GA Injury Advocates - August 2022

GA Injury Advocates - August 2022

Auto Injury TRIBUNE

August 2022

Tips for National Traffic Awareness Month

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 million people worldwide die in fatal traffic accidents every year. That’s not all — traffic accidents injure an additional 20–50 million people annually. I only meet and represent a tiny fraction of those accident victims, but their stories stick with me. August is National Traffic Awareness Month, and many accidents feature similar situations. Worse, if another driver had only taken proper care, the accident and all the injuries that came with it could have been avoided entirely. I can’t change the past, but I hope to stop other people from getting hurt. Here are the most dangerous traffic conditions. STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC So, you’re “stuck in traffic.” That usually means you’re driving at a snail’s pace or keep stopping and starting. Stop-and-go traffic is a pain we’d all prefer to avoid, and it’s also ripe for potential accidents. While these collisions are usually relatively mild, they often result in whiplash or other injuries that can turn serious. Driving safely in stop-and-go conditions requires keeping your emotions in check. First, you have to control your anger. The traffic might be frustrating, but rage or aggressive driving won’t solve the problem. Second, it’s just

as important to avoid boredom. Distraction accounts for most stop-

LEFT-HAND TURNS Did you know that left-hand turns are involved in about 22% of all U.S. car accidents and 61% of those at an intersection? Turning left can be dangerous business. Of course, it’s also a necessary evil. So, what can you do to reduce the chances of an accident? Drivers turning left must give oncoming traffic the right of way. If you can’t turn left without forcing another driver to slow down, you don’t have enough time to turn and will likely be held at fault for an accident. Meanwhile, drivers going straight should watch out for motorists who may be turning at an intersection to keep themselves and anyone else in the car safe. Finally, you always have a duty to drive the speed limit and stop on yellow so other drivers can turn left. If we all had our way, we’d exclusively drive on open roads without the hassle of traffic lights, lane changes, or other cars. But for better or worse, when we’re behind the wheel, we’re responsible for each other. We may not like traffic, but we have to live with it. So, do it responsibly — it could save your or someone else’s life.

and-go accidents, so put the phone away and stop daydreaming. Leave adequate distance between yourself and other cars, pay attention to the brake lights in front of you, and slowly accelerate when it’s time to move forward. RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS Have you ever joked that a yellow light means “speed up” instead of slow down — or that the traffic light was pink (not red) when you drove through it? You’re not alone. A survey by AAA in 2019 found that 31% of people admitted to running a red light in the past 30 days. But while people are great at rationalizing their poor driving habits, the numbers don’t lie. In 2020, 928 Americans died in crashes where someone ran a red light, and 115,741 people were injured. People run red lights because they’re in a hurry and think they won’t get caught. But the convenience and minor thrill aren’t worth the risk to your or anyone else’s life. When a light turns yellow, always stop as long as you have enough time — it’s the law. And practice defensive driving by being cautious and keeping your eyes open when crossing intersections. Taking a couple of extra seconds to accelerate on green could prevent someone else’s negligence from turning fatal.

El Abogado Ramiro (El Abogado Amigo) y su equipo hablan español

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(770) 233-7400

FIND YOUR FOCUS

ACHIEVE THE BODY YOU WANT

As anyone who struggles with their weight knows, dropping a few pounds can be incredibly difficult. Even if you’re working out regularly and your diet is great, you may still find it hard to get to an ideal weight. Our bodies and metabolisms are complex, working out isn’t always enough, and you need to address all of the issues that may be affecting your body. Here are a few reasons you might not be shedding pounds even if you’re working out. YOU’RE NOT EATING THE RIGHT FOODS. People tend to focus all their energy on burning calories without considering what they’re eating as fuel for their bodies. A great tip is to look for all natural, whole foods. These will have all the nutrients you need, whereas processed foods have little to none. YOU’RE EATING TOO MUCH. Your body needs to burn as many or more calories than you consume. Don’t focus on counting calories; instead, focus on eating when you’re hungry, but eat slowly enough to where you don’t get too full too quickly. This way you can find a healthy balance between what your body needs versus what you want. YOU’RE DOING TOO MUCH CARDIO. Though cardio is an important part of a workout routine, it can’t be the sole focus. It keeps your heart healthy and boosts your metabolism, but if you’re doing too much, it can have side effects that reverse your progress. Long cardio sessions can eat away at lean muscle mass; your muscles are important for your metabolism to burn more calories. Try to keep cardio on the lighter side. That way you can also focus on other major muscle groups. YOU’RE NOT TAKING RECOVERY DAYS. When you feel that afterburn and soreness following a workout, it is the prime time to take a recovery day. Recovery and rest are important steps in a workout routine, because most of your fat burning will be done in that period. Make sure after working hard that you listen to your body and give it the break it may need before your next workout. There may be many reasons you aren’t making as much progress on your weight goals as you’d hope. But you can do many things to help you lose weight in a safe, sustainable way.

As children grow older, some tend to engage in more risky behaviors. They like to test their parents’ patience and limits to see what they can actually get away with. But when you establish boundaries with your older children, it can set them up for success and teach them a thing or two about responsibility. CREATING BOUNDARIES THAT REFLECT YOUR VALUES You cannot simply say the rules — your actions must reinforce them if you want them to be followed. They must also reflect the positive values that mean the most to you, as they will influence how your children see you. The clearer your values are, the easier it is to express and communicate them to your older kids, and the more likely they are to follow along with the boundaries that respect those values. Setting Boundaries for Your Teens

Here is a list of core family values to consider:

• Positive relationships — whether that be with family members, friends, coworkers, or even strangers • Priorities — define what matters to your family first • Honesty — creating a judgment-free space to be open and speak freely • Responsibility — taking accountability for one’s mistakes • Respect — learning how to communicate boundaries effectively BE SUPPORTIVE, NOT ENABLING Supporting someone is helping them do something they might not be able to do themselves in the right conditions, whereas enabling is stepping in and mitigating consequences that would otherwise be a result of a negative choice. Enabling is an undesirable behavior that can occur when parents give in to complaints or demands to avoid conflict. Instead of avoiding possible conflict, it’s best to support your older children while they navigate through your rules. Allow them to have questions or make mistakes. That way you can provide a framework where they have the ability to act and make decisions on their own. Setting rules or boundaries for your older kids is an essential tool that aids in their development. Over time, the process will help lay the foundations for them to become self-regulating adults.

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Grief is a human emotion we all wish we could avoid but will likely someday experience. We typically associate it with the death of a loved one, but we might grieve anytime we lose something or someone important to us. Aug. 30 is National Grief Awareness Day, and it’s time we recognize that accident victims often go through their own period of mourning. We all know families grieve when a loved one dies in an accident. But the thousands of people who survive with long-term injuries experience a different kind of loss. Depending on their circumstances, an injured person may grieve the abilities they used to have, the job they used to enjoy, or even the person they used to be. LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Managing Grief After an Accident

methods you can use to come to terms with what has happened. You may be familiar with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But you may not realize they can happen in any order or more than once. Some people torture themselves with “what ifs,” thinking of how things could have gone differently. That’s bargaining. As a part of anger, others rail against the driver who hurt them, the world, their families, or even themselves. Some people drift from rage to depression, only to later switch back to anger. The journey is different for everyone. Grief is normal, but the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) some accident victims develop is a serious medical condition. It often results

in intrusive memories, worsening moods, exaggerated emotional reactions, or avoidance of talking about the source of trauma. Clinical depression may also present in some victims, and some people turn to substance use to cope with their emotions. We recommend anyone experiencing these symptoms speak with a professional about what they are going through and feeling. Therapy is wise even for those processing their grief in a healthy way. And while they won’t take the place of a professional, support groups also help many people find a sense of belonging and camaraderie. No matter how you choose to seek help, remember you are not alone. Grief after an accident is normal, and it will eventually get easier to manage, even possibly end.

When your life changes radically, a period of adjustment always follows — and there are

TASTY BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN

SUDOKU

RECIPE:

Fresh tomatoes and basil abound in August, practically begging to become bruschetta! This recipe turns that appetizer into a main dish.

Ingredients

•

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness

Directions

• • • • • • • • • •

4 tbsp olive oil

1. Add chicken to a large resealable bag. 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour over chicken and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. Turn a grill to medium-high heat and add the chicken. Discard the marinade. Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side or until fully cooked. 4. Combine the remaining lemon juice, tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Add salt and pepper, to taste. 5. Before taking the chicken off the grill, top each breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Cover and cook 2–3 minutes, then serve topped with the tomato mixture and grated Parmesan cheese.

2 tbsp lemon juice, divided

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning 3 tomatoes, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste 4 slices mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese, grated

(770) 233-7400 3 If you or a loved one has been injured, call our office today for a free consultation.

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Inside

Stay Safe With These Traffic Tips

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How Established Rules Set Teens Up for Success 4 Reasons You Might Not be Losing Weight

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How Traumatic Injury Causes Grief

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Tasty Bruschetta Chicken

Remember School Traffic Safety!

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Love it or hate it, school is back in session! There will soon be increased traffic and pedestrians to watch out for, so it’s the perfect time to review how you can keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. Approximately 800 school-aged children die during regular school travel hours every year, and more than 150,000 are injured. Those numbers are far too high! Let’s start with school bus safety. Remember never to pass a school bus when its lights are flashing red or yellow. Pay equal attention to the stop sign on the side of a bus, whether driving behind it or approaching it from the opposite direction. Kids are unpredictable — you may not see any, but they can end up in the middle of the road in a matter of seconds. Saving yourself the inconvenience of stopping isn’t worth the risk.

Poor driving behavior around school buses is dangerous, but only about 4% of annual injuries are bus-related. Far more include motor vehicles or pedestrians. No matter why you’re driving through a school zone, it’s essential to take care, obey the speed limits, and remain alert to everything happening around you. Distracted driving is a major cause of school zone accidents. So, stay off your phone and save any arguments with the kids until your vehicle is parked. Also, avoid unsafe behaviors like stopping in the middle of crosswalks or double-parking. Finally, consider whether you want your teen driving themselves or their siblings to school; about 55% of deaths in school-aged children occur when a teenager is driving.

While you likely already know about distracted driving, you may not realize that distracted walking is just as big of a problem. When researchers observed 39,000 middle and high school students walking to school, 80% engaged in some form of unsafe street-crossing behavior. Some were wearing headphones, others were texting or talking on the phone, and some were engaging in multiple distracting activities. Ensure your child understands the dangers before sending them out on their own. No one wants the trauma of losing a child or harming someone else’s. But we can have a productive and injury-free school year by working together and following the rules. Study hard and stay safe!

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