Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle Crashes

by | Oct 23, 2020 | practice-areas

Motorcycle crashes occur on a daily basis, and unfortunately, many of them lead to serious injuries and fatalities. This is because motorcyclists don’t have the same protection that motorists do, so even a small fender bender could quickly turn tragic if the motorcyclist is thrown from his bike.

Luckily, there is help available for those injured in motorcycle crashes. If the crash was caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Motorcycle crashes

motorcycle accident lawyer iowa winsThere are a number of different causes of motorcycle crashes, including:

Cars Making Left-Hand Turns
Cars often collide with motorcycles when the motorcyclist is attempting to pass the car or riding straight through a major intersection. It usually occurs because a driver either misjudges the motorcycle’s speed or fails to see the motorcycle before turning left. This type of crash accounts for almost half of all motorcycle crashes.

Lane Splitting
Motorcyclists who drive between two lanes of cars are “lane splitting,” which is a very dangerous activity that often leads to crashes. Driving between two lanes is not recommended because there is not much space, and the cars on either side can easily swerve and collide with the motorcycle.

Changing Lanes
Motorcycles are much smaller than motor vehicles, so it’s easy for a motorcyclist to fall into a driver’s blind spot. Drivers often make the mistake of changing lanes without checking their blind spot, and thus they end up colliding with the motorcycle in the next lane.

Rear End
Of course, motorcycles can be hit from behind just as full-sized vehicles can. This occurs when a driver on the road does not brake in time to stop his vehicle before colliding into yours. When a rear end collision involves two cars, it is usually just a minor fender bender. However, when a car rear ends a motorcycle, it can be far more serious, especially if the motorcyclist is thrown off of the bike as a result.

Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries

Because motorcyclists don’t have much protection on the road, the injuries they suffer in a crash are often severe. Some of the most common injuries include:

Head Injury
Motorcyclists can very easily injure their heads if they are thrown from their bike during a crash. It is highly recommended that motorcyclists always wear a helmet to provide protection to their heads, but sometimes even a helmet is not enough to prevent a brain injury.

Road Rash
If the impact of the collision caused you to slide across the pavement, you may have road rash, which occurs when concrete rubs any exposed skin. Keep in mind you can have road rash even if you were completely covered by clothing at the time of the crash. Road rash can result in something as minor as skin irritation or as serious as skin infections and nerve damage.

Biker’s Arm
Biker’s Arm occurs when the bike tips over during a crash and the weight of the motorcycle lands on one of your arms. Motorcycles are extremely heavy, so they can cause a great deal of damage when they fall on top of the motorcyclist. It can result in nerve damage throughout the arm, and in some cases, can lead to complete paralysis in the limb.

Lower Extremities
A motorcyclist’s knees, feet, and legs are also at risk of being injured in the event of a crash. Sometimes, the damage is limited to scrapes and bruises, however in other cases a motorcycle crash can cause broken or fractured bones. If the limb is crushed during the crash, you may need to have it amputated.

This is just a short list of common motorcycle injuries. There are many other injuries you may have suffered as a result of someone’s careless driving. Regardless of the injury, if it was caused by another driver’s negligence, seek legal assistance as soon as possible.

Justice for Motorcycle Crash Victims

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, don’t hesitate to contact the Trial Lawyers for Justice. Our team of attorneys can handle every aspect of your personal injury claim to recover the compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Crashes

Dog Bites

by | Oct 23, 2020 | practice-areas

Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend, but sometimes their animal instincts take over and they attack when feel provoked or threatened. There are approximately 4.5 million dog bites in the United States every year, and many of the victims are small children who aren’t aware that dogs can be dangerous.

Dog bite injuries can range from minor wounds that will need to be cleaned and bandaged to serious diseases such as rabies and MRSA. In fact, about 18% of dog bites become infected, so there is a risk that your minor wound could eventually turn into an infection.

After a dog has attacked you, it’s important to protect yourself by treating your injuries and seeking legal assistance from an experienced attorney.

Steps to Take Following A Dog Bite

iowa dog bite attorneyIf you have been bitten by a dog, there are certain steps you should take to protect yourself. First, find the dog’s owner and get his name and contact information. Ask the owner whether the dog has had his rabies shots. If the dog has not been vaccinated, or if you cannot find the owner of the dog, you will need to get the rabies shot immediately.

Next, seek emergency medical assistance for your injuries. Even if you think your wound is minor, dog bite injuries can quickly turn into serious infections, so it’s important to see a medical professional. Keep all of the documentation related to your treatment, including medical bills, lab reports, and X-rays.

After your injuries have been treated, file an official report with your county or city authorities. This helps local authorities keep track of dog bite injuries in case there are other victims who have been bitten by the same dog in the future.

Now, it’s time to contact an attorney to discuss your case. An attorney at the Trial Lawyers for Justice can determine who is at fault for your injuries and help you understand your legal options.

Throughout this entire process, make sure you are documenting your injuries with photographs. Take pictures immediately following the dog bite, and then take additional pictures everyday as the injury begins to heal. It may be wise to keep a journal documenting the pain you are experiencing as a result of the dog bite. This documentation will help support your personal injury claim.

Liability For Dog Bites

Each state has its own laws that dictate who is responsible when a dog injures another person. In most states, the dog owner is liable for a victim’s injuries as long as the victim was not provoking the dog or illegally trespassing at the time of the attack. Some states, such as California, only hold the dog owner for injuries caused by a bite. In other states, such as Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota, the dog owner is liable for any injury the victim suffered because of the dog. For example, if the dog charged at the victim and the victim tripped and injured himself trying to get away, the dog owner may be held liable in these states even if the dog never made physical contact with the victim.

The victim does not have to prove that the dog owner did anything wrong in these cases. For example, the victim does not have to show the dog owner instructed the dog to attack. Because of the strict liability laws surrounding dog bites, all that needs to be proven is the victim was injured by the dog, and there was no provocation or illegal trespassing at the time of the attack.

Justice For Victims

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, discuss your case with an experienced attorney at the Trial Lawyers for Justice. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Call 866-854-5529 to schedule a free consultation today.

Motorcycle Crashes

Distracted Driving Crashes

by | Oct 23, 2020 | practice-areas

Distracted driving is the leading cause of car crashes in the United States, and one of the main distractions drivers deal with on the road is their cell phone. Whether they are sending a text, answering a call, scrolling through social media, or watching a video, they are putting other drivers at risk by taking their focus off of the road.

Facts About Distracted Driving Crashes

cell phone accident while driving attorney lawyer distracted drivingHow big of a problem are distracted driving crashes in the U.S.? Take a look at some of these facts to see the impact of these distracted drivers:

  • Over 1.6 million crashes each year are caused by a driver who was using his cell phone at the time of the crash.
  • Texting while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving—six times more dangerous, in fact.
  • Although any cell phone use can be distracting, research has shown texting while driving is the most risky activity.
  • Every time you send a text message, your eyes are taken off of the road for about five seconds. This doesn’t seem like much—but if you’re driving 55 mph, this means your eyes are off of the road for the length of a football field.
  • Even teens, who are the most inexperienced drivers, know the dangers of distracted driving. Ninety-four percent of teens agreed that using a cell phone while driving is not safe, but despite this, 35% of them admitted they do it anyways.

It’s no secret that distracted driving is dangerous, yet many drivers fail to put down their cell phones before getting behind the wheel. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone using his cell phone while driving, speak to an car crash attorney as soon as possible following the crash.

Myths About Distracted Driving Crashes

There are a lot of misconceptions about using mobile phones while driving. Here’s the truth behind these common myths:

Myth: As long as the phone is hands-free, it’s safe.

Hands-free cell phone use is still distracting. In fact, it’s estimated that drivers miss up to 50% of what’s going on around them while they are talking on the phone—hands-free or not.

Myth: If you’re a good multi-tasker, it’s ok to use a cell phone behind the wheel.

Anytime you ask your brain to switch back and forth between two tasks—in this case, driving and using a cell phone—you slow down its reaction time. Therefore, if you are using a cell phone while driving, you won’t be able to react to brake lights or lane changes as quickly as you would if you weren’t using your phone.

Myth: Using your phone is fine if you’re stopped at a light or in traffic.

If you’re behind the wheel, it’s never a good time to use your phone. Drivers should be fully focused on their surroundings at all times, even when stopped at a red light or stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.

Myth: Using voice-to-text is safe while driving.

Drivers often think using the voice-to-text feature on their phone is safer than physically typing in a text message, but that’s simply not the case. If you use this feature, you usually will end up looking down to reread the text prior to sending it to ensure everything is spelled correctly. Doing so is just as dangerous as typing out the text in the first place, so this behavior should be avoided while driving.

Help for Distracted Driving Crash Victims

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a distracted driver, you have a right to compensation for your injuries, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Trial Lawyers for Justice is comprised of experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you and your family recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today or call 866-854-5529 for assistance.

Motorcycle Crashes

Car Crashes

by | Oct 23, 2020 | practice-areas

It is estimated that over 37,000 people are killed in car crashes every year, and another 2.35 million are injured. Unfortunately, many of these crashes are caused by another driver’s negligence and could have easily been prevented. Victims of car crashes should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following the crash to determine if they are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Causes of Car Crashes

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE FACING EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AFTER A CAR ACCIDENTCar crashes occur on a daily basis, and many of them are caused by:

Distracted Driving

A driver becomes distracted when he takes his focus off of the road to pay attention to another passenger in the car, the radio, a smartphone, or any other form of distraction. Even if the driver’s eyes are only off of the road for a few seconds, this negligent behavior can lead to serious crashes. In fact, distracted driving is currently the number one cause of traffic crashes in the United States.

Speeding

Speed limits are put in place for a reason—to keep everyone on the road safe. When a driver decides to ignore the speed limit, he puts everyone else on the road at risk. The faster someone is driving, the less time he will have to react to a car suddenly braking or changing lanes in front of him.

Drunk Driving

Every sip of alcohol a person takes will impair his judgment more and more. If he decides to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, he may not be able to focus on the cars and road in front of him. Drunk drivers often swerve into other lanes or drive in the wrong direction. Because their judgment is so impaired, they may not be able to brake in time to avoid hitting your car at a stop sign or a red light. All of these behaviors can cause car crashes and severe injuries to all drivers and passengers involved.

Common Car Crash Injuries

Every car crash is unique, so injuries can vary greatly from one case to the next. However, there are a number of injuries that are very common in car crashes, including:

CAR ACCIDENTS WHIPLASHWhiplash

Whiplash occurs when the impact of the collision forces your head to suddenly jerk forward and then backward again. This sudden movement damages the soft tissues in your neck and can lead to serious lingering pain following a car crash.

Head Injuries

During a crash, it’s possible the impact of the collision could cause you to jerk forward and hit your head against the steering wheel, dashboard, or car window. The result could be anything from a minor concussion to a traumatic brain injury or skull fracture.

Back Injuries

Many people involved in car crashes suffer back injuries, which can range in severity from aches and pains in the lower back to a herniated disc or spinal cord injury.

Emotional Pain

Some victims will suffer emotionally as well as physically. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of a car crash. This is especially true if a loved one who was also a passenger in the car was seriously injured or killed as a result of the crash.

After A Car Crash

If you have been injured in a car crash, it’s important to document as much evidence as possible. Keep all of your medical records, including bills, lab reports, X-rays, and any other relevant documents, so you have proof of the injuries you sustained and the expenses you had to pay. If your injuries are visible, take pictures of them immediately following the crash and again as they begin to heal. The more proof you have to support your personal injury claim, the better.

Seek Legal Advice Now

You shouldn’t have to suffer because of someone else’s negligent behavior behind the wheel. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, contact us now for a free consultation at 866-854-5529. The team of attorneys at Trial Lawyers for Justice can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Crashes

Birth Injury

by | Oct 23, 2020 | practice-areas

When an infant suffers a birth injury, the child’s parents may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the delivering doctor or medical professional(s). To have a valid claim, negligence must have directly caused the birth injury.

Birth injury lawsuits involve complexities that require a skilled Medical Malpractice attorney and team who are well versed in medicine and medical terminology. At TL4J, we have the results and Medical Malpractice attorneys and team to help you.

TL4J understands that birth injuries not only have physical and emotional consequences but also place a financial strain on families. That’s why we are willing and able to do whatever it takes to fight insurance companies so that our clients receive full compensation.

Birth Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice

When a mother and/or baby face unnecessary, preventable trauma before, during, or after labor and delivery and the result injures the mother or baby. Below are Birth Injury examples as the result of medical malpractice:

Brain damage or head trauma

During labor and delivery, instruments can be used incorrectly causing the baby to have brain damage. Instrument examples include delivery forceps or a vacuum. Brain damage can also be the result of not delivering a baby in a timely manner or failing to order a cesarian section.

Hypoxia

Hypoxia occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen. This complication can lead to permanent brain damage and a need for lifelong care.

Congenital Cerebral Palsy (CP)

The majority of Cerebral Palsy is congenital. Congenital CP is when brain damage happens before or after birth. Different factors can cause this condition; e.g., birth complications, labor and delivery injuries, untreated pregnancy infections, and others.

(HIE) Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

HIE is a birth injury that occurs to a newborn when there is lack of oxygen and limited blood flow to the brain. HIE can cause brain injury to the newborn resulting in cerebral palsy, mental retardation, severe seizures, and/or behavioral deficits.

SYMPTOMS OF BIRTH INJURIES

The symptoms will vary depending on the patient, the type of injury and the severity of the injury. However, some of the most common symptoms include brain damage, irreversible physical damage and emotional damage.

Some Birth Injuries can affect a baby or mother for the rest of his/her life and have a financial burden on a family. This is why we are here to fight for you against insurance companies to win justice to help financially compensate you.

HELP FOR MALPRACTICE VICTIMS

Birth Injuries can be catastrophic and greatly affect the mother and/or baby’s quality of life forever. Thankfully, compensation for past and future medical expenses, additional healthcare, future lost wages, and pain and suffering may be available to victims. To discuss your legal options, contact Trial Lawyers for Justice at 866-TL4J-LAW (866-854-5529).

Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death

by | Oct 23, 2020 | practice-areas

When a person is injured because of someone’s negligence, that person can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for his or her injuries and pain and suffering. However, when a person is killed because of someone’s negligence, the surviving family members have the option of filing a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.

When Can You File A Wrongful Death Claim? If your loved one is killed as a result of negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Many wrongful death claims involve:

wrongful death lawyer wins iowaMedical Malpractice
When a loved one passes away because of a doctor’s medical mistake, the victim’s family is able to file a wrongful death claim. Medical malpractice can include failing to diagnose a condition, misdiagnosing a condition, prescribing or administering the wrong medication or the wrong dosage, or making a fatal error during a treatment.

Traffic Crash
Drivers who are distracted by a cell phone, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving recklessly could be held liable in a wrongful death claim if their negligent behavior causes a fatality. Traffic crashes can involve motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or trucks.

Construction
Construction workers know there are risks involved with working in this industry, but that doesn’t mean they should have to work in potentially fatal conditions. If a loved one is killed or harmed on a construction site, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the construction company, general contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer.

Other wrongful death claims arise after someone intentionally harms another person while committing a crime. In this case, the defendant may face both criminal and civil penalties that are completely independent of one another. The outcome of the criminal case would not affect the outcome of the civil case, and vice versa.

Filing A Wrongful Death Claim

Each state has its own laws regarding who is allowed to file a wrongful death claim. In all 50 states, the spouse and minor children of the deceased are able to file a claim. If a minor is wrongfully killed, the parents are able to file a claim in all 50 states as well. However, the states do not agree on whether adult children of the deceased should be able to file a wrongful death claim. Some states do not allow children of the deceased to file a wrongful death claim if they are above a certain age, which is usually set at 25 years old.

Compensation For Victims’ Families

Family members may be able to recover several types of compensation in a wrongful death claim, including:

  • Funeral expenses
  • Medical expenses that were incurred as a result of an injury prior to victim’s death
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of expected income (awarded when the deceased was financially supporting members of his family)
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of consortium

Compensation is never guaranteed, but you have a much better chance of obtaining it when you have a skilled attorney on your side.

Help For Wrongful Death Victims’ Families

A wrongful death claim cannot replace your loved one, but it can provide you with the financial resources you need to cover expenses and take care of your family as you all grieve together. To discuss your case and available legal options, contact the Trial Lawyers for Justice as soon as possible. Call 866-854-5529 today to schedule a free consultation.