The Injury Lawyer Directory Blog

The Transportation Department recently released figures indicating that drunk driving fatality rates declined in 40 states and the District of Columbia during the 2008 calendar year. In 2008, 11,773 people died in auto accidents caused by drunk drivers compared to 13,041 people in 2007.

Eight states and the District of Columbia saw their DUI fatality rates drop by more than 20%, and only seven states had rates that increased significantly. It will be interesting to see if these trends continue once the 2009 figures are released in the upcoming months.

According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the states that showed the most significant improvements in DUI-related deaths had the most aggressive policies in place for patrolling roadways and prosecuting DUIs. Many of these states strategically used check points to catch drunk drivers, particularly during holidays known for an increase in drinking and driving.

If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal auto accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to receive compensation for your loss. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you with your claim so that you receive what is rightfully yours.

If you have an alcohol-related auto accident claim in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, please contact the law offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Tiger Woods has cancelled an appearance this week at the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament. He is currently recovering from minor injuries sustained in an auto accident early last Friday morning.

The accident occurred outside his home near Orlando, Florida. Woods backed out of his driveway and hit a fire hydrant on the side of the road. He then crashed into a tree by a neighbor's home. Woods suffered cuts and bruises from the auto accident and was treated at a local hospital.

Immediately following the accident, Tiger's wife used a golf club to break the rear window of his SUV, and she pulled him out of the vehicle. He has cancelled several interviews with police investigators over the weekend, saying he wishes to maintain his privacy. The auto accident is still under investigation, although alcohol is not believed to be a factor. No other vehicles were involved, and no one else was injured.

If you have suffered a serious injury in an auto accident caused by the negligence of another driver, it is important to consult an experienced auto accident attorney who can battle the insurance companies and help you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you have an auto accident claim in the Orlando, Florida area, please contact the Orlando personal injury office of Stephen J. Knox today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Dimitrios P. Biller, a former attorney for Toyota, has filed a lawsuit against the auto manufacturer, accusing the company of illegally withholding evidence in auto accident lawsuits related to SUV rollover injuries and deaths.

Biller has accused Toyota of intentionally hiding evidence in an attempt to keep structural shortcomings of Toyota vehicles from becoming known. Biller worked for Toyota from 2003 to 2007. During that time, he defended the company in SUV rollover lawsuits alleging that injuries and deaths in auto accidents occurred as a result of defective automobiles, particularly stemming from instability and weak roofs on Toyota SUVs and pickup trucks.

Biller's claim against Toyota charges that in several lawsuits filed in Colorado and Texas, Toyota failed to disclose emails mandated by court orders. Biller attempted to collect design and test data after the company failed to produce this information in court. However, he claims Toyota's engineering unit was "allowed to destroy relevant information and documents that should have been produced in, approximately, over 300 rollover accidents involving roof crush issues."

Due to the high risk of serious personal injury and even death in SUV rollover accidents, it is important to hold auto manufacturers responsible when poorly designed autos result in massive medical bills and lost quality of life. An experienced defective automobile attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you live in the Denver, Colorado area and have been injured in an accident caused by a defective automobile, please contact the Denver defective product attorneys at Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh & Jardine, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.

When a woman in Denver, Colorado recently went out with friends, she did the responsible thing and called a cab to take her home after she had a few alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, on her way home, a drunk driver struck the cab she was riding in, breaking both her legs.

This painful accident has since prevented the young woman from moving to another state to pursue a new career. She must undergo surgery to fix her legs, placing an incredible amount of hardship on her and her family.

Drunk driving accidents are terrible, and the driver that caused the injuries should be held responsible. In addition to the criminal charges the drunk driver will most likely face, another way that drunk drivers can be held responsible is through a personal injury lawsuit.

By contacting an experienced auto accident attorney, you can receive professional assistance and guidance with your personal injury lawsuit. Your auto accident attorney will help determine who was responsible for the accident, and whether it was caused by the drunk driver or the cab company, you could recover compensation for your injuries.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact the Denver personal injury lawyers at Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh & Jardine, P.C. today to schedule your initial consulation.

Witnesses say that just before an SUV left the road and rolled over several times, one of their tires blew out. After the driver lost control, the vehicle careened off the side of the road and over an embankment before rolling over several times and landing on its roof.

The victims inside the SUV were burned so badly that three of them couldn't be identified. SUV rollover accidents claim thousands of lives every year. Many of these auto accidents are caused because SUVs are top-heavy vehicles that can flip more easily than regular passenger cars.

One of the more interesting aspects of this SUV rollover accident is that it seems to have been caused by a tire blowout. Tire blowouts can occur for a variety of reasons, such as defective tires, tread separation, or lack of air pressure. Once an investigation into this car accident is complete, police may determine that a defective tire caused the wrongful deaths of the five auto accident victims.

If you are driving a vehicle when a tire blowout occurs, the best thing you can do is try to stay calm and quickly guide the car to the side of the road. Making sudden, jerky movements after a tire has blown out can lead to a rollover accident like this one.

If you have a car accident claim in the Houston, Texas area, contact Houston car accident lawyers Kennedy Hodges, LLP.

If you have an auto accident claim in the Houston, Texas area, contact Houston auto accident attorneys Kennedy Hodges, LLP, today to schedule a consultation.

A Missouri police officer was arrested and charged with manslaughter after causing an car accident that killed four passengers in another vehicle. According to the accident report, the officer was drinking at a bar for a few hours before getting in her car and driving.

After consuming numerous alcoholic beverages, the officer proceeded to drive the wrong way down a street and collide with a car carrying five people. Of the five people in the vehicle, only one survived. The officer is a 12-year-veteran of the police department, but this still does not excuse her actions.

Hospital staff says that four hours after the drunk driving accident occurred, the woman's blood alcohol level was still at .15, a level much higher than the Missouri limit. After being arrested, bond was set for the officer at $200,000 and she was placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor. The family of the officer said that her head wounds are so severe she needs near-constant attention. Placing her in a jail would only exacerbate her injuries.

Some of the people in the community are concerned the charges are taking too long because there are so few witnesses and because the negligent driver is a law enforcement officer. From a legal perspective, the St. Louis prosecutor said the officer would be held to the same standards as anyone else who drinks and drives.

If you have an auto accident claim in the St. Louis, Missouri area, please contact the St. Louis personal injury lawyers at The Bradley Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.

In yet another heartbreaking story, one woman's life was cut short and another was injured at the hands of an irresponsible teenager who chose to drink and then drive his car in Boston, Massachusetts.

The two women, mother and daughter, were walking their dog down the street when they were hit by a car. The car was being driven by an 18-year-old high school student who had gotten drunk at prom.

The pedestrian accident was so loud that neighbors thought the sound of the car accident was thunder or a loud motorcycle. When neighbors came outside to help the injured women, the teens attempted to flee the scene, but stayed after being called after.
Drinking and driving is responsible for the injury or wrongful death of thousands of people every year. When drinking and driving causes an auto accident, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for damages suffered in the incident.

If you or a loved one has been injured because of a drunk driver, an experienced auto accident attorney near you can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

If you have an auto accident claim in the New York City area, please contact the Law Offices of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

In Los Angeles, California, Gregario Diaz was arrested after driving the wrong way down Holly Drive and then getting onto the freeway in the wrong direction. Diaz then crashed head-on into another car, killing the driver and seriously injuring the two passengers in his car.

The two women passengers in Diaz's car have both suffered major head injuries and are now on life support at Huntington Memorial Hospital. Diaz has suffered major leg injuries and has been arrested after being taken to County USC Medical Center.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident, car accident, or even wrongful death as a result of a drunk driver, an experienced auto accident attorney can help you. Auto accident cases can be difficult to handle alone, but by hiring experienced legal representation, you will have a greater likelihood of recovering damages for your injuries.

After being involved in a drunk driving car accident, your life may be completely different, and you may not be able to work or even live the way you once did. When this happens, you need to recover damages to help you get back on your feet.

If you have an auto accident claim in the Phoenix, Arizona area, please contact the Law Offices of Snyder & Wenner, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

This week, a Chicago jury awarded the family of Roger Czapski $13.7 million in a wrongful death lawsuit over his death in a 2004 auto accident.

Czapski was a 22-year-old car salesman at a local Chicago dealership. On August 4, 2004, he was sitting in the passenger seat of a BMW 530i that was being taken for a test drive by a customer. The customer was driving 95 mph, more than double the posted speed limit, on a busy suburban street when the vehicle hit another car.

As a result of the collision, the BMW was catapulted into a light pole, causing the car to explode. The driver and two backseat passengers survived the crash. Czapski did not. The driver was given a ticket for driving 40 mph over the speed limit at the time of the auto accident.

Defense lawyers for the driver of the BMW claimed that Czapski contributed to the negligent actions that led to his death by encouraging the driver to speed and allowing him to drive the car outside of the accepted test drive route. The jury did not feel the same way, and they ruled that the driver's negligent and reckless actions warranted a rather large damage award.

The calculation of damages in a wrongful death lawsuit is very complex. Therefore, it is important to hire an experienced wrongful death attorney to ensure that you receive fair compensation for the loss of your loved one.

If you have a wrongful death claim in the Chicago, Illinois area, please contact the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth has been charged with DUI manslaughter in an auto accident occurring on March 14. Stallworth hit a pedestrian, 59-year-old Mario Reyes, while driving his Bentley in Miami. His blood alcohol level was .126, well above the Florida legal limit of .08.

Stallworth surrendered to the court yesterday and is prepared to face the consequences for his involvement in this tragic pedestrian accident. If convicted, he may face up to 15 years in prison.

Reyes was trying to catch a bus after completing his construction crane operator shift at the time of the accident. He was not walking in the crosswalk. Stallworth flashed his lights at Reyes in an effort to warn him to move out of the way. He was driving about 50 mph when he hit Reyes. The speed limit was 40 mph.

The accident occurred at 7:15 a.m. Stallworth had been drinking at a club in the Fontainbleau throughout the night. Even if he is not convicted on DUI manslaughter charges, he will most likely still face a hefty wrongful death lawsuit for his drunk driving auto accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to consult an experienced auto accident attorney at once. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages.

If you have an auto accident or pedestrian accident claim in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, please contact the Law Offices of Ellis, Ged, & Bodden, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.

A second unexpected spring snowstorm in the past week has wreaked havoc on Denver roads. Approximately six inches of snow hit the Denver metro area just in time for Monday morning rush hour, leading to many auto accidents and several fatalities.

Three people died in three separate accidents in the Denver metro area this morning. In all three auto accidents, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic, leading to the fatalities. There were many other accidents that did not lead to fatalities:

• An 18-vehicle pileup, including four tractor trailers, caused one serious injury and many other minor injuries
  
• A multiple car pileup occurred after a driver stopped to help a stranded car and was rear-ended by a semi-truck
  
• A school bus accident occurred when a truck hit the bus, tipping it on its side
  

Snowy and icy road conditions were responsible for all of these accidents. It is extremely important to drive more cautiously and leave a greater following distance behind other vehicles when driving in the snow. Defensive driving may help you avoid serious injuries in an auto accident.

When you are injured in an auto accident caused by another driver, it is important to consult an experienced auto accident attorney immediately to see if you are eligible to receive compensation for your damages.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact the Law Offices of Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh, & Jardine, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.

This past weekend, we turned the clocks forward an hour for daylight savings time. While we all enjoy that extra hour of daylight after work, it comes at a serious price -- at least in the short term. Studies have shown that auto accidents increase by 17% on the Monday immediately following daylight savings time.

This is a large enough jump in numbers for all of us to take notice. Apparently, our nation's roads are substantially more dangerous right after we gain that extra hour of daylight. Experts have attributed this phenomenon to sleep deprivation. Many Americans regularly go about their lives with a deficit of sleep. When they lose an extra hour, it becomes very difficult to compensate.

Hopefully, you escaped "national auto accident day" unscathed. However, if you were one of the many Americans unfortunate enough to become part of the daylight savings auto accident statistics, you might be in need of the services of an experienced auto accident attorney. If the accident you were involved in yesterday was caused by another driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. Whether the driver was still reeling from his lost hour of sleep or just plain oblivious, obtaining proper legal representation will help ensure that your settlement fully covers all medical expenses and property damage you have incurred.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, please contact the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.

An Illinois State Trooper pulled a teenager out of a burning car minutes before the fire completely consumed the vehicle.

The auto accident occurred on I-57. The teenager lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road, and hit a tree. The Chrysler sedan caught fire immediately on impact.

Fortunately, the State Trooper arrived on the scene just as the auto accident took place. Had he not been there, the teenager most likely would have burned to death in the car. Unfortunately for the teenager, the trooper was on the scene because he had been pursuing the teenager for driving a stolen vehicle.

The boy was transported to a local hospital after being pulled from the car. When he recovers from his burn injuries, he will have to face charges for possession of a stolen vehicle.

It is important to consult an experienced auto accident attorney if you have been seriously injured in an accident caused by the negligence of someone else. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your damages.

If you have an auto accident claim in the Houston, Texas area, contact Houston auto accident attorneys Kennedy Hodges, LLP, today to schedule a consultation.

With our country in the midst of an economic recession, many people are trying to cut corners wherever possible in order to stay financially afloat. Unfortunately, not all people make wise decisions about what to eliminate from their budget in these tough times.

A recent study from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) predicts that over the next two years, our country will see an increase in the number of uninsured drivers on the road. The study demonstrates that as the unemployment rate rises, many people out of work elect to drop their auto insurance coverage to save money.

According to the IRC, the percentage of drivers on the road without insurance coverage is expected to increase from 13.8% in 2007 to 16.1% in 2010. Currently, there are six states with uninsured motorist rates above 20%: New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida and Tennessee. By 2010, we should see several other states join this list.

There are several problems with this trend. First, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without proper insurance coverage. Second and more importantly, if you are involved in an accident, it is more likely than ever before that the other driver will not have auto insurance.

In light of this information, it is a good idea to contact your auto insurance company to make sure that you have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy. This coverage will help you reduce your risk of financial loss in the event that you are injured in an auto accident caused by an uninsured motorist.

Uninsured motorist coverage varies by state, so it is important to check with your insurance company to find out what coverage you are entitled to in your region. It is also important to always consult an experienced auto accident attorney when you have been injured in an accident by an uninsured motorist. Hiring proper representation will increase the likelihood that you will be able to collect the damages you deserve to cover your injuries and property damage.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in the Tulsa or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, please contact Carr & Carr Attorneys at Law today to schedule a consultation.

According to the National Safety Council, the number of people killed in traffic accidents has fallen nine percent through May compared with the first months of 2007. This also includes an 18 percent drop in March and a 14 percent drop in April. According to the Associated Press, there are some states that have shown declines of 20 percent or more, and 31 states have seen declines of ten percent or more. Only eight states have shown an increase.

Reasons

Some experts believe the reason behind the decline is the rise in gas prices. This is because fewer people may be on the road, and that people are driving slower. The federal government noted in April that miles traveled fell 1.8 percent compared with drivers last year. Other factors that may be a reason for the decline are police enforcement of speeders and those driving under the influence, safer vehicles, an unusually long, cold winter that kept many people home, and better teen-licensing programs. The Governors Highway Safety Association says that seatbelt use is also at an all-time high, and may top 90 percent in several states when statistics are released later this year.

While fatality rates have been steady for the last 15 years, the way that road fatalities are gauged show a different picture. The rate for fatalities per 100 million miles traveled has been declining even though Americans, until recently, were driving more. The figure fell to 1.42 deaths in 2006, the lowest level yet.

The last time traffic fatalities fell this fast was during the oil embargo of 1973-1974, when fatalities fell 17 percent, and in 1982-1983 when the drinking age was raised to 21. The speed limit during the '70s was 55 mph, and there are rumors that Congress may try to reinstate this speed limit.

Because oil prices are not likely to fall to pre-summer levels, and we're probably going to have to get used to rising gas prices (currently averaging $4.00 a gallon nationally), perhaps this is one of the silver linings we'll see as well. Although accidents will continue to occur, with lower speed limits, fewer drivers, and safer vehicles, injuries and fatalities may be fewer and farther between than they used to be.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.

Timothy Wright, a well-known gospel singer and New York pastor, was critically injured in an auto accident in central Pennsylvania. The accident killed his wife and injured his 14-year-old grandson. Both Wright and his grandson were taken Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

Wright, his wife and grandson were returning home from Detroit when they were hit by a driver going the wrong way on I-80. The driver in the car going the wrong way was also killed. A passenger in a third car involved was injured, but was in fair condition following the crash.

In addition to being a gospel performer who has released over a dozen albums, Wright is pastor at Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in New York City. His latest album, Jesus Jesus Jesus came out last year. Will Bogle, a New York music agent called the news "completely deflating."

Auto accidents kill and injure thousands of people each year. The 4^th of July weekend is especially dangerous due to the amount of people on the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.

In 2003, Bill Janklow, a Republican senator from South Dakota, was driving at least 70 mph in a 55 mph zone when he ran a stop sign and hit a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist, Randolph Scott, was killed instantly. Janklow escaped the worst with a broken hand and bleeding on the brain.

The Janklow Trial

At the beginning of Janklow's trial in December of that year, his lawyer argued Janklow suffered from hypoglycemia, had taken an insulin shot, and then hadn't eaten at all the day of the accident. As a result, Janklow was "mixed up" and "confused" when he hit Scott. Prior to Janklow's trial, he was involved in three previous accidents and received 12 tickets for speeding (an action Janklow had been unapologetic for). However, the jury was never informed of this driving record.

In December, 2003, Janklow was convicted of second degree manslaughter. He resigned his Congressional seat a few days after this. As a convicted felon, Janklow's role in Congress would have been limited until a House Ethics Committee investigated the allegations. In January, 2004, Janklow was sentenced to 100 days in jail. He was released the following May.

Lawsuit

Randolph Scott's family filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against Janklow. The court ruled that because Janklow was on "official business" at the time of the accident, he was therefore working for the government at the time and was protected from a lawsuit due to the Federal Tort Claims Act. This essentially means that the federal government will assume liability for things like accidents instead of the individual who may have been involved and was working at the time - no matter how liable that individual is. The Scott family's lawsuit was then turned toward the government in 2006. That same year, the South Dakota Supreme Court reinstated Janklow's license to practice law.

Attorneys are still trying to settle the case. If no settlement is reached by May, the whole thing goes back to trial.

Randolph Scott's family still hasn't seen any of the money they have asked for after the accident in 2003. However, Bill Janklow, a man with a lengthy driving record, doesn't have to worry about paying anything because the federal government sheltered him, which essentially gave Janklow a free pass. Yes, he had to spend a hundred days in jail, and this event ended his political career. But he's a practicing lawyer again. This is a better deal than the one Randolph Scott and his family received.

If you have lost a loved one due to another driver's negligence, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.

A taxi driver was killed in Toronto, Ontario when his taxi was hit by one of two Mercedes Benzs allegedly street racing in January 2006. Tahir Khan was a Pakistani immigrant, and was three days from obtaining Canadian citizenship when he died.

Khan was killed almost instantly when he was hit by the Mercedes Benz, which then slammed his taxi into a light pole at a busy Toronto intersection. Though investigators are still trying to determine at what speed Khan's taxi was hit, it is estimated that the two cars hit speeds as fast as 140 kilometers (78 miles) an hour during the race.

The drivers of the Mercedes are both 20 years old. They pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to a year of house arrest and two years probation for the accident. The prosecution in the case was pushing for a three year prison sentence for each, and is appealing to make this a possibility.

Lawsuit

Khan's family filed a $2 million lawsuit claiming loss of care and companionship, economic losses, and punitive damages. The Khan family's lawyer, Russ Howe, says that Khan's wife and mother, who are still in Pakistan, have been left impoverished due to the loss of their main caregiver. He claims the $2 million is not a "cash grab."

Howe says there is still a lot of evidence to gather in the lawsuit against the drivers. The drivers' parents are also named in the lawsuit for two reasons: (a) to gain access to their insurance, and (b) because Ontario law says vehicle owners are responsible for the driver's actions.

Punishment and Compensation

Maybe the drivers got off easy with their punishment. Or maybe the house arrest, two years probation, and a lawsuit is punishment enough. In many of these cases, people say that all parties involved are victims. It can be argued that these drivers were just kids, and kids do foolish things, especially when they're behind the wheel. It can also be argued that 20-year-olds are old enough to know they're being dumb, which lead to the death of a man. The parents of the two drivers might be victims. After all, they weren't there when their kids were out street racing, and suddenly they're being targeted in a $2 million lawsuit.

Tahir Khan's family in Pakistan would certainly argue with all of the above. They're the ones who lost a family member thousands of miles away in an accident that probably could have been avoided.

Many aspects of life are radically different in Pakistan than they are in Canada and the US. But this case transcends cultural differences because losing your primary caregiver in any city or country is bound to cause economic hardship, as well as grief, anger, and frustration. $2 million doesn't seem too much to ask for.

If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one due to another driver's negligence, please contact an experienced injury lawyer to help guide you through the legal process.