Posts Tagged ‘Accidents’

Substantial Sum For Injured Motorcyclist After Accident

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

We all know the dangers of driving vehicles on the roads today. Whether you hear of a car accident that resulted in whiplash claims, or a motorbike accident where the outcome was fatal. Unfortunately, road traffic accident claims involving motorcyclists are increasing in the UK, which is perhaps not surprising given the additional dangers posed on two wheels.

Many accidents involving motorcyclists are caused by the differences between riding a motor bike and driving a car, even though the skills involved are remarkably different. The average car is not as fast or agile as a motorbike; however a motorbike is not as easy to spot on the roads – a point that was made painfully clear to Lesley Williams several years ago, when she collided with a Suzuki 4×4 vehicle whilst riding her Honda CBR 600 sports bike.

Personal injury claims are often brought against motorists whose acts of negligence have resulted in physical injury; however, insurance companies and the courts will often apportion liability amongst the parties so that no one driver is held solely responsible.

Unless the defendant is clearly the only person to blame for an accident, distributing liability helps to establish each party’s fault. In the present case, Ms Williams is suing the driver of the Suzuki Vitari 4×4, David Marks, for no less than 300,000, according to the Plymouth Herald newspaper.

Ms Williams has claimed that, in November 2007, she was travelling behind Mr Marks’ vehicle on the B3252 when she attempted to make a legal overtaking manoeuvre. After indicating correctly, Ms Williams is said to have pulled out before moving alongside Mr Marks’ vehicle. At this point, it is further alleged that Mr Marks made a sudden and unannounced right turn into the entrance of Looe Bay Caravan and Camping Park.

Unfortunately Ms Williams, who was thrown from her bike and suffered multiple injuries after Mr Marks drove into her path, has been unable to return to work since the accident. Ms Williams still requires medical supervision after suffering from compound fractures to her right leg and arm and sustained a broken pelvis in the accident.

Due to Mr Marks failing to check before executing a right turn, which resulted in his driving into Ms Williams’ motorbike, Ms Williams’ legal team maintains that he was therefore negligent.

Eye witness reports will be necessary in order to establish how much each party was to blame for the accident, as motorbikes can accelerate with rapid speed and often drift into a car driver’s blind spot. The success of Ms Williams’ claim will hinge in part on whether Mr Marks indicated before pulling out and whether he had begun to manoeuvre before or after Ms Williams began to overtake him.

Have you been subjected to a personal injury, perhaps a traffic accident or medical negligence ? Then contact Nathan Payne’s website for help and advice.

  • Share/Bookmark

Guidelines For Hiring A Lawyer

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Hiring a lawyer is something that should be done with care. Lawyers are people who have learned law. People seek the services of lawyers when they have law suits. This is the person who represents them in a court of law. The success of a law suit depends on the lawyer to a large extent.

The first important things is to check the area of expertise of the attorney. Most lawyers are experts in a certain area of law for example family law, criminal law or law of contract among other areas. The lawyer you choose should have expertise and experience that is compatible with your needs.

It is advisable to shop around before settling for a particular lawyer. Do not hire the first attorney you come across. Get some referrals and try to find out as much as you can about him. You can also ask him a few questions like whether he has handled a case like yours before and its outcome.

Meet your lawyer in person. Do not rely solely on telephone calls and emails. You need to bond well with your attorney for the success of your case. You also need to develop confidence in him before you commit yourself into his hands. If he does not have time to meet you, then you should ask yourself if he is the kind of person you want to represent you.

Get to know the costs of the suit before settling for an attorney. This will help you to decide whether the attorney is within your budget or you should look for a more affordable person. A frank discussion about fees is very important. Get to know of any other hidden costs like consultation fees among others. The fees should preferably be in writing.

These are just a few tips about hiring a lawyer. The best way to protect your rights is by getting reliable attorney. More information about solicitors is available on the internet including online directories.

Personal Injury Lawyer Toronto offering information when in need to hire a lawyer. Add Link

  • Share/Bookmark

Comet Group Fined Over Death Of Worker

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Comet Group plc were ordered to pay costs of 24,446 and fined 75,000 after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. 33 year-old Paul Alker, of Brynteg, near Wrexham, died after falling 25 feet at a Comet store in the town on 7th June 2007.

Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety”.

Mr Alker was not an employee of Comet Group plc but instead worked for Wrexham Roof Services Limited, whose director, Steven Christopher Smith, was imprisoned for more than two years in November 2007 over the incident after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Accident claims following falls from heights at work are relatively common in the UK and employers have been urged to improve safety procedures by the Health and Safety Executive.

This article is just one example of similar accidents that occur frequently. In cases where serious injuries occur rather than death, a no win no fee solicitor is required.

In the present case, Mr Alker’s death was considered to be entirely avoidable had basic safety procedures been implemented. On the 7th June 2007, Mr Alker was working on the roof of the Comet building when he stepped on and fell through a roof light. After falling 25 feet onto the store floor, Mr Alker sustained several fractured ribs, a broken collar bone and various soft tissue injuries.

Mr Alker tragically died of a pulmonary embolism brought on by his injuries 5 days later in hospital. A Health and Safety Executive investigation afterwards revealed Mr Alker had not been provided with equipment to prevent his fall – a basic requirement for any person who works at height and the basis for many accident claims brought against employers.

Debbie John, Health and Safety Executive inspector spoke after the case involving Comet Group plc and said: “Comet failed to ensure that its contractor had taken steps to prevent falls through the fragile roof lights, ultimately leading to the death of a worker. This incident could have been avoided if the roof lights at the Wrexham store had been protected and Mr Alker had been provided with appropriate safety equipment”.

Ms John added: “The law is clear: companies must ensure contractors are competent to do the work they are hired to do and they need to understand their responsibilities”.

Learn more about accident compensation and injury claims. Stop by Nathan Payne’s site where you can find out all about injury lawyers and what it can do for you.

  • Share/Bookmark

Telehandler Safety Called Into Question

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Bridlington Magistrates’ Court have instructed R J Baker & Co Limited of Bainton Heights Farm to pay 3000 in legal costs and the same amount again in fines after an accident involving a telehandler machine and one of its workers. A 57 year old worker, who wishes to keep his identity secret, was clearing a farm buildings gutters on 14th May 2008.

The workers colleague, who was left in charge to operate the telehandler machine, moved it over to where the 57 year old had been using a normal ladder to access guttering on the roof of the farmhouse. The operator accidently slanted the bucket of the telehandler downwards once the worker had climbed in, causing him to fall to the ground.

With extensive leg injuries, due to the fall of several metres, that included a partially fractured heel, fractured shin as well as a broken and dislocated right ankle, the worker spent more than a month in hospital. He also required specialist treatment thereafter.

Although accidents do happen, incidents like the one described above are not good examples of accidents that could have been avoided. This is where it would be a good time to call a few injury lawyers.

The Health and Safety Executive appealed to companies in the agriculture industry and other dangerous businesses to follow stricter safety guidelines when utilising telehandler machines after the number of accidents involving their use have increased in the past few years. The Health and Safety Executive asked farms specifically to follow the guidelines set out more closely in June of this year, however it would seem not all have paid attention.

Following figures recently released by the Health and Safety Executive it appears accident claims in agriculture are becoming increasingly more common in the UK. It indicates that agriculture is now Britain’s most dangerous industry with the most serious injuries and deaths being recorded.

The misuse of telehandlers remains a serious health and safety issue affecting British farms, as demonstrated in the present case. Appearing in court, R J Baker & Co Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Speaking after the case, Health and Safety Executive inspector, Carol Downes, said: “This farm worker suffered horrific injuries following his fall at Bainton Heights Farm. He was extremely lucky to survive the fall and if he had landed head-first he could easily have been killed… This prosecution must serve as a strong reminder that farm machinery should only be used for its intended purpose”.

Looking to find the best deal on injury at work compensation, then visit Nathan Payne’s site.

  • Share/Bookmark

What You Should Look For In Accident Lawyers

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Anytime someone gets into an accident, it is one of the hardest times in his or her life. So many things can go wrong and therefore is a time that you should have someone on your side. If you find yourself in this type of situation, you should never attempt to handle the situation alone. Here are some things that you should look for when you are trying to find accident lawyers.

Any lawyer that you work with will have gone and gotten their bachelors degree and then went on to finish six or more years in school. Therefore, they are well trained within the area that you need them. They will know how to represent you and speak for you and that way you do not have to worry about being taken advantage of. When you are going to sue someone, you will need the backing of someone who knows the law well and a lawyer is exactly that person.

In general, finding accident lawyers can be tough. For that reason, it often helps to ask people that you know. In most cases, some of the best people that you can ask are people such as your family, friends, and neighbors. Usually, one of the people that you know will have experience with someone good that they can refer you to.

When this does not work, then some people like to use the yellow pages. Unfortunately, this type of process can take a long amount of time and is not one of the best ways to search for someone. However, if this is something that you want to try then you usually can find someone under the lawyer or attorney section of the phonebook.

Using the phonebook however can take a long time. Usually, one of the better options involves using the web. When you go online, you have access to a lot of information quickly and this does not involve turning through pages or searching through small print.

Customer reviews is another important thing and is one of the benefits that comes with the use of online. When you are looking at the different lawyers, you are going to want to know how other people rate them. When you know how other people think of a lawyer, this will make the decision process much easier.

With that said, always write down your top choices throughout the time you are searching. Afterward, you should perform inquiries regarding those that you are interested. This way, you can find out, which is rated over the other.

Some of the most important things to consider when you are researching information on accident attorneys are things such as the amount of experience they have. Other such things include the comment ratings from the past customers they have had. Overall, the lawyer should have a good background, which will increase the overall chances that you have to win. And when you are injured this should be your main concern.

Personal Injury Lawyer Toronto – Diamond and Diamond Suite 400, 700 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6A 3B4, Canada (416) 256-1600‎ – (800) 567-4878‎ – (416) 256-0100‎ (Fax) Give us a call!!

  • Share/Bookmark

Fronting Insurance Scam

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Insurance fronting describes the process by which somebody purchases insurance in their own name on behalf of someone else who will be a named driver on the policy. By any standard, insurance fronting is illegal.

An example of insurance fronting would be for a parent to purchase car insurance documents in their name but are to be used by their children. For instance, if Mr Smith was to take out a policy for his son’s car with Mr Smith being the main driver, but his son was the named driver this would represent insurance fronting.

Insurance fronting is relatively common in the UK as parents strive to reduce the cost of motoring for their children, who may be subject to high premiums if they are young or novice drivers.

Co-operative Insurance released information suggesting parents have fronted insurance at one time or another in 41% of cases for their children. This substantial statistic indicates that parents are either not aware of the law or deem insurance premiums are too expensive.

Accident claims which involve insurance fronting are invalidated due to the fact that the insurance itself is invalid. Naturally, the relatively minor cost of insurance in the event of an accident, is nothing compared to the problems and expense that could result.

Criminal prosecutions could be brought against parents as well as their children facing driving bans if they are found to have been insurance fronting as this is fraud. Repair bills are another consideration, as is the fact that personal injury claims against insurers cannot be pursued.

The Co-operative also found that 61 per cent of people would consider insurance fronting again after trying it in the past and 33 per cent of parents know at least two other people who have committed the crime. On the point of legality, 57 per cent of offenders were aware that insurance fronting was illegal at the time of taking out or accepting the policy.

“The view that motor insurance fronting is harmless and doesn’t hurt anyone could not be further from the truth. Parents who believe they are helping their children to save money by fronting are not only risking prosecution, but harming their chances of obtaining insurance in the future”, was quoted by Tim Franklin, Chief Operating Officer of Co-operative Financial Services.

Check out First4Lawyers for accident at work advice

  • Share/Bookmark

Lawyers Efficiently Handle Many Cases

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

There are times in one’s life where they may need the services of an attorney. Lawyers cover civil law, criminal issues, estate law, divorces, and much more. Their services are sought out to guide people in the right direction or to fight for the rights of their clients. They are advisers for those in Manitoba and they are advocates for those in Quebec. Wherever a lawyer is needed, they are there to help.

When someone has been charged with a crime, they should seek help from a lawyer. Defendants need lawyers to guide them in what their expectations are should they go to trial. That may mean pleading out instead of what could be a long trial procedure.

Minor offenses may lead to time in jail, but with a good lawyer may instead be probation. Those that have cases, which have gone on to trial, might show a lawyer being the difference between being found not guilty over guilty. Lawyers work to clear the name of their clients.

People that suffer after being hurt in an accident may seek an attorney experienced in personal injury claims. The lawyer works to get payment for medical bills and compensation for any pain or suffering experienced. For people involved in accidents on a motorcycle, who fall in a grocery store, or those injured on the job, an accident attorney should be whom they seek.

Estate planning can be made much easier with the services of a lawyer. Many think it is just to create a will. Estate planning lawyers do much more than that. When a person dies and has not set everything up, an estate or probate lawyer can locate assets, help collect insurance, help set up a 401k and many other situations in regards to planning for retirement and death. They advise executors of an estate on how to make decisions, too.

Couples that are divorcing will want a lawyer to make the divorce proceedings run a bit more smoothly. Divorce may not be either party’s fault, they may just not have been right for one another. In cases like that a simple divorce can be managed. When children are involved in a divorce figuring out child custody and support on their own can leave couples in a worse state than before. Using divorce lawyers enables the proceedings to be more civil, and attorneys help each person maintain parental rights and that the results remain fair.

Matters involving civil law become more and more popular as time passes. Civil law is different from civil law and involves matters such as dog bites, personal lending, divorce and more. Television court cases have brought to light how necessary a lawyer is in handling such matters. If it is necessary to hire an attorney for a civil matter do the homework and get someone familiar in handling the kind of case involved.

Civil law should not be mixed up with civil rights law. Civil rights deal with discrimination in regards to gender, age, and race, etc. No matter what the situation is, good research will lead one to lawyers that can assist in most situations.

If you are ever in need of legal assistance, contact the appropriate lawyer or law office; there are many different types of lawyers to choose from such as, real-estate, civil, taxation and more.

  • Share/Bookmark

Divorce Lawyers: Making The Right Choice

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

There are many divorce lawyers that specialize in various aspects of family law. Before deciding on which attorney you will choose to hire it is important to interview them to make sure they can meet your particular needs. And if this is in fact someone you feel comfortable working with.

Attorneys have consultation visits for potential clients. Some are free while most others charge a fee. This is your opportunity to figure out if this individual is the right fit for your needs. As many do charge a fee, it is important to know the fees in advance and budget how many you plan to visit prior to making your decision. It can become costly if you plan to interview many attorneys.

During the interview ask the attorney about their background both educationally and professionally. You should be familiar with their expertise in the field. They should have a certain level of experience to be able to handle your divorce. Remember, this is someone you are looking to hire. They are there to work for you so you should be comfortable with their credentials.

You should make sure you are first prepared before interviewing your candidate that you are looking to represent you in your divorce case. You should know the basics of the type of divorce you are seeking. And which route you would like to take to pursue the divorce. The attorney you hire should help guide you to the right decision.

It is advisable to bring a prepared written account of why you are seeking a divorce. Lawyers will find this helpful when determining their fees and course of action. It will also help to avoid any emotional break downs. Having the information down on paper makes it clear for both parties.

The types of documents you may be asked to bring to a consultation are generally basic paper work. You may be asked to bring in identifying information, anything related to joint property owned or information and documents relating to your family. They oftentimes prefer originals and an assistant will be available to make copies. This information will be given to you by either the receptionist or legal secretary prior to your consultation meeting.

Make sure you are in control the interview. You should be focused and have the ability to direct the conversation so that your needs are being met. You should also offer information about yourself to help the attorney better serve your needs. You can also choose this time to offer information about your marital partner.

The lawyers you decided to interview will appreciate you being prepared with questions and supporting documents. This makes the process easier for both parties involved. If you find a match that you believe will provide the best service for your case then you can move forward and retain that particular attorney.

If you are ever in need of legal assistance, contact the appropriate lawyer or law office; there are many different types of lawyers to choose from such as, real-estate, civil, taxation and more.

  • Share/Bookmark

More Texting Teens Perish In Distracted Driving Car Crash Accidents

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Today’s youths are growing up almost as attached to their cell phones, PDA’s, iPod’s and other mobile electronic devices as they were upon birth to an umbilical cord. By the time they learn to drive, they have the habit and won’t let go. The trouble is, driving while calling, texting or checking the Internet can be fatal.

Recent studies show an increase in teen car crash traffic accident fatalities that’s attributable to two things: more driving by teens at night, and more driving by teens while texting or using a cell phone.

In the years between 1999 and 2008, nighttime fatal car crashes with teen drivers rose by 10 per cent. Night driving deaths increased at a lesser rate for older drivers, and driving fatalities overall declined in this time.

A senior research specialist for the Texas Transportation Institute, Bernie Fetts, told the Associated Press that the increased deaths come from a “perfect storm” of key elements. One is driving at night, which is inherently more risky for anybody in any age group. Another is texting or calling while driving, which impacts a person’s ability to focus on driving.

Teens tend to think otherwise, since they know they send text messages with ease. But texting is still a distraction, diverting them from giving their full attention to driving. And momentary inattention while driving can be fatal. Indeed, the yearly toll for drivers calling, emailing or texting is about 6,000 persons dead and 500,000 injured. Were those texts worth it?

Increasingly, Americans are recognizing the dire consequences of calling and texting while driving. So far, 23 states have passed laws banning texting while driving. The national organization FocusDriven was formed to fight distracted driving via cell phones or texting in much the same way Mothers Against Drunk Driving was formed to fight DUI accidents.

Oprah Winfrey of talk show fame also has created her own response to the car carnage: a “No Phone Zone” pledge for teens to sign. Those who sign promise not to text or use their cell phone while they are driving.

Jim S. Adler & Associates strongly endorses such safe driving initiatives and exhorts all drivers of all ages to save their phone calls and texts for a proper time – when they aren’t responsible for guiding a multi-ton vehicle through complicated traffic at often high speeds. Teens may say such calling and texting won’t be enough to divert them from driving safely, but those who have died in texting car accidents indicate otherwise. Texting car crash accidents occur daily, and your teen’s surprise first time may prove to be their fatal final time.

Jim S. Adler & Associates is a longtime Texas personal injury law firm with offices in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Channelview. The law firm offers a free case review and represents victims of car, auto, truck, SUV, motorcycle, bus and other traffic accidents, as well as drunk driving accidents.

  • Share/Bookmark

Lawyers Are A Helpful Kind Of Person

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Lawyers are people who are highly educated on information about the law. They can assist in situations where people have gotten into bad situations or where someone is having a dispute in regards to the law. There are so many different lawyers and some specialize in different areas that others do not.

It is best to do a lot of research before deciding on a particular lawyer. There are certain ones that will specialize in certain areas. Some may be better to hire than others. Also, you can check around with family members or friends to see if they have ever used a lawyer that they would like to recommend. This is a good way to find a good lawyer.

A lawyer can cost you a lot of hard earned money. They usually a fee per hour. Usually, they will give you a free first time visit. This will give you an opportunity to do some research and find out which ones that you like the best. It will also give you a chance to get suggestions and advice from a lawyer to see if you really have a chance in your case and find out what options they have in mind. You want to be sure you are getting your money’s worth.

A lawyer is always going to give you the best legal advice. If you are stuck in a bind and not sure what to do then it is best to ask for the advice of a lawyer. It is your choice if you actually want to listen to the advice that a lawyer gives but they know the law, so they would have the most informative advice.

If you have been accused of a legal crime then you will want to find a lawyer for advice. A lawyer will want to get the true situation of what actually happened so that they can help to defend you in court. Because a lawyer can be so expensive, some people cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. If you are in this situation then court will normally assign one to you if need be. Everyone should have a lawyer in a legal situation.

A lawyer is a highly knowledgeable person. They have gone through much schooling to get their degrees. They are highly respectable people. They usually have a lot of experience in their field. They have also passed an exam to be certified to be a lawyer.

Sometimes people can be intimidated by lawyers since they work in such a strong career. Sometimes the fact that they make so much money can be intimidating too. Lawyers are friendly people though. They live normal lives and do things just like everyone else does. They have achieved a great education and used it help people out of bad situations and put bad people behind bars where they should be.

Aways remember that anytime legal advice is needed that it is best to seek the advice of a lawyer. There are always multiple lawyers in every city that can be contacted. Let them know what your problem is and they will let you know what the best solution is.

If you are ever in need of legal asistance, contact the appropriate lawyer or law office; there are many different types of lawyers to choose from such as, real-estate, civil, taxation and more.

  • Share/Bookmark