5 Most Dangerous Intersections In Iowa

5 Most Dangerous Intersections In Iowa

by | May 22, 2017 | Blog

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Traffic and Safety keeps a list of the most dangerous intersections in the state known as the Safety Improvement Candidate Locations (SICL). To determine which intersections should be included on this list, the state looks at a number of different statistics, including total number of car crashes, severity, injuries, and fatalities. Crashes within 75 feet of city intersections and 150 feet of rural intersections are included in this data.

Which intersections are the most dangerous in the state? Here are 5 of the most dangerous intersections as identified by the Office of Traffic Safety:

Intersection of U.S. 6/W. Kimberly Rd./Marquette St.

Located in the city of Davenport in Scott County, this intersection ranks high on the list based on data from 2009-2013. There were 45 reported incidents involving 96 different vehicles at this intersection during this time period. Many of the crashes at this intersection were severe enough to cause injuries, and there were also two fatalities at this intersection that were caused by car crashes. Even more astonishing is the amount of property damage that resulted from the car crashes. Between 2009 and 2013, crashes led to over $260,000 in estimated property damage at the intersection of U.S. 6, Kimberly Road and Marquette Street.

According to the data, the most dangerous time of day to drive through this intersection is between the hours of noon and 6 p.m. Surprisingly, there were rarely any crashes reported here during the middle of night.

Intersection of U.S. 61/Harrison St./W. Locust St.

This intersection is also located in Davenport within Scott County. There were 63 crashes involving 129 cars at this intersection between 2009 and 2013, 30 of which involved injuries. Drivers who were involved in crashes at this intersection incurred an estimated $255,000 in property damage as a result of the collisions.

The afternoon and early evening hours were some of the most dangerous for this intersection, just as they were for the first intersection mentioned on this list. However, there were also a great deal of crashes at this intersection in the early morning hours between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Most crashes at this intersection were caused by drivers who were tailgating other vehicles and failed to brake in time to avoid a collision. As a result, most of the crashes that occurred here were rear-end collisions. A significant amount of crashes were also caused by drivers who ran a traffic signal and collided with another vehicle.

Intersection of IA 27/Iowa 58/Viking Rd.

Located in Cedar Falls within Black Hawk County, this intersection had 66 crashes between 2009 and 2013. There were 142 vehicles involved in these crashes, meaning many collisions involved more than two vehicles. Two fatalities have been reported at this intersection, but many others were injured as a result of crashes here. It is estimated that the drivers who were involved in these crashes suffered over $450,000 in property damage. Based on the amount of property damage, it is surprising that there were not more fatalities and serious injuries reported at this intersection.

When is this intersection the most dangerous? Crashes occurred at all hours, but the most dangerous hours were between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. About one-third of the crashes at this intersection occurred when a driver failed to yield to the right of way when making a left turn. Thirty of the crashes involved one vehicle hitting another at an angle, and 20 of them were rear-end collisions.

Intersection of U.S. 69/SE 14TH St/E. Indianola Ave.

This intersection is located in the capital city of Des Moines. There were 74 crashes at this intersection between 2009 and 2013, and although none of them were fatal, there were dozens of reported injuries. The vast majority of these crashes were rear-end collisions caused by drivers tailgating other vehicles and failing to stop in time to avoid contact. A significant amount of crashes were also caused by drivers who ran a traffic signal at this intersection.

Crashes were reported at various times throughout the day, however the most dangerous hours were 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., which could be due to the increase in traffic caused by rush hour. Although most of the crashes were passenger vehicles, there were two crashes that involved motorcycles and one that involved a tractor/semi-trailer.

Intersection of I-235/School St./MLK Jr. Pkwy

This intersection is also located in Des Moines. Over the four years that the state collected data, there were 60 crashes reported at this intersection, many of which involved property damage and injuries. Luckily, none of the crashes reported at this intersection were fatal.

Nearly two-thirds of the crashes at this intersection were caused by drivers who ran through a traffic signal. Many crashes occurred when the weather conditions were cloudy, so it’s possible the drivers were unable to see the traffic signals. The crashes were fairly evenly spread throughout the day, with most occurring between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Two crashes involved buses, and one involved a tractor/semi-trailer, but the majority of the crashes involved passenger vehicles only.

Only one of the crashes at this intersection involved a driver who tested positive for drugs, however one other at-fault driver did refuse to take a chemical test, so it’s possible he could have been under the influence as well.

Crashes can happen anywhere—even at intersections that are not included on this list. If you have been injured in a traffic crash and want to learn more about your legal options, contact Trial Lawyers for Justice today to schedule a consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, but you will need the help of an experienced attorney.

Eye Injuries and Medical Malpractice

Eye Injuries and Medical Malpractice

by | May 16, 2017 | Blog

Our eyes play an important role in our everyday lives. Without our eyes, we would be unable to do many of the activities that we take for granted on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many people sustain serious eye injuries as a result of a negligent eye doctor.

These individuals may be able to file a medical malpractice claim to recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Here is everything you need to know about eye injuries and medical malpractice:

What Does An Eye Doctor Do?

There are two types of eye doctors: optometrists and ophthalmologists. Optometrists have earned Doctor of Optometry (DO) degrees and are able to diagnose vision problems and prescribe glasses and contact lenses.

Ophthalmologists can either be medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO). These medical professionals are trained to conduct eye exams, diagnose health conditions, prescribe medications to treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgeries. Ophthalmologists go through more training than optometrists, which is why they are able to do more once they are practicing medical professionals.

The type of doctor that you see will depend on the reason for your visit. Patients who have eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration should visit ophthalmologists since they are highly trained professionals who have experience treating these conditions.

If you are in need of surgery, you will also need to visit an ophthalmologist. Patients who are just in need of an eye exam or a new prescription for contact lenses or eyeglasses can see either type of doctor.

Common Causes of Medical Malpractice

Patients can become victims of medical malpractice committed by an eye doctor in a number of ways. Some of the most common reasons why eye doctors are sued for medical malpractice include:

Misdiagnosis

Eye doctors should be able to spot issues with a patient’s eyes during a routine eye exam. However, many doctors fail to properly diagnose a patient condition. In fact, this is the leading cause of medical malpractice not just among eye doctors, but throughout the entire healthcare industry.

Patients who are diagnosed with the wrong condition may suffer injuries because the actual condition that they have is not treated in a timely manner. In addition, patients who are given the wrong diagnosis may undergo unnecessary treatment that could cause them further harm.

Infections

Doctors must be extremely careful when treating patients who have recently had eye surgery. This is because the eye is incredibly vulnerable to infections, and once an infection forms, it quickly spreads and affects other areas of the body. Unfortunately, some patients develop infections when their eye doctor fails to properly sanitize equipment before using it to examine an eye after an operation.

Surgical Errors

Medical malpractice can also be committed while a doctor is performing surgery. Some of the most common surgical errors that eye doctors make include performing surgery on the wrong eye, damaging other areas of the eye, using tools that have not been sanitized, and performing operations that are not necessary.

Informed Consent

Eye doctors must inform patients of any risks associated with a procedure or surgery prior to beginning treatment. In addition, a doctor must tell the patient what he thinks will happen to her eyes if she does not perform the suggested procedure.

Doctors must also go over alternatives to the proposed treatment and discuss the advantages and risks of these procedures as well. This is done so the patient can decide whether to go through with the treatment after learning about the potential risks involved. If a doctor fails to give a patient this information, he can be sued for medical malpractice if the patient is injured during the treatment.

Most Common Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice

Patients who are victims of medical malpractice committed by an eye doctor can suffer serious injuries as a result of the doctor’s negligence. Some of the most common injuries that these patients can sustain include:

Blindness

An eye doctor’s mistake could cause a patient to partially or completely lose his ability to see. This can have a significant impact on a patient’s life and affect his ability to work and live independently.

Infections

Eye doctors who negligently use tools that have not been sanitized are putting their patients at risk of developing serious eye infections. If the infection is not detected and treated quickly, it can spread to other areas of the body or become so severe that the patient loses the affected eye.

Blurry Vision

Sometimes, medical malpractice victims suffer from permanent blurry vision instead of going completely blind. Living with permanent blurry vision can be incredibly unpleasant and affect the victim’s ability to operate a vehicle, keep a job, and participate in the activities he enjoyed prior to the injury.

Other Vision Issues

Besides going blind or suffering from blurry vision, patients can also experience issues with depth perception and color detection due to a negligent eye doctor.

Proving Medical Malpractice

It’s important to note that every error made by an eye doctor is not necessarily medical malpractice. In order to prove that medical malpractice occurred, you must be able to show that the doctor was negligent. A doctor was negligent if another competent doctor would not have made the same mistake under similar circumstances. Proving what a competent doctor would do may sound simple, but it can be rather complicated. To determine if your case involved negligence, it’s best to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after the incident.

If you have been injured by an eye doctor’s negligence, contact Trial Lawyers for Justice today to schedule a consultation regarding your case. Our attorneys will immediately begin to investigate to determine if the eye doctor was negligent so we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Nick Rowley To Be Guest Speaker At “Take Back the Courtroom IV” in Miami, Florida

Nick Rowley To Be Guest Speaker At “Take Back the Courtroom IV” in Miami, Florida

by | May 16, 2017 | News

Trial Guides is proud to announce the fourth Take Back the Courtroom CLE event. This two-day, intensive CLE brings together three of America’s greatest trial lawyers: Rick Friedman, Roger Dodd, and Randi McGinn (plus guest speakers Nicholas Rowley and Keith Mitnik). They will teach you all of the skills necessary to win even the most difficult trials.

This event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The cost varies based on your level of experience:

  • $1,200 per person for those lawyers who have practiced for more than five years.
  • $600 per person for those who have practiced less than five years if they are registered with Trial Guides’ New Lawyers Program.

On Friday, May 19, there will be a reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Both evenings will feature a guest speaker from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.. These two sessions are optional, although they are included in the event price.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is open only to civil plaintiff’s OR criminal defense counsel. Lawyers who perform any work on behalf of insurance companies or any form of civil defense work are not allowed to attend. All attendees will be required to sign an affidavit to that effect before being allowed entry. No audio or video recording is allowed.

You will have access to five trial legends at this event – lawyers who try cases every year and who continue to obtain exceptional results.  This is an event you don’t want to miss.

Topics will include:

  • Working with difficult judges
  • Dealing with difficult opponents
  • Handling difficult cases
  • Preparing difficult clients for depositions
  • Preparing difficult clients for direct and cross-examination at trial
  • How to make tough decisions at trial
  • How to deal with new venues and new judges
  • Demonstrative evidence
  • Changing trends in voir dire
  • And much more
Attorney Nick Rowley Wins $1.5 Million Slip and Fall Verdict Against Costco

Attorney Nick Rowley Wins $1.5 Million Slip and Fall Verdict Against Costco

by | May 8, 2017 | News

LOS ANGELES, May 8, 2017—Attorney Nick Rowley of Trial Lawyers for Justice and Carpenter, Zuckerman, & Rowley recently stepped in and took a difficult slip and fall case to trial in Santa Monica, California for client Brenda when her trial attorney fell ill and was hospitalized.

Brenda tripped over a variable height curb in a Costco parking lot and suffered two quadriceps tendon tears. She required surgery and was forced to spend 90 days in a rehab treatment facility.

“Brenda faced a number of challenges in this case, including the fact that no other Costco customers had slipped or tripped over the curb. Also, the defense argued that Brenda had recovered well and had no residual injuries,” Rowley says. “Costco was unwilling to make any type of offer, not even a penny, to Brenda, which is why this case ended up in court.”

Mr. Rowley made the risky decision to try the case as an expedited jury trial, which is heard in front of a smaller jury, has no right of appeal, and must be completed in just a few days. Instead of calling medical experts or Brenda’s healthcare providers to the stand, Mr. Rowley only called Brenda who he believed would be able to best tell her story of injuries and damages. Despite only being introduced to the case at 8pm the night before trial, Mr. Rowley managed to win a $1.5 million non-economic damages verdict against the defendant, Costco. This is a record setting victory for an expedited jury trial on a slip and fall with this type of injury.

“The jury had the option of finding Brenda partially or fully liable for her injuries, but they determined that Costco was 100% negligent and liable instead,” Rowley states. “I took a chance by not calling medical experts or doctors to the stand to testify, because I believed that simplifying this case and focusing on the power of the truth of the human story was what the jury needed most. It was a great honor to be able to step in as Brenda’s trial lawyer. Trying cases for good deserving people is what I do. And, because of Brenda’s courage, Costco redesigned and made the walkway safe.”

With offices in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and California, and offering legal services from coast to coast, Trial Lawyers for Justice specializes in personal injury law. Trial Lawyers for Justice is dedicated to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. 

Attorney Nick Rowley to Speak at the American Association for Justice “Rules of the Road For Doctors, Drugs, and Devices” Seminar

Attorney Nick Rowley to Speak at the American Association for Justice “Rules of the Road For Doctors, Drugs, and Devices” Seminar

by | Mar 30, 2017 | News

DES MOINES, Iowa, March 30, 2017  — Attorney Nick Rowley of Trial Lawyers for Justice will speak at the American Association for Justice (AAJ) “Rules of the Road For Doctors, Drugs, and Devices” seminar at the Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma, California on April 7-8, 2017. Mr. Rowley will be discussing how attorneys can forge and maintain a bond with everyone in the courtroom, including the client, witnesses, members of the jury, and judge.

The “Rules of the Road” seminar is based on a book by Patrick Malone and Rick Friedman that discusses how trial attorneys can prove liability. The event will feature a number of other highly respected speakers, including Shanin Specter, who will talk about what works and what doesn’t in jury cases, and Zoe Littlepage, who will discuss research on persuading conservative jurors. Attendees will also have a chance to network with other legal professionals and discuss their current cases in group brainstorming sessions. The event will wrap up on Saturday afternoon so attendees can spend the rest of the day enjoying wine country.

“The goal of the ‘Rules of the Road’ program is to provide trial attorneys with the knowledge they need to win eight or nine figure verdicts for their clients,” Rowley states. “It is an honor to speak at this event in front of my colleagues who are just as eager to seek justice for their clients as I am.”

Original article previously published courtesy of https://kwwl.com/