Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyer - Motor Vehicle Accidents

Truck Crashes Into Ohio Bridge

Jenny Albano — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:02:29 GMT

On Tuesday, December 18 a cargo container truck crashed into a Ohio Bridge, killing the driver of the truck and rupturing a gas line. Because of the gas line six homes had to be evacuated. Part of the bridge was damaged and is still closed until inspected.
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The truck had its boom raised which hit the underside of the bridge and hit the gas line. There were other vehicles involved in the accident in addition to the flatbed truck.

Holes and bent beams in the bridge created potentially unsafe conditions because there are gas lines in it, the transportation department said. The gas was shut off and people were permitted to return to their homes.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Automobile Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Judge Helps Settle Multi-Million Dollar Case

Paul Grieco — Thu, 17 May 2007 12:01:02 GMT

Justice was served in the Cleveland Justice Center when a local judge put a piece of paper with a seven figure dollar amount on it in two envelopes and presented it to the lawyers involved in the case with the option of accepting the figure and settling the case or go to trial. The case involved a serious car accident which led to an 18 yeaar old college student losing his eye sight. The young man and his fellow college swim team members were in route to a swim meet when their rental van crashed.

On the eve of trial the Judge made on last effort to bring the two sides together by writing down the number he felt was a fair and just compromise. Before the settlement, the lawyers had been locked in an impasse: the victim's lawyers demanded $3.7 million and the defendants wouldn't pay more than $1 million."I made an educated guess about what would be a good compromise number, and it all worked out," [Judge]Matia said afterward. The number the judge wrote down and which was accepted by both sides was $2,050,000. For more on this case see http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/117939080245900.xml&coll=2

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Grieco

Two Women Killed On the Side of Highway

Rebecca Castell — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:02:05 GMT

Two women were killed in a car accident Sunday while they were standing at the side of the road waiting for their car's tire to be fixed. The accident occurred on I-480 at the Route 82 exit.

The Plain Dealer reports that

Police said the accident occurred around 11:40 a.m. when two women were standing outside their vehicle on the side of the road about as a tow truck driver repaired a flat tire. Suddenly, another vehicle traveling westbound apparently lost control and struck the women and their vehicle, according to police reports.

Three others were injured in the collision.

This sad tragedy reminds us that caution needs to be used at all times when a person is near traffic, be it at the edge of the highway or city streets.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rebecca Castell

Bedford Man Killed in Car Accident

Jack Landskroner — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:57:08 GMT

Another Cuyhoga County car accident has resulted in a death.

A 27-year-old Bedford man died Thursday morning when his car hit a utility pole on Rockside Road.
Paris T. Millsap was transported to University Hospitals in Bedford where he later died, according to police.
Millsap was driving west on Rockside Road near Greencroft Park when his car left the road about 6:23 a.m. The cause of the accident is under investigation. No other cars were involved.

Whether the driver was under the influence or simply fell asleep at the wheel, when operating a vehicle an operator is in control of a potentially lethal weapon. Not only is the driver at risk if he fails to control his vehicle but so are those around the vehicle. In this instance, while the loss of life is a tragedy, we can all be grateful that no one else was hurt in the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jack Landskroner

Employers That Provide Blackberries to Employees Must Prohibit Texting While Driving or Face Liability

Jack Landskroner — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 22:32:05 GMT

The Workers Comp Insider Blog raises a very interesting and concerning work related issue in its posting March 16, 2007 concerning employee use of Blackberry or cellular devises and the practice of texting while driving.

As if we don't have enough distractions as we hurtle ourselves from Point A to Point B in four ton vehicles, we read that DWT - driving while texting - has become an issue of sufficient magnitude to warrant legislative intervention.

Unfortunately, there have already been deaths that appear to have resulted from this practice.

The "Insider" discusses how the UK has taken significant strides to proactively eliminate this practice by passing legislation which makes it an aggravating factor constituting criminal conduct if an accident results while a phone or PDA device is being used while driving. Some states in the US, including Washington, appear to be moving in that direction.

The bottom line is that employers that provide cell phones, blackberry devices or other technology to drivers to be used on the road, must make sure that employees are not expected to utilize these devices while operating a vehicle and moreover, have a policy prohibiting the same or responsibility for injuries to the employee and innocent third parties will fall to them.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jack Landskroner

Sleeping Pills May Create Hazardous Drivers

Justin Madden — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:06:17 GMT

Studies recently revealed that somke persons who take sleeping aids may unknowingly sleep walk to their car and drive, returning to bed and awakening the next morning witrh absolutely no memory of doing so. This is yet another reason why motor vehicle accidents occur and cause injury to innocent victims.

If you are injured in a car accident that occurs late at night, a question to ask the police to ask the driver is whether they had taken any sleep aids.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Justin Madden

Report Suspected DUI

Paul Grieco — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:06:00 GMT

Every day when a driver gets behing the wheel of a motor vehicle, they potentially become the operator of a deadly weapon. Unfortunately all too often we hear stories about drivers under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances who selfishly get beind the wheel and end up killing or seriously injuring innocent victims who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. When you are out on the road and see someone else driving recklessly, do not hesitate to call 911 or 1-800-GRAB DUI as you may very well be able to prevent a needless tragedy. And remember if you have been drinking, don't risk the consequences of drinking and driving, turn the keys over to someone else, get a ride. or just stay where you are. The last thing you want to become is a victim and defendant!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Grieco

Don't Wait Too Long....Time Lines for Filing Suit

Rebecca Castell — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:32:40 GMT

There is a clock ticking from the date you are injured....and it only hurts the victim. In Ohio, and every state, there is a "statute of limitations" which governs the amount of time which a victim has to file a complaint against the individual/s or company which caused him or her harm. This time period typically begins when the individual is injured, for example, when the car accident occurred, and runs for anywhere between one year to fifteen years, depending on the type of claim. Regardless of the type of action, either a personal injury claim stemming from a car accident to a dog bite to case involving stockbroker misconduct, there is always a limited time frame in which the victim can file suit.
Most people are unaware that there is a time limitation for pursuing claims. All to often, a victim of wrongdoing comes in who has a solid claim but has waited too long to file a claim against the wrongdoer.
Often, the victim has thought about getting an attorney and seeking compensation for their injury, but wants to wait to see if his or her injuries "get better." Perhaps the individual hasn't sought medical treatment because he or she is without health insurance and has no way to cover the treatment. By the time the victim comes to us, several years may have passed and the pain still persists. Unfortuantely, if the statute of limitations has passed, no claim can be made against the wrongdoer. This leaves the innocent victim without recourse for the pain, suffering and expense he or she has endured.

My desire is to help individuals to get the compensation they deserve when an injury has occurred due to someone else's negligence. If there is any question whether an attorney is needed after an injury occurs, call an attorney first. Do not wait to see if the symptoms get better or to see if things will resolve. It is better to call and ask than to not know. Help us help you!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Rebecca Castell

Insurance Adjusters Not Your Ally When a Crash Occurs

Justin Madden — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:48:17 GMT

When you are struck by another driver, who reports the incident to their insurance company, you can expect a phone call within two days from that insurance company. Think this is good news? Think again.

In terms of getting your car repaired quickly, it is helpful to receive a call. However, restrict your conversation to the property damage. Do NOT discuss your injuries, or lost wages. An adjuster will call who will be assigned to your bodily injury claim. Often, they will assure you that they will pay all your medical bills, but to do so, they'll need a tape recorded statement and some signed medical authorizations. If you provide this information, you will likely imperil your right to a fair recovery.

If you think you will hire an attorney, or even if you plan to handle the claim yourself, giving out this type of information is foolishly giving the insurance company the ammunition it needs to pay you the lowest amount possible. Additionally, the adjuster will dangle a meager offer in front of you, but will say nothing about your obligation to re-pay your own health insurance company for any medical bills it has paid.

Trying to play the insurance game with an insurance company is like challenging Yao Ming to a dunking contest - the odds are not with most ordinary consumers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Justin Madden

Snowy Roads Can Cause Motor Vehicle Injuries

Justin Madden — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:21:01 GMT

On snowy roads, careless motorists are a particular risk to other vehicles, sometimes causing serious motor vehicle accidents and injuries.

Our firm encourages all drivers that when travelling in bad conditions, stay off the cell phone, allow extra time to get to your destination, and be extremely cautious when other vehicles attempt to pass.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Justin Madden