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No parent wants their teen driver to stress behind the wheel and many of us see stress as a type of distraction. In fact, some safety experts argue that driving when we’re very upset is tantamount to driving distracted in Homestead or our communities. A new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, however, suggests that some stress could reduce the risk of car accidents for teen drivers.

According to the researchers at the University of Sherbrooke, teens with responsive stress systems may have a lower risk of car accidents. The study examined 42 teen drivers in Virginia to test their stress levels and their rate of crashes during their first 18 months of driving. Researchers found that teens who had higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) when stressed had fewer near-misses and collisions during the study than teens with less intense responses to stress. The study’s authors concluded that differences in biology could have an impact on how teens respond to problems and hazards in driving scenarios.

Car accidents in Homestead and other communities continue to be a leading cause of death and injury for teens. Can this newest study offer some insight that could help prevent traffic fatalities in Homestead and other communities? On the surface, of course, there is very little that can be done about a driver’s stress response. On the other hand, knowing that there are biological markers that affect driving ability could be useful. Parents who have teens who tend to stay anxious behind the wheel or teens who tend not to stay cool under pressure may be able to see from this study that this personality trait could affect driving ability.

For parents who want to help their teens avoid car and truck collisions in Homestead or their community, there are a few things that can be done:

•Get additional driving instruction for your teen. One-on-one driving instruction, racing classes, and additional classes can help new drivers develop skills and can also teach them to stay calmer in high-risk situations, which can lower their risk of accidents.

•Set rules about safe driving. Make it clear to your new driver that distracted driving or drunk driving are not allowed. Do not allow your teen to use cell phones behind the wheel – even hands-free devices – and make sure that your teen knows to call home for a ride rather than driving drunk.

•Emphasize defensive driving. Researchers in the most recent study concluded that driving ability and learning to drive are affected by biological markers, but getting your child into defensive driving classes can help your new driver learn how to prevent accidents, which can lower their risk overall.

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In many cases, Hollywood traffic accidents are preventable. In some cases, a driver who has caused a car collision has a medical issue or a series of fender benders and other accidents that friends and family know about. If there is someone in your life that you feel is a problem driver and is at risk of causing a Hollywood truck accident or car accident, there are several things you can do:

1) Talk to the driver in a non-accusatory fashion. In many cases, motorists are defensive about their ability to drive and fearful that their independence will disappear if they can no longer drive. In these cases, it is important to listen to the driver and to show concern.

2) Find out the specific reason for a driver’s problems with driving. If it is a health condition or simply poor driving habits, there may be some way to help. A driver may be able to avoid a Hollywood car accident by speaking with their doctor about treatment or difference medications, for example. If poor habits are to blame, remedial driving lessons can be a big help.

3) Learn about transportation options and share them with the driver. A driver may be more willing to use other transportation options if they are convenient and affordable. Learning about the options can help a driver make a safer decision about their driving.

4) Don’t assume that elderly drivers are automatically unsafe. Driving ability has more to do with skills, choices, and health than with age. While the elderly are more susceptible to certain conditions which can affect driving ability, drivers of any age can make poor choices or develop health concerns that can make them a hazard on the road.

5) Learn about resources that can help. Florida’s Silver Alert system can send out if a driver goes missing. The Safe Mobility for Life program at the Florida Department of Transportation offers tips and information.

6) Speak to a doctor or have the problem driver speak to their doctor about their driving ability. If a health concern is the cause, proper treatment can go a long way towards reducing the risk. A doctor can also help a patient understand how their health can affect driving ability.

7) Get re-testing or one-on-one refresher courses with an experienced driving instructor. Re-testing and one-on-one sessions with driving instructors can help pinpoint and address problems. In some cases, additional training or even accessibility features in a car can help a motorist who is at risk drive safer.

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Florida has the unfortunate distinction of being a hotbed for car insurance fraud. While authorities have been taking steps to crack down on fraudsters, many innocent victims are still duped by insurance fraud. Even if you have no intention of committing fraud after a Hialeah truck accident or car accident, being duped could mean that you are accused of taking part in fraud. You may also see your insurance rates rise if you are in an accident caused by a fraudster.

If you have been in a Hialeah car accident, there are many steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of fraud:

1) Visit legal and medical professionals you trust. Most attorneys and medical professionals are honest and professional, but some in both industries have been involved in fraud. Ask for recommendations or do some quick research if you do not know any professionals in Hialeah. Honest professionals will welcome questions and will have abundant proof that they are honest professionals.

2) Be wary of any offers that seem too good to be true. If someone offers an advance payment or a settlement in person or through the mail that seems very high, be wary. An honest Hialeah personal injury attorney will evaluate your case, will be able to explain how much your case may be worth and why, and will be able to advise you of the strength of your case. No attorney, however, can guarantee a settlement or compensation.

3) Get documentation. If you can, take photos of the car accident site, the damage, and the other car. Keep careful records of witness contact information, contact information for other drivers involved, the time and date of the accident, and any other information. Note how many passengers were in the other car and get contact information for each person. Keep detailed notes about medical treatments received and get copies of any medical records and police records you can.

4) Check your documentation. Compare any statements received against the records you keep. This will help you see whether medical claims are padded with treatments you did not get or if more people are claiming injuries than were actually in the car. Both are common red flag signs of fraud after a Hialeah truck accident or car accident, but many people miss these signs because they do not check the records.

5) Report to the police even if the accident was not major. Any accident involving minor damage and injuries should be reported, since you will get an accident report, which will be important when you file an insurance claim. It is another step in the documentation process. You should also contact the police if you feel that you have been the victim of insurance fraud.

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According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 99 bicyclists were killed in Florida in 2009. Florida bicycle accidents accounted for 3.9 % of all traffic fatalities in 2009 and that year 4,376 bicyclists sustained serious personal injuries as a result of collisions with cars. Many bicyclists in Florida have voiced concerns about bicyclist safety in Florida, especially in light of the death of assistant professor Kurt Lang Frankel, who was killed while bicycling in Florida in early July. According to experts, there are many things which can be done to help prevent Florida car accidents involving bicycles:

1) Wear helmets. All bicyclists should wear helmets each time they get on a bike to ride. Helmets have been proven by research to help prevent many Florida brain injuries. In the event of an accident, a helmet can help prevent fatal head injuries.

2) Stay alert and safe. Bicyclists can stay alert for cars and drive in bicycle lanes where such lanes are available. However, motorists also need to stay alert and avoid distracted driving in order to notice bicyclists and others sharing the road.

3) Educate motorists and the public about laws, then enforce the laws. Many bicyclists in Florida agree that drivers in the state do not seem to be aware of many laws. For example, cars should drive about three feet away from bicyclists, but many motorists do not obey these laws.

4) Create better logistics for bicyclists. More bicycle lanes, wider bicycle lanes, and more signs can help make sharing the road easier. As well, more crosswalks where bicyclists can cross can be useful for both bicyclists and pedestrians.

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Tire defects can cause serious car accidents. In recent years, a number of notable tire recalls have been instituted and a number of product liability lawsuits have been filed against tire manufacturers over unsafe tires. Unfortunately, tire defects continue to contribute to thousands of car accidents each year. In some cases, manufacturers know about tire problems and flaws but do not recall the products.

When a tire defect causes an accident, the results can be fatal and tragic. When a tire malfunctions on a highway, especially, a driver may lose control and may crash into other cars and vehicles, causing severe damage and many injuries. In some cases, when tires or parts of tires fly off a vehicle due to a defect, these pieces of tire may strike other vehicles, causing a chain-reaction of collisions and accidents.

One of the most common tire defects is tread separation, which is also one of the most-commonly cited reason for tire recalls. With this type of defect, a flaw in tire design or the manufacturing process causes a tire to separate from the tire tread. When this happens on the road, the driver typically loses control of the car and the vehicle either slams into another car (or object) or rolls over.

A car accident is often traumatic and usually requires at least a hospital visit. A more serious accident may require a longer hospital stay. As you recover from your injuries, you will want to give yourself every chance to recover fully and completely. Unfortunately, the rush to get to the emergency room for treatment and the rush of the emergency room can mean that medical mistakes are made. After an accident, medical mistakes can delay your treatment, cause you new injuries, and cause complications. They can even lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit. There are many ways you can avoid medical mistakes after an accident:

1) Keep communication good, even when you cannot speak. If you have a serious condition or are taking medication, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet to let paramedics know your condition. In an emergency, this can save your life. You can also keep important medical information about yourself in your wallet or next to your driver’s registration or license, where emergency personnel may look after an accident.

2) Have a health care advocate. If possible, have a friend or family member meet you at the hospital. This person can take notes on your behalf and can help you negotiate the medical process, especially if you are feeling confused and unwell after a brain injury or other serious injury. This advocate can start documentation for you and can ensure that your wishes are followed.