congestion get the best of you, can only spell trouble. If you do find yourself getting irritated with traffic or even becoming fatigued, remember to take a break. Some fresh air and a cup of coffee can do wonders to improve not only your mood, but also give you a small mental break. You can also use this time to switch drivers.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in a car accident, the skilled Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of injury attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case to ensure that you rights are protected. The caring and compassionate Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless numbers of injury victims obtain just compensation for their injures.  Whether you live in Kansas or Missouri, our team of attorneys has you covered. Contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule an initial consultation.

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Kansas City Parents: Is Your Child Safe from Product Recalls?

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Turn on the radio or television, or flip through a newspaper and you will see over and over again, product recalls. As a parent, imagining that your child could be seriously injured or even killed from playing with a toy or being placed in a stroller is terrifying. But the truth of the matter is that recalls for items such as toys, cribs, car seats, and even clothing, are all too common.

Unfortunately, many parents are not aware that the products they purchase for their children could be unsafe. Most parents assume that if a product is on a store’s shelf, that it must be safe. This is simply not true. Sometimes, manufacturers recall items after they receive complaints about a potentially dangerous or defective product. These recalls are known as voluntary recalls. Other times, a recall is due to pressure or action by a government agency.

As a parent of a young child, it is important to be on the lookout for product recalls. One of the best ways to learn of products that have been recalled is to register the product with the manufacturer. This is normally limited to large purchases, such as car seats, cribs, and strollers. There are also websites that list recalled products, such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, where parents can sign up to receive recall alerts.

If you learn that a product that you own has been recalled, you need to take proper action. First, heed the recall. If the product has been deemed unsafe, it is best to remove the product from your home. Often manufacturers will give refunds for defective products. In some cases, the manufacturer may offer to repair the product by providing the consumer with a new part. It is important, however, not to use the product until the repair is made.

The following are two recent recalls that parents should take notice of:

  • EvenFlo car seats: Several EvenFlo car seats models are being voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer for a defective buckle. The recall affects close to 200,000 car seats that have a harness crutch buckle can become stuck or difficult to unbuckle in an emergency. Parents that own a recalled car seat, can receive a replacement buckle by contacting EvenFlo.
  • Nutek Disposable brands baby wipes: In late October, Nutek Disposables announced that they were recalling ten brands of baby wipes after tests revealed that the wipes may contain the Burkholderia cepacia bacteria. The CDC states that the bacteria in the wipes poses little threat to healthy children and adults. However, for those individuals with compromised immune systems or chronic lung disease, the bacteria could be harmful. The Nutek recalled wipes include the following brands: Well Beginnings (Walgreens), Tender Touch (various retailers), Sunny Smiles (Walgreens), Simply Right (Sam’s Club), Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club), Kidgets (Family Dollar), Fred’s, Femtex (Family Dollar), Diapers.com, and Cuties (various retailers). Consumers that purchased the above brands should discontinue use and return the product for a full refund.

If your child was injured by a defective product, it is important that you seek the advice of a seasoned Kansas City Products Liability Attorney. Only an experienced Kansas City Products Liability Attorney will be able to make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the proper compensation for your child’s injuries. The attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injury victims, in both Kansas and Missouri. Our compassionate team of attorneys will make sure that justice is served. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Products Liability and Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673. We look forward to meeting with you.

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