When one is involved in an accident and doesn’t sustain visible or serious injuries, they may be tempted to ignore seeking medical attention. They may feel they don’t need treatment. But a doctor should examine you after an accident, regardless of the severity.

Here is why:

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Semitruck crashes are complex events that can have a variety of causes. Understanding the different elements at play in these incidents is essential because they can have far-reaching implications for all parties involved.

The aftermath of a semitruck crash can be challenging due to the catastrophic injuries and financial damages. Learning a bit about these crashes may be beneficial for victims who are considering seeking compensation.

1. Truckers may be to blame

Truck drivers are often a focal point during a semitruck crash investigation. Factors such as fatigue, driving under the influence, inadequate training or failure to comply with traffic laws can contribute to these accidents. Truck drivers are bound by strict regulations, including hours of service rules, to reduce the risk of accidents caused by driver error. 

2. Trucking company policies are a possible cause

Trucking companies can also be liable in a crash. Their policies and practices can contribute to accidents, including hiring standards, training procedures, vehicle maintenance routines and pressure on drivers to meet tight deadlines. Companies may sometimes prioritize profits over safety, leading to compromised safety standards. 

3. Other motorists might contribute

While the focus is often on the truck driver or the trucking company, other motorists can also play a role in causing a semitruck crash. Driving recklessly around a semitruck, cutting in front, braking suddenly or driving in a truck’s blind spots, can increase the risk of an accident. 

4. Risk of shifting cargo

The way cargo is secured is critical to the vehicle’s stability and safety. Improperly secured or shifting cargo can cause a driver to lose control, leading to jackknifing, rollovers or other accidents. Failure to properly secure cargo can be a significant factor in semitruck crashes.

5. Catastrophic injuries are possible

Due to their massive size and weight, semitrucks can cause catastrophic injuries in a crash. These injuries, including those to the brain or spinal cord, can be life-altering, leading to permanent disabilities or fatalities. 

Semitruck crashes are complex incidents with many possible contributing factors. Understanding these elements is vital for anyone who’s seeking compensation so they can name the appropriate parties as defendants.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

When it comes to issues that can affect someone’s ability to drive, people are very conscious of some major issues. They know that distracted driving is dangerous and that cell phones cause car accidents. They know that impaired driving, whether that impairment comes from alcohol or drugs, is one of the top reasons for fatal car accidents.

But there’s another issue that is often overlooked: fatigued driving. Most people have done this at some point, and many drivers report that they wouldn’t pull over if they were feeling fatigued. They would simply try to stay awake – maybe by turning up the music, opening the window or drinking a cup of coffee – until they got to their destination. They don’t see fatigue as something with the same level of risk as impaired driving or distracted driving.

It is very similar

However, there are key ways in which fatigued driving is quite similar to both of those issues listed above. For instance, distracted driving can impact someone’s reaction times. So can fatigued driving, because that driver may have a lower mental processing speed or may even nod off behind the wheel.

On the other hand, drunk driving can cause people to make mistakes or poor judgment calls. Fatigue can do the same thing because the person just isn’t thinking clearly. That mental fog could cause them to make an error that they never would’ve made if they were alert and focused on driving safely.

Have you been injured?

As noted, many people still drive when they’re fatigued, so it will continue to cause car accidents. If you’ve been injured in one of these accidents, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and related costs.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Anyone who spends any time driving can attest that there are a lot of unsafe drivers out there. If it seems like things are getting worse, you’re not wrong. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety “fatal crashes involving risky behaviors like impaired driving and speeding remain an epidemic on our roadways.”

It might be surprising to find that many drivers are aware of their dangerous behaviors and even acknowledge them. A recently published report from AAA identified various types of dangerous drivers based on their admitted behaviors in the past month. Let’s look at a few of those.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Vehicles of all styles and sizes have always posed a risk to pedestrians. Even before the advent of motor vehicles, horses and carriages could cause fatal pedestrian injuries. With the proliferation of motor vehicles has come a new, very significant risk for pedestrians.

Statistically, that risk has worsened in recent years. Some of the increased risk for pedestrians relates to unsafe driving habits. However, some of the risk is the result of design decisions made by those building automobiles. Two trends, in particular, are contributing to an increased risk that pedestrians face on modern roads.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

There are certain expenses that people generally expect to incur after a major car crash. They know they will need to pay to tow their vehicle and to repair or replace it. They understand that there will be medical costs involved in diagnosing and treating their injuries. They probably also accept that they will have short-term lost wages to cover if they need surgery or other intensive medical intervention.

Frequently, those involved in collisions are eager to settle the matter as quickly as possible and get compensation for their losses. Yet, if they fail to consider the long-term financial implications of their injuries, they may accept far less than they deserve. The three costs below are all financial losses people tend to overlook when rushing through an insurance claim after a car crash.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Winter weather presents unique challenges for drivers, including icy roads, reduced visibility and unpredictable conditions. Being aware of these hazards is the first step in minimizing the risk of car accidents during the colder months. 

Preparing your vehicle for winter and adjusting your driving habits can significantly increase your safety on the road. 

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Millions of drivers experience car accidents every year, however, many drivers don’t know what to do when they get into one. 

While an individual driver may only experience less than a handful of car accidents in a lifetime, it can help to know some important steps to take. Here’s what you should know:

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Just the cab of a semi-truck is often twice as tall as the average car. The trailer attached could be 28 feet long or even more than that. Large commercial vehicles are much heavier and bigger than passenger vehicles, which means that they can easily cause catastrophic damage to smaller vehicles and life-altering injuries to their occupants in the event of a collision.

As a result, motorists should make every reasonable effort to protect themselves from the possibility of a crash. Semi-truck collisions should receive priority consideration from those who want to reduce their risk of being injured while traveling on the road. Thankfully, there are a few tips that can drastically decrease someone’s likelihood of getting into a crash with a semi-truck.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Pedestrians who share the roads with vehicles don’t have much protection when a crash occurs. A collision between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle could lead to severe or possibly even fatal injuries for the pedestrian. Even parking lot collisions that involve vehicles traveling at relatively low speeds could put someone in the hospital and leave them unable to work for weeks.

Most people recognize that they have to accept the risk of a crash when out for a jog or when walking home from work. However, they may not recognize that their overall level of risk is now much higher than it was just a few years ago according to federal crash statistics.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »