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Hunting Accidents

Hunting AccidentsFrequency of Hunting Accidents

According to information released by the International Hunter Education Association, the U.S. and Canada combined see around 1,000 hunting accidents, specifically involving shooting injuries, on an annual basis. Moreover, close to 10% of these hunting accidents end in death. Hunting accidents of this kind most often involve people who are engaged in hunting, but may also involve people who are not hunting at the time.

Notable Hunting Accidents

Interest in the issue of hunting accidents has been sparked and increased, on occasion, in the specific instances in which the circumstances of the particular hunting accident, or the individuals affected or responsible, have drawn public scrutiny. In this regard, probably the most notable of the hunting accidents to have occurred in the 21st century is that of the accidental shooting by then-Vice President Dick Cheney of a 78-year-old fellow hunter in the course of a quail hunt.

Effect of Education on Hunting Accidents

Hunter Education classes have generally been required under U.S. State law in order to hold hunters to the obligation to receive training in the various points required for gun safety and the responsible use of firearms before they can be given legal certification to engage in hunting activities in that State. This measure against the occurrence of hunting accidents may not be required for people born before this law has fully come into effect. According to hunter certification departments, the frequency of hunting accidents has been greatly reduced by the availability and unavoidability of these safety measures.

Effect of Laws and Regulation on Hunting Accidents

Other forms of legislation also generally affect hunting accidents and the frequency with which they occur amidst the population of otherwise legally registered hunters. For one, hunting accidents are generally limited by the imposition of bag limits on hunters, which limits the extent to which hunting can take place in a state. In addition to the avoidance of hunting accidents, these kinds of laws and rules also are generally geared toward such causes as wildlife conservation and the limitation of environmental impact.

Different Kinds of Hunting Accidents

Hunting accidents will generally occur due to shooting incidents, but hunting accidents can also occur in other contexts, such as in the case of bow hunting. Hunting accidents can also include accidents which do not occur due to the wrongful use of weapons, but rather due to vehicular collisions or other kinds of ill-events which might otherwise afflict hunters. Hunting accidents involving firearms can also be separated into those which are self-inflicted and those caused to other people.

Danger Posed by Hunting Accidents

Differing views have been held and propounded as to the scale of the problem and severity of the danger posed by hunting accidents to the U.S. population. To this end, some people have even proposed complete bans on any such activities involving firearm usage in order to prevent any hunting accidents from occurring. However, the majority consensus favors continuing limitation without complete prohibition.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Danger Posed by Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are generally considered to pose an increased risk for mishaps occurring resulting in injuries and potential fatalities for the rider or any passengers involved in comparison with automotive accidents. As such, motorcycle accidents are a more serious problem in terms of the number of people killed per every unit of distance traveled than those which occur due to car accidents.
In the U.S., verifiable statistics on motorcycle accidents are offered through the particular source of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which demonstrated that in 2006, 55.82 out of every 100,000 instances of motorcycle operation ended in fatal motorcycle accidents, as compared with the rate of 18.06 fatal accidents for every 100,000 instances of automobile operation. 

Long-Term Trends for Motorcycle Accidents
In addition to the data collected by the NHTSA, information as to the frequency with which motorcycle accidents occur and cause death have been collected from the similarly empowered source of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATS). The ATS has found a general increase, consistent across various ages for riders, in the number of fatal accidents which took place between 1998 and 2000. It is also found that fatal motorcycle accidents were almost 30 times more prevalent than other kinds of fatal accidents involving vehicular usage and operation. 
For the United States, meanwhile, the NHTSA has released information reflecting an 8% increase in the number of fatal motorcycle accidents which have occurred in the 2003-2004 time range, according to a report compiled and released in 2005. This last figure indicated that the prevalence of motorcycle accidents had not experienced quite the same degree of increase as in comparison with automobile accidents, with the rate of increase being about 2% less significant. On the other hand, while fatal motorcycle accidents represent 5% of all of the accident-related deaths which occur on the U.S. highway system, motorcycles make up only 2% of all of the motor vehicles owned in the U.S. 

Statistical Reports on Motorcycle Accidents
Two of the most comprehensive and generally applicable studies regarding motorcycle accidents, fatal and otherwise, which have been carried out are reflected in the Hurt Report and the MAIDS report, which are applicable to the territories of the U.S. and Europe, respectively. The Hurt Report study was conducted in 1981, with a regional emphasis on the Los Angeles region. The findings of the Hurt Report as to motorcycle accidents were accordingly used as a basis for further governmental legislation, regulation and enforcement.
The MAIDS report on motorcycle accidents, meanwhile, was carried out in the 1999-2000 time range and was geographically specific to five countries in Europe. The findings of the MAIDS report as to motorcycle accidents generally backed up the earlier conclusions of the Hurt Report in terms of causes and rider behavior.

Train Accident

Train AccidentA train accident is classified as any accident that takes place involving a train, locomotive, subway, or other regulated vehicle designed to operate on a railway system. The fact that trains are confined to tracks allows for their use to be both some of the most direct means of transport, as well as some of the most complex. Unlike free-wheeled vehicle, such as a car or a bicycle, a train cannot rotate or alter the direction in which it travels. Yet, a train can alter the speed and velocity in which it travels, as well as move backwards or forwards.

Types of Train Accidents

There are two primary types of train accidents: operational train accidents and external train accidents. Furthermore, trains, regardless of function, must possess insurance and liability in the event of an accident and/or malfunction. The possession of insurance is a legal imperative for all trains ranging from commercial trains to commuter trains.

1.Operational Train Accidents are classified as train accidents that occur as a result of negligence on the part of any or all operators of a given train:

Navigational train accidents are the result of negligence and/or malfunction on the part of those employees responsible for guiding the train(s), which includes the failure to switch tracks, alert the conductor of upcoming rail traffic, and flawed routing. Furthermore, the malfunction of bridges, gates, and cautionary measures that alert motorists, pedestrians, and other entities from crossing the train’s path are the responsibility of the train company.

Mechanical train accidents are the result of uninspected machinery, faulty parts, incomplete inspections, and unchecked or unhindered tracks. Employees responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of both the train, as well as the tracks utilized by the train, must adhere to the inspection regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Functional train accidents result from negligent or flawed operation of the train itself, which is most often the responsibility of the train crew. An example of functional train accidents include distracted and/or reckless operation of the train. Train personnel must be trained according to the specifications set forth by the DOT and adhere to the operational protocol set forth.

2.External train accidents are classified by unpreventable and/or anomalous occurrences that are not the liability of the train company. In the event that the train, its mechanics and tracks are in working order, external forces causing or contributing to a train accident can be assessed by investigators and other law enforcement personnel. Examples of external train accidents include the failure of individuals to adhere to train crossing warnings and/or unlawful entry onto railroad tracks.

Recourse for Train Accidents

Train operators must adhere to a strict code of operations. Commercial trains must operate safely within the scope of their surroundings. Commuter trains must operate in a safe manner that protects the health and well-being of its passengers. In the event of a train accident, an attorney specializing in transportation codes, regulations, and operations can assist in the investigation of case details reflecting a train accident.

Trampoline Accidents

Trampoline Accidents

Trampoline accidents are classified as recreational – and at times, sports accidents – that involve one or more individual’s use of a trampoline. A trampoline is one of the primary examples of sports equipment that can result in injury in the event of improper and unsafe usage. Statistics illustrate upwards of 85,000 trampoline accidents occurring per year in the United States, with upwards of 90 percent of those accidents resulting from home trampoline use. 

What is a Trampoline?
Varying in size and shape, a trampoline is a piece of equipment that is used to extend the velocity and height jumps and leaps performed by an individual. A trampoline consists of durable, elastic material pulled taut across the surface area of the trampoline, which is then stabilized by springs. These springs allow for added elasticity. The surface of the trampoline is mounted atop a stand that can vary in height, depending on the size of the trampoline. 


The Danger of Trampolines
Once an individual bounces on the surface of a trampoline, the exaggerated, elasticity maximizes the height, power, velocity, and speed to an individual’s natural jumping ability. Those individuals who are unpracticed or unfamiliar with the mechanics and physics of trampolines run a risk of having a trampoline accicdent.

Preventing Trampoline Accidents
Although trampolines can provide a great deal of fun and enjoyment for those using them, improper trampoline use can have tragic results. Prior to using a trampoline, the owners are encouraged to ensure the integrity of its construct. The following are some precautionary steps that can be taken in order to avoid trampoline accidents:
Ensure that the purchase of a trampoline has been made from a reputable distributor and/or manufacturer that ensures that quality, integrity, and reliability of their products.
Ensure that the trampoline includes notification that it has been tested and inspected in accordance with Federal, legal, and commercial standards.
Ensure that the trampoline possesses a warranty that explains the legal process of its use; this includes liability and user responsibility.
Ensure that the enclosed instructions are read and understood by all individuals using the trampoline; pay close attention to any warnings, suggestions, and tips offered by the manufacturer.
Ensure that a medical professional has confirmed that the individuals using the trampoline are in sound physical condition to safely use a trampoline.
Ensure that there exists regulated and approved padding surrounding the perimeter of the trampoline in order to reduce the risk of trampoline accidents.
Ensure that the proper safety and protective gear is worn by all users.

Trampoline Accident Recourse
If confusion exists regarding the use and/or process of the trampoline in question, an individual is encouraged to consult with an attorney prior to its usage. An attorney specializing in liability, personal injury, accidents, and consumer laws will provide assistance in clarifying the liability of the manufacturer in the event of a trampoline accident. 
However, an attorney should be contacted subsequent to any trampoline accidents in order to assess liability, personal injury, and to provide legal review of the case details.

Skateboarding Accidents

Skateboarding AccidentsSkateboarding Accidents Lawyer

Reasons for Hiring Skateboarding Accidents Lawyers

The personal injury damages which may be due to the victims of skateboarding accidents can be argued for and potentially released based on the advocacy services provided by skateboarding accidents lawyers. A skateboarding accidents lawyer may or may not be a specific practitioner within this sector of personal injury law.

In any event, a skateboarding accident lawyer may be able to provide victims of skateboarding accidents with the ability to recover compensation for the pain and distress they have suffered, as well as the financial recovery to compensate for expenses incurred from receiving medical care and lost wages due to physical injuries.

Civil Actions Transacted by Skateboarding Accidents Lawyers

The particular kind of legal motion allowed for by a skateboarding accidents lawyer unfolds within the larger administrative context of the system of civil law, which involves one of two primary sectors in the U.S. justice system. As such, the field for civil law practitioners can be contrasted with the other area, which is reserved for the criminal justice system.

Difference Between Civil and Criminal Law

Whereas civil law is concerned with the transactions and challenges which occur between individuals or groups considered private entities under the U.S. legal system, criminal law involves the Government bringing complaints for statutory violations against individuals subject to those laws. As a civil law practitioner, a skateboarding accidents lawyer does not have the ability to consign a defendant who is found liable through the persuasive power of his or her argument to a term in prison.

Skateboarding Accidents Lawyers as Trial Lawyers

A skateboarding accidents lawyer might be referred to as a trial lawyer. This term, and the way in which it is used, is fairly unique to the U.S. legal system and may carry loaded connotations and even a tinge of disapproval depending on the particular individual who uses it.

Definition of Trial Lawyers

For one, trial lawyers do not, as defined in this way, include all legal representatives who argue a case before a court of law. Rather, trial lawyers, as understood in this way, are legal professionals who specialize in recovering damages for clients claiming wrongdoing or negligence on another’s part, and who do so through the threat or accomplishment of court proceedings. As this suggests, a trial lawyer may be able to deliver satisfactory results to the plaintiff without the necessity of actually going through an entire trial. Skateboarding accidents lawyers, thus acting in this way as trial lawyers, will commonly secure settlements, rather than court verdicts, for the benefit of their clients.

Factors to be Cited by a Skateboarding Accidents Lawyer

A skateboarding accidents lawyer might press for damages on behalf of the particular client involved in a case on the basis of several varying types of damages. For one, skateboarding accidents lawyers could press for compensation for the pain and distress resulting from the skateboarding accident. Alternately, a skateboarding accidents lawyer could also press the suit on the basis of the medical bill payment required, or the wages denied.

Horse Accidents

Horse AccidentsFactors in Horse Accidents

Horse accidents can readily occur due to the combination of the rider’s high elevation from the ground and the rapid pace of the horse. Riders can fall up to 13 feet in a horse accident, while the speed of their steed can get up to 40 mph. Another factor contributing to horse accidents and the resulting painful and debilitating injuries to the riders is the comparative lack of intelligence on the part of horses compared with other mammals such as dogs, combined with their large size. Horse accidents can cause death or, most seriously among the non-fatal injuries, spinal and brain damage.

Different Types of Horse Accidents

While horse accidents are most commonly associated with fatalities and injuries occurring among riders, other kinds of horse accidents can also occur, which can also result in serious, if not fatal, consequences for the humans involved. A rarer yet still dangerous form of horse accident is one involving the collision of a motor vehicle, such as a car or motorcycle, with a horse, which may be with or without a rider, depending on the case.

Horse accidents of this kind can occur more commonly when horses are being transported by trailer along motorways in active use. Alternately, horse accidents can also occur when people are struck by horses while standing, sitting or lying on the ground. These kinds of horse accidents may involve horses kicking people in the immediate physical vicinity, trampling them, or otherwise coming into violent impact with them.

Danger Posed by Horse Accidents

According to studies, accidents when people are riding horses can occur much more commonly than in the instances of the use of other forms of transportation. For one, horse accidents have been compared to motorcycle accidents, a method of comparison which has shown that people are far more likely to experience accidents and possible resulting injury or fatality when riding horses compared to motorcycles.
A study compiled in the early 2000s found that horse accidents are 20 times more likely to occur than motorcycle accidents. That being said, the rate of danger posed to riders by the likelihood of horse accidents can vary in terms of the specific kind of riding involved.

Horse riding considered to be for ā€œleisureā€ purposes was found in this study to involve one injury, of any degree of severity, per every 100 hours’ worth of people engaging in such activities. On the other hand, for ā€œamateur racing over jumpsā€, one horse accident occurred on average for every five hours’ devoted to such activities. ā€œCross country eventingā€ activities, meanwhile, posed the risk of one horse accident, and resulting injury to the rider, for every hour of such riding.

According to another study conducted around the same point in time, out of every 10 horse accidents, 6 of these involved head injuries to the riders and, as a result, increased risks for riders.

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