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21
Nov

Arkansas Receives Four Stars For Efforts Against Drunk Driving

November 21, 2011

Arkansas is doing more than most states to combat drunk driving according to a new report released by the advocacy group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). According to the report released last Wednesday, the state received four out of five stars on a national report card that evaluated each state’s drunk-driving countermeasures.

The report was released in conjunction with the group’s fifth anniversary of the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving®, and reviewed what each state was doing to combat drunk driving. Arkansas received it’s rating for:

  • Conducting sobriety checkpoints
  • Having enhanced penalties for those who drive drunk with children in the car
  • Requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers
  • Using administrative license revocation for drunken driving offenders

The state would have received a five star rating if they would have taken part in “no refusal” checkpoints that allow officers to receive warrants on-site for blood samples from drivers who refuse to submit to testing.

MADD’s report also offered updated figures for the cost of drunk driving to American taxpayers. They say accidents caused by intoxicated drivers cost Americans $132 billion annually.

The Arkansas Auto Accident Attorneys with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton are encouraged by the MADD’s assessment of Arkansas. If you have been injured in an drunk driving accident at no fault of your own, you may not know what to do. Recently, founding attorney, Mike Rainwater, spoke about what to do to protect yourself after a crash.

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14
Nov

Conway Police Crack Down On Under Age Drinking

November 14, 2011

Just weeks after a similar operation, the Conway Police Department conducted an undercover sting at area restaurants on underage drinkers. According to FOX 16 News, out of eight establishments checked for compliance, five failed.

Police sent an underage informant into establishments across town with unaltered identification to attempt to purchase alcohol. A server at Ruby Tuesdays served the 19-year-old without checking identification, while bartenders and wait staff at Michelangelo’s, US Pizza, Bear’s Den, and Cactus Jacks checked the boys ID yet served him anyway. In all, 21 businesses have been visited and 11 have failed. All those who served the underage individual were issued fines ranging from $200 to $500.

Police say they hope the sting will help combat the growing problem of underage drinking in Arkansas. A 2005 Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment found that 22.9 percent of all Arkansas 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders had used alcohol in the 30 days prior to the survey with the average age of teenage users being 14. More than a quarter of 12th graders reported binge drinking in the last two weeks, most of who reported drinking at a friends house. These drinking episodes away from home put the teens at a higher risk of drunk driving accidents.

The Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt and Sexton often handle cases where injured victims have been involved in an accident with a drunk driver. Founding attorney, Mike Rainwater, recently discussed how to protect yourself after an accident if you have been injured in a recent interview.

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8
Nov

Six Tons Of Medications Collected In Arkansas Drug Take-Back Drive

November 7, 2011

At least some of the risk of prescription drug abuse – and the potential for their illegal sale – has eased after local authorities and the Drug Enforcement Agency collected approximately six tons of expired or unwanted medications from local homes during the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take Back Initiative. According to Arkansas Online, the one-day event took place on October the 29 and gathered more medication than any other drive before.

The agency asked homeowners to bring their unwanted medications to any of the 138 collection sites across the state to be properly disposed of. In all, they say there was 11,924 pounds of medication, or 16.9 million pills, collected during the event. That is up by more than 4,500 pounds over the amount that was handed in during a similar event held in April of this year. The state says that the campaign has gathered 12 tons of unused medication since the program’s inception last year.

Authorities say not only does the program reduce accidental overdoses by children and abuse by teens and adults, but also protects the environment after trace amounts of chemicals were found in water supplies after citizens had flushed medications down the toilet.

The Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyers at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to applaud this program and urge Arkansas citizens to clean out their medicine cabinets to dispose of old, unwanted or unneeded drugs during the next event to be held in several months.

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31
Oct

Arkansas Authorities Offering Halloween Safety Tips To Trick-Or-Treaters

October 31, 2011

For most kids, Halloween is all about costumes and candy, but for most parents, the spook-filled night is about keeping your children safe from the dangers it poses. That is why, according to THV News, Arkansas police agencies are offering tips on how to keep your little monsters safe tonight.

The car club, AAA, says that Halloween is the most deadly night of the year for pedestrians. Trick-or-treaters going door-to-door should wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or glow stick. This will help make them more visible to drivers in oncoming traffic. Also, try to avoid masks they may inhibit good vision. Instead, apply makeup to achieve your look, and for an extra spooky effect, use glow-in-the-dark face paints.

Most importantly, parents should never let children trick-or-treat alone. Always accompany your child or ensure they are going with a trusted adult.

Now that the kids have brought home their loot, parents should ensure that the candy is safe to eat by making sure all of the candy is commercially wrapped. Never accept homemade treats from strangers.

The Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween! Post photos from trick-or-treating on our Facebook page.

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24
Oct

One Teen Killed, Two Others Injured In Arkansas ATV Crash

October 24, 2011

An accident involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) carrying three teens and a pickup truck has left one teen dead and the other two severely injured. According to KTHV News, the accident happened this past Saturday around 3:30 in the afternoon, along US Highway 270 near Sheridan, Arkansas.

The three teens, all 15-years-old, were riding the ATV along the stretch of highway when they failed to stop at a stop sign, and broadsided a Toyota pickup truck. The collision caused the boys to be thrown from the machine like ragdolls. The young driver of the ATV was killed upon impact in the crash, while the other two suffered major trauma and were taken to an area hospital for treatment. As of today, one of them is listed in fair condition, while the other is in critical. The driver of the pickup was uninjured and does not face any charges for his part in the crash.

Studies from the Campbell Clinic at the University of Tennessee found that serious injuries amongst children, teens, and young adults resulting from riding ATVs has risen in the past few years, with more than 4,500 young people hurt every year on the vehicles.

The Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton want to know what your opinion about young people driving ATVs. Should it be a minor’s choice to ride them, or should stricter age limit policies be enacted to protect riders? Tell us what you think by posting to our Facebook page.

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17
Oct

Free Pizza For Smoke Detectors In Little Rock

October 17, 2011

Last Thursday, a chain of pizza restaurants in Little Rock, Arkansas, were promoting fire safety month by partnering with the Little Rock Fire Department. Fox 16 News says that the two were giving away free pizzas to customers with working fire alarms in their homes.

Customers that placed delivery orders with a franchise of Domino’s Pizza Company were shocked when firefighters in one of the company engines pulled up at their doorstep to deliver the pizza. If the home had working fire alarms, the pizza was on the house, if not, customers had to pay up.

Firefighters say the goal of the campaign was to let homeowners know that having smoke detectors in the home can save lives. One driver stated, “We try to keep families safe. We try to keep kids safe. A lot of homes don’t have that surprisingly.”

The Home Safety Council offers several tips for keeping your family safe from fires:

  • Keep flammable objects away from a stove range.
  • Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
  • Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects.
  • Always unplug electrical items when not in use.
  • Douse cigarette butts with water to fully extinguish.
  • Extinguish candles when not in the same room.
  • Create a fire escape plan for your house that all family members know.

The Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyers at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to hear from you on our Facebook page if you have any other suggestions for protecting your home from fires.

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10
Oct

Hot Springs Nursing Home Shut Down By Authorities

October 10, 2011

A residential facility for the elderly in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has been shut down after authorities discovered the business was in violation of numerous city, state, and federal safety codes. The Sentinel-Record reports that the home’s 29 residents were removed and taken to other accommodations.

Last Friday, authorities from the Hot Springs Fire Department, the Garland County Sheriff’s Department, the Morning Star Volunteer Fire Department, and the Arkansas Department of Human Services went to Lakeside Residential Care for an “inspection due to neglect issues,” according to Morning Star Fire Chief Nathan Kew.

The Hot Springs Fire Marshall stated the buildings lacked proper smoke detectors and fire exits and that several construction projects had gone without construction permit or inspection. All of the assisted living cottages on the property were above specified occupancy limits; however the most disturbing violations officials found was in the care some residents were receiving.

A Sheriff’s Department investigator described the condition she found one patient in by saying, “He was very thin and supposedly has dementia and schizophrenia… He’s living by himself. He’s got boils on his legs. He just does not look to be in good health whatsoever.”

The Arkansas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton understand how difficult it can be to find excellent care for an elderly loved one, but that doesn’t mean they should suffer because a facility fails to live up to expectations. Rainwater, Holt & Sexton are available anytime to answer any questions you may have regarding the care of your loved one.

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3
Oct

Opening Day of Hunting Season Prompts Safety Warnings

October 3, 2011

Many Arkansas residents woke before sunrise Saturday morning to head out into the woods for the opening day of deer season. The start of the season also has officials with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) reminding hunters about important safety practices.

Every year hundreds of individuals are injured or killed while hunting. Research by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) shows that most hunting accidents occur when hunters fail to properly identify their targets. Therefore, the organization stresses that hunters should wear blaze-orange when hunting. The AGFC actually requires all hunters wear at least 400 square inches of bright orange material to make them more visible in heavily wooded areas.

The IHEA also reports that another leading cause of accidents are numerous incidents of hunters accidentally “swinging” a firearm on a neighboring hunter. Experts say the best way to avoid this is to establish firing lines going out at 45 degrees from each hunter’s side. This creates a “V” of safe zone for each shooter to fire into without harming anyone around him or her.

The Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton would like to wish all hunters the best of luck this season, and remind them to be safe by always double checking their target, wearing orange, and letting others know their whereabouts.

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26
Sep

Arkansas Man and Teen Die in House Fire

September 26, 2011 

A man and boy died in Garland County, Arkansas, after a fire engulfed the home they were trapped in. According to FOX 16 News, the 13-year-old boy was a family friend who was spending the night at the house following homecoming events at Mountain Pine High School. 

Investigators believe the fire started in a vacant lot next to the home. By the time the 49-year-old man realized his home was aflame, it was already engulfed. He managed to get himself, his two daughters and two guests; including the young boy who died, out of the home. Then, the 13-year-old boy realized he had left his mother’s necklace inside and raced back into the burning house to retrieve it. The home owner followed in pursuit of the boy and both perished in the fire. 

The man’s grieving daughters had lost their mother only a few weeks prior. One of the girls could only say she felt, “Sick. Very sick.” 

The Arkansas state government is trying to step up awareness of the danger fire poses by naming September Fire Safety Month. The campaign is aimed at educating young people on how to prevent fires and giving safety tips. 

The Arkansas Personal Injury Attorneys with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton are available to answer questions regarding your case if you have been injured, or lost a loved one, in a house fire that was caused by no fault of yours or their own.

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19
Sep

Arkansas Man Killed After Being Hit By Truck On I-540

September 19, 2011
A 28-year-old man from Mulberry, Arkansas, was killed in Crawford County last Friday after he was struck by a truck. According to 4029 TV News, the accident occurred around 9:30 AM on Interstate-540.
Arkansas State Police say the man was on the shoulder of the road in the northbound lanes changing a tire when suddenly, a 2006 Chevrolet Truck came out of nowhere and struck the man. Police shut down a portion of the highway and a helicopter evacuation team landed to airlift him to Northwest Medical Center, where he was treated for two days before passing away.
Police have not charged the 26-year-old driver of the truck with any crimes since the accident, but did say their investigation on the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
Figures from the Arkansas Department of Health show that the state has a high number of unintentional motor vehicle fatalities. Arkansas has historically been 50 percent or more above national averages for these accidents, resulting in 225 additional deaths in the state each year.
The Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton work with victims of accidents that have a wide range of injuries, and may be able to help you if you were involved in an auto accident. Get in touch with them today by filling out a free contact request form and have questions regarding your case answered by their team of attorneys.

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