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Recent Blog Posts
Can I Be Compensated for Injuries Suffered in a Physical Altercation?
Throughout December and early January, many Americans get together with their friends and families to celebrate the winter holidays. For many people—especially those whose employers throw company-paid holiday parties—such celebrations may include a night out at a local restaurant or bar. While these parties might start with the proverbial good cheer of the holiday season, the combination of alcohol and personal differences can lead to verbal and even physical altercations.
People often lose sight of the fact that no perceived slight or indignity is grounds for assaulting another person. When flared tensions result in personal injuries or even emotional distress in some instances, there are consequences in both the state’s criminal courts and, if the injured person should choose, civil courts. If you have been injured in a physical altercation in a Colorado bar or restaurant, whether as an intended victim or mere bystander, you have the legal right to hold the at-fault party responsible for the harms that you have suffered.
Sleepiness Behind the Wheel Can Cause Catastrophic and Fatal Accidents
Everyone has experienced the sensation of fatigue or sleepiness. Your eyelids feel heavy, and your vision becomes blurry. It is hard to think clearly, and all you want is to take a nap.
Driving a car under these circumstances is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many people do so anyway. Drowsy driving is estimated to contribute to approximately 100,000 traffic accidents every year in the United States, resulting in 50,000 injuries and 800 fatalities annually.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident caused by a drowsy driver, you may be able to take legal action against the liable party. You may be entitled to monetary damages, including compensation for medical bills and other expenses.
The Dangers of Fatigued Driving Are Often Underestimated
What You Should Know About Seeking Compensation After a Construction Site Accident
Construction workers make up only about 6 percent of all U.S. laborers, but they are responsible for about 17 percent of all work-related fatalities, according to federal estimates. If you work in the construction industry, this statistic may not surprise you. Construction jobs may require workers to work in extreme conditions, often using very powerful equipment. Some of the most common construction site fatalities are caused by falling from heights, electrocution, and being struck by an object. If you or a loved one have suffered a severe injury in a construction site accident, a personal injury lawsuit may be the best way for you to receive full compensation.
Federal and State Laws Require a Certain Degree of Safety
Although construction work is dangerous, there are many steps that employers can take to keep workers as safe as possible. The responsibility for maintaining a reasonably safe worksite typically falls to the general contractor. The general contractor is also expected to hire workers who are capable of safely performing work tasks and to provide any training needed. Contractors should also ensure that equipment is functional and regularly maintained so that it does not present an avoidable risk to workers or bystanders.
Three Things to Do Immediately After a Head-On Collision
Car crashes are traumatic experiences that we all hope to avoid. Unfortunately, they are not always avoidable. As much as you would like to go throughout life without ever getting into an accident, it is still important to be aware of what you should do in the event that you are in one.
When it comes to head-on collisions, there are a few key facts that you should read about and remember in case you find yourself involved in a head-on collision. Whether you are at fault or the accident was caused by the other party, keep these three things in mind and put them into action immediately after a head-on collision.
What is a Head-On Collision?
Also known as a frontal collision, a head-on collision is a motor vehicle accident in which the front ends of two separate vehicles collide into one another while in motion. The motor vehicles involved in a head-on collision are each traveling in opposite directions, making it possible for the front ends of both cars to come into contact with one another.
Determining the Liable Party in a Commercial Truck Crash
Commercial truck crashes often cause devastating damage to property and human life. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident involving a semi-truck or other large commercial truck, you may be looking for answers. Understandably, many victims of motor vehicle accidents want someone to blame. They want the at-fault party to be held accountable for the destruction they have caused.
However, determining who is at-fault for a truck crash is often complex. A skilled truck accident lawyer can evaluate the evidence, determine the liable party or parties, and help you bring a claim for damages.
Liability for a Truck Accident is Often Complicated
Many factors can lead to a serious truck accident. In some cases, multiple parties’ actions lead to the crash. Fault for a truck crash may lie with:
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The truck driver – Operating a massive semi-truck or flatbed is no easy task. It takes skill and attention to drive a truck safely. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, texting and driving, falling asleep at the wheel, and negligent driving can lead to a crash.
What You Need to Know About Vehicle Fires and Burn Injuries
In an average year in the United States, approximately 210,000 vehicle fires occur, according to the National Fire Prevention Association, many of which happen in the wake of crashes. These fires claim hundreds of lives, injure thousands more, and cause nearly $2 billion in property damage.
These disturbing numbers raise grave concerns about the severity, scope of injuries, and costs that occur when victims suffer serious injuries or death in car fires. Not only is the permanent scarring from burns a constant reminder, but the pain experienced, the medical care required, and the associated costs incurred can be unimaginable.
Car Crashes and Burns
A car accident alone is a terrifying experience, but the potential for sustaining serious injuries is worse. When considering the working parts of a vehicle, one can begin to understand how many different scenarios could play out and cause injury to an occupant. The first priority, however, is to safely get out of a burning vehicle. Unfortunately, unpredictable and fast-moving fires can cause injuries such as:
Crash Not Accident: How Words Can Affect Actions
Have you or a loved one been hurt in a situation where another car or truck collided with your vehicle? If so, would you really call the situation an “accident?” It is highly unlikely that the driver hit your car on purpose, so it might be an accident in that sense, but when a wreck occurs, intent and fault are two vastly different ideas. In fact, many people believe that using the word “accident” actually benefits insurance companies and lawyers who defend at-fault drivers. With this in mind, there are national efforts in motion to reduce the use of the word “accident” and to raise awareness regarding how the term can be misleading.
Making Assumptions Subconsciously
In recent years, several advocacy groups have come together to create a national campaign that discourages the word “accident” in car crash cases. Starting in 2015, Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets launched an online educational program and pledge drive intended to eliminate assumptions caused by using “accident.” According to Amy Cohen, who founded Families for Safe Streets after her son was hit by a car and killed in 2013, her son and others like him did not die in accidents. “An ‘accident,’” she maintains, “implies that nothing could have been done to prevent their deaths.”
Five Mistakes to Avoid After a Colorado Car Crash
There is no question that a car wreck is a frightening experience. Unfortunately, this fear—along with the shock of the crash, adrenaline, and maybe a misplaced sense of blame—can cause problems for you as you consider the possibility of filing a personal injury claim for damages. While such feelings are normal after an accident, it is important to know how to set them aside and focus on keeping your composure. With this in mind, here are five things you should never do in the wake of a car crash:
Car Crash Mistake #1. Underestimating the Damage
This applies to both your body and your vehicle. Initially, the crash might seem to be a minor fender bender, but assuming the damage is minor might belie serious hidden problems. With your vehicle, for example, the frame might be bent, despite the external damage seeming trivial. Likewise, you might feel physically okay, but adrenaline could be masking more severe injuries that present themselves later. Have a mechanic check out your car, and be sure to seek medical attention as soon as you can after the crash to be sure you know how extensive the damage and your injuries really are.
Understanding Colorado's Laws About Distracted Driving
It is very well-known that distracted driving is dangerous. A driver who allows virtual goings-on to take his attention from the road around him is putting everyone in his vicinity at risk. Driving while manually using a cell phone is not only risky, but it is also illegal in Colorado in many instances. While drivers may use their phones for the limited purpose of voice calling or in an emergency situation, it is generally not legal to drive with a cell phone in hand. If a driver who causes an accident can be shown to have been breaking a traffic safety law, they may be automatically considered negligent in causing your injuries. The legal concept of negligence per se effectively provides a shortcut to proving negligence in this situation. Breaking a law that is in place to keep people safe certainly appears to reflect a disregard for the safety of others. If you were injured by a driver who appears to have been texting or manually operating their cell phone, we may be able to help you recover compensation.
Who Can Apply for Workers' Compensation in Colorado?
The law in Colorado regarding which companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance and who is eligible to use it is relatively straightforward compared to some other states. Any company in Colorado that has at least one employee within the state is required to use the workers’ compensation program, meaning that there is generally no reason a worker in Colorado should not have access to these critical benefits when they are needed.
Workers’ compensation is an incredibly important program. No matter what line of work you are in, there is nearly always a chance that you will suffer an injury related to your career. Even white-collar employees who mainly sit behind a desk to perform their job duties may suffer an injury, whether due to a defective office chair or repetitive stress, as is the case with many who develop carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have been injured due to your work and are in need of workers’ compensation benefits, an attorney may be able to help you obtain the temporary or permanent benefits you need.