Firm Partner Ira Slavit recently appeared on the BronxNetTV show OPEN to discuss how unsafe roads contribute to the deaths of Black drivers. He noted that more people of color were killed behind the wheel during the pandemic, although there were fewer people driving. He also provided advice to those whose loved ones were killed in accidents and told viewers what they should and should not do at the scene of an accident. To view the segment, watch the video below: … Read the rest
Blog
Ira Slavit Says Better Roads Need to Be Built in Communities of Color to Reduce Number of Black Driver Deaths
During the pandemic, fewer people were on the roads, yet the number of traffic deaths went up. For Black drivers, the death rate was much higher, citing the configuration of unsafe roads that can be found in communities of color. Ira Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, says local, state and federal governments must work together to improve these roadways to reduce the number of fatalities among Black drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the 38,680 people who were killed in crashes last year, 7,494 were Black. Even though total overall deaths were up 7% … Read the rest
Black People Suffer Disproportionately High Traffic Fatalities
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), black people are disproportionately likely to die in traffic accidents compared to the rest of the population. This effect was even more pronounced during the pandemic, when black people suffered a much higher rate of traffic fatalities, even as the rate of traffic fatalities was increasing overall. No specific explanation was given for this effect by the NHTSA, although some blame the increased deaths on existing issues of inequality.… Read the rest
Singulair Manufacturer Faces Lawsuits Over Side Effects
For years, the medication Singulair has been prescribed by doctors to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions, and in particular has been prescribed to children with severe asthma. However, recent evidence has come to light showing that Singulair may have much more severe side effects than was previously known. As a result, Merck, the medication’s manufacturer, is now facing litigation alleging a variety of harms caused by the use of Singulair.… Read the rest
Suffolk Legislators Sign Letter Condemning “Horrendous” Road Conditions
Suffolk County legislators have signed a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo, decrying the “horrendous” conditions on certain public roads in New York. The letter, signed by all 17 Republican and Democratic county legislators, makes note of the deplorable conditions of roads that are supposed to be run by the state. They are calling for more investment in infrastructure to improve road conditions, which will make the roads safer and easier for motorists to travel on.… Read the rest
Peloton Issues Recall for Treadmills
Peloton, a major manufacturer of exercise equipment and apparel, has agreed to issue a voluntary recall for its treadmills over safety concerns. The recall comes after reports of dozens of people being injured while using the treadmills, including one child who died of their injuries. Peloton has agreed, as part of an agreement with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to cease production on the recalled treadmills, and is offering full refunds to anyone who asks for them.… Read the rest
Why Did Pedestrian Fatalities Go Up in 2020?
The rate of fatalities caused by pedestrian accidents increased by nearly 20% in 2020, according to the Governors’ Highway Safety Association. This is despite an overall drop in traffic, due to travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. So why did the rate of pedestrian fatalities go up during this time?… Read the rest
Overexertion a Factor in Nearly a Third of Workplace Injuries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, overexertion is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the United States. Together, injuries resulting from overexertion factor into 31% of all workplace injuries, accounting for more than 280,000 injuries per year. What is tragic is that most overexertion injuries are preventable, given the right training, equipment, and oversight.… Read the rest
The Seven Most Deadly Industries to Work In
While most industries carry at least some risk of being killed on the job, some industries are definitely more deadly than others. Workers in those industries face a disproportionately high risk of severe injury or death, sometimes due to the inherent risks involved, but also due to failures to enact proper safety protocols. For workers in these seven deadly industries, there is a constant risk of a fatal injury:… Read the rest
Switch to Daylight Savings Means More Car Accidents
Daylight Savings Time comes around the same time every year, when America pushes its clocks ahead one hour. Despite the fact that everyone knows it is coming, people often take a great deal of time to adjust to the change in schedule. This shift is more than a simple inconvenience, however, as the switch to Daylight Savings Time often comes with an increased risk of injury and death, particularly when people are out driving.… Read the rest
