Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer - Michigan Accident Lawyers-Car, Malpractice, Slip Fall, Dog Bite

Prevent Bicycle Injuries: Follow Safety Guideline

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:50:36 +0000

With summer approaching more people are dusting off their bicycles and riding bikes to work. A personal injury lawyer in Chicago will tell you that now is the time to review the safety rules for bicyclists.

Those who bicycle to work have specific safety considerations. Those who commute by bicycle are often traveling during rush hour. This is a busy time of day and drivers are impatient and anxious as traffic peaks. If you plan to commute to work on a bike during rush hour follow these safety considerations:

Plan a route - Research the route you want to take to work each day. Then stick to it. Drivers typically take the same route and will likely see you most days. This will make them more aware of your presence, which increases safety.

Avoid roads - Depending where you live you may have access to bike paths that you can utilize to travel to work. Bike paths are the safest places for cyclists so plan your route around them when possible.

Don’t forget safety equipment - Anytime you bike it is important to wear the proper safety accessories. Wearing a helmet, reflective or bright clothing, elbow and kneepads and a light for the evening commute are a must. It is also smart to have emergency supplies like a tool kit, bike pump and rain gear.

These tips will help keep a commuting cyclist safe during rush hour. There are additional rules that bicyclists of all ages should follow at all times of day.

Never ride without a proper helmet.
Avoid riding your bike at night. If you have no choice, use a light and wear bright or reflective clothing.
Ride on quiet streets and stay off busy roads and highways.
Adhere to the same instructions on signs and traffic lights as drivers.
Learn and use bicyclist hand signs.
Never assume what a driver is going to do next. Stay alert.
Always ride with both hands engaged on the brakes.
Look drivers in the eye to make sure you know they see you.
Be weary of passing motor vehicles and never ride between two lanes of cars.

There are 4,000 bike accidents in Illinois each year. Many of these accidents could be prevented if bicyclists took the necessary safety precautions each time they ride. Bicycle safety rules should be taught to children at a young age. When going on a family bike ride in the neighborhood everyone should wear the proper safety equipment. Children learn by example and bicycle safety should be as mandatory as putting on a seatbelt when getting into a car.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident you will want to contact a bicycle accident attorney to discuss the options available to you. They can help you receive the compensation necessary to cover your medical bills and make up for any lost wages.

If you do not ride a bicycle but drive to work, remember to watch for bicyclists at all times. Check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and avoid sudden movements such as swerving. Learn the hand signals used by bicyclists so that you can understand what they are telling you. When you anticipate sharing the road with bike riders you are less likely to be involved in a bicycle accident.

This guest blog post was provided by Abels & Annes, P.C. Personal injury lawyers in Chicago. We will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can relax and focus on recovering from your injuries and moving on with your life.

Compensation for Vehicle Crush Victims in Massachusetts

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:45:28 +0000

If you have suffered injuries in a Boston car accident caused by a vehicle roof collapse, you may have the right to seek money damages for:

medical expenses,
damages to your vehicle,
lost earnings, and
pain and suffering.

Vehicle Roof Crush Accidents

Vehicle roof crush usually happens in a car accident in which the vehicle rolls over. All vehicles can roll over, but some are more prone to rollovers than others. SUVs, for example, are three times more likely to roll over than other vehicles.

Of the thousands of fatal rollover crashes in the U.S. that happen every year, a large percentage involved vehicle roof malfunctions.

SUVs More Likely To Roll Over Than Other Vehicles

According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216 of 1973, car manufacturers have to follow standards and test their vehicles to make sure that they meet safety ratings. However, this federal law only applies to vehicles weighing up to 6,000 lbs, which excludes most SUVs, thus exempting them from testing.

This means that some SUVs on the road may not meet safety standards and as a result are more likely to roll over and cause serious car accident injuries, such as spinal cord and neck injuries.

Seeking Legal Help

You may be entitled to compensation for the expenses related to your injuries, so it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced lawyer specializing in car accidents. Contact the Massachusetts vehicle crush attorneys at the Kiley Law Group to find out if you have a case.

For a FREE consultation call (888) 208-1695 today.

Using Your Turn Signal Saves Lives

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:17:22 +0000

Turn signals are your car’s equivalent to a magic eight ball; it predicts the future. When used properly, other drivers notice those blinking lights on the back of your vehicle and adjust speed and distance in anticipation of your lane change or turn. Your turn signals aren’t for you, because you already know where you’re going. Those devices are there to inform other drivers so they don’t crash into the back of you. A recent study suggests that many drivers across the country, including those in Pennsylvania, are forgetting to use their turn signals. The direct result is an increase in collisions and greater injuries for you and every other driver on the road.

Car accident lawyers in Philadelphia know that failing to signal properly can influence your personal injury claim and may reduce your rights to compensation.

Startling Road Statistics

In a 2012 study involving 12,000 observed vehicles, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) noted that drivers failed to use turn signals when changing lanes or failed to turn them off 48 percent of the time. When making turns, the failure rate was at 25 percent. Across the country, that adds up to drivers failing to use signals 2 billion times a day.

Causes of Bad Driving

Reducing the number of collisions is a priority for accident lawyers in Philadelphia. No one, attorneys included, wants to see innocent people injured or even killed because another driver simply didn’t use a turn signal. In attempt to correct the behavior, Pennsylvania joined other neighboring states in enacting distracted driving laws aimed at reducing the actions that might cause drivers to forget basic rules of the road. Pennsylvania’s ban on texting while driving went into effect in March 2012. The fine for each violation of the rule is $50.

The Consequences of Medical Malpractice

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:49:40 +0000

Medical malpractice is probably more common than you think. One of the defining characteristics of medical malpractice claims is that the person filing them was injured in some way by the action or inaction of a physician or a healthcare facility. Sometimes, the damage can be devastating and, in some cases, somebody actually ends up dying because of negligent medical care.

Some patients end up suffering a great deal because their condition was not diagnosed properly. In fact, almost half of the medical malpractice claims brought to court have to do with misdiagnoses. A physician has a duty to provide you with competent medical care. If they miss a diagnosis and you come to harm because of it, you sometimes have the option of filing a lawsuit and, if it’s good, you may end up getting compensated for your pain and suffering and injuries.

Another common consequence of medical malpractice is people not being able to work or missing a great deal of work and suffering financially as a result of it. If this happens to you, your attorney will be able to add this to the sum that you seek for compensation from the defendant. Missing work and not being able to work can financially devastate a family. Particularly if the person affected by the medical malpractice happens to be the most significant breadwinner in the family, the consequences can be very grim.

The worst possible outcome of medical malpractice, of course, is death. There are cases where people end up being given the wrong treatment and dying as a result and there are cases where people never receive the right treatment and end up dying because of the neglect. However the person who died happened to come to harm, filing a lawsuit is generally advisable. If an attorney agrees that you have a good case and if you stand to win compensation, it could help your family move on and remain financially secure.

Talking to malpractice attorneys is the best way to get medical negligence information. After you sit down with these professionals, they will need to determine whether or not they feel that they could represent you effectively in court and, possibly, get you compensation for your pain and suffering, your expenses and any diminished quality of life that you may endure as a result of the medical negligence to which you were subjected. It’s best to speak with attorneys as soon as possible after the incident.

Protecting Yourself from Aggressive Drivers

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:07:37 +0000

It happens to us all, we are in a rush to get somewhere and we get frustrated by the traffic or by a driver that is going slow. At this point we allow our emotions to get the best of us and we may begin to drive aggressively despite the risk of doing so. Aside from the potential of receiving a ticket, an aggressive driver puts their life as well as the lives of those on the road with them in danger.

Burlington County car accident attorneys are well acquainted with the epidemic of road rage. There is currently a bill in New Jersey pending for Governor Chris Christie’s signature that would make aggressive driving that causes serious injury a third-degree offense and for less serious injuries a fourth-degree offence. The bill was prompted after an accident in 2005 that left a 16-year-old girl paralyzed.

The young girl had been in the back seat of a car and the driver was aggressively speeding after a car that had cut him off. He allowed his emotions to take rein over him and ended up crashing into a pole. The driver was sentenced to six months in jail, of which he served four, and five years’ probation; while she has to suffer the consequences of his actions for the rest of her life.

Under the proposed law, aggressive driving that results in the injury of another would be punishable with three to five years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines for the third-degree charge and up to 18 months in jail and $10,000 in fines for the fourth-degree. In March 2012 the bill unanimously passed both the state Assemble and Senate.

When faced with an aggressive driver there are steps you can take to best prevent yourself from being involved in an accident.

Try to get away. If you notice a driver acting reckless and aggressive do what you need to in order to get away from them, even if that means pulling over.
Always take safety precautions any time you are in the car. You should always be wearing your seatbelt not just because it’s the law but also because it has been proven that seatbelts can save lives. When near a driver with road rage be sure that everyone is safely buckled in, just in case an accident does occur.
Do not make eye contact. This may sound silly, but looking at an enraged driver could add fuel to the flame and they may turn their aggression towards you even more.
Do not respond. If they begin making obscene gestures or cursing at you do not return those actions.
Call 9-1-1. When you can safely do so, call the police and report the aggressive driver. Try to give them all the information you have about the other motorist including: license plate number, where you witnessed the aggressive behavior, what direction they were headed, and a description of the vehicle.

Aggressive drivers are negligent in their actions when they make the choice to behave in that manner. It shows a complete disregard for their own safety and that of the other motorists. Despite your attempts, you may still be involved in an accident with an aggressive driver. If you or someone you love has been injured in this type of accident speak with knowledgeable car accident lawyers in New Jersey today to learn your legal rights and options.