Lower Extremity Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Somebody involved in a motorcycle accident is more likely to suffer a lower-extremity injury than one of the upper-extremity. Injuries to the upper body such as the head and chest tend to be more serious and even fatal, though those happening to the lower body can still carry certain seriousness with them and involve complications like infections and amputations. Here are some of the most common accidents you may suffer from: Pelvic fractures, that can result in stable of unstable pelvic injuries and cause bleeding or surgery Hip injuries that include fractures and dislocations Knee injuries such as the ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus as well as fractures of the knee cap or knee joint Leg injuries including fractures of the tibia, fibula, and femur that can result in severe blood loss and infections of the bone Foot, ankle, and toe injuries such as breaks How Will I be Compensated in an Accident? If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may wonder what damages are available to you. Because lower extremity injuries can be so serious, you may be entitled to compensatory damages to repay you for medical expenses, repairs, and lost wages, general damages for pain and suffering, and punitive damages to punish a defendant after they have acted negligently. You may have to meet certain deadlines for filing a claim so speak to us today about your options!
Uber Law: Driving Accidents, Fatalities, and More
Many studies over the past few years since Uber’s emergence have shown that the ridesharing service is doing quite well – possibly even reducing the likelihood of accidents. People who would have otherwise gotten behind the wheel of a car drunk are now choosing Uber to take them where they need to go. Of course, there are many scenarios, but this is an important issue to address in times where the likelihood of drunk driving always seems to be skyrocketing. You may or may not have known, but Uber has an insurance policy to cover both drivers and passengers in the event of an accident. This is important to understand in the event that you are injured in one of these unsightly accidents, as accidents can strike at any time. Coverage sometimes hits $50,000 per injury if the driver’s personal insurance will not cover the issue. One of the most vital aspects that you must understand in these cases is that Uber employees are not actually “employees” but, rather, third-party providers. This means that a company is not technically liable for the actions of the contractor. So, even though insurance may be effective for covering your injuries, you may not be able to sue the company for extra damages. The best step that you can take in one of these cases is to gather as much evidence as possible to prove your claim. Determining fault in one of these crashes, whether you were a passenger or a pedestrian who was injured, depends on how much evidence you are able to collect against the party. These accidents are almost like any other car accident in many ways. Call us today to discuss your claim so that we can help you get the most out of your case as well as the compensation to cover your injuries.
How to Prove Fault in a Car Accident
You may have many questions after a car accident takes place: Where will I turn? Do I need an attorney? Who was at fault? The answer to this question may not be as easy to determine, as it seems. You see, many factors are considered when determining fault. You may wonder which party’s insurance will cover repairs and damages as well as when criminal liability comes into play if negligence was involved. Proving Fault After Your Accident Rear End Accidents and Left-Turn Collisions: These accidents are some of the most common types of accidents. If a car hits you from behind, it is almost always determined that they are at fault for your injuries and damages. It is a simple rule of the road that you must leave enough room in front of your car to stop if the car in front of you were to slam on their brakes. However, sometimes the case is a bit different when a third party caused the accident. Perhaps they did something dangerously, causing both of you to slam on your brakes. In that case, they would be at fault for the accident. However, you must always remember that contributory negligence still comes into play. Left turn accidents are the same when it comes to this; The driver taking the left turn will almost always be at fault. However, in some cases, the car may have started turning left when it was safe but had to stop because an animal or person ran in front of them. Here, the liability may be shifted. Traffic Laws: It pays to understand traffic laws when you have been injured in a car accident. Many people can find out about the rules of the road by simply looking in manuals or finding information on a government website. By understanding the laws that regulate your case, you can find out more information on how to proceed. Juries and judges understand these laws when it comes to making determinations about your car accident. Police Reports: The Police are of utmost importance in a case where you are attempting to determine liability. If serious injuries occurred, you may expect to see police at the scene. Police will issue a police report, which contains very important information regarding the accident as well as the possibility of who was at fault. Perhaps they mentioned that the road conditions were harsh and that one party was speeding. Perhaps they will cite drug and alcohol use. You can inquire this information from the police department that responded to your accident. From there on out, will you have the vital information you need to help determine fault? Examining the Evidence in Your Case It is important to document special information regarding the accident based on what you see at the scene. You may remember it one way and another party may remember it another way, so you should always take pictures as well as take down information about conditions and more. You also want to contact any witnesses and ask them to give a description of the accident as well as any important contact information. Have you been injured in a serious accident and, as a result, sustained injuries? It may be a wise idea to have an attorney on your side that can help you through the laborious process of determining fault and going to court for your injuries. We will help you gain the compensation you deserve after your accident.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Every year, many people are involved in trucking accidents, some of which cause injuries and some that don’t. In fact, over the past two decades, the number of truck accidents has increased by 20% and approximately 5,000 people alone died in 2002 from these accidents. You may wonder who is responsible for your trucking accident based on what you saw with your own eyes or what other witnesses saw the day it happened. There may be many people involved in these accidents that could be held liable for your injury compensation. The truth is, there are many laws that govern trucking accidents. Because of these laws, certain standards have been established for the trucking companies, owners, and drivers. If these same people refuse to follow the simple standards, they could lose their ability to drive truck altogether. There are many entities who may be held liable in a trucking accident, such as the actual driver, the owner of the truck, the person who leased the truck, the manufacturer of the truck’s equipment, or the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo. Liability Liability is something that trucking companies have to watch out for, which is why drivers are trained to drive carefully and avoid hazards. Some trucking companies engage in some sly games to avoid liability no matter the cost. For instance, a trucking company may choose to obtain the necessary permits to operate the truck. The company, however, doesn’t own the tractor, trailer, or necessary equipment. It leases instead under an owner or operator. They also hire independent contractors and not actual employees. If the truck becomes involved in an accident and the company is sued, they will play it off by saying that the driver was not the company’s actual employee and they do not own the equipment in full. The good news is, if a trucking company tries to do this to you if you are suing for injuries, federal laws and regulations stand in as a way to help you. If a truck bears the company’s name, then they instantly become responsible for what happens in many ways. Common Accidents Driver error is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents, which can be caused by drug use, speeding, fatigue, distractions, and more. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that action or inaction by drivers was the reason for 88% of crashes. Another reason for these accidents is problems with equipment. Some examples include removing the front brakes, brake failure due to inadequate adjustments, tire blowouts, improper securing of load, defective steering, or improper trailer attachment. Have you been injured in a trucking accident? The trucking industry can be entirely complex, which is why you should have a skilled attorney on your side who has experience with these cases. At RAWA Law Group, we can do just this and get you the compensation you deserve after your accident. We can fight the big-name companies and get to the bottom of who is at fault in your specific case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents and Prevention
Motorcycle accidents are not more frequent than other types of accidents, but they are just as serious and should never be excluded from the ranking. The truth is, motorcyclists should always be aware of the ways that they can protect themselves from a terrible accident on the roadways. This includes understanding the most common ways that motorcycle accidents happen and how they can be prevented. Head-on Collisions: 56% of motorcycle accidents involve a motorcyclist and another vehicle. In 78% of these cases, the car will strike the motorcycle from the front. This can be devastating and, often times, can be fatal to the motorcyclist. Left-Hand Turn Accidents: When cars make left-hand turns, motorcyclists are put in one of the most dangerous situations. The car will typically strike the motorcycle when they are going straight through an intersection, passing the car, or trying to overtake the car. Being that motorcycles are small in size, they are less visible to a turning vehicle and, as such, are more likely to be involved in an accident than two cars. In most of these cases, the vehicle driver is found to be at-fault unless the motorcyclist was speeding. Lane Splitting: If a motorcycle drives between two lanes of stopped traffic, lane splitting occurs. There is usually a close proximity of cars to the motorcycle and cars will not anticipate that a motorcycle will be passing them. Either the motorcyclist or the driver of the vehicle could be found at fault for these accidents. Speeding and Alcohol Use: Almost half of the accidents that involve a single motorcycle are due to speeding or alcohol use. Motorcycles do not offer much in ways of protection to a rider, which is why the results can be deadly. Road Hazards: Hazards on the roadways cause many of the accidents that happen for motorcyclists. Motorcycles are very small, which also makes them unstable in many ways. They could run over potholes, dead animals, slick pavement, and much more. These can all pose serious threats to a motorcyclist. Safety Tips for Motorcyclists Do you want to know how to keep yourself safe? When you receive your motorcycle license, you are agreeing to the rules of the road and understanding for your particular vehicle. However, everybody can use a refresher. Here are some safety tips that you should always remember if you own a motorcycle: You should always have appropriate motorcycle attire. This includes a helmet, bike jacket, gloves, and more. You can prevent a more serious accident and injuries if you have the right equipment for the job. You should never speed, race on the highways, or ride after you have consumed alcohol. When you are making turns with your motorcycle, always be sure that you are keeping a proper eye out for hazards. Always use your own safe driving skills. Be careful of any road conditions that could cause you to lose control or lose sight of what matters on the road. Use horns in case of alarming or bad road conditions. Do you have a motorcycle accident case and believe that somebody else was at fault for your injury? Do you want to speak to an attorney who has experience in motorcycle accidents? Give us a call today and we will help you with your case.
Common Road Hazards for Motorcycles
Motorcycle accidents are happening all the time with a growing frequency, which means that more must be done to save the lives of riders and prevent serious injuries. The problem is – motorcycles are much less stable and visible than cars, making it a bit easier for an accident to occur. In fact, for every mile that was traveled in 2014, the number of deaths occurring on motorcycles was over 27 times the number in cars. However, there are certain laws and regulations in many states that prevent these accidents or make them much less severe. For instance, 19 states and the District of Columbia mandate motorcycle helmet laws for all riders. Helmets have been found to be 37% effective in preventing overall motorcycle deaths. In 2014 alone, a total of 4,295 motorcyclists died in crashes. Back quite a few years ago in the 1980s, the total number of deaths on motorcycles was at its lowest low – however, this began to increase in 1998 and again in 2008. Motorcycle deaths account for 13% of all motor vehicle crashes, which means that we must look very carefully at why these accidents occur and what can be done. Road Hazards Explained Many motorcycle accidents are caused by road hazards. There are many road hazards including rough roads, expansion joints, animals, and more to just name a few. We will be going over some of these hazards with the hopes that, in years to come, provisions will be invited to lessen the number of accidents stemming from these hazards. You can also find out about who may be held liable for your injuries in the event of a road hazard. Rough and bumpy roads can happen when a road is in disrepair. This can cause a motorcycle to lose control and crash. If someone on a motorcycle is engaging in cornering and comes across gravel on pavement, it may cause an accident. This can also happen if a motorcyclist is going too fast. Expansion joints connect two sections of a road together or a road to a bridge. An uneven surface may occur, which can cause a motorcycle rider to crash unexpectedly. If a motorcyclist were to hit a small animal, they could be thrown off balance. Swerving to hit an animal could cause a very serious accident as well. A slick surface made wet with leaves, crosswalk lines, and anti-freeze can cause a motorcyclist to crash. Slick surfaces can be especially dangerous when a biker is turning. If there is debris or objects in the road, such as tire treads or objects from a truck, they could cause an accident. The object could also hit and harm the rider. In the event of an accident, who can be held liable? In some cases, negligence can fall onto public entities like the state, county, city, or other public agency that maintains the roadways. If they knew about a hazard and did nothing about it, negligence may come into play. Prevention may be as simple as posting a warning. However, private individuals or businesses could be held liable as well. It really depends on the circumstances surrounding the case. This is why it is of utmost importance to have an attorney on your side to help you from start to finish. We understand the laws to help guide you through the very specific process of a personal injury. Call The RAWA Law Group today for more information!