Social media has become an extension of people’s lives, giving them a way to connect and stay in touch with family and friends. Of course, it does have its drawbacks. As an example, consider the negative impact that it can have on the victim of a personal injury case. Photos, posts, and even messages can be used as evidence to deny their claim or reduce their settlement. Changing one’s privacy settings may not offer protection either if the courts have reason to believe that “private” communications contain information that is relevant to the case. 

Highest New York Court Allows Mining of Private Social Media Information 

Victims of personal injury accidents used to be followed and investigated by private investigators that were hired by defending parties. The goal was to try and catch injured parties behaving in ways that contradicted their claims - so, for example, if someone said that an accident had resulted in excruciating pain that kept them from working, the investigator would try to catch them jogging, playing football with their kids, or cleaning their garage. In today's digital era, social media manages to make their jobs easier. In fact, insurance companies do not even need an investigator in some cases because they can quickly and easily find the information they need on an injured party's social media account.  

The United States has more than 400 different amusement parks and attractions - and that is not counting state or county fairs that change location on a regular basis. Generating more than $219 billion per year, one would assume that these places are a fun and safe way to spend time with their families. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. 

Amusement Park Injury Statistics

Statistics indicate that there were at least 30,900 injuries in 2016 alone (the most recent year for which statistics are available), and there have been 22 deaths reported since 2010. Unfortunately, the numbers could be even higher than, as no formal method for reporting such incidents exists. What is worse, the parks are not overseen federally. Instead, it is up to the states to regulate for safety, and not all of them do. In fact, there are at least four states where regulations are non-existent. What does this all mean for park attendees? It could mean severe injury or even death. 

Many injuries sustained in an accident may heal over a period of weeks or months, but others may require long-term or even life-long treatment. These types of injuries, which are otherwise known as catastrophic injuries, often receive higher amounts of compensation. Unfortunately, the pursuit of such claims can be complex, and there is always the risk of a denied or reduced settlement. Thankfully, there are some things that victims can do to mitigate such risks. Learn more with help from the following information.

Common Catastrophic Injuries

Although catastrophic injuries can include almost any type of injury requiring long-term treatment, some are more common than others. Examples include:

Even after roads have been plowed and treated to melt the snow and ice, road users need to be aware of potential dangers. This is especially true when it comes to the presence of black ice. Often caused by areas that have melted and then refrozen, it is most often an issue in the early morning hours because it is so difficult to see while driving in the dark. It is also one of the most common causes of car crashes in the winter. If one has happened to you or someone you love, the following can help you understand your right to pursue compensation.

Driving in Icy Conditions

While most crashes are due to the fault of a driver, some that relate to inclement weather are unpreventable and unavoidable (unless, of course, you do not drive). Icy conditions - particularly conditions that create black ice - are a prime example. As stated, the best method of preventing such accidents is to avoid driving in the early morning and late night hours. Unfortunately, not everyone has this option. So, if you must drive, go slower than normal, watch overpasses and bridges, and ensure your vehicle is winter-ready.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that at least 1.7 million people suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. The majority of those sufferers (about 1.365 million) are treated and then released to heal. Unfortunately, this healing process can take weeks, and sometimes months. Over that time, the individual may be unable to work or enjoy the activities they normally do. Some claim that yoga can help with the process.

How Yoga May Help with TBI Recovery

Yoga has many touted benefits and has been used as a therapeutic treatment for numerous conditions. Does it really work, though, and can it truly help with traumatic brain injury? One study suggests it may be a possibility. Conducted over the course of eight weeks, the study examined the outcomes of three TBI sufferers who participated in one-on-one yoga. Researchers found that balance, balance confidence, endurance, and lower extremity strength increased in all three of the participants.