Motorcycle Accidents Lead To Traumatic Brain Injury

Peter Kent - Motorcycle accidents are a well-known leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Together with auto accidents, they are the single largest cause of brain injury in the United States. One out of every five motorcycle accidents results in head or neck injuries, which account for most motorcycle fatalities. And partly because drivers often don't see motorcyclists or yield them the right-of-way, motorcyclists are at higher risk of an accident than drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that, per mile traveled in 2003, a motorcyclist was 32 times more likely to die in an accident than a passenger in a car.

Motorcyclists, even those who wear helmets, are most likely to sustain non-penetrative injuries to the front of the head, damaging parts of the brain responsible for speech and higher functions. Those without helmets may also be susceptible to a penetrating brain injury, in which an object enters the head and skull, damaging the soft tissue of the brain itself.

Helmets Essential to Prevent Traumatic Brain Injury

Study after study shows that the best way to prevent a traumatic brain injury is to wear a helmet approved by the federal Department of Transportation. (Some also carry approval from the Snell Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to testing the effectiveness of commercial helmets.) In January of 2006, only four states in the U.S. -- Colorado, Illinois, New Hampshire and Iowa -- had no law at all requiring motorcyclists to use helmets. Twenty-six others had limited helmet laws, usually ones that require helmets for riders who are under 18 or 21.

But even in states without strict helmet laws, riders are still strongly advised that their chances of death or serious head injury are seriously reduced by wearing a helmet. A rider's failure to equip passengers, particularly passengers who are under 21, with helmets may be considered negligent. And if the helmet is below state and federal standards, poorly fitted, old or has been through a previous accident, that helmet is not safe, may not be legal and will not prevent death, brain damage or another traumatic injury.

Other Brain Injury Risks for Motorcyclists

Even though proper equipment significantly cuts down a motorcyclist's chance of a traumatic brain injury, it is not foolproof. Riders must stay aware of other factors that could lead to a motorcycle accident involving a traumatic brain injury. Motorcyclists are advised to check their bikes and equipment for problems before each ride; adjust the suspension and tire pressure of the motorcycle when carrying a passenger; wear boots, gloves and other protective gear; and adjust for changing road conditions.

The cost of an accident that causes traumatic brain injury can be severe. A traumatic brain injury causes brain damage that can range from a mild concussion to severe, life-changing disabilities such as trouble communicating, personality changes, schizophrenia or even a coma. Because the brain cannot heal itself the way other organs do, these are often lifelong problems that cost tens of thousands of dollars to treat. They also place a severe emotional and financial burden on the injured person's family members. If you or someone you know is the victim of a motorcycle accident causing traumatic brain injury, it is essential to seek out an expert brain injury attorney in accidents and TBI who can help reconstruct the accident and secure compensation.

About the Author
Peter Kent is the best-selling author of 50 books and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, also webmaster http://brain-injury.legalview.com/

Home And Vacation Cottage Generator Safety Tips

Kerry A. Francis - Home and cottage generators are great backup power systems to have in case of an emergency. Emergencies can happen at any point.

Floods, hurricanes, ice storms etc to just name a few cases where an emergency power generator system can be a godsend. With our increased dependence on electricity not only for electric heat and lights , water systems in our cottages and vacations homes as well as electricity for communication purposes - phones ,cell phones and computers having an emergency power generator backup system is not only handy but more and more become a essential necessity. Like everything else generators need to be properly used as well as maintained in order to be reliable and safe.

First of all you should make it a first rule and practice never to work on live electrical circuits or perform work that you are not technically qualified to do or perform. Treat the output cables or terminal box of a generator or generators with the greatest respect. They have the great potential to kill either you or a loved family member or friend.

Do not allow a child or inexperienced person to operate or connector the generator to any circuits. Never operate a generator inside your house, home, cottage, chalet or garage or any other enclosed building because more than potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (dangerous car motor exhaust gasses) may build up.

Carbon monoxide can be a killer. You may have read stories in the newspapers from time to time of carbon monoxide gasses seeping from garages and poisoning whole families. Why take such a risk? Good ventilation for your generator is critical since the typical 3500 watt generator burns about ½ a gallon (2 liters) of fuel an hour at full load. As well, overheating from lack of ventilation can damage your valuable, important and essential generator.

Because of the uncertainty of the power generated from portable generators, sensitive equipment and loads can sustain permanent damage. You cannot expect the same smooth level of power generation and output that you are used to receive from your professional power utility, being professionally monitored and maintained, as from a small temporary gas driven generator, which is only used sporadically and under different conditions. Delicate equipment such as electronics - medical equipment, computers etc may well be secured with a surge protector or battery storage apc device. These come with different load storage capacities and different sized batteries to power these devices for an extended time period. The ratings are done by power load. The power load needed can be determined by the amperage needs of the devices that need essential power. In addition for more protection, both local and general, a surge protector can be physically installed in the essential loads panel of the home, cottage, chalet or trailer needing electrical surge protection capacity and coverage. These devices, the essential loads panel, looks similar to a smaller version of your main breaker service and most likely will be mounted and installed close to it.

Generators are great backup power systems to have in case of emergencies. Ensure that whether your generator is located in your home, trailer or cottage chalet that your generator system is used and maintained properly and safely.

About the Author
Property Taxes Too High? Lake Manitoba Cottages Beaches in Manitoba

Motorcycle Riding Equipment

This is a good education and tips to everyone who love riding a motorcycle. As we know they are many accidents on street that occur a motorcycle riders. It can cause by the others rider that have not good enough skill to ride his/her motorcycle or car. And it is getting worse if the motorcycle riders no wearing a properly safety gear. It is very important to provide a standard safety gear to wear when you ride. I really loved to ride my motorcycle and here is the basic tips that I want to share to everyone.

1. Helmet. This equipment is used to protect our head from impact by other hard objects. A good helmet is a full face helmet that gives the most protection since it covers all of the head and face. And do not forget to fasten the helmet strap.

2. Glasses (eye protection). Do not riding a motorcycle without any eye protection. It is very danger because our eyes are very precious. Always used a proper eye protection such as goggles, or shatterproof glasses and make sure your eyes protection is clean and unscratched.

3. Jacket. We can choose any material for our jacket that makes us fell comfort like denim, corduroy, nylon and leather. Leather jacket more comfortable to wear even in hot weather.

4. Pants. It is good to have a pant from material like leather. Find out a pant that fit your body, do not used cotton pants that can flap in the wind.

5. Gloves. This equipment can protect you from others material such as thrown up stone that hits your fingers. Always wear your gloves event in a hot weather.

6. Boots. Buy a boots with over the ankle boots from leather material to protect our ankle.

7. Rain gear. It is important to protect you from the rains.

8. High-visibility gear. High visibility gear can allow the other people to see you better, so they will highlight your presence.

Happy riding and good luck :)