Sandusky Personal Injury Lawyer - Car Accidents

Car accidents, wrongful deaths can increase during Daylight Savings Time

Chuck Boyk — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:09:00 GMT

According to CNN.com, pedestrians walking at dusk are three times more likely to be struck and suffer wrongful death in a car accident than before the clocks moved back. The highest personal injury and wrongful death risk for pedestrians occurs around 6pm during the month of November.

In light of discussing the importance of Halloween and outdoor safety in our recent blogs, our Toledo, Ohio pedestrian accident attorneys also want to remind parents and children to be careful while walking outside as daylight savings time approaches.

The sun goes down earlier this time of year, which means that kids who walk and adults who drive need to be extra careful when traveling, in order to prevent car accidents.

Obey all posted driving rules and speed limits, and keep an extra eye out for pedestrians. Since most pedestrian auto accidents occur at intersections, it is important not to speed through lights or make turns without looking – even if you have a green light or the right of way.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian car accident, order your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book to learn your rights. Our attorneys can meet with you, for free, to discuss your options and give you a complimentary case evaluation.

This year, clocks are to be turned back one hour at 2am on Sunday, November 2, 2008. However, it might be easier to turn them back before going to bed Saturday night!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

New school year brings more kids near roads; avoid pedestrian car accidents

Chuck Boyk — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:06:00 GMT

Our Toledo, Ohio car accident attorneys recognize that the more kids there are on the road, the greater the chance for pedestrian accidents. With the start of a new school year, more kids will be waiting for buses and walking to school. Follow these tips to keep kids traveling to and from school free from personal injury.

• Pay extra attention

Drivers need to pay extra attention to the road, due to the increased number of children standing near the street.

• Train your eyes to look for small children

Many drivers are not used to seeing children out and about in the early morning hours. Their eyes are not trained to look for small bodies, only for other cars. Teach your eyes to look for kids first.

• Check behind your car

Before even leaving your driveway, make sure that there are no children near or behind your car.

Kids and Cars, a child advocacy group, estimate that vehicular backovers take the lives of two children per week. Vehicular backover wrongful deaths occur when a driver is unaware that a person is behind their car, and they proceed to leave a driveway or parking spot in reverse, striking them or running them over.

“Small children are very likely to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Attorney Chuck Boyk said. “Extra caution is essential to protect everyone. Rollover accidents are devastating for entire families and will gravely impact them forever.”

• Know where your kids are

Make sure your children as well as those nearby your home are aware of your departure. Encourage them to stand at a safe, visible distance to “wave goodbye,” to ensure that you know where they are before backing up.

• Be cautious when backing out

When backing out, always roll down the window to listen for children playing near or behind your car, who you may not be able to see.

• Practice intersection safety

Be extra attentive when crossing an intersection. Sometimes children dart from behind cars, or fail to use crosswalks. Wait an extra few seconds before advancing after a light turns green, to make sure that the road is clear. Also be sure to stop early at a yellow light, even if you think you could make it through the intersection before the light turns red.

• Help bus drivers and crossing guards

Obey all school bus stop signs and crossing guards. They are there to help children travel to and from school safely, and their job depends on drivers following their lead. Help kids have a safe start back to school!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Maximize recovery with Tip #2 on personal injury cases

Anneke Kurt — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:47:21 GMT

Continuing on with 10 Tips to Maximize Recovery from The Ohio Accident Book, here is tip number two. Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys encourage anyone who has suffered personal injury, such as from a car accident, to follow these tips in order to receive fair compensation.

2. Don't rush to settle your claim quickly.

If you're reading these tips because you were recently involved in a car accident caused by another driver, you may already have received a call from an insurance adjuster trying to settle your claim. Typically, an adjuster will wave a few thousand dollars under your nose to settle the claim quickly. It sounds good until you realize you're hurt more seriously than you anticipated or your medical bills end up eating into that money.

If you're tempted to settle your case below its value just because you need money for your medical bills, hold off. If you hire an attorney, the attorney usually will be able to work out an arrangement with your health-care provider for your provider to be paid out of the proceeds of your settlement. The doctor or chiropractor will continue to treat you without requiring payment after receiving what's called a "letter of protection" from your lawyer. This allows you to continue getting the treatment that you need, while ensuring the doctor is paid at the end of your case.

Settling your case quickly doesn't allow you to be fully compensated for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. It only benefits the insurance company because it won't have to pay out the full value of your case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

$5.2 million settlement awarded to plaintiff, cell phone use involved in car accident

Anneke Kurt — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:38:37 GMT

According to a complaint filed in 2006, an employee of International Paper Co. rear-ended Debra Ford, while talking on her cell phone. Her cruise control had been set at 77 mph in a 70 mph speed limit zone. The impact of the car accident caused Ms. Ford's car to overturn, which pinned her arm between the vehicle and the pavement. The plaintiff's arm had to be amputated just below the shoulder.

A $5.2 million verdict was recently reached in Fulton County, GA, in a the personal injury case involving the car accident caused by cell phone use behind the wheel. The case was set for trial on March 17, 2008, but settled out of court.

Georgia's cell phone statue states that drivers are not to do anything distracting while behind the wheel. Currently in Ohio, it is not against the law to talk on your cell phone while driving. However, our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys encourage drivers to be safe on the roads and pull over to use their phones. Prevent the distraction that talking on a cell phone can cause, in order to prevent personal injury from a car accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Personal injury pain can linger long after a car accident

Anneke Kurt — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:02:22 GMT

A recent study published in the Archives of Surgery found that pain experienced by those involved in a personal injury accident, such as a car accident, lasts more than a year for roughly 60 percent of those injured, according to Reuters.

Of those suffering personal injury from a car accident or other type of traumatic experience, majority of the pain lasting over a year was found in the joints and limbs. Other spots of pain included the back, head and neck.

Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys urge those suffering personal injury resulting from a car accident to seek treatment immediately. Follow all doctors' orders and do not stop treatment before you are completely healed. Be open with all physicians, physical therapists and other health care providers to ensure that the pain and suffering from a personal injury accident can be eased effectively and permanently.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Ten tips to maximize your personal injury recovery - Part I

Anneke Kurt — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:20:20 GMT

If you've suffered personal injury in an accident, the initial steps you take can make a big difference to the outcome of your case. Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys have compiled ten tips to help you avoid insurance company traps and receive fair compensation for your personal injury. Here are the first three:

1. Seek treatment immediately.

The best thing you can do for both your physical and financial health is to get the proper medical treatment for your personal injuries. This isn't a time to tough it out and hope that you'll miraculously heal. Returning to health should be your top priority. You need to go to your family physician or to the emergency room to make sure that you get the treatment you'll need to recover from the personal injury you suffered in the accident.

Once you go to the doctor, follow his or her orders so you can make the best recovery possible. If your doctor tells you to go to a physical therapist, do it. If you visit a chiropractor, complete the recommended treatment plan.

This makes sense not only for your physical health, but for your financial health as well. An insurance adjuster is going to base any settlement offer to you on the medical care you've received because it provides a way to measure your injuries and resulting pain. Getting treatment demonstrates to the insurance company that you're not faking your injury and that you're taking the process seriously. Compensation for the pain and suffering you've endured as a result of your accident will be based to some degree on the amount of your medical bills.

Once you've started treatment, see it through to the end. Don't stop the second you start to feel better if your doctor has recommended that you complete a certain amount of rehabilitation. If you stop early, you may not be fully healed. Resuming treatment months after you've stopped sends a message to the insurance company that you may not have been hurt in the first place or that you're trying to take advantage of the process.

2. Don't rush to settle your claim quickly.

If you're reading this book because you were recently involved in an accident caused by another driver, you may already have received a call from an insurance adjuster trying to settle your claim. Typically, an adjuster will wave a few thousand dollars under your nose to settle the claim quickly. It sounds good until you realize you're hurt more seriously than you anticipated or your medical bills end up eating into that money.

3. Don't underestimate the insurance adjusters who contact you.

This tip goes back to what we discussed in the introduction. Insurance adjusters handle claims for a living. They're judged by their bosses by how they settle claims and how much money they save for the company. This doesn't make them bad people; they're just doing their jobs and looking out for the best interests of their employers. It's up to you and your lawyer to look out for your interests.

It's no shock that insurance companies often own the tallest skyscrapers in a city. They have powerful lobbies throughout the country and, along with other business interests, have done their best to get legislation passed that makes it hard for accident victims to be fairly compensated. They've gotten rich by collecting as much money as possible from all of us while trying to avoid making fair settlements with people suffering from accidents they didn't cause.

So, when an adjuster representing the person who caused the accident gives you a call, keep in mind where their loyalties lie. They'll likely be extremely pleasant, but they have one goal: to settle your claim as cheaply as possible. They do this for a living, all day and every day. Because this is probably the first time you've been an accident victim, you are at an obvious disadvantage. Be smart when you're dealing with them - or better yet, hire a lawyer who deals with insurance companies on a daily basis. After all, the insurance companies have professionals working for them, so you should too.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Personal injury can result from ATV accidents

Anneke Kurt — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:43:41 GMT

A recent study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the number of ATV accidents has increased in the past three years, with 606 people suffering wrongful death from ATV accidents in the year 2006 alone. Thirty percent of all injuries related to ATV accidents involve children under the age of sixteen. A Fostoria man suffered personal injury after an ATV accident Tuesday night, according to the Toledo Blade. The Blade also reported the impact knocked his helmet off.

Our Toledo, Ohio ATV accident attorneys urge riders and drivers to be careful while on all-terrain vehicles, to avoid ATV accidents. Always wear a helmet and obey all posted traffic signs. Make sure you have proper training before driving an ATV, and never allow children to drive an adult ATV. As with any motor vehicle, never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Don't fall asleep at the wheel - prevent car accidents, personal injury

Anneke Kurt — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:38:56 GMT

Drinking and driving can have devastating consequences. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. According to the Wall Street Journal, sleeping only four hours a night for five nights in a row can have the same effect on the body as being awake for 24 straight hours, which is the equivalent to legal drunkenness. Put that feeling behind the wheel, and you could be driving towards a potential car accident.

Car accidents caused by drowsy driving can be prevented. Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys encourage drivers to get enough sleep before a long drive, or pull over if you feel yourself becoming drowsy. Drooping eyelids, excessive yawning, drifting in the lane, or nodding off are all important signs to watch out for. The National Safety Council recommends not driving between midnight and 6am, and having a driving partner. Delaying a trip for 30 minutes to pull over and take a nap is a small price to pay if it means preventing a car accident and potential

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Personal injury from car accidents could be reduced after new car seat rating system

Anneke Kurt — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:35:25 GMT

Ohio state law requires that all children weighing less than 40 pounds use a car seat when riding in a motor vehicle, to prevent personal injury in the event of a car accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The government agency also recommends a booster seat for children over 40 pounds until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Riding in the car as a child can be an exciting experience - sometimes even more exciting than the destination. Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys want to remind parents, however, that no matter how excited kids get while in a car, they must always remain seated and buckled up, to prevent personal injury in the event of a car accident.

In an effort to address their statistical findings showing that seven in 10 child safety seats are either the wrong size or misused, the NHTSA has introduced a five-star Ease of Use rating system to judge just how easy it is for parents to install or uninstall a car seat. If a car seat is the wrong size or incorrectly installed, the ability for the seat to protect a child from personal injury in the event of a car accident greatly decreases. NHTSA hopes that the new rating system, to replace the former letter graded system, will help parents choose the seat that is best for their child.

The rating will not affect the fact that all child seats must adhere to federal safety regulations, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys urge parents to always take all safety precautions when traveling with children. Make sure your kids are in a properly installed car seat or buckled up. Choose child safety seats wisely, and research their ratings before deciding to allow them to protect your child. NHTSA estimates that child restraint systems, when used properly reduce fatal injuries by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars and by nearly 60% for infants and toddlers in sport-utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans, according to the Wall Street Journal. Children should never ride in the front seat of a car, as the front airbags have the ability to cause severe personal injury in the event of a car accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Car accidents, personal injury can result from texting while driving

Anneke Kurt — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:07:06 GMT

Our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys want to remind readers that while technology can improve our lives, some of our gadgets can be distracting when we're behind the wheel. The risk for a car accident increases by 50 percent for those who text while driving, according to a study by psychologists at the University of Utah.

Text messaging has become the fastest new way to keep in touch with family and friends. While sending text messages is fun, texting behind the wheel is dangerous and can cause car accidents resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.

Ohio State Representative Diane Fessler believes that the practice is so dangerous, that she has introduced a bill that would make text messaging while driving against the law.

Similar to the consequences of not obeying Ohio's seatbelt law, the offense would cost a driver $250 in fines, according to Toledo Legal News.

The American Automobile Association found that out of 1,000 16 and 17-year-olds polled, 46 percent of them admitted to text messaging while driving. AAA also found that some teens receive and send as many as 500 text messages in one day.

That means a lot of distracted driver could be on the roads.

Teens aren't the only ones to blame. Many cell phones have personal computing capabilities, such as the Blackberry or the iPhone. Checking email, sending memos, and setting calendared appointments behind the wheel can be just as distracting as text messaging.

Toledo Legal News also reported that AAA found that a driver doubles his risk for a car accident when he takes his eyes of the road for more than two seconds, and that 80 percent of collisions involve some sort of inattention.

It takes two hands to drive a car, and only two seconds to cause a car accident resulting in personal injury. Keep yourself and your family safe by keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt