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We designed this website to provide information to consumers, injured people, and their families. Our goal is to level the playing field between consumers and insurance companies and expose the tricks, traps, and techniques they use to cheat injured people out of their legal rights. We also let consumers know about legal news, including verdicts and settlements and other interesting legal information.

But please understand that nothing on this website is meant to provide legal information about your specific case, create an attorney-client relationship, or imply that the results of your legal case will be the same as some other case.

Blog Category:

Truck / 18 Wheeler Accidents

1/30/2010
Tom Foster
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Hurt in a truck accident? Here’s what to do…

Being involved in an accident with a tractor trailer can be a terrifying experience.  Any motor vehicle accident can be frightening, but colliding with a massive 18-wheeler that weighs tens of thousands of pounds can be enough to badly injure and disorient anyone.

 

If you’ve been involved in a large truck crash, please make sure you follow some very basic advice:

  • Get immediate medical attention.  Not only is this in your best interest and the interest of other people in your vehicle, but being treated by a doctor is proof that you were injured in the crash.
  • Call the police.  No matter how nice the truck driver or others involved in the crash might seem, always, always call the police.  You need an accident report as evidence.
  • Ask for contact information.  Get as much information as you can from the truck driver and any witnesses.
  • Take pictures.  With so many devices like PDAs and smart phones containing cameras, it can be quick and easy to take a few pictures that will be “worth a thousand words”.  These can be excellent evidence if you end up in court.
  • Talk to an attorney if your injuries are serious.  In a serious truck accident, you have a lot going against you.  Trucking companies usually have their own lawyers and investigation team, and when an accident happens they will “circle the wagons” to protect themselves – and leave you without fair compensation.

 

One of the best ways to protect your rights after a serious tractor trailer crash is to talk to a board certified personal injury attorney with proven experience handling large truck cases.  Contact Vujasinovic & Beckcom today.



Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

    BP Plc points the finger of responsibility for the Deepwater Horizon disaster at other companies as much as at itself in a company report released Wednesday. Though critical of its own workers, BP defended its well design—criticized by industry experts—in the 193-page document released on its website. It has already passed some blame to rig owner Transocean and cement contractor Halliburton in public hearings. The internal report attributes the causes of the “accident” to human error, engineering design, mechanical failures and team interfaces. The company faces ongoing investigations from the Justice Department, Coast Guard and BOEM (formerly MMS), as well as billions of dollars in liability and hundreds of lawsuits. The April 20 DH explosion killed 11 workers, injured 17 persons and triggered over 200 million gallons of oil that gushed into the Gulf of Mexico for nearly three months.

    Source: Fox News.com
    There many factors which go into determining an award or settlement for back and neck claims. The Jones Act doesn’t just make sure you get your medical bills covered, it considers loss of income and pain and suffering.

    Medical expenses-Past, present and future costs are taken into consideration. You are allowed to choose your doctor so do not get coerced into letting the company forcing this on you.

    Loss of wages-Both “past” and future earnings are considered. Past means what you would have made if you weren’t injured minus the small maintenance and cure amount you received. Future earnings take into consideration a number of factors including how long you will miss work and being forced to work for lower wages in another field or position.

    Pain and suffering-Both past and future suffering is considered and jury’s verdicts can be appealed for awarding either too much or too little.

    If you’re a mariner and your employer asks you to sign a waiver to keep you from suing them in exchange for a temporary raise, there’s something very important to keep in mind.

    Back and neck injuries can often begin as dormant volcanoes without producing debilitating pain until months later. If your company has its way, you will be SOL—shot out of luck—without recourse to receive adequate medical treatment after they convinced you to take a temporary raise instead.

    Tanker company OSG is one such employer that is trying this strategy as part of an industry-wide effort to convince seafarers to sign away their Jones Act rights. Under their “Salary Continuation Plan,” the company would give a 50 percent increase in base wages and union benefits for two months in exchange for waiving all future rights to sue for medical compensation.

    Read more in our story Shipping companies trying to buyout seamen’s Jones Act rights.

    See the OSG Salary Continuation Plan here.

    So if you injure your back and neck and don’t feel too bad at first, remember that if three months later the pain becomes debilitating, your shipping company will say, “Tough Luck. You signed away your right to do anything about it.”

    Before you sign a salary continuation plan, or even if you already have signed one, consult with an experienced maritime law firm to see where you stand.


Maritime Injury Attorney Blog

    At the very least, a back injury can be a constant source of pain and an inconvenience.  At the other extreme, it could mean debilitating, excruciating pain, and an inability to perform even the simplest of tasks, involving the slightest physical exertion.  Most Americans will suffer a mild back injury that does not dramatically impact [...]
    One of the many lessons that have come out from the Deepwater Horizon spill is that you can never be too prepared for a sudden, catastrophic environmental disaster.  The magnitude of the spill caught many in the oil industry unawares.  Nova Southeastern University is aiming to change that. The University recently received a federal grant of [...]
    Back injuries are some of the most frequent and common injuries in a maritime workplace.  Much of maritime work involves strenuous physical labor, and the back very often bears the brunt of all that exertion. Unfortunately, as common as these injuries are, workers may find that filing a claim based on a back injury can get [...]
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