Our smartphones go everywhere with us – from home to the office, and even to the bathroom. These devices keep us connected to the people who matter the most, as well as notify us as to what’s happening around us.

While we all use our smartphones in ways that best suit us, it’s important to know that these devices have even more power than we realize – the power to save lives. Keep reading to find out about the technology your phone has to save your life after a crash and the technology that may be developed in the future.

In the event you’re in an auto wreck, no matter how traumatic, your mind’s going to race to figure out what you’re supposed to do next. The phone that now may be on the passenger floor or under your feet is where you should start. While you do a quick evaluation of your injuries, focus on calling emergency services. The sooner they arrive at the scene, the better.

While there are many ways a person can sustain any type of injury, certain injuries are more common with some accidents than with others. Road rash, for example, is more common with motorcycle accidents. Road rash is an informal term for bodily abrasions caused by road surfaces. The severity of road rash varies greatly depending on the accident and any protective gear the rider had on.

Types of Road Rash

Road rash is a term that encompasses all road-related abrasions. There are different types of road rash, as well as varying degrees, depending on how it happens and how bad it is.

Avulsion road rash occurs when the skin on the body is scraped away as a result of the direct and harsh contact with the road. Layers of skin are often gone, only to expose fat, muscles, and bone. This is the most common type of road rash.

A mild sunburn can cause discomfort and often calls for extra coats of aloe. When a person is severely burned, it’s an entirely different world. Recovery can be a long and painful process, resulting in permanent disfigurement or disability.

According to the CDC, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention each year. Of those individuals, approximately 4,500 will die from their injuries or complications. Burns are some of the worst pain the body can experience. Many times, burns are caused by preventable accidents.

Common Types of Burn Accidents

The most serious of burn injuries are typically a result of car accidents, industrial accidents, and house fires. With a car fire, a person is likely to get trapped in the vehicle if it’s caught on fire. Industrial burns are often the result of improperly using chemicals or defective equipment. House fires occur for a variety of reasons; however, faulty water heaters and defective smoke alarms or wiring are common causes.

From its river and lakes to its state parks, Mississippi is filled with boating and water recreation opportunities. While these activities can provide an entire summer’s worth of family fun, devastating accidents happen when people neglect their responsibilities as boat owners and operators.

Mississippi Boating Accident Statistics

Every year, the United States Coast Guard publishes a Recreational Boating Statistics report. Here’s what they found in 2017.

• Nationally, 4,291 boating accidents occurred, resulting in 2,629 injuries and 658 deaths.
• In Mississippi, 34 boating accidents resulted in 6 deaths.
• 76 percent of the time the victim drowned; and 84.5 percent of the time that person was not wearing a lifejacket.
• Alcohol was found to be the primary cause of the accidents, resulting in 19 percent of the fatalities.
• 81 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not taken the required boating safety class.

In 2016, over 37,000 lives were lost in car accidents all over the country. The majority of these were single-vehicle accidents. Mississippi is no stranger to motor vehicle fatalities; however, this unnecessary and devastating loss of life is often preventable. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or worse in a car accident in Mississippi, our dedicated Mississippi car accident lawyer will help you hold the negligent party accountable.

Mississippi Highway Accident Statistics

• There were 690 fatalities on Mississippi roadways in 2016, per the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mississippi has one of the highest car accident death rates per capita, at 23.1 deaths for every 100,000 people.
• This also remains true when you narrow the population sample to children. A study from August 2017 by the Journal of Pediatrics found that mortality rate in motor vehicles crashes is 3.23 children per 100,000. National, the rate is 0.25 out of 100,000. 38 percent of those children were not properly buckled.
• Statistically, 1 out of 2 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Mississippi were not buckled up.
• Nationally, 90.1% of Americans wear their seat belts. In Mississippi, that number is only 77.9%.
• In 2011, pedestrian deaths accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and made up 3% of all the people injured in traffic crashes.

Everyone at Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law is dedicated to helping our local and nationwide communities build strong foundations that will lead to a brighter future. As part of that dedication, we decided to start a scholarship in 2017. The Fall 2018 submission period just came to a close, and we were truly humbled by the amount of applications we received as well as the overall quality of every essay. Thank you to everyone who applied!

We’re happy to announce that we’ve chosen a winner. Congratulations to Maly Sears of Adrian, MO!

Maly is attending her first year of graduate school at Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning & Design.

Accidents involving trucks and passenger vehicles, or motorcycles are among the deadliest collisions we see on the road. Victims of these accidents, especially override accidents, often face lifelong injuries and permanent disabilities. If you or a loved one has been the unfortunate victim of an override truck accident in Mississippi, reach out to our Biloxi commercial truck accident lawyers to reach the settlement that’s right for you.

What is an Override Truck Accident?

An override truck accident occurs when the front end of a tractor-trailer or large truck is unable to stop and then crashes into the back of a passenger vehicle. Because of the difference in size and height, this often causes immense damage to the top of the smaller vehicle, sometimes completely tearing off the roof.

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, 72 percent of front impact crashes with a semi result in override. A majority of override truck accidents result in head trauma, severe injuries, and death because of the amount of force exerted upon impact.

Regardless of how long you’ve been with your personal injury attorney, relationships can change. You may find yourself in a position where you think, for one reason or another, it’s time to search for a new law firm. This can be a stressful decision, especially if you’re in the middle of a case; so you may be uncertain as to whether or not a change is the right call. If you are experiencing any of the following issues, however, it may be time to considering making searching around.

Communication Troubles. Proper communication between an attorney and a client is key to a successful relationship and a successful trial. If you have trouble understanding your attorney because they only speak in confusing legal jargon, ask for clarification. If this issue continues, a larger issue may need to be addressed.

With the weather finally getting warmer, many motorcyclists are probably getting excited for the new riding season. For the next few months, the days will be long, sunny, and perfect for going for a ride. But before it’s time to hop on to a bike and hit the open road, there are a few things motorcyclists should take care of to ensure their safety on the road.

You should be able to depend on your motorcycle to run smoothly and not worry about losing control of it while you’re riding. Failing to keep up with motorcycle maintenance poses a lot of risks for the rider and the other people on the road with them.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident injury, a Biloxi motorcycle accident lawyer from Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law can help you get compensation for your injuries. The negligence of others that caused the collision may have given you injuries that prevent you from working or living your everyday life. Your rights will be protected with Corban Gunn at your side.

Owning a car often conveys feelings of freedom and independence. While it’s great to have your own ride, it’s important to know that you need to take care of your car so you know you can get from point A to point B without any problems. When people ignore issues with their vehicle, they risk their road safety and the issues can get worse, meaning they’ll be more expensive to fix. This can easily be avoided with taking care of your car.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you can seek legal aid. A Biloxi, Mississippi car accident lawyer from Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law will fight for your rights and will do everything to get you the compensation you deserve.