New Mexico Teacher Arrested For Wrong Way Drunk Driving Crash

A 41-year-old New Mexico science teacher with two previous DWI convictions and another DWI arrest is facing charges once again for a crash in April that injured two teens on Highway 84/285 between Espanola and Santa Fe.

According to New Mexico State Police, the man was driving the wrong way in his pick-up truck on the busy highway near the Buffalo Thunder exit on a Friday night. An officer followed him, trying to get him to stop, but to no avail.

The head-on crash left the wrong-way driver, who teaches science at the Santa Fe Indian School, pinned under his truck. Officers allegedly found a bottle of whiskey in the truck.

The two young women in the other vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, were transported to the hospital, where they were placed in intensive care. The driver of the Passat had to be pried out from behind the wheel with a chainsaw by first responders.

Dramatic police dash cam video shown captured the chain of events, including the truck going the wrong way, the crash and the recovery efforts.

The teacher was charged with two counts of DWI causing great bodily harm. He is currently under house arrest pending trial, except to go to work. It was not reported whether he has been suspended from his position at the school.

Both women would end up in intensive care, but would survive. Witnesses then told police what they saw happened.

No matter how carefully we drive, we can be helpless in the face of a drunk and/or reckless driver. Although an at-fault driver can face serious criminal charges for his or her actions, victims and surviving family members can also take civil legal action to seek compensation for medical treatment, lost wages and other damages. It’s wise to explore your options with an experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney.

 

Source: KRQE 13, “Santa Fe teacher accused of wrong way DWI crash,” Jeannie Nguyen, Sep. 14, 2017

Protect Your Kids From Dog Bites On Halloween

Halloween is one of the funnest nights of the year for kids. However, it can be scary and confusing for dogs. Hearing the doorbell ring for hours on end can send them into a frenzy. The opening and closing of the front door gives them ample opportunity to make a break for it and find out what’s going on.

Some dogs, unfortunately, get tied to a tree or fenced in on Halloween night, which can make them aggressive if they manage to break free.

That’s why it’s essential to be careful around any dog that you encounter while you’re trick-or-treating. A lot of dog bites occur on Halloween. Even a friendly neighborhood dog may not recognize your child behind a mask and costume, wielding a wand or light saber. It may think that you’re there to attack its family.

Dog guardians should take care to keep their dogs safely tucked away in their home where they can’t escape or even encounter visitors at the door. However, if you and your little ones run into a dog whose people have not been so responsible, there are ways to protect yourselves:

  • Don’t approach any dog, even one you know.
  • If you encounter a dog out with its person, ask before you or your children do any petting.
  • If you come upon a dog that is loose, don’t look at it. That’s considered a challenge in dog language.
  • If a dog knocks your child to the ground, instruct him or her to roll up into a ball. The face is often the first thing a dog will go for.
  • If a strange dog approaches, remember the instruction, “Be a Tree.” Everyone should stand still and be quiet. The more movement and sound a dog hears, the more it will be likely to attack.

If you or your children suffer a dog bite or attack, you should seek medical treatment. Dog bites can be particularly serious for children, who are more likely to suffer injuries to their faces than adults are. Then, it may be wise to consult with a New Mexico personal injury attorney who can help you seek compensation for any required medical care and other damages.

 

Source: 2 Dawg Nite, “9 Tips to Prevent Dog Bites on Halloween,” accessed Sep. 19, 2017

Maternal Mortality Rate Linked To Failures In Nurses’ Training

Many people may be surprised to learn that the mortality rate for women who give birth is higher in the U.S. than in any other affluent country in the world. There are many reasons for that, including, one could argue, a serious inequality in the care that women of different economic statuses receive. Maternal mortality rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are highest among women who live in rural areas and those who are African-American.

Some 700 to 900 women lose their lives every year in this country during pregnancy or childbirth. Sadly, more than half of these deaths are preventable.

One reason, according to a study just published in MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, is that postpartum nurses are not properly educated in the potential dangers to new mothers. Therefore, they’re not able to recognize what should be alarming symptoms or to tell their patients what symptoms are potentially dangerous.

These include headaches, breathing problems, heavy bleeding and painful swelling. While no woman feels physically comfortable just after giving birth, these symptoms can be indications of potentially serious and even fatal issues.

A survey of nurses found that on average they only spend about 10 minutes, if that, talking to new mothers about potentially dangerous symptoms. The survey also found that few nurses realized that heart failure accounted for over 25 percent of postpartum deaths.

Women are at least under medical supervision while they’re in the hospital. However, in the U.S., the average hospital stay for a new mother is just two days. Once they go home, they’re likely consumed with caring for their new child and paying less attention to their own health. If they don’t know what symptoms to be concerned about, they may not notify their doctors.

Numerous complications can occur before, during and after giving birth that can cause harm and even death to women. However, as noted, too often, this is preventable. If you believe that you or a loved one was not properly cared for by medical professionals during this crucial time, it’s wise to consult with a New Mexico personal injury attorney to find out what your legal options are.

 

Source: National Public Radio, “Many Nurses Lack Knowledge Of Health Risks To Mothers After Childbirth,” Nina Martin, ProPublica, accessed Sep. 14, 2017

Do You Know The Top Causes Of Truck Accidents?

On behalf of Law Firm of Alexander D. Crecca, PC posted in blog on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

As you drive on the many highways throughout the state of New Mexico, you know that you will often be in close proximity to commercial vehicles, such as large trucks and buses.

It’s easy to believe that you will never be involved in an accident with a truck, but it’s impossible to know what the future will bring. Even if you are driving safely, a trucker may make a mistake that leads to a crash.

Here are some of the many causes of commercial truck accidents:

  • Reckless driving. From speeding to swerving, any form of reckless driving can cause a serious accident.
  • Lack of training. It’s not easy to drive a large commercial truck. Every trucker should receive the proper training before taking to the road.
  • System of compensation that promotes faster vehicle speed. When a trucking company pays more for getting the job done faster, it’s only natural for a trucker to speed.
  • Drowsy driving. Truckers are often on the road for many hours at a time. If a person neglects to take a break, it’s possible that he or she could fall asleep at the wheel.
  • Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or prescription drugs can increase the likelihood of an accident.

These are among the most common causes of truck accidents, but this is not a complete list. There are many other reasons why a trucker could strike your vehicle, thus putting you in a bad position.

If you find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, your health and well being should always come first. You must also take the time to learn more about your legal rights, as you may be in position to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages resulting from the accident.

Why Nurses Are Increasingly Victims Of Violence

At hospitals here in New Mexico and across the country, nurses face workplace dangers every day, from lifting heavy patients to contact with contaminants. They’re also at risk of being the victims of violence.

We all recently saw the disturbing video of a Utah nurse who was violently arrested by police when she refused to take a blood sample from an unconscious patient. The perpetrators of violence can be patients, visitors and even other medical professionals. This June, a disgruntled New York City physician fatally shot another doctor and injured several others at the hospital where he worked before he shot himself to death.

The problem of violence against hospital personnel seems to be getting worse. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), from 2011 to 2013, close to three-quarters of all workplace assaults happened in health care facilities. In 2015, according to other government statistics, the rate of hospital workers injured was five times that for all private industries.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the rate of hospital employees intentionally injured on the job at the hands of another person is significantly higher than the rate across all private industries. In 2015, the most recent year available, there were 8.5 cases of injuries per 10,000 full-time hospital workers, versus 1.7 cases for all private industries.

Some of this violence is perpetrated by prisoners who are supposed to be guarded while in the hospital by correctional officers. Angry or distraught family members of patients, mentally ill people as well as people under the influence of drugs and alcohol can also present a danger. Some nurses have suffered sexual assaults.

While dealing with physical aggression and violence has long been viewed by hospitals as part of the job of being on the front lines. However, nursing advocates are increasingly working for legislation and other changes to help protect them. These include greater OSHA regulation, better staffing, stronger legal penalties for patients who attack hospital personnel and more training to help nurses learn to deescalate situations and spot signs that a patient could be violent.

Hospital workers have the right to expect their employers to provide adequate safety measures to help protect them from becoming the victims of violence. When a nurse or other medical professional is injured or killed at work, family members can and should determine what type of legal recourse they have.

 

Source: Peoria Journal-Star, “As hospital violence grows, nurses seek reforms,” Kate Thayer and Hannah Leone, Aug. 19, 2017

Reducing Your Chances Of Suffering A Dog Bite

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, about 4.5 million dog bites occur. Obviously, some bites are more serious than others. Only about 20 percent require medical attention. Infants and children are more likely to suffer serious or even fatal injuries than adults because of their small size and their likelihood of being near a dog’s mouth

While some types of dogs such as Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers are perceived as dangerous, the way that a dog is treated has a lot to do with their propensity to bite. Dogs who are kept chained, for example, are more likely to bite or attack than those who are not. Further, dogs who haven’t been spayed or neutered are more likely to be aggressive. Nonetheless, a bite from a large dog is generally more serious than one from a Chihuahua or other small dog.

There are things that you can do to minimize your chances of being bitten. First, it’s essential to understand why they bite. Dogs have their reasons, even if humans don’t understand them. They may bite because:

  • They’re afraid.
  • They’re in a stressful situation.
  • They’re startled
  • They are protecting themselves, their owners or their puppies
  • They don’t feel well.
  • They get overly excited while playing.

If you understand why dogs bite, you can reduce the risk of injury. If you encounter an unfamiliar dog, particularly one who isn’t with a person, it’s best not to approach it. If the dog approaches you, remain still. Don’t scream, run or make eye contact. If a dog knocks you down, roll into a ball, covering your neck and ears with your arms.

No matter how friendly a dog is, don’t approach it when it’s sleeping, eating or with its puppies. Remember to let a dog sniff you before you pet it. Don’t give a dog any reason to fear you. Once it’s gotten your scent, it’s best to scratch it under the chin rather than pet its head.

Many people’s homeowner’s insurance policies cover dog bites. In fact, about a third of the claims paid out on these policies involve dog bites and other injuries caused by dogs. Therefore, if you are bitten or attacked by a dog and suffered an injury, it’s wise to seek legal advice to determine what your options are for seeking compensation to cover medical care and other expenses.

 

Source: Canine Journal, “Dog Bite Statistics,” Sara Logan Wilson, accessed Sep. 01, 2017

Contact Us

Contact Us




    Please prove you are human by selecting the flag.


    Popular Links

    Practice Areas