Identify The Trucking Accident Types
Per the Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration our highways and freeways can expect to see as many as 2,000,000 tractor trailers and 18-wheelers and semis driving at anytime. While there are strict regulations on a state and federal level regulating this industry, there can sometimes be a great deal of negligence in the trucking industry as a whole. The vast majority are directly attributed to human error rather than other uncontrollable factors. If you’ve been in a trucking related accident you are most likely entitled to compensation. We have years of experience in representing clients on a contingency basis for these types of accidents. You might be entitled to compensation but don’t even know where to begin. We’ll gladly schedule a free consultation and we can discuss the different categories of trucking accidents in more detail, especially as it pertains to your recent injury. Common Accident Types Accidents that occur between this large freight trucks and smaller personal vehicles on the road actually quite common. Needless to say it’s generally the one in the smaller vehicle who suffers must. In just the year 2012 we witnessed 214 deaths related to these accidents in one state alone. Of those deaths 185 we’re driving the smaller vehicle. These types of accidents that can cause death or serious debilitating injuries are made up several smaller categories: Rollovers – Rollovers occur as one of the most common accident types among these categories, and can sometimes be the most deadly for both drivers involved. Some factors that are said to cause these tragic accidents might include steep spots on the road, driving at an acessive speed, and loads that are top heavy or overloaded. In some cases jackknives can further lead to rollovers as well. Jackknives – In some cases a tractor trailer may have its brakes lock up. This can cause the trailer to skid and swing at an angle away from the cab, leading to disaster. Rear-Ends and Under-rides – These types of collisions can occur due to complications in completing turns and stopping completely. Because of this in some cases excess speed can cause an accident. This usually involves a rear end collision by either vehicle or in some cases when the smaller vehicle slides under the truck. Head-On and Slides-Research indicates that most accidents involving these large trucks and smaller vehicles occur in divided two-lane highway more than other location. These can happen if a driver carelessly changes or lanes or slides into the other’s lane without realizing it. Excessive speed is also often a contributing factor. Runaway Trucks-Runaways can occur when a truck’s brakes malfunction and therefore the driver fails to stop on time. On steep inclines, especially, these can lead to multiple cars becoming involved and even nightmarish pile-ups. Lost Cargo Loads-As the name describes this when a truck loses its cargo. This is generally because the load is not properly or sufficiently secured. These falling and rolling object then cause an accident as they slide onto the road. Overloaded trucks can also cause a truck to lose its proper center of gravity and result in poor and uncontrollable […]
Read moreWhat Should You Do If You’re Bitten By A Dog
There are many reasons that dog bites can happen. It could be that a puppy is simply entering a teething stage to an overly aggressive neighbor’s dog attacking you in an alleyway. What to do depends on how serious your injury is and on the unique circumstances of each situation. Sometimes it might not be a big deal, but in many cases there are steps you want to take for your own safety and the future safety and others. You will of course want to consider how serious the situation is: Superficial Injuries If your injury is minor such as a small scrape simply clean the wound with running water and a cleansing agent or rubbing alcohol designed for disinfecting wounds. You may also add an antibiotic ointment and bandage appropriately. Punctures In most cases you can let a puncture wound bleed a bit. You’re not going to bleed out unless it is gushing tremendously or if it is on your head or neck area, in which case you should call for an ambulance. If it’s not that serious, however, you can let it bleed for a few minutes, which will actually help it clean and disinfect. After five minutes apply pressure to the wound to see if you can stop the bleeding on your own. If that doesn’t work and the flow continues after a time you can then place a 911 call or visit an ER as soon as possible. Once it does stop rinse the area with running water and soap for about five more minutes. Puncture Wounds First of all, don’t be afraid to let the wound bleed. Unless you’ve lost a lot of blood or it is gushing out forcefully, or the wound is in your head or neck, (in which case call 911 immediately), wait five minutes. The flow of blood out of the wound will help to cleanse it. You don’t want to use rubbing alcohol or related substances for puncture wounds because they can actually slow the healing process. Usually they won’t require bandaging as they can heal naturally so long as you can stop the bleeding. You will need to clean the wound thoroughly first if you do choose to, but as luck would have it other than teeth marks and a lot of pain dog bites don’t leave debris or other complications in their wake. Disease and Rabies If you’re bitten by a dog you don’t know or know that they haven’t received shots or proper care (such as strays) the American Red Cross warns against to capture that animal. It’s better to avoid contact and instead contact animal control ASAP. You should also make sure to get your rabbies vaccinations as soon as possible by calling 911 and/or visiting an emergency room as soon as possible. Signs that an animal may be rabid may include (but are not limited too) unusually aggressive behavior, the appearance of being partially paralyzed, or other strange behaviors. Make sure to thoroughly clean any bite or wound and use proper disinfectants and antibiotics. Remember that all animal bites can carry infection and bacteria, especially […]
Read moreProving Fault in Dangerous Property Accidents
An accident that takes place on somebody’s property due to dangers or defects that abound ether outdoors or inside of a property is known as a “premise liability” accident. This can happen on just about any type of property, but here are three most common: Residential properties: private or rental homes Commercial buildings: shops, offices, restaurants etc. Public property: parks, streets, public transit etc. A property or “premise” is deemed dangerous for any number of reasons. This could include faulty design, low quality building materials, poor maintenance, or excess clutter that presents a safety hazard. These kinds of hazardous conditions could lead to an accident like something falling on you or causing you to slip or fall. So what happens if you’re involved in one of these accidents yourself? There are two main rules to consider when determining who is liable for one of these premises accidents. Rule Number 1: The Owner Must Keep the Property Safe It is the owner or occupant who bears the legal responsibility for anyone that enters the property when it comes to safety. Such parties are responsible for insuring that those who enter (tenants, shoppers, visitors, etc.) are not subject to unreasonable risks related to the design, building standards or condition of the property. Why? Because they are the ones who remain in control of the safety standards and condition of the property while visitors, tenants, shoppers, and all other temporary occupants are not. For example someone were to step on a loose nail sticking out in the entrance to an apartment building, the owner of the building would be responsible because they never fixed it. Rule Two: Visitors Should Use In A Normal Manner The flip side to this rule adds a stipulation for the visitor that takes their conduct into consideration. If someone is using property in an unusual, careless, or unauthorized manner the owner may no longer be liable. For example, if someone is riding a shopping cart like a scooter sponsored by NASCAR, the store owner may no longer liable if they get hurt. What About Injured Employees? This law also applies to employees who are injured on the job or on their employer’s property. If a worker is injured while on the job, generally a workers’ compensation claim is the exclusive remedy. However, there are certain exceptions. For example, let’s say that there is a construction worker who is on clock and working on a ladder. Then, the rung of the ladder snaps, causing the construction worker to fall down several feet and break his leg. In this situation, the injured worker could potentially have both a workers’ compensation claim, as well as a products liability claim. Who is Responsible: The Owner or the Occupier? In some cases an occupier may be different from the actual owner of a property, which is where some get thrown for a loop determining liability. Take for example a retail store that may be renting their building through a commercial lease. In this case the store owner is the occupier while the one they’re leasing from is the owner. The same could be […]
Read moreSlip and Fall
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Slip and falls are one of the most common accidents that businesses deal with in terms of lawsuits, medical procedures, and other practices. It’s often important to be prepared in case you get in one yourself. Failing to follow certain steps could result in long term harm and defects down the road, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Get medical help So clearly the first step you want to take is dealing medical emergency hand. There are many injuries that could have taken place, including but not limited to: Head injuries Wrist strain (If you caught yourself on your hands) Back and neck injuries Whiplash related pains It’s best to deal with these immediate before they become a problem later. Never walk away with pain or problems that haven’t been treated. Let someone know If you’re at someone’s home seek help from whoever is around and let the home owner know what’s happened. If it’s at a store report it to an employee and make sure they report it to management so it can be documented in case you need to access that documentation later or a simple accident evolves into something more. It’s never good to leave everyone in the dark. When you need help get help, and let someone know what happened so they can help remedy the situation. Make sure you obtain copy of any documentation before you leave. Take photos and gather evidence Take photos so later you can show the circumstances under which you fell. Was there a wet floor sign on a slippery surface, were there debris or other trip or slip hazards. Was every effort made to make the area safe and prevent this from happening to you. Also don’t be afraid to ask for information from nearby witnesses who may have seen something you might have missed. Store your clothing Immediately upon returning home store the clothing you were wearing somewhere safe. It may come in handy later and you won’t want it to be in any different of a condition than when you were wearing. This will also answer questions about your fall in court later, especially your shoes and pants. Call an attorney If you are seriously injured you may be eligible to receive compensation, but you will have to prove it in the court of law. Chances are you won’t want to take on the corporate lawyers yourself. You need a professional who is experienced in law and court room politics. You want your case in the hands of a professional. Don’t wait either, but call an attorney as soon as you are able. Don’t wait Make sure to take all these necessary steps immediately. The longer you wait and the more time you place between the present and your accident the harder it will be to prove and win.
Read moreWhy Is It Important To Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Why You Get a Lawyer for Your Injury Claim I daresay that generally being injured tends to be a traumatic experience, usually for everyone involved. You’re shaken up, you’re hurt, and you’re still processing what happened when the hospital calls with bills, demands for paperwork, and questions about your insurance information. You don’t have that answers to the questions you need to sort out. That’s where an attorney can not only make the process much easier, but get what you need to get back to an at least semi-normal life. No one but an experienced attorney can help you know where to turn next. 2) They Have Experience You lawyer will have knowledge, education, and perhaps most importantly experience processing and handling your claim. They will know your chances and if there’s any point pursuing a lawsuit. They will also help you both prepare for and win your case. 3) No financial Risk One thing that often scares people about hiring a lawyer is the cost, especially if you lose your case and walk away with nothing, except for scars and legal fees to show for it. Personal injury attorneys, however, often work on contingency. That means you don’t pay anything unless you win your case. 4) Save yourself From Information Overload There is going to be a lot of red tape in the road ahead. It’s a headache and it can be very confusing and complicated. Many people just give up and walk away with nothing because it’s just too much for them. A lawyer can handle the paperwork, understands the jargon, and knows the ropes. They’ll have no problem taking care of everything for you. 5) They will Investigate Can you afford a private investigator? Can you produce the credentials and the skills to conduct a full investigation yourself. This will likely come up in court and the other side will have evidence of their own to submit. An attorney will rely on a thorough and professional investigative team to look into every nook and crany of your case and the incident attached to it. 6) Objective You were physically and emotionally impacted by what happened. You may not be rational and fair enough to assess what happened. You’ll be unable to present a strong, fact-based case, and even if you do the judge will likely take it with a grain of salt considering the source. 7) Can Provide Alternative Dispute Resolution Options This may not have to go to court or become a full blown lawsuit. You may save yourself the time, energy, and frustration by perhaps seeking arbitrary mediation. Experienced lawyers will know how to pursue all options in this regard offering you the best possibility for the outcome. 8) Experience with Fellow Lawyers They know how to talk to lawyers, how to deal with them, and how to negotiate with them. They know how they think, and they employ similar tactics to their own. This levels playing field when you have professional stand with you 9) Experience with Insurance Companies The same can be said for insurance companies. They see these kinds of claims all […]
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