Truck Accidents – So Many things Can Go Wrong

There are many causes of truck accidents. Even though large trucks and drivers are governed by state and federal laws and regulations designed to make them safer, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes continues to increase. Our lawyers continue to handle cases in which either the driver, the company, or both simply choose to ignore these regulations and laws and endanger the motoring public. Tragically, many times these violations result in serious injury or death.

Violations which we frequently see causing or contributing to large truck accidents include:

1. Hours of Service. Driver fatigue often results in dangerous driving practices such as failure to keep in the proper lane and running off the road. The hours that a driver can drive in a certain time period is restricted by federal regulations. Drivers are required to keep a log of the hours driven to ensure compliance. In many cases, we have discovered that the driver logs are falsified. Fatigue is such a major problem that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board attributes it as playing a role in 20-40% of truck crashes.

2. Intoxicated Drivers. Drivers are prohibited from driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. We have been involved in many trucking cases where it was discovered the driver was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In one case it was found that the driver had a combination of methamphetamine and cocaine in his blood at the time his driving behavior caused the death of our client. According to a study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), one out of every three truck drivers examined after they died in truck accidents had traces of recent drug or alcohol use in their system. he NTSB and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) investigated fatal-to-the-driver trucking accidents and performed comprehensive drug screening the bodies of the drivers. The study found that out of 168 cases, 67% percent of the drivers had detectable traces of one or more drugs, 33% had detectable blood concentrations of psychoactive drugs or alcohol, 13% had traces of cannabinoids or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 13% had traces of ethanol or alcohol, 8% had traces of Cocaine, and 7% had traces of amphetamine or methamphetamine.

3. Substandard inspection. Drivers and carriers are required to conduct specific inspections of their trucks under federal regulations. These inspections are designed to reveal unsafe conditions which may endanger the driver and the motoring public. In many cases, we find that the drivers and carriers ignore these requirements and allow trucks to travel the highways in unsafe conditions. One survey conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that in one year over 2 million roadside inspections of trucks disclosed that 23.2% of the vehicles were found to have serious violations. Unsafe trucks are a leading cause of accidents on the highways.

When a truck accident occurs, the trucking companies generally have investigators on-call to respond to the scene. Their purpose is to do everything possible to limit the liability of the trucking company. Unfortunately, many times the police and highway patrol officers do not do a thorough job of investigating the accident and identifying witnesses. This is why it is crucial to hire an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

We have trained investigators and engineers ready to visit the scene of the accident, inspect the vehicles involved, locate witnesses, and gather information necessary to successfully seek a recovery. By retaining an experienced attorney immediately, victims and loved ones can ensure that their rights and interests are protected

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Car Accidents – Most Common Injuries

Driving related injuries can be ruthless. When a car crashes, there is no telling which part of the human body can get injured. Injury could be anywhere from head to toe. Sometimes, injury can be internal too. Let’s have a look at the common car accident injuries.

Brain Injuries

Goes without saying, brain injuries can be critical and long lasting. A severe blow to the head can actually damage the brain and cause an injury known as TBI. In mild cases, traumatic brain injury (TBI) can heal on its own within a matter of few weeks. However, patients with severe TBI can experience severe damage to critical functions such as eyesight, memory, concentration, speech and emotional control.
Injury to the eye during a crash can cause temporary or permanent blindness. Some people end up with partial blindness. Likewise, injury to the ear can result in complete loss of hearing. Loss of teeth, jaw fractures and ugly facial marks are some of the other injuries that one can experience during a car accident.

Back and Neck Injuries

One of the most commonly experienced injuries to the neck and back during a car crash is Whiplash. It’s generally caused due to high impact on the neck and back. The neck stretches and quickly regains its original position. Since this happens at a high impact at the time of the car crash, it leads to Whiplash. This injury can damage several vital body organs such as ligaments, vertebrae and the spinal cord itself. In some cases, the car crash victim can end up being paralyzed. Neck and back injuries can be extremely painful even if you do not suffer from Whiplash. In worst case scenario, a broken neck during an accident can cause death.

Chest Injuries

Difficulty in breathing or pain that starts almost immediately after a car wreck may suggest that internal chest organs such as heart, lungs or blood vessels may have got damaged. A forceful blow on the chest during a severe car accident can lead to broken ribs, particularly without a seat belt in place at the time of driving. While airbags can come to the rescue, minor fractures and injuries can still take place. A rupture or muscle tear around the rib cage can occur due to the blunt impact. A blow to the back of the chest can lead to injured kidneys.

Abdominal and Pelvis Injuries

Injuries to abdominal and pelvis is common during motor vehicle accidents. The kidneys and livers are more prone to injuries during front and side impact. Injuries to these crucial body organs can be severe.

Knee and Leg Injuries

A car smash can cause great degree of pain on the knees and legs. From minor wounds to major fractures, the impact of the crash and body positioning at the time of the car crash determines the severity of the injury. Knees if abruptly twisted are prone to tear that can take a long time to heel.

Foot Injuries

Ankles, toes and feet can get fractured during a car accident. In some cases, they may get sprained. Foot injuries are common with two wheeler vehicles. On an obvious level, a person seated closer to the point of impact is likely to get injured more.
It goes without saying, a major accident can have devastating effects on your life. You can end up with a huge pile of medical bills. Not to forget the fact that you won’t be able to work during the healing period. While you can take help from top personal injury lawyers to win over a car crash feud, the emotional effects of a car accident can be extremely difficult to bear. More information on this website

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What you don’t know about knee injuries

Oftentimes, knee injuries can occur in an automobile accident and not really show the full extent of the damage until well after the fact. It is in these instances that you should seek the legal counsel of a seasoned attorney. The right lawyer can get help medical experts in building your case.

Act now to protect your knees in the future

Knee injuries can have long-term consequences for the victim. The knee is a particularly complex part of the body, and in some cases post traumatic arthritis will develop long after the original injury. In these cases it is crucial to include the risk of this arthritis in the original claim. With the help of an experienced legal team, you may be able to seek compensation for the following:

ongoing physical therapy
vocational rehabilitation
lost wages
pain and suffering
Common types of knee damage

Car accident can result in any number of traumas to one or both knees. While the injuries are often complex, some of the more common types of injuries include:

Post traumatic arthritis
Reconstructive surgery
Knee replacement
Meniscus tear surgery
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damages
Reflex sympathetic disorder (RSD)
Loose patella

Other knee injuries requiring extensive treatments or arthroscopy surgery

The big killer: Torn ACLs
You may have heard about one of your favorite athletes suffering from this injury, but it’s also one of the most common knee injuries suffered during an auto accident: tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Torn ACLs accounts for more than two-thirds of knee injuries. In a car crash, the ACL is usually torn during an intense twisting of the knee joint.
Beyond getting torn, an ACL can also rupture. This injury will render you basically unable to walk at all.

Regardless of whether it is torn or ruptured, ACL injuries sustained in auto accidents usually leave patients unable to use their leg for some time. Many patients require surgery, but at the very least an ACL injury requires a long period of time for the victim to recuperate. This may result in lost wages and a decreased quality of life. We will fight to make sure you are compensated for these injustices.

Is a bruise just a bruise?
NO! Things are not always as they seem. Looks can be deceiving. Do not judge a bruise by its color!

While you may see some discoloration in your knee area associated with some pain you are experiencing, it is not wise to assume this bruise will fade and heal like the ones you used to get on the playground. Damages sustained in auto accidents often reveal themselves to be much mores serious than they initially appear.

Take pictures of any bruises and be sure to see a medical professional immediately. A little discoloration could have a severe injury lurking beneath it that will require surgery down the line. Do not let it go unattended or undocumented.

Contact us
Do not wait for that discomfort in your knee to go away. It may not. In fact it could get worse over time. If you are having knee pains that you believe are related to an automobile accident, contact us immediately. We can help you get the justice you deserve. Find more information on this website

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