When you step outside, it may still feel like summer. However, with the children heading back to school, you know that fall is almost upon us. It seems like one minute you are sipping cold brew coffee in 90-degree temperatures and the next you are hunting down back to school bargains and counting down the days until the return of the pumpkin spice latte. With fall almost upon us, it makes you wonder “where did summer go?” You may even feel the urge to get in one last hurrah before it is officially fall. Thankfully, Labor Day often serves as a great three-day weekend to hit the road. But before you pack up the kids and the dog to get out of town, remember to take a minute to brush up on basic driving safety tips. While it may seem elementary, it never hurts to review basic driving safety tips. The following are a few that every driver should know:

Before heading out:

• Perform a basic check to make sure tires are the correct pressure and the gas tank is full.
• Make sure that the mirrors and seat are properly adjusted.
• Check that children are properly restrained in a car seat, booster, or lap belt, depending on their height and weight.

Always drive rested and sober. 

• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you are taking a new prescription or over the counter medication that is known to cause drowsiness or impact motor abilities be sure you know how the drug affects you prior to getting behind the wheel.
• On long trips, plan to stop at least every two hours to stretch your legs and give your eyes a rest from driving.

Eliminate distractions behind the wheel

• Always try to keep your focus on the task at hand, which means keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on driving.
• If you need to eat, do so while parked, not while driving.
• Do not read or respond to text messages. If you cannot resist the urge to read the message, pullover.
• If you receive a phone call do not answer it. Prior to beginning your trip, put your passenger in charge of answering your calls or place your phone on do not disturb mode.
• Believe it or not, children can be a driving distraction. For example, if a child drops his or her toy you may be tempted to retrieve the item for them. But contorting yourself while driving is not safe. Make it a rule that if you drop something it is gone until the next stop. Children fighting can also become distracting for a driver. Do not attempt to referee while behind the wheel.

Drive defensively

• Keep an eye out for drivers who may be under the influence of drugs or who are driving drowsy or distracted.
• Always be on the lookout for motorcycles, pedestrians, children, and animals who may dart into the road.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in an auto accident the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our team of seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will work hard to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injured victims around the area, both in Missouri and Kansas. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help you, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we strive to provide injury victims with exceptional legal services.

Summer is in full swing and that means the heat is here. Much of the country has been bracing itself as temperatures climb well into the 90s and with the humidity factored in, making it feel like it over 100 degrees. These extremely high temperatures are not just uncomfortable, they can also be downright dangerous. Children are especially vulnerable to all types of heat-related injuries. Since 1998, more than 800 children have died after becoming trapped in hot cars. Already this year there have been 21 hot car deaths reported. Despite hot car deaths making headlines, it still seems that too many people have misconceptions about this type of scary yet preventable injury. The following are a few of the top hot car death myths debunked:

MYTH #1: Child hot car deaths are criminal acts, not accidents.

FACTS: According to data collected by the National Safety Counsel, only about 19 percent of children killed in hot cars were done with the intent of killing the child. In the other 80 percent or more of cases, the children killed in hot car deaths were accidental in nature. The NSC also found that more than 25 percent of children killed were playing in an unattended vehicle and became trapped. One of the ways all adults, even those without children, can prevent hot car deaths is by keeping vehicles locked.

MYTH #2: This type of thing could never happen to me or my family.

FACTS: For any parent, thinking of a child dying due to heatstroke after becoming forgotten in a vehicle is scary and frankly unimaginable event. But the scary truth of the matter is that for more than 50 percent of the children who die each year in hot car deaths, this is exactly what happened. It has happened to a police officer, a hospital CEO, a postal clerk, and a social worker. In most cases, the parent forgot that the child was in the back seat of the car. The human brain has a tendency to go into autopilot mode when faced with routine tasks, for example, like driving to work. A simple change in routine, like a parent who is usually not responsible for dropping off a child at daycare, can enter autopilot mode and simply drive to work. Unless the child wakes up and starts making noise, it is easy for the parent to forget and to continue to drive to work instead of to the daycare center. Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of children who died in hot car deaths were under the age of 2.

MYTH #3: It is okay to leave a child unattended for a minute if the windows are left open.

FACTS. Did you know that on a 75-degree day the inside of a car can reach 94 degrees in just 10 minutes?  Researches have found that cracking a window makes very little difference. The sun comes through the window and heats up the car’s interior surfaces, which in turn, warm the air. Adults are often unaware that a child’s body will heat up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Researchers have found that parking in the shade and the color of the car’s exterior do not matter—vehicles can heat up to unsafe temperatures just as quick. To be safe never leave a child unattended in a vehicle for even a minute even in fair weather.

Trusting someone to care for your child is one of the most difficult decisions a parent can make. If your child suffered a serious injury or death while in the care of another you may be able to hold this individual responsible for his or her injuries. The team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. are skilled litigators who are experienced in advocating on behalf of injury victims. To schedule a free and completely confidential consultation, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673.

Whether you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle at the time of an accident, one thing remains the same—insurance companies never want to provide injury victims with full compensation. It is important to remember this if you are ever injured in an accident. You also want to remember that you never have to settle for what the insurance company offers you. Sometimes, insurance companies like to play up the idea that motorcycle riding is risky and those that choose to ride a motorcycle are risk takers who make poor choices. The insurance company may even be hesitant to accept that the rider was not the at-fault party. The good news is that there are things injured riders can do to make sure that they receive maximum compensation for their injuries. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, please keep in mind these four important tips:

1. Never sign anything without first consulting with an attorney. The goal of any insurance company is to pay as little as possible for a claim. With that goal in mind, the insurance company tries to get individuals to sign off on settlement amounts, often for small sums. Sometimes an insurance company will put pressure on the individual to sign, even suggesting that he or she may get less or nothing at all if they delay signing. However, do not let the insurance company’s fear tactics work on you. Before you sign anything, always, consult with an attorney first.

2. Hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. If you remember that the insurance company always wants to pay as little as possible for every claim, then you already know that the insurance company is not looking out for your best interests. If you are seriously injured, you need proper compensation to pay for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and the list may go on and on. Do not trust the insurance company to help. Instead, hire an experienced injury attorney who has handled numerous motorcycle accident cases, understands injury victim’s rights, and will fight for full compensation.

3. Seek immediate medical attention. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention. Failing to seek medical attention in a timely fashion after an accident is not only harmful if you are indeed injured, it will also be used by the insurance company against you. The insurance company will argue that since you did not have immediate medical needs, your injury is not that serious or was the result of an event that occurred after the accident. Again, the goal of the insurance company is not to pay.

4. Follow your doctor’s orders for treatment and rehabilitation. Once you seek medical treatment, your doctors will come up with a care plan for your treatment. It may involve immediate items, like surgery, for example, and long-term items like rehabilitation. It is important to understand your doctors’ care plans fully and to follow through. If you stop treatment without consulting with your doctor beforehand, the insurance company may try to argue that your injury is not as bad as it seems, because you did not follow through with treatment.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle collision, the seasoned Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Trust the Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you as they have helped countless motorcycle injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled injury attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.

The month of May is not only the time of year when more motorcycles start taking to the roads; it also happens to be National Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. As part of this awareness month, the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a new motorcycle safety initiative targeting motorists. The mission of the “Get Up to Speed on Motorcycles” campaign is for drivers to gain insights into motorcycle driving behaviors and to help motorists learn how to drive safely navigate around motorcycles.

Due to the very design of a motorcycle, riders are much more susceptible to injury and death in the event of a crash. The rider has only his or her gear to protect them from harm, which means even a fender bender could be fatal for a rider. Motorcycles are also more likely to be involved in a crash due to their small size, which makes them more difficult for motorists to see. In 2015, riders made up 14% of all traffic deaths but only 3% of registered vehicles. It is estimated that per mile traveled, riders are 27 times more likely than motorists to die in a crash. Motorcycle deaths are up. In 2015, there were 4,976 motorcyclists killed in crashes, which was up 8% from 2014, where 4,594 were killed.

People who ride motorcycles often receive a bad rap. There is an assumption that people who ride motorcycles are risk takers, and that is the reason for their higher rate of accidents. But that is not true. Many accidents are caused because motorists do not know how to share the road with motorcycles. Therefore, it is important for motorists to step up their game to save lives. Here are four important safety tips every motorist should know so they can be up to speed on motorcycle awareness:

1. Go slow! Speed is a major factor in accidents, including those involving motorcycles. Motorists can help by reducing their speed when approaching an intersection or entering the road. Being “aware” means taking that extra moment to look for an approaching motorcycle.

2. Be cautious when making left turns. Intersections are prime places for accidents and also very dangerous places for motorcycles. A top cause of motorcycle crashes occurs when a car turning left at an intersection does not see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudges the speed at which the motorcycle is traveling. Motorists should always be on the lookout for motorcycles at intersections. If a motorist is unsure as to if he or she will have adequate time to turn, it is best to wait.

3. Give riders some space. As a general rule, motorists should always leave a cushion of space between them and the vehicle in front of them. You never want to follow another vehicle behind too closely in case that vehicle needs to make a sudden stop. The same advice is true when following behind a motorcycle. Remember, the brake lights on a motorcycle do not always engage when a rider is decreasing his or her speed.

4. Always check your blind spots. Before changing lanes, take the time to check your blind spots. Motorcycles, due to their smaller size, can be more difficult for a motorist to spot. So always look first and then check again before changing lanes.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, the seasoned Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Trust our team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys to help you as they have helped countless motorcycle injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled injury attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.

With Spring officially here, you may be searching for ways to encourage your children to get outside and play. One way to make your backyard an outdoor destination is to have fun structures that children can use. Popular choices include tire swings, swing sets, sandboxes, and trampolines. Trampolines have become very popular backyard items in the last decade. Children love the idea of bouncing, and it is a great way for them to burn off some energy. While trampolines can be a ton of fun for children of a range of ages, they also pose a serious threat of injury. In 2014, close to 105,000 injuries were reported to the Consumer Products Safety Review.

Injuries from a trampoline range from minor scrapes and cuts to more serious injuries like fractured lower extremities, concussions, and other head and neck injuries that can sometimes lead to paralysis or even death. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents do not have trampolines at home and that trampolines only be used in training programs for competitive athletes. However, if you do choose to purchase a home trampoline, or allow your child to use trampolines at others, make sure that the following precautions are taken:

1. Call insurance company. Before deciding to purchase a trampoline, call your insurance company and let them know what you are considering doing. Some insurance policies do not cover trampolines, and in some cases, an additional rider must be purchased to cover any trampoline-related injuries to guests.

2. Ensure the proper Select a flat surface to set up the trampoline and secure tightly to the ground. Never place a trampoline on a hill or uneven surface. Use an enclosure around the trampoline to prevent children from falling off and onto the ground. Cover springs with padding to make sure fingers and feet do not get caught. Do not place a ladder near the trampoline to ensure that young children do not accidentally climb up.

3. Establish rules. Accidents often are caused when children perform stunts, or multiple children are jumping at the same time. Use these rules as a basic guideline:

• No jumping unless there is an adult able to supervise.
• Jumpers must be six years old or older.
• Only one jumper at a time.
• No flips, somersaults, or other tricks.

4. Perform regular maintenance checks. Check the trampoline often to make everything is in good repair. Make sure to examine the padding covering the springs, the springs, the enclosure, and mesh fabric are all in working condition. Lastly, make sure that the trampoline is properly anchored to the ground. Strong winds can sometimes cause a trampoline to become untethered.

5. Know what to do in case of an injury. If the injury is minor, use proper first aid procedures. If you suspect a sprain, ice is often a good choice, but follow-up with your physician. If you suspect a head or neck injury, do not move the persons and contact paramedics immediately.

One last note for parents is that if your child is seriously injured at a trampoline park, contact an attorney. All too often parents assume that since they signed a waiver, that the park is not liable for the injuries their child sustained. This is not necessarily true.

If your child suffered a serious injury while using a trampoline, you may be able to hold the trampoline owner accountable. The reputable team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. are skilled litigators and are ready and willing to work with you to make sure that you receive a fair outcome. You can trust our attorneys to make sure that your Missouri or Kansas case is treated with the professional care it deserves. To schedule a free and completely confidential consultation to discuss your options, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673.

Life is a lot about the choices we make. The goal, of course, is to try to make more good choices than bad, but sometimes it is difficult to tell the two apart. Life can be tricky like that. Take, for example, car insurance. You may have had the same policy for the last five years, ten years, or maybe even longer. In the busy world we live in, how often do you review your car insurance policy? If you are like most people, the answer is never. Most of us look at our statement when it arrives, grumble that the cost went up again, sigh, and then send in the payment. Which leads us to the question, are we adequately covered for life’s or accidents?

The saying that “hindsight is 20/20” is often a painful lesson learned when it comes to car insurance. We often think or hope, we have enough coverage, but it is only after an accident that we truly learn if we actually had enough coverage. In other words, it is easy to know how much insurance we should carry after an accident, but difficult to predict how much we would need if ever in an accident. It also does not help, that many of us try to be optimists when it comes to insurance thinking that if we only need minimum coverage since we are excellent drivers with a good driving history. The problem is that even if we are excellent drivers, we share the roads with folks that are far from superior drivers. We also share the road with humans, who are error prone.

Take, for example, “Mike” an all too likely but fictional scenario. Mike had a clean driving history and thought he had good insurance with a reputable company. Mike had just started a new job last week, and there was a 30-day window where he would be not be covered by health insurance. Mike thought this was a reasonable risk to take since he was in excellent health and not taking any medications. Driving home from work Mike was t-boned by a driver who ran a red light. Mike sustained serious injuries including, but not limited to a fractured pelvis, eye socket, and right arm, and a brain bleed. He was transported to the hospital via ambulance, spent time in the intensive care unit, and then spent time inpatient. He missed several months of work and also had to attend intensive rehabilitation for about six months.

The bad news is that since Mike was uninsured his out-of-pocket medical bills that were close to $400,000. Even worse, the at-fault driver only had $100,000 worth of coverage and no assets that could be used to satisfy a judgment. The good news is that Mike was correct, and his insurance coverage was good. His policy allowed for up to $750,000 for underinsured motorist coverage. What this means is that since Mike was injured by someone whose insurance coverage limits were not enough to cover the extent of Mike’s injuries, his insurance policy could make up the difference. Although Mike may have forgone health insurance for 30-days, his “bad” decision in hindsight did not hurt him since he was fortunate to make a good decision concerning his car insurance.

However, not everyone is as lucky as Mike. Review your insurance annually to make sure that you are covered in case of a serious accident with an underinsured motorist.

If you have suffered serious injuries after being involved in an accident, you want an attorney who will make it their priority to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. Remember, only a seasoned Kansas City Injury Attorney can protect your rights! For more than 60 years, victims in both Kansas and Missouri have turned to the seasoned Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. The trusted team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys are experienced trial attorneys who will fight to make sure your rights are protected. To schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.

Twice a year, a crazy thing happens across the country—we adjust the clocks by one hour. In the spring of the year the clocks “spring ahead” one hour and then in the fall of the year, the clocks “fall back” one hour. For more than a hundred years, the practice of daylight saving time (“DST”) has existed in places around the world. While it does not seem all that crazy in theory, just losing and then later regaining one hour, it is actually quite a big deal. Since its inception, the concept has been met with controversy. Even today, the reasoning for why we will continue with DST is far from clear cut. Some say it is to help farmers; others say it promotes energy savings, while still others claim it for safety reasons.

The one truth of the matter, regardless of the real reason why DST still exists in most of the country, is that the concept is fraught with many unintended consequences. Some of these consequences are downright dangerous. Since DST does not appear to be disappearing anytime soon, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers associated with the spring time change so that you can take extra precautions we lose one hour of sleep on Sunday, March 10^th.

1. Increase in traffic accidents. Studies have found that the chance of being involved in a fatal car accident increases the Monday following the time change. Losing just one hour can cause a significant disruption to driver’s sleep cycles which can lead to drowsy drivers who are less alert behind the wheel.

2. Increase in workplace injuries. For individuals employed in construction and other more physical occupations, being drowsy on the job can lead to serious and sometimes deadly mistakes. Hence is it not surprising that researchers have found that DST can cause an uptick in workplace accidents.

3. Increase in heart attacks. According to one Finnish study, the chances of a person having a heart attack or stroke increase by 8 percent on the Monday and Tuesday that follow the Sunday leap. Researchers believe this is in part because losing sleep creates an almost jet lag type effect on the body which can exacerbate conditions in persons who have heart conditions, high blood pressure, etc.

The best way to prepare for the hour of lost sleep is to allow your body to adjust slowly to the change ahead of time. A few weeks before DST head to bed 15 minutes earlier than your usual bedtime. Then the week before increase that to 30 minutes earlier, and finally in the day or two before DST go to bed 45 min earlier. This way, when the big day arrives, your body will be better equipped to handle the change. The worst thing a person can do is to go into the DST down on sleep. Even if you cannot go to bed earlier than usual in the weeks before the start of DST, at the very least make sure that you are not sleep deprived before losing the hour. Aim to get your usual 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Kansas or Missouri, you may be entitled to compensation under current state law. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can assist you, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. Our team of seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that you receive fair and just compensation. Trust the Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injury victims around the area. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we pride ourselves at providing injury victims with exceptional legal services.

When you place your loved one into a nursing home, you have certain expectations. Most importantly, you expect the nursing home owners, administrators, and staff will provide your loved one with the highest standard of care. You expect that the facility you select will have well-trained staff and procedures in place so that nothing bad can happen to your loved one. One of the main reasons why an elderly adult is placed in nursing homes is in part to keep them out of harm. But sadly, we all know that nursing home residents are sometimes injured in the very same places that there placed to keep them safe. A nursing home facility that does not have adequate monitoring measures in place can be potentially dangerous to its residents. Monitoring is important to keep residents from experiencing the following types of harm:

Harm from staff.

Unfortunately, the same people who have been entrusted to care for residents are some of the same people who cause residents harm. Nursing home abuse or neglect can come in many forms. Nursing home residents are at risk for physical, psychological, verbal, financial, and even sexual abuse. Examples of neglect include residents not receiving the following:

• Adequate nourishment or hydration
• Prompt attention for medical needs
• Help with personal hygiene needs
• A clean and sanitary environment
• Acceptable opportunities for social interactions

Harm from other residents.

While most people think of resident harm coming at the hands of staff, resident on resident abuse is also on the rise. In most cases, a resident who acts in an abusive manner to another resident is rarely at fault. Residents that act in a physically aggressive manner towards other residents often suffer from dementia or some other organic brain condition that causes them to act out. Proper supervision of residents is one of the keys to making sure residents are safe from abuse from other residents.

Harm from themselves.

Another important reason why resident monitoring is vital to overall resident well-being is that in many cases residents are often a danger to themselves. Diseases like dementia or just general confusion can cause residents to try to leave the facility. Nursing homes need to have appropriate monitoring measures in place to keep residents from improperly leaving the facility. For example, in January of 2018, an Ohio woman died from hypothermia only 30 feet from the nursing home where she resided. The woman had dementia and was known to wander off. At the time of her death, she was wearing a device that should have set off a 90-second alarm. As part of the investigation into the woman’s death, staff reported that the alarms did not always work and two aides admitted that they never completed checks on the woman, despite marking that they had.

If you believe that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home negligence or abuse it is critical that you speak with an experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible. Proving a case of nursing home negligence or abuse requires key knowledge of the law and due diligence to investigate the facts. The Personal Injury and Elder Abuse Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injured nursing home victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. Our attorneys know how to win a case. To speak with an attorney about your loved one, contact our office at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we fight for justice.