In the immediate aftermath of an automobile accident, your first thoughts aren’t of liability or insurance claims or protecting your legal rights. After being involved in a crash, your initial concerns will involve the health and well-being of you, your family and friends. When you assess the damage to your personal property or auto after the fact is when a certain level of confusion will begin to set it.

Do you need to make an insurance claim? Do I need to hire an attorney? How will the authorities or insurance agency determine who was at fault? Who’s going to pay to repair my car? How am I going to get to work or my kids’ soccer games? Whether the other party in your crash was driving a car or truck/commercial vehicle can have a host of implications. Here we lay out some of the biggest differences and what they mean when it comes to your ability to be made whole in the event of an accident.

State and Federal Regulations

One of the most important details to pay attention to in the event of any accident is the rules, laws and licensing requirements in your city or state. For automobiles, fairly simple prohibitions against texting or talking while driving, distracted driving or maintaining basic licensure and minimum insurance standards could factor into your ability to recover damages after an accident. For big rigs, semi-trucks or commercial vehicles, things can get a bit more complicated.

Rules regarding who can operate trucks of various sizes, including when, where and any special certifications you must have, could all play into a truck driver’s liability in the event of a crash. At the federal level, various laws require operators of commercial vehicles to maintain strict logs regarding maintenance and for drivers to adhere to rest schedules that ensure they’re physically capable of operating a large vehicle. A violation of one of these may equal big shifts in liability, regardless of the specifics of your accident. These rules are set out in the “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations” and apply across state borders.

Who Pays the Bills

The person behind the checkbook will also create major differences in an auto or truck accident. In the case of regular motor vehicles, there may be minimum insurance standards within your state that, in some cases, don’t meet the actual damaged suffered because of the accident. While truck drivers often must carry larger policy limits, bigger vehicles can also equal greater damages. Also, it can be difficult to determine who exactly to go after. While the driver may have a personal policy, if they are operating the vehicle on behalf of a company or carrying cargo for another entity, you may be left scratching your head over just who is responsible for paying to make you whole. Generally, drivers of trucks are employees of a company and under “respondeat superior” the company is responsible. Generally, drivers of trucks who travel interstate carry at least $750,000 in insurance coverage.

Disproportionate Representation

One of the final differences between truck and auto accidents is the inevitability that you’ll be taking on a larger team if you are hit by a commercial vehicle. In an auto accident, drivers will often exchange insurance information and each side gets a lawyer—you hire a personal injury lawyer Brookhaven GA trusts and the at-fault driver’s insurance hires a defense lawyer.

Trucks, on the other hand, often have larger companies to support their claims and larger insurance companies with bigger resource pools. It isn’t unheard of for truck insurers to refer nearly every claim to an independent legal team for review. Truck companies often send out teams to the crash scene to start building a defense from day one. This means a vehicle driver is often left on their own to make their case against both a large company and its legal counsel.
You Have Options

It’s important to remember that despite the differences in auto versus trucks accidents, you are always entitled to seek legal counsel for your case or claim. Whether your hire legal counsel in the event of an accident or not, remember that bigger doesn’t equal better or entitle the other side to take advantage of your “inferior” position.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Butler Tobin for their insight into truck and auto accident cases.

With cellphones being so popular, it’s important to be aware of several safety precautions local Fire Departments believe can prevent fires and save your family from injury or death. Did you know these common practices are ones it is important to warn our family about: using cellphones or charging them near flammables, charging with damaged cords, charging too close to overloaded electrical outlets or water sources.There are several simple steps you can take to safeguard your loved ones.

First, do not use your cellphone at a gas station. This is because the conditions near large amounts of highly flammable gasoline could create fires, or in some cases an explosion. Even having the device on, can cause unsafe static electricity. In a place full of gasoline, just a small spark can quickly create very dangerous flames.

Another key tip is to not allow children to charge their cellphones in their bedrooms. In addition to reducing the temptation to use their device in the middle of the night, it also keeps them from doing a common but highly hazardous practice- charging their phone near paper, carpet, bedding or curtains. Recently social media has posted charred bedding photos. In some cases children had chosen to charge their phone under their pillow and the high heat generated from the charger could not dissipate & created the flame. Also sometimes teens carry their chargers with them and do not notice the cord shave frayed. Using damaged chargers is also linked to preventable fires.

Third, be cautious of charging too many electric devices in the same outlet or power cord. Many preventable fires have been linked to overloading circuits and creating electrical fires. An easy way to remedy this is to have each person in the house charge their device in a separate area that is not close to flammable materials. Examples of safe areas to charge include on countertops. It is also key that the counter top long be a safe distance from sinks or bathtubs to reduce risk of electrocution. Figure out a plan of where each electronic device will be charged, and set up your charging stations so they are safe. This could be the most important Back to School tip yet. The Law Offices of Konrad Sherinian cares about your safety. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident or by medical malpractice call us at (630) 318-2606.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that more than 50,000 people visit the emergency room each year because of a gym injury. If you’re hurt at the gym, you might wonder if you can seek compensation from the gym for your injuries. A gym might be liable to their members under a legal theory called premises liability.

Premises liability is the concept that a property owner has to keep their property reasonably safe for the people who use it. The amount of care that they have to take depends on the reason that people are on the property. If the owner fails to take enough precautions for their type of property, an injured person can recover for their losses.

In the case of a business owner such as a gym, the owner has the highest standard of care. That’s because they’re inviting customers onto their property for the benefit of the business owner. These customers give money to the gym for the privilege. Under the law, they’re called invitees.

The business owner’s duty is to inspect the premises and discover things that might cause injury. They have an affirmative duty to find problems. When they spot a danger, they must rectify it before it has a chance to hurt others.

There are numerous ways that there might be a danger in the gym. Perhaps there’s a water spot that employees should find and clean up. A member might leave weights out on the floor where another member can trip on them. A towel can fall to the floor in a place where a member might slip and fall. Any of these things can trigger premises liability that allows a member to recover from the gym for their losses. In order to recover compensation, you have to be injured from the dangerous condition — it’s not enough that a dangerous condition exists on the property.

The duty that a gym owner or any business owner has is higher than the duty a person has when they don’t use their property for a commercial use. For example, if you have a friend over for dinner, you don’t have to take time to inspect the property. Rather, you have a reasonable amount of time to find problems and either fix them or notify your guest. A property owner has the least amount of duty to a trespasser. While you can’t set traps for trespassers or leave open and obvious dangers, you have no other duty to keep a property safe for a trespasser.

If you’re hurt with a gym injury, a premises liability lawyer can help you understand the damages that may be available to you. When you suffer an injury, medical bills are just one of the things that you may be compensated for. You may also be able to recover for lost wages. In addition, if you need replacement services while you can’t take care of your house or children, you may be able to recover damages for that too.

If you’ve been hurt, a premises liability or slip and fall lawyer Milwaukee WI relies on can help you evaluate your case and make a plan to maximize your recovery. You have a limited amount of time to pursue your case, so please contact an attorney today.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Hickey & Turim, S.C. for their insight into personal injury and slip and fall cases.

Businesses can face personal injury lawsuits if they are not careful. As a business  owner, it is crucial to take the necessary precautions to avoid the financial losses a lawsuit can bring, as a business or corporate formation lawyer Roseville CA trusts can attest. Here are six tips for protecting your business from personal injury claims:

1. Reduce Risks in Locations Where Injuries Are Likely

It is a good idea to thoroughly inspect every area of your business for possible hazards. If you do find a hazard, like broken floorboards, you should repair them as soon as possible. Until then, mark the area with caution cones or section them off.

2. Thoroughly Train All Your Employees

Many times, workplace injuries occur because employees weren’t properly trained on how to use equipment or tools. It’s extremely important to make sure your employees are properly trained before letting them use any equipment. Consider holding re-training sessions on a regular basis so that employees don’t forget any safety rules.

3. Provide Workers’ Compensation Insurance to Employees

No matter how safe you try to keep the workplace, accidents can still happen. That’s why it is important to provide your employees with workers’ compensation insurance. If your employees have workers comp benefits, they can receive payments for their medical bills and lost wages but can’t sue you.

4. Carry Business Liability Insurance

It’s also a good idea to have business liability insurance because it can protect you against personal injury, property damage, bodily injury, slander or libel and advertising injury.

5. Keep Everything Well Organized

The more organized you keep supplies and equipment, the less likely accidents will happen. Remove clutters from pathways so that employees can walk through without slipping and falling. If you have a lot of clutter in your office, move it to a storage closet.

6. Post Workplace Safety Posters, Intranet and Email Reminders

Sometimes employees can forget about safety rules, so it’s important to post safety posters in areas where employees can see them. You might also consider sending safety tips through emails. Put emergency contact information in an accessible are in case employees or clients get into an accident.

If you follow these safety tips, you can prevent your employees from getting hurt in the workplace. If you are facing a lawsuit, it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. He or she may review your claim for free and help you fight the lawsuit.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Yee Law Group for their insight into protecting your business.

Most insured drivers are unaware of Personal Protection insurance even though many state laws require it be offered to all insured drivers. Personal Injury Protection coverage can be an effective tool in recovering from losses sustained in a car wreck, and help shoulder the burden so there’s one less thing to worry about.

Personal Protection Insurance or PIP: PIP is optional protection provided by your automobile insurance company and provides no fault coverage for bodily injury related losses. The benefit limits are typically between $2,500 up to $10,000. This means if you are in a car accident, your PIP coverage takes care of expenses outside of the actual cost of your automobile and more of medical expenses.

Coverage: PIP will cover 100% of necessary medical, surgical, ambulance, and hospital or funeral services. Most times the insurance company will require medical documentation from your health care providers that determined your injuries were a result of your car accident or the accident in question.  PIP is a no-fault insurance coverage, which allows you to file claims even if you were 100% at fault for your car accident. This allows you to collect money so that you may pay for medical expenses and those costs will not come out of your own pocket even for at-fault parties.

PIP will also cover lost wages up to the coverage limit. This coverage also includes a wage for individuals that are stay-at-home parents or working from home. If the accident prevents you from performing normal tasks within the home or less formal career, and you must hire outside help, then PIP may cover those costs as well.

Who can collect PIP and do you need it? Every insured driver in most states can purchase PIP along with his or her regular insurance policy. While PIP is suggested there is the option to opt out.  PIP is highly recommended by most attorneys like a personal injury lawyer Arlington TX trusts due to its ability to minimize out of pocket costs to an individual. You can collect PIP yourself, or an attorney can collect it for you. Usually, an attorney will charge a small percentage. Generally, PIP is a good idea for all drivers and can even provide coverage to a passenger.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from the Brandy Austin Law Firm PLLC for their insight into personal injury protection (PIP).

The average personal injury lawyers has seen many clients who were severely injured in automobile accidents. It may surprise you that not every serious car accident injury requires surgery, or that it’s even advisable in some cases. Surgery is invasive and carries some degree of risk. Depending on their condition, a car accident victim may do well with alternative healing treatments. Very often, those treatments can be included in their accident settlement or lawsuit award paid for by the at-fault party’s insurance company. Talk to a Memphis personal injury lawyer to find out if they can help you recover your damages from the negligent person responsible for causing your injury.

Here are some of the most common serious car accident injuries that do not always require surgery:

Closed Skull Fracture

A closed skull fracture is one in which the skin covering the fractured part of the skull has not been broken and remains completely intact. This injury is serious, but surgery cannot correct it. The symptoms indicating a serious closed skull fracture may not make it obvious to the untrained eye that there is a skull fracture of some variety, which is why it’s important to see a doctor immediately if you are involved in a car accident. In some cases, symptoms in the area of the fracture may present as follows:

• Massive swelling
• Severe pain
• Major bruising

Compound Head Fracture (Open Skull Fracture)

This occurs when the skin is broken and the fractured bone of the skull emerges. An open skull fracture is bloody and graphic. The “open” part of the fracture refers to broken skin and bone sticking out. The skill and forehead are very vascular, so there will be a lot bleeding as a result.

It is hard to say if the pain is worse than a closed fracture because closed fractures can build up a lot of pressure on the brain. Surprisingly, the treatment is very similar to a closed fracture. It must be kept clean and covered because of the protruding bone but most skull fractures heal themselves.

Severe Whiplash

Whiplash happens when your vehicle is rear ended suddenly and with great force. Whiplash tends to cause discomfort at a minimum. Severe whiplash can be much more serious and cause permanent damage. The whiplash injury is an injury to the neck and spine, so when it is severe, doctors worry because it does a lot of damage.

• It requires extensive treatment because surgery is not possible.
• Usually, the doctor will order the patient to stay as active as possible and wear a cervical collar usually a week or less while the neck is healing.
• Pain medication and muscle relaxers are used for discomfort and spasms.

With severe whiplash, the intervertebral joints are often battered. Additionally, the injuries extend to the joints, spinal discs, cervical muscles, ligaments and nerves in the upper back and neck.

Recovering Damages from a Severe Injury After a Car Accident

A reputable law firm can review your case at no charge. If you have suffered an accident for which surgery cannot help, the recovery process may be painful, long, and accompanied by extensive physical therapy, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you. An injury claim or lawsuit settlement can ease your financial worries and pay for your medical costs. Talk to a personal injury lawyer today to find out if this is a viable solution for you.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Wiseman Bray PLLC for their insight into car accident cases.

All vehicles have the potential to be dangerous, but motorcycles tend to be riskier than others. Some of the danger comes from the design of the motorcycles themselves, since they don’t offer as much protection to the rider as a car. Even more of the danger comes from behavior on the road, since motorcyclists often take excessive risks and drivers don’t know how to drive safely around them.

1. Head-on Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most lethal accidents for motorcyclists. These accidents are almost always lethal to the motorcyclist because their bike can’t protect them from the impact. That means that accident prevention is vital, and all motorcyclists should wear high-visibility clothing while they are on their bike to improve the chance that other drivers see them coming.

• Most of these accidents occur when a car runs into the front of the motorcycle.
• Some of these accidents happen because the car driver was intoxicated or they swerved to avoid an obstacle and in the process hit the motorcycle.
• In most cases, head-on collisions happen because a car’s driver fails to see the motorcycle or because they were distracted.

2. Collisions with Fixed Objects

The United States Department of Transportation’s Hurt Report found that approximately one quarter of all motorcycle accidents happened when the motorcyclist ran into a fixed object. A variety of factors contribute to causing these accidents:

• The motorcyclist was intoxicated.
• The rider hit a fixed object while avoiding something else.
• Some hazards are unmarked and impossible for the rider to see, such as debris from construction projects. (In that scenario, other parties could be at fault and owe compensation to the rider for injuries and damage to the bike.)

3. Lane Splitting

Lane splitting, which is when a motorcyclist rides past cars along the edge of a lane, is popular, but it is also incredibly dangerous. It leaves very little room for either the car or the motorcycle to maneuver. It also puts the two vehicles in close proximity which surprises drivers who aren’t expecting it. That is a recipe for an accident, which is why some jurisdictions ban it, and others treat it as a unique scenario in the legal system. That makes legal help especially important for riders who are involved in an accident while lane splitting.

4. Left Turns

Cars often strike motorcycles while the cars are making left-hand turns. These accidents usually happen while the motorcycle is trying to pass the car or is riding through an intersection.

• This type of collision isn’t quite as dangerous as a head-on collision, but the fact that motorcycles lack protection for the rider means that fatalities are still common.
• The car’s driver is almost always considered to be at fault for the accident, unless the motorcyclist was also breaking one of the rules of the road. In that case, the legal situation gets significantly more complicated, and the motorcyclist might be found partially at fault for the accident.

5. Road Hazards

Road hazards, including potholes and slippery roads, are much more dangerous to motorcycles than they are to cars. These accidents tend to be less lethal than those involving other vehicles, especially for riders who wear protective gear, but they can still lead to serious injuries or death. Fortunately, skilled riders can greatly reduce their risk by watching these hazards and avoiding them. It does take some practice, but staying calm and observant will do a lot to keep a rider safe.

If you or a loved one was seriously hurt or killed while riding a motorcycle, talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer  relies on about how you might be able to collect compensation for your losses. A lawsuit or claim can’t replace the loss of your loved one but it can help ease the financial stress for your family.

Auto accidents on American roads and highways are a common occurrence. According to Traffic Safety Facts published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 11 million vehicles are involved in police-reported car crashes annually in the United States. Fortunately, most of these accidents result in property damage only. However, 1 in 3 accidents cause injuries to the occupants, and out of that figure, about 2 out of 10 car accidents lead to fatal injuries.

In the event you experience a car crash, you can use these short-term and long-term tips in order to keep yourself and people around you safe, and know how to proceed in the following days.

What You should do Immediately after the Accident

• Evaluate the Situation: Before you do anything, take a few moments to analyze your situation. Assess your own and any passenger’s medical condition and observe your surroundings to see whether there are any continuing dangers, such as oncoming traffic or fires. Always make your safety and that of the passengers the topmost priority in such a situation.
• Call for Help: Call 911 and explain the situation to the operator so that they can dispatch the nearest law enforcement unit and medical emergency team to your location.
• Document the Accident: Use your phone’s  camera and take pictures or make a video of the entire accident scene. The photos or video should be taken in such a way that they depict the overall context of the accident and show the damages you sustained. This will serve as a valuable piece of evidence when make a claim for compensation on your own or on the at-fault’s insurance policy.
• Stay calm: Try to remain calm after the accident, and talk to the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If possible, exchange contact information so that it can be used when resolving the case for a personal injury claim. Moreover, make sure you don’t say anything to the other driver or to the police that may seem like an admission of guilt.

What You should do in the Following Days of the Accident

• Seek Medical Attention: Sometimes, injuries manifest after several days or weeks of the accident. It is important that you make regular medical appointments with your doctor so that they can determine whether you are in good health or exhibiting any delayed symptoms of injury.
• Avoid Talking to the Claims Adjuster: After the accident, make sure you report the accident to your insurance provider so that they can begin to process your claim as soon as possible. However, do not talk to the claims adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company without consulting a legal professional.
• Consult an Attorney: If you have sustained injuries from the accident, you can file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. To determine whether you should make a claim on your own policy or file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver, it is best you consult a reliable and experienced personal injury lawyer Delray Beach FL trusts to get a clear picture of your case.

Auto accidents can be traumatizing and can have devastating effects on your life. If the accident caused significant property damage, medical injuries, and pain and suffering, it is advisable to get legal counsel to ensure you get the compensation for your damages that you rightfully deserve.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from the The Law Office of Eric H. Luckman, P.A. for their insight into auto accident cases.

A back injury is one of the most common types of workplace injuries in the United States. Workers who sustain a back injury while on the job may qualify for workers compensation. However, every situation and set of circumstances is different, which is why it’s important to consult a workers comp lawyer to learn about your legal rights.

Common Types of Workplace Back Injuries