There are thousands of traffic deaths each year, but federal statistics show that fewer than 10% of those deaths involve commercial vehicles such as trucks. When trucks are involved, 80% of the time the accidents are the fault of the non-commercial driver. Despite this good news, other statistics show that several times a day in the U.S. a person is killed or sustains an injury involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers or semi-trucks.

Whenever accidents involving a truck happen, chances are there will be a lawsuit filed. The reason often is based on the commercial nature of trucking and the fact that victims of a trucking accident know that there are big dollars behind the truck. Professional drivers are not immune to accidents. Typical truck accidents are caused by equipment failure or driver fatigue. Tires can burst, brakes can fail, and weather conditions can make driving hazardous.

Lawsuits involving truck accidents clog the court systems every year, but victims or their survivors know that chances are a settlement will be reached in their favor.

The injuries related to a trucking accident tend to be more extensive and insurance policies are larger, which means that lawsuits related to truck accidents are often bitterly contested on both sides of the case.

When looking for an experienced truck accident attorney in Mobile, it is important to find out their litigation history. Ask if they have how many truck accident injury cases and have developed intimate working relationships with some of the nation’s top experts in various fields such as:

• Accident Reconstruction
• Occupant Kinematics
• Tire design and manufacturing defects
• Truck driver qualification and training
• Duties of inspection and maintenance of big trucks
• Safe driving practices for commercial vehicles
• Federal Motor Carrier Regulations

Expert testimony is crucial for Mobile truck accident litigation in order to explain to the jury any complicated industry details or to recreate the scene of the accident. However, it is extremely expensive to retain these experts; thus, the law firm representing the injured person must be committed to advancing the money necessary to properly and professionally represent the injured person.

How has Personal Injury Litigation in Illinois Changed Over the Years in Illinois?

As any society changes, the laws that govern that society must also change.  Naturally, greater shifts in the attitudes of a society lead to greater shifts in its laws.  The laws surrounding Illinois personal injury litigation are no exception to this rule.

Technology and injury litigation in Illinois

Like the rest of society, law is influenced by technology.  One such example of this is the role played by personal electronic devices in accidents. Litigators across the nation are working to define how cell phones and other such devices cause accidents, in ways that can be enforced and scrutinized by courts.

Chicago in particular has chosen to focus on driver impairment in its cell phone and texting laws, meaning drivers will be found liable for accidents caused by their distraction while talking or texting behind the wheel.

Public opinion and personal injury settlement in Illinois

Sometimes, specific and notorious news events lead to changes in the law.

Since the nineteenth century, a dram shop law in Chicago extended liability to owners of establishments that served alcohol to a person whose drunkenness later led to the injury of a plaintiff.  However, this law did not extend to private social functions.

In 2003, when a drunken high school brawl led to a public outcry, the issue was revisited.  The Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act makes an adult who intentionally provides drugs or alcohol to minors strictly liable for any injuries caused by the intoxicated minor.  Furthermore, this act allows almost unlimited damages in an injury settlement in Illinois.

If too many lawsuits lead to excessive personal injury settlements in Illinois, public reaction can sway against personal injury attorneys.  For example, in 2004, such opinions led the Illinois State Assembly to cap non-economic damages for medical malpractice at $500,000 against doctors and $1 million against hospitals.

Sometimes, the law responds to a long-term problem that was recently revealed.  Accusations of abuse against Roman Catholic priests and the discovery of many adults claiming such abuse led to such a change in Illinois personal injury litigation.  Illinois law recently suspended the age limit in select circumstances with regard to people levying accusations of child sexual abuse.  This allows more lawsuits, since the law now allows time for accusers to remember and recognize abuse from their youth.

Personal injury lawyers in Illinois

Clients need lawyers, because no layperson can keep abreast of the constant changes in civil law.  But if the law itself is complicated, the changes in our society increase the complexity of personal injury law.

If you need an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney, contact the Illinois injury lawyers at Sam C. Mitchell & Associates today at 1-618-932-2772 and start down the road to recovery.

Sam C. Mitchell & Associates
115 1/2 East Main Street
West Frankfort, Illinois 62896
888-899-1458

A simple fact about law is that, as society changes, the law must also change in order to fulfill its function as a mediator in our civic relationships. For example, in the United States, technology is not only changing society, but it is also changing law, the way law is practiced and the way litigation is presented. Legislation is rewritten to accommodate for the changing economy and demographics. As institutions change, the laws governing their operation and how individuals interface with them must also change.

The following discusses some examples of how accident litigation in Illinois has changed over the years.

Drug & Alcohol

• Since 1872 – Chicago’s “dram shop law” extended liability to owners of establishments that served alcohol to someone whose drunkenness led to injury of a plaintiff. As a result, the possibility of liability has made restaurant and bar owners more alert to their customers’ behavior. However, because there was no social host liability recognized under the law, in 1995, the Illinois Supreme Court concluded that courts would not determine that adults should be liable for providing alcohol to minors.

• Then, in 2003 – As a result of a drunken brawl among high school girls, questions erupted about the responsibility of parents who allow their minor children to drink in private settings. These questions contributed to The Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act, which makes any adult who intentionally gives drugs or alcohol to minors strictly liable for any injuries the intoxicated minor causes.

Medical Malpractice

• Too many lawsuits and the exploitation of negligence, incompetence and deliberate wrong-doing liability led to the 2004 ruling by the Illinois state assembly to cap non-economic damage awards for medical malpractice at $500,000 for claims against individual doctors and at $1 million for claims against hospitals.

Motor Vehicle & Other Accidents

• Today, not only in Illinois, but also in states all over the nation, lawyers and legislators are constantly trying to assess the role that personal electronic devices play in motor vehicle and other accidents. Chicago has focused on driver impairment in crafting its cell phone and texting ordinances.

• The economy sometimes drives accident litigation in negative ways. Although the law allows truck drivers to work only a certain number of hours at a time, the high demand to deliver goods quickly works against the law. The Chicago Tribune described the situation with the statement: “Long hours, chaotic schedules and exhausting work conditions make for a potentially lethal formula –for truck drivers and everyone else on the road.” Yet, the powerful trucking industry fights both the regulations as well as allegations of liability in accidents.

Abuse

• Recently, the allegations of abuse by Roman Catholic priests, and the resulting discovery of so many adults who claim they were abused caused Illinois law to suspend the age limit in certain circumstances for people who accuse others of sexual child abuse. Adult accusers can now remember the abuse and file suit for abuse.

The bottom line is that accident litigation in Illinois has become stunningly complex. It is essential for clients to have lawyers who keep up with the constant changes in civil law. For information regarding personal injury lawsuits, car accidents or automobile accident attorneys in Chicago, contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers of Ronaldson & Kuchler.

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Before you accept an insurance company’s settlement for a truck accident it is important to seek legal counsel. You must be proactive to receive the compensation you deserve if you are injured, lose a family member, or suffer property damage in an 18-wheeler accident. A lawyer will help you negotiate a fair settlement or file a lawsuit for damages.

You may be a careful, law-abiding driver has been involved in a truck crash on the highway. You may be an innocent passenger in a car rammed by an 18-wheeler on the road. Your family members might be riding in a car that is involved in a tractor trailer accident.

Truck Accident Questions

When a truck accident occurs, there are numerous questions that need to be answered:

• What caused the accident?
• Did the truck driver on ahead of your car secure his load properly?
• Had his company maintained his truck well?
• Was he in a hurry to meet a deadline?
• Was he driving aggressively?
• Was he drowsy?

When a trucking accident occurs, the trucking company responsible and its insurers will:

• Send representatives to the accident scene immediately
• Call investigators to the crash scene (often before the police finish investigating)
• Perhaps begin destroying records (much more common that you would believe in truck accident cases)
• Possibly try to imply that you were responsible

Commercial trucking companies and their insurers, and even your own insurance company, may be willing to pay a certain amount towards medical bills, vehicle repair bills, funeral and burial expenses if you or your loved ones are involved in a trucking accident. Experienced trucking accident attorneys know how to handle litigation related to a truck accident and the laws that oversee this type of issue. You should never accept a settlement before consulting a truck accident attorney.

United States accidents that involve trucks can be very serious in terms of:

• Personal and property damage: A serious truck accident occurs every 16 minutes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), accidents involving large trucks were responsible for 4,321 deaths, 77,000 injuries, and 287,000 property damage claims in 2006.
• Complexity of the laws on truck safety and insurance: Federal law (mostly found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations) has unique and extensive rules and regulations regarding truck driving and road safety.
• Level of compensation to victims: Injuries from collisions with trucks tend to be catastrophic and sometimes fatal. Compensation can be in the millions of dollars.
• Complications because of numerous parties: Truck drivers, company owners, manufacturers, even those responsible for maintaining and policing of public roads are all liable and should be pursued.

Deciding on a Trucking Accident Law Firm

There are many complexities when hiring not just an attorney, but a truck accident law firm with deep knowledge of and history in truck accident cases. It is important to discuss:

• Research and preparation
• Responsive and respectful client care
• Access to the best accident experts
• Understanding plaintiff motives, strategies, and tactics
• A willingness to fight for what is right

Trucking Accident Law

By law, truckers must keep detailed driving logs—because fatigue is a major cause of accidents—along with records on maintenance, training, licensure, insurance, and other regulations pertaining to driver and vehicle safety.

It is vital to identify who is responsible, and their liability can involve forensic specialists, accident reconstructionists, computer graphics technicians, metallurgists, and other truck safety experts.

You should not give representatives of responsible parties any statements or sign medical or other releases. Speaking promptly to a trucking accident attorney will help preserve the evidence you will need to press your claim and your rights—keys to a just outcome and full compensation.

Personal injury is a serious matter that can ruin your health, your job, your family, and your future. Whether you have been the victim of a car accident, wrongful death, dog bites or a work injury, you need experienced accident attorneys by your side. These professional lawyers can help you negotiate with insurance companies, file for workers’ compensation, and even arrange for medical care that does not require payment until your case is resolved. While you concentrate on getting well, your attorneys will aggressively pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Phoenix accident lawyers of Blake Law Firm, P.C. start working on a client’s case as if a settlement is out of the question and court is the only available option. This preparation enables them to aggressively pursue his/her claim at every stage of the process and send a clear message to the insurance attorneys: their firm is ready, willing, and experienced at taking these claims to trial when necessary. This approach often leads to willingness on the part of insurance attorneys to quickly begin negotiating reasonable settlement terms to compensate the client for his/her damages or tragic injuries.

Phoenix Accident Attorneys

1121 E. Missouri Avenue, Suite 126 • Phoenix, AZ 85014

Spinal Injury leads to Three Quarters of a Million Dollars

The NYC Accident Lawyers of Raphaelson & Levine, Attorneys at Law represented a 30 year old woman who was injured in a motor vehicle accident in New York City. The car in which she was a passenger was struck by a truck. The vehicle in which she was in was attempting to exit a parking spot and was primarily responsible for the accident. As a result of the impact our client sustained spinal injuries that led to epidural injections and ultimately a laminectomy, a procedure to relieve pressure in the spine due to a herniated disk.

The case was particularly difficult because our client had two prior accidents, both pursued legally, with one resulting in a back injury in the same area that our client ultimately underwent the laminectomy. Additionally the Truck driver claimed our client was in fact the driver, not the passenger and the police report attributed the complete fault on the car, not the truck.

Through aggressive litigation Andrew Levine was able to secure a recovery of $750,000 on the eve of trial. This included $25,000 from the car, which represented the full insurance policy limit. The remaining portion as recovered from the truck. A portion of the sum was placed into a structured settlement thus the client’s ultimate recovery will near $1,000,000.00. This recovery was featured in the New York Jury Verdict Reporter as a top recovery.

Raphaelson & Levine, NYC Accident Law Firm
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 407
New York, NY 10122
1-877-731-1346

When you are injured as the result of someone’s negligence, your life changes immediately. In addition to dealing with the immediate injury, you will face many costly and time-consuming issues, including:

• Multiple medical visits
• Physical therapy
• Psychological therapy
• Lost time from work
• Temporary or even permanent inability to continue working
• Care for yourself and your family
• Repair or replacement of damaged items

When your injuries are serious, insurance settlements often leave you paying for your own future expenses. This is why it is so important to retain an experienced Phoenix accident attorney, who will advise you on the best approach and guide you through the process. Often, litigation is the best choice to get a fair settlement for your losses.

Blake Law Firm cares about their clients and work tirelessly to protect their rights and ensure they find justice. For a free consultation and to learn more about how they can help you to deal with the aftermath of an accident and to recover the compensation you deserve, contact their accident lawyer at 602-635-4853 today.

Phoenix accident lawyers

1121 E. Missouri Avenue, Suite 126 • Phoenix, AZ 85014

A Tennessee truck driver crashed and killed four people near Springfield Ohio. The tractor trailer driver has been cited in the past with speeding tickets and the current investigation is still ongoing. Recently there was a bad winter storm hitting the state of Ohio that has still left many roadways very slippery. Speed is probably a big factor causing the accident.

The driver, Wieckowski, 59, of Chicago, had three speeding tickets and a couple of citations in the early 1990s but otherwise had a clean driving record.

The driver was released from the hospital but the four people who lost their lives lost it for no reason. This sad incident has left family members devastated. Should these families ask for compensation as they continue through the healing process?

For anyone in the state of Tennessee who has lost someone due to truck driver negligence contact a Greeneville truck accident attorney to see what compensation you could be given.

Maurice Briere, Jr.

Knoxville injury attorney

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors, Gordon College, Wenham, MA
• Doctorate of Jurisprudence with Honors, University of Tennessee, College of Law
• Admitted to practice law in Tennessee State and Federal Courts

Experience:

General civil and criminal trial practice:

• knoxville injury law
• knoxville accident lawyer
• Social security disability
• Personal injury practice covering automobile accidents
• truck accident lawyer in knoxville
• On-the-job injuries (workers compensation)
• Slip and fall accidents
• Trip and fall accidents
• Boating accidents
• Occupational diseases
• Injuries from dangerous or hazardous products

Memberships:

• Knoxville Bar Association
• Blount County Bar Association
• Tennessee Association for Justice

Call a Knoxville Injury Law Firm today – Ralph Brown & Associates

9700 Westland Drive
Suite 103
Knoxville, TN 37922
Toll-Free: 866.918.8617