Motor Vehicles Law Articles

Assessing who is at fault for an accident described by one driver as "the other car came out of nowhere."In my many years of practice as an attorney handling car accident cases, I can hardly begin to count the number of times that I have heard a witness say that "the other car came out of nowhere," which is then typically confidently asserted to demonstrate why they were not at fault and the other driver must have been.

When an accident occurs, the most common source of information is a “Traffic Collision Report” prepared by the California Highway Patrol or a local police agency. If you are incapacitated by injuries at the scene of a collision, this report may later be the only way to identify and locate the other parties involved, any witnesses, and insurance information.

Hit and Runs are among the most frustrating types of accidents because they can be difficult to prove, insurance companies won't want to pay, and there is no closure. But don't let yourself be taken advantage of - again. Read these steps for protecting your rights after a hit and run crash.

Road accidents can be very dangerous, especially since they do not pick their victims. Any driver, regardless of his or her age, can become a victim of traffic accident in the United States. According to statistics, even teenage drivers are in threat of sustaining minor to fatal injuries in vehicle accidents. It was estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that every day, some 18 teenagers die because of traffic accidents.

Wrongful death actions typically involve deaths that are caused by automobile accidents, drunk driving accidents, boating accidents, drowning and medical malpractice. However, they can also include accidents in the workplace, nursing home abuse, construction site accidents, violent acts and many more. If the death was caused by accident, or if it should or could have been prevented, it can usually be considered a wrongful death.

A collision involving a large commercial truck typically causes much more severe injuries than accidents between two cars. Trucks can weigh up to 40 times more than the average car and are much greater in weight and size, as a result, most of the fatalities and serious injuries that occur in truck accidents are usually sustained by the occupants of the smaller car.

There are a number of differences in 18-wheeler and run-of-the-mill auto cases. All of these are important considerations for an attorney handling a commercial motor vehicle collision case and they are good reasons why someone injured by such an accident should contact an attorney promptly.

If you have limited tort on your auto insurance and you were in an accident, it is important to find out if an "exception" is available. There are five exceptions to limited tort in Pennsylvania. When you have limited tort on your automobile insurance policy in Pennsylvania, there are a few exceptions. If you fall under one of the exceptions, then you are entitled to pursue your claim as if you had full tort.

Common carriers include buses, trucks, and taxicabs. Common carriers serve upon reasonable demand by all who seek their services; are held to a high standard of care for the persons and properties entrusted to them; and are limited to incidental damages for breach of duty. Liability is a big issue for buses, trucks, and taxicabs when collisions occur.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed the no-fault insurance bill into law. With Scott’s signature, auto insurance premiums are likely to stay exactly where they are now: high. Gov. Rick Scott has signed the no-fault insurance bill into law, as Brendan Farrington reports for the Associated Press. With Scott’s signature, auto insurance premiums are likely to stay exactly where they are now: high.

There is a lot of work and skill that goes into settling motor vehicle accident cases. Still, some people injured in car accidents choose to handle their cases without lawyers. In most cases, it is recommended that victims injured in car accident cases hire an experienced attorney to handle the complexities that arise in car accident cases. However, there are some cases where it is not absolutely necessary to consult an attorney when you are in a motor vehicle accident.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of auto accidents today. Distracted driving comes in many forms including talking on the cell phone while driving, texting while driving, and eating. It is any form of driving in which a driver's hands, eyes, or mental attention are distracted from their duties in driving a motor vehicle. Using a mobile device is the most common form of distracted driving, given the increased popularity of cell phone usage.

It’s no secret that police officers strategically place and time DUI checkpoints to catch the most offenders possible. State troopers in Johnson County and throughout the nation have made their intentions clear: they are cracking down on drunk drivers this graduation season. With momentous events like prom and graduation, people are also more likely to drive while partially intoxicated.

One common trick played by insurance companies is to claim that a personal injury victim’s injuries were “pre-existing” and therefore, their insured is not responsible for any damages. In truth, there are seldom any true cases involving “pre-existing injuries” when that term is given its plain and ordinary meaning.

Suffering from an Illinois auto accident injury is no picnic, and you've probably already run the gamut of doctor's visits, trips to the physical therapist, calls from your mechanic, and prescription medication. The last thing you want to think about is choosing an Illinois auto accident attorney. Nevertheless, this is a decision you shouldn’t put off. There are questions you should ask any Illinois auto accident attorney you are considering hiring.

In short, Texas drunk driving accident cases pose a significant risk to insurance companies who choose to go to trial. Over the last twenty-five years much as changed in Texas for personal injury victims. Generally, between court rulings and legislative changes, the environment in Texas has become much less plaintiff friendly and very much defense oriented.

Depression may result after a drunk driver accident in Fulton County causes injuries. Depression may result from shock, coping with injuries or losing a loved one. Understand that DUI victims have legal options when it comes to seeking treatment -- and compensation -- for their condition. The days following a serious car crash can be confusing and frustrating, especially as victims try to cope with the trauma they’ve experienced.

This article explores the intricacies of Alabama's governmental entity statutory damage cap and analyzes the impact of the cap on individuals injured in a car accident caused by state or local government employees. Due to the statutory cap, many car accident victims are left with substantial financial burdens and may never receive full compensation for their injuries.

Although human error and inattention play a major role in many accidents, defective vehicles are also frequently to blame. Fortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regularly issues vehicle recalls when it discovers that specific autos have serious safety defects. Consumers must pay close attention to these recalls so they can avoid driving cars that can cause serious injuries or even death.

Broward County, Florida – The Florida legislature, with the full support of Florida governor Rick Scott, recently amended the laws governing Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under Florida’s motor vehicle No-Fault law. The changes will become effective January 13, 2013.

Trucks are heavy, large, and their drivers are often overworked - there are many reasons to be more wary of trucks on the road. But if you've been injured in a truck accident, you may be okay as many truck companies have commercial insurance with higher policy limits than individual drivers.

With the explosion of smart phones, text messaging, e-mail and real-time communications came the unexpected consequence of an increase in car and truck accidents because the driver was distracted at the time or shortly before the crash. Much has changed in the last ten years and the changes have had a significant and profound impact on our ability to communicate with each other.

Aside from dealing with injuries, Los Angeles car accident victims also have to deal with filing their personal injury claim. Many accident victims are at awe when it comes to the legal rudiments and parameters of the tort law; hence, some of them are having difficulty filing a claim.

One of the major changes in the new law was how the personal injury victims are compensated for their medical expenses. The statute now requires that innocent victims can only obtain medical expenses “actually paid or incurred”.

This article discusses the items you should bring to the initial consultation with an attorney. Many times individuals forget to bring things, thus making the process more complicated. When you are going to meet with a Dallas personal injury lawyer regarding your injury incident be sure to bring the following items:

If you've been injured in a car accident, you shouldn't wait one more second to find a firm of car accident attorneys in Illinois to represent your case. Every minute that passes, you're probably spending more money on medical bills, medication, and car repairs.

Automakers have received funding under the federal transportation bill for research devoted to standard safety features that would prevent drunk driving. One specific objective of the Senate-sponsored research is to determine whether it would be feasible to require alcohol-sensing technology as standard equipment in all future cars.

Innocent motorists and pedestrians should contact a top car accident attorney in Las Vegas if they’ve been a victim of drunk driving. Although numerous education and awareness campaigns are prevalent in society, drunk driving continues to kill and injure people each day. People who drink and drive face more than jail and humiliation—they will have to live with the fact that their actions have ruined another person’s life.

A personal injury law firm in Las Vegas can fight for your rights should you be injured due to a negligent taxi driver’s or cab company’s actions. Some facts you should know: • Although Nevada has a seat belt law, it does not mandate seat belt use in a civil case;

Medical records are one of the most important factors used to determine the worth of a personal injury claim. They show your medical treatments, what you've told the doctor and pain, and how the injury has affected your everyday life. But, medical providers can charge for those records.

After being a victim of a Pomona truck accident, you may be considering legal action to recover compensation related to your truck accident injuries. Successfully recovering a full and fair compensation for a truck accident claim is a two-part process: proving liability and establishing the value of your claim.

One common injury from Canton car crashes is whiplash. Whiplash can be very painful and long-lasting, including various medical treatments. Many victims of car accidents in Canton, GA have suffered major injuries from car accidents of all kind. The most common Canton car accident injury people have to deal with is neck and shoulder area injury.

Kalka & Baer's Alpharetta accident lawyers discuss the impact of one recent Alpharetta car crash. A fatal Alpharetta car accident one Wednesday morning left one man dead at the crash scene. The traffic accident was reportedly caused by a seemingly innocent lane merge on the entrance ramp for Georgia 400 at the Haynes Bridge Road exit.

A tragic Mississippi RV crash left many of the passengers (like our client) injured and a few of the passengers dead. In January of 2012, a crash in southern Mississippi of a motor home carrying people from Georgia to New Orleans left many passengers seriously injured and/or dead.

Due to the unique nature of Alabama's wrongful death statute, a claim brought under the statute is subject to many unusual procedural traps. This article identifies and discusses some of the unusual nuances of bringing a wrongful death claim in Alabama.

The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) celebrates this month an advocacy campaign that focuses on the relevance of traffic safety among motorists. This festivity also educates people, young and old alike, on the dangers of distracted driving. Today marks the National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Trucking regulations make it clear motor carriers ignoring truck driver laws may be held responsible for injury claims when negligent behavior is found. Talk to a Georgia truck accident lawyer.

On March 27, 2012 a deadly accident occurred on Highway 46 at the intersection of Court Street in Seguin, Texas at approximately 10:15 pm. The man who died, David Terry Pieper, 66-years-old from New Braunfels, was driving a Ford Ranger pick-up truck when his vehicle crashed into another pick-up truck, a Ford F-250. The front of Mr. Pieper’s truck was completely mangled. Mr. Pieper was pronounced dead at the scene.

A multiple vehicle wreck, which occurred on Wednesday March 28, 2012 at about 4:00pm, involved three vehicles on the outskirts of Seguin on Interstate 10. According to the chain of events began when the driver of a Chevy Impala, Gabriel Trevino, a resident of San Antonio, rear ended a Toyota Avalon driven by Billy Bailey, a resident of Brownfield, Texas. The collision caused Bailey to lose control of his car and he rear-ended a Jeep Liberty driven by Kenna Schievelbein, a resident of Seguin.

On April 3, 2012, ksat.com reported that an 82-year-old woman, Refugia Moreno, died when her vehicle collided with a garbage truck. The accident happened at about 3:30 pm in San Antonio, near Bexar County at Loop 1604 and Marbach Road. Upon impact with the garbage truck, Ms. Moreno’s vehicle blew up in flames. Her husband, age 84, was also in the car. Firefighters promptly arrived at the scene and were to able to free Ms. Moreno and her husband from the burning vehicle.

Comal County sees many truck wrecks each year. These 18-wheeler accidents are caused by many different factors, and have a wide range of results, from no or minor injuries, to deaths and devastation. In one of New Braunfels more bizarre truck accidents, MySanAntonio.com reports that a cement truck recently crashed into the New Braunfels High School baseball stadium.

On the morning of April 3, 2012, a Harlandale Independent School Bus that had seven special needs children aboard collided with a Pontiac Grand Prix at about 7:20 am. The bus was proceeding along its daily route of transporting the children to two different schools – Leal Middle School and Collier Elementary.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, Jenny Ann Ybarra was sentenced to two years in prison for the manslaughter of Erica Nicole Smith, after being found guilty of manslaughter charges on February 13. Four years ago, on the night of the fatal car crash, Ms. Ybarra had driven from Seguin to San Antonio for a night out with friends. After having several drinks, while driving home, Ms. Ybarra began to travel the wrong way on Loop 410 near Rigsby Avenue.

Royce Dedrick Brooks, from San Antonio, Texas, was killed instantly when a BMW crashed into the 18-wheeler he was driving. The truck accident occurred shortly after midnight on March 28, 2012, in Travis County near Texas 130 and Maha Loop.

The Texas Department of Transportation has dedicated the month of April to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving. The Department’s message is when you are driving being safe should be your only focus because distractions can lead to motor vehicle accidents.

Hearing that a family member has been in a serious car accident can be a terrifying process. Christy Martinez, mother of 19-year-old Naomi Martinez, knows this all too well. According to the Seguin Gazette, early on the morning of April 1st, Martinez received a call from a friend who had witnessed the aftermath of a Seguin car accident, and had noticed that Martinez’s daughter, Naomi, was involved.

Occasionally, a family member or friend who is driving with a loved one or a close friend gets into a collision with another car or truck, causing injuries to their loved ones. In such situations, the injured party often is hesitant to pursue just financial compensation because they do not want to financially harm the driver.

After you are involved in an automobile accident, you have been trained to ask the driver for their insurance information. However, 1 out of 7 drivers are uninsured. What happens then? According to an April 2011 report from the Insurance Research Council (IRC), nearly one in seven drivers across the United States is uninsured.

In Oregon, there are certain requirements for auto insurance that you need to meet. These minimums vary by state so be careful to get the correct insurance to avoid being fined, or find yourself vulnerable after an accident.

An accident lawyer will answer all of your questions and help put together the facts that will make up your case. When you feel that the insurance companies are not giving you the respect that you deserve, then you need to hire a professional attorney to represent you and present the facts of your case for a court to see.

Particular personal injury claimants in Los Angeles find it difficult to win their case because they assert for it by themselves. Although personal injury victims can pursue their claim by themselves, it is still much advisable for them to hire an expert Los Angeles injury attorney. There are known benefits claimants can maximize by getting the legal assistance of a Los Angeles attorney.

With thousands of drivers around the country violating their hours of service, some companies may face the reality of having on-board electronic devices installed.

One of the most deadly mistakes a truck driver can make is also one of the most common. Continue reading to find out about this troubling reality.

If you live in Oregon, you need to know that lead-based paint was used in many older houses and can still negatively affect the health of those living in older houses, especially children. If you notice signs of lead-based paint poisoning in your child, take immediate action. From ancient times, it has been known that contact with lead can pose serious health risks, yet civilization has found countless uses for this toxic substance.

This is a brief guide to understanding what is a compensable injury how the bodily injury claims process works. It is intended for someone who is making or considering making a bodily injury claim for the first time.

There is nothing more nerve racking than being pulled over by a police office. More often than not people know what they were doing wrong, but wonder if they will be able to get out of it. There are times that the person has no idea what they were doing to be pulled over in the first place.

For RI personal injury lawyers, Metropolitan Property and Casualty v. Barry, 892 A. 2d 915 (RI 2006) is an important case concerning Rhode Island uninsured and underinsured motorists (“UM”) insurance policy provisions. The Barry court determined that Rhode Island personal injury victims have a right to prejudgment interest beginning at the date of the automobile collision.

It is important to take immediate action because trucking companies often have investigation teams who arrive at the scene as soon as possible in order to reduce their potential liability for personal injuries. Often, the injured party is still recovering while the truck company is dealing with their attorney. Failure to preserve crash site evidence is critical to winning (or losing) the case.

Miami personal injury and auto accident attorney says that new PIP law may have a significant impact on victims. The Florida Legislature in their attempt to combat perceived insurance fraud has once again made changes to the Florida No-Fault (PIP) law, F.S. 627.736.

The governor of Michigan just signed a law that overturned the state’s long-standing helmet requirement for motorcyclists. Senate Bill 291 overturned the 35 year old safety requirement that was created to protect motorcycle riders from traumatic brain injuries and fatalities in the event of a crash. This decision has sparked national controversy and debates about the costly affects that the repeal will have on the lives of motorists in the state.

A motorcycle accident is one of the more traumatic forms of road accidents to be involved in. Motorcyclists are more exposed to the hazards of the road than other motorists. Some statistics estimate that motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a car crash and 5 times more likely to get injured than passengers in other types of vehicles.

If you’ve been injured in a truck involved crash do you need to contact a trucking accident attorney? A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents is usually your best bet, especially if the driver exhibited one of the most common unsafe, negligent behaviors while behind the wheel.

Personal injury lawyers advise clients to practice safe winter driving habits in order to avoid accidents. Winterize your vehicle by taking the following steps:

Auto accident personal injury attorneys can help you navigate through the confusing process of what to do after you’ve been in a crash. Some important steps include:

Truck accidents involving an 18 wheeler and a smaller passenger vehicle are well-known as some of the most catastrophic and dangerous accidents that a person can be involved in. By understanding some of the main causes of these large truck accidents, you may be able to identify a dangerous situation and avoid an accident altogether.

This book is for people who have been injured in an automobile crash. If you or someone you love has been injured, please tell them about printing this book. Car wrecks occur as a result of someone’s bad driving choices. This book can help you protect your rights. You did not ask for this to happen to you, and now your busy life has grown even more complicated.

Enlisting help from a personal injury law firm in Decatur may be necessary if the motor vehicle accident involves a DUI and injuries. Talk to an auto accident compensation attorney now. If you’ve been injured in a DUI motor vehicle accident in which the other driver is at fault, there are some things you need to know when filing your injury claim.

In honor of April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, people and companies across the country are taking action to shed light on the dangerous conditions imposed by distractions that occur while driving on the road.

Having been unfairly harmed in an Amador County car accident, you may be facing the task of proving the other party’s liability. While the negligent party will sometimes accept responsibility for causing the accident, many times the parties at fault are unwilling to assume liability for the damages incurred by the accident.

One of the toughest and most dangerous professions in the U.S. is construction work. Construction workers are subjected to many dangers on an almost daily basis. These dangers include toxic chemicals, heavy machinery, toxic gases, power tools, open trenches, and other types of hazardous building equipment. Due to the inherent risks of construction work, the federal government heavily regulates the industry.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the country. Any number of car accidents can happen when a driver is negligent on the roads. Millions of drivers are on the roads every day in the United States. The high traffic and the danger involved in operating a vehicle makes it easy for an incident to occur. Thousands of traffic accidents occur each year, with around 250 fatalities taking place in New York.

Taxi cab accidents happen in every city around the country, and the more taxi cab use rises, the faster these accidents rise. Laws regarding taxi cab accidents vary from place to place, depending on the statute of limitations, any local laws governing taxi cab use and protecting rider rights, and the liability involved in the case. If you’ve been injured in a taxi cab accident, here’s what you need to know:

If your insurance company has been extremely difficult to work with, has denied your injury claim, or just keeps giving you the run-around, you can do something about it - file a bad faith claim. You've been paying insurance premiums so that they'll take care of you, so make sure that happens.

Being charged with a DUI is never an enjoyable experience, but truck drivers who are charged with a DUI have even more to worry about. Drivers who possess a California commercial driver’s license, required to drive a commercial truck for a living, are at risk for losing their license and their job when they are charged and convicted of a DUI.

After a car accident in Pennsylvania, there is a priority of who is responsible to pay your medical bills. Understanding that priority is important to getting those bills paid and preventing you from being left with unpaid bills. When you are in a car accident in Pennsylvania, your medical bills must first be submitted to your own car insurance company.

There are millions of car accidents that occur every year in the United States, leaving millions of Americans to suffer the physical injuries and emotional trauma involved with a devastating accident. When an accident is minor and does not result in serious physical injury, many people will simply file the police report, tell their insurance company and choose to pay the money out of their own pocket.

Mechanical malfunctions may seem like something that no one could have foreseen or prevented, but if you were involved in a truck accident caused by malfunction, think again. If you are involved in a truck accident and the accident investigation turns up results that prove it was caused by a truck mechanical malfunction, you may feel like there is nothing else you can do except wait to get help from your insurance agency.

The leading cause of death for teens in the United States is motor vehicle accidents. Car and motorcycle crashes cause one out of every three adolescent deaths. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2009, approximately eight teens from the ages of sixteen to nineteen died every day due to injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents.

Drivers are expected to drive at a speed that is safe for the road and weather conditions. Excessive speeding increases the chances of a vehicular accident and death. Although there are posted speed limits all throughout the country, drivers are required to drive at a speed that is safe for the current road and weather conditions. This means that at times it will be safer to drive below the posted speed limit, especially when there are hazardous conditions on the road.

Drunk driving can have a permanent effect on your life in more ways than one. From license suspension to fines to time in prison, the consequences of a DWI are never small. In the case of a Plano man, initials R.D., his repeat offenses spelled out a 40-year prison term.

Most people have a healthy fear about driving on the road with large trucks. They are intimidating because drivers know that in an instant, if the truck driver slips up just once, that could mean a terrible accident.

Personal injury cases can have a myriad of circumstances and situations associated with them. It takes the long-standing and varied experience of an established law firm to understand the subtle differences from one case to another. It is this discerning quality you need to look for when deciding which law firm in Las Vegas may be ideally suited to handling your personal injury case.

A bike accident lawyer with experience knows how to pursue cases where a bicyclist has been hit by a motorist. While bike rider death statistics are going down in the U.S., more riders are being injured. Take a look at some of these statistics:

An experienced traffic accident attorney has seen the hazards and dangers created by street racing. Victims of street racing often don’t realize what is happening until it is too late and they’ve been hit by an irresponsible driver. Alcohol or other illegal substances may also play a part in many drag or street races, typically involving two or more parties wagering bets. Some staggering statistics are below:

If you have been involved in a San Leandro truck accident, it is strongly encouraged to protect your legal interests by consulting a qualified San Leandro truck accident lawyer immediately after your accident.

If you have been in an accident, you need to seek medical attention. If you have a serious brain injury, the signs are not always obvious. Read about the signs of traumatic brain injury to understand if you might be suffering from head trauma that you cannot diagnose yourself.

Semi accidents are no laughing matter; if you've been involved in an accident with a truck (and you only drive a lowly passenger car, SUV, minivan, etc.), you've probably come out with some pretty major injuries. If this is your situation, you need to focus on healing and on getting your life back in order after your injuries.

Car accidents can be big or small, but the recent case of a motorcycle rider who met a bad fate in a head-on crash with a pickup truck illustrates just how serious these accidents can be. If you have been the victim of a truck accident, you need help.

Truck-car accidents aren't supposed to happen. Truck drivers are professionally trained drivers who should know how to handle their mammoth, 18-wheeled responsibilities, and most do this very well indeed. However, it just so happens that sometimes, a truck driver will lose control and cause a vehicle-truck accident; if you're the driver in the other vehicle, you're lucky to escape with your life, but you may be facing serious injuries.

Whether you've been arrested for driving on a suspended license, hit and run, reckless driving, speeding or eluding police, it is critical that you obtain the services of a skilled Fairfax traffic defense lawyer. Why? Your driver's license is at stake, and you may face serious penalties which can impact your life.

Yes, even a seemingly non-serious speeding ticket can be considered reckless driving, which means you could face serious penalties. An Arlington traffic defense attorney has in-depth understanding of the traffic laws, and how serious violations can affect those who commit an offense - and even those who are innocent of the charges against them.

Pursuant to Alabama law, drivers injured by stray livestock are essentially barred from recovering damages from the animal owner. This article examines the details of the Alabama statute regarding livestock car crash liability.

One of the most common questions I am asked by personal injury victims in Georgia is, “what is my case worth?” The short answer is, it depends. Many factors go into determining the value of a personal injury claim. However, there are a few main things that you can look at to get an idea of how an insurance company might view your claim.

When someone makes the decision to get in their car and drive after having too many drinks or while under the influence of another substance, that person is deciding that their convenience is more important than the safety – and the lives – of others who might be on the road.

Although motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities are on the decline in California, thousands of bikers are still killed or seriously injured in accidents every year. In Fallbrook, located in northern San Diego County, serious injury and fatality motorcycle accidents have been reported on Interstate 15, Highway 76, Mission Road, Sterling View Drive, among other locations.

This article provides a general overview of the possible routes to recovery for individuals injured by a drunk driver in Alabama. In recent years, nearly one-third of all deadly Alabama car accidents involved drunk drivers. Many times, the victims of drunk-driving accidents suffer substantial property damage and personal injuries while the intoxicated driver is unharmed.

There are many kinds of accidents involving trucks, there are many kinds of trucks involved in accidents, there are many causes for accidents, and there are many injuries sustained in these various accidents.

Catastrophic injuries are often endured by people because of the negligent acts of another. Sadly these negligent acts are almost always avoidable.

A lot of people today own smart phones. These devices are like pocket-sized computers that people can carry around to stay connected to the world around them.

A motor vehicle accident lawyer can assist you and your family should you experience the trauma of being the victim of a hit and run accident.