The post Are you sharing the road with drowsy truckers? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>Even though they are professional drivers, truckers are not immune to making mistakes while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, they are prone to fatigue due to long hours, a tight schedule and the monotony of hundreds of miles of road each day. When fatigue or drowsiness overcomes a truck driver, motorists in smaller passenger vehicles are at risk for catastrophic injuries.
Numerous factors can cause truck driver fatigue, including:
Whether it is a city street, county road or highway, drivers must always be on the lookout for dangerous drivers. While many people stereotype a dangerous driver as someone who is speeding or driving recklessly, numerous factors lead to danger. If the truck driver is distracted, impaired or fatigued, can a devastating collision be far behind?
The post Are you sharing the road with drowsy truckers? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Exactly what is traumatic brain injury and how long does it last? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>There are a few different types of brain injuries that are seen in individuals.
There are many different possible causes of a head injury in both adults and children. Motor vehicle accidents often cause head injuries. Head injuries may also occur when people fall or they are physically abused in any number of ways.
If someone receives a direct hit to their head, the brain may be physically damaged. One possible bruise to the brain will appear directly where the impact occurred. The brain will move backward because of the impact of the hit and it will run into the skull. This can also cause the brain’s lining, blood vessels, and tissues to cause bruising, bleeding and swelling. If a person does have brain damage as a result of some impact, their symptoms may be mild or they may be more severe. There are some people who suffer permanent damage as the result of a severe injury, which will affect their life in different ways.
If you have suffered a TBI as a result of another person’s negligence, you may wish to consult with a Columbus, Ohio, lawyer, who can give you the benefit of their knowledge and expertise. The lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected and that you hopefully can receive the compensation that you need and to which you are entitled.
The post Exactly what is traumatic brain injury and how long does it last? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Ohio’s distracted driving statistics show room for improvement appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>And the effects can be devastating. Taking one’s eyes off the road for even a split second can cause nearly the length of a football field to pass without realizing it, which could cause a driver to fail to stop for slow or halted traffic. It can even cause a motorist to run a red light or a stop sign, or swerve into oncoming traffic.
Sadly, the number of distracted driving accidents in Ohio is significant. In fact, according to statistics, between 2015 and 2020 there were more than 75,000 car accidents attributable to distracted driving. Franklin County alone had more than 7,400 distracted driving wrecks during that time period. Making matters worse is the fact that hundreds of these cases statewide resulted in death, and thousands more were likely injured in these crashes.
Anyone can cause a distracted driving accident, but statistics do show some trends. For example, men are more likely to engage in distracted driving in Ohio than women, although both play a major role in these accidents, with men accounting for 55% of them and women accounting for 44%. Younger drivers also make up more than a third of these wrecks. This could be attributable to their lack of driving experience and skills, or it could be on account of their more extensive use of electronic devices while driving.
When out on the roads, you need to be as defensive as possible. This means keeping an appropriate amount of distance between yourself and other vehicles and remaining attentive to those who are beside and behind you. Follow all traffic laws, but also don’t hesitate to contact law enforcement if you see a driver who is operating his or her vehicle in a distracted or otherwise dangerous fashion. After all, the statistics also show that law enforcement officials are doing their best to issue citations to those who text and drive and drive in other distracted ways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these wrecks, then you may want to consider legal action. Doing so may be the only way for you to obtain true accountability and recover the compensation that you need and deserve. Pursuing one of these claims isn’t always easy, though, as it can be fraught with legal complexities. That’s why you may want to consider working closely with a legal professional who understands the law and how to apply it to your set of circumstances. An attorney can also help you investigate the accident to not only gain a clear picture of what, exactly, happened, but also to gather the evidence that you need to support your claim.
Remember, the individual who injured you and his or her insurance company isn’t looking out for your best interests. So, even though you may be offered a settlement, you shouldn’t jump on it too quickly. Instead, you should carefully analyze the offer in light of your damages and your likelihood of success should you take your case to trial. If you’d like assistance in conducting that analysis and building the strongest case possible under the circumstances, then now may be the time to discuss your case with an experienced legal professional.
The post Ohio’s distracted driving statistics show room for improvement appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Can you develop bed sores during a hospital stay? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>A patient who remains in the same position for extended periods of time can develop the progressive skin condition known as bed sores. While many people equate the onset of bedsores with nursing home residents who are confined to a wheelchair or bed, these pressure sores can develop on the skin under numerous conditions. A medical staff must ensure not only the proper hydration of patients but that they are continuously moved to reduce or eliminate the pressure on certain body parts.
Bed sores, also called decubitus ulcers, develop after prolonged periods of pressure against the skin. These sores often affect areas of the body that have little muscle or tissue separating the skin from the bones such as the heels, hips, shoulder blades or tailbone. Without the proper care and attention, the condition can quickly progress through numerous stages of severity including skin damage, tenderness, cellulitis, bone infections and sepsis. An infection can quickly spread through the blood to numerous vital organs leading to severe complications.
After a serious surgery or a medical condition that challenges mobility, a hospital patient faces the risk of developing bedsores. Even with doctors, nurses and techs coming in and out of the hospital room, patients must receive the proper care necessary to prevent this devastating condition.
Far from an isolated complication, bed sores can impact thousands of hospital patients each year. What might seem at first like a minor skin condition can quickly progress to damage muscles and bones – often requiring amputation.
The post Can you develop bed sores during a hospital stay? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Wrongful death caused by drunk driving and taking legal action appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>While many of the individuals who are responsible for causing these deaths are held criminally liable for their actions, the truth of the matter is that a criminal prosecution does nothing to help families coping with the financial realities that their loss has caused. For these families, merely getting by on a day-to-day basis can be difficult, especially if their loved one was the primary wage earner in the family. While these lost wages can certainly take a toll, so, too, can medical and funeral expenses, not to mention the emotional pain and suffering that befalls these families.
So, what can these families do to find their own sense of accountability and recover the compensation that they’re owed? One option is to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Although it might seem easy to pursue one of these cases in the aftermath of a drunk driving accident, they can actually be rather complicated. That’s why if you’ve lost a loved one to one of these tragic wrecks, then you may want to consider taking the following steps to help build your case.
If you’ve lost a loved one to a drunk driving accident, then you’re going through what could be the toughest part of your life. Your emotional pain and suffering can be exacerbated by the financial turmoil that has been thrust upon you, which can leave you stressed about your uncertain future. But you shouldn’t despair. Instead, you should seek out the guidance and support that you need to build a thorough and compelling wrongful death claim. Only then can you rest assured that you’ve positioned yourself as best as possible for success and closing this painful chapter of your life.
The post Wrongful death caused by drunk driving and taking legal action appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Can premature discharge from an emergency room be medical malpractice? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>Sometimes, unfortunately, doctors and other emergency room personnel make mistakes that can have horrific consequences for the injured person – such as when they discharge someone too early without performing an adequate examination. When can a hospital or doctor be legally accountable for increased injuries that result from a premature emergency room discharge?
Doctors and other medical professionals have a minimum standard of care that they must always comply with when assisting patients. Medical malpractice is when a doctor negligently deviates from this standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient that could have been avoided if the doctor had behaved as they should have.
When courts must decide whether a particular doctor’s conduct constitutes malpractice, they compare that doctor’s actions with the actions of a hypothetical average and reasonable doctor in their field. If the average doctor would have done something (or refrained from doing something) in a particular situation, then it could be malpractice to deviate from that course of action, especially if doing so harms the patient.
Applying this standard to the context of emergency room visits, it could be malpractice for an E.R. doctor to discharge someone before the average doctor would agree that it is safe to do so.
For example, you might be showing signs of a severe bacterial infection, internal bleeding or some other problem that practically any other doctor would recognize, but your E.R. staff failed to catch it and sent you home prematurely, which caused your condition to become much worse.
It’s important to note, however, that just because you suffer from an adverse effect from premature discharge from the E.R. does not necessarily mean that there was medical malpractice involved. The doctor’s decision to discharge you must have been the actual cause of your injury getting worse.
Medical malpractice comes in many forms, and it can cause a great deal of unnecessary suffering. Fortunately, our justice system offers recourses to victims of the negligence of medical personnel.
The post Can premature discharge from an emergency room be medical malpractice? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post How to share the road safely with bicyclists appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>One big rule for bicyclists is to be predictable. This means traveling in the same direction as traffic and riding in bike lanes if there are bike lanes present. Biking on the sidewalk can make it harder for motorists to see you, and sometimes sidewalks end abruptly forcing the bicyclist to ride into traffic. Bicyclists should also signal before turning, and they should look behind them briefly before changing lanes or executing a turn. Bicyclists may want to consider taking a safe riding class. And bicyclists should always make sure to wear a helmet when riding.
Motorists also have rules to follow when sharing the road with bicyclists. Motorists must yield to a bicyclist’s right of way when necessary to avoid turning in front of the bicyclist and causing an accident. Motorists should make sure they pay attention when reversing, especially in parking lots as there may be bicyclists behind them. At intersections motorists should come to a complete stop and look both ways for any bicyclists approaching them. Motorists should avoid speeding and drive defensively.
If you are struck by a car while riding your bicycle you could be seriously injured. When this happens, you may want to learn more about negligence lawsuits. Simply put, motorists have a duty to drive with due care. If they breach this duty by striking a bicyclist, causing injuries that would not have happened but for the crash, the injured bicyclist may be able to hold the negligent motorist accountable.
The post How to share the road safely with bicyclists appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Second Chances Undermining Medical Services appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an agency serving as the primary federal health care provider and advocate for American Indians and Alaska natives. The group’s mission is to provide medical services to all 2.6 million members of 563 federal recognized tribes throughout 36 states, including Ohio. Their mission is simple: to offer the best care possible.
Recent news seems to undermine that mission. According to a Wall Street Journal investigation, IHS has become well known for giving “second chances” to doctors with troubling histories of malpractice allegations that resulted in permanent suspensions and potentially career-ending regulatory sanctions.
After five malpractice settlements, one doctor hired by IHS had previously received a permanent suspension from the facility where he practiced most of his career. The ban was based on findings of “multiple serious deficits in judgment.”
By turning to the IHS, he was able to resume his career. Following five additional malpractice settlements totaling $1.8 million, including two fatalities, the doctor retired.
That quintet of complaints only scratches the surface of the 163 malpractice claims examined, with 40 percent resulting in death. Of the doctors hired by IHS, 25 percent of those recruited should have sounded some type of alert after reviewing their respective applications.
To put this calamity into perspective, insurance actuaries determined that doctors in the United States will have one malpractice claim every 20 years. Surgeons would likely have two during the same period.
IHS saw merit in some physicians who had 10 in the last decade.
Admittedly, recruitment is a challenge for any medical facility. In May of last year, the IHS had a vacancy rate of just under 30 percent. Remote locations and lower pay present hiring. However, lowering standards and failing to secure all information in background checks have a more cataclysmic effect on the health of Native American communities throughout the country.
The post Second Chances Undermining Medical Services appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Why should I have more than the minimum auto insurance coverage? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>In Ohio, the minimum car insurance coverage is generally the most expensive. Under Ohio law, motorists must carry at least $25,000 in insurance coverage for injury/death of one person, $50,000 for injury/death of two or more individuals and $25,000 for property damage in the event of a crash. Carrying the minimum amount of insurance can be costly for motorists and may discourage them from carrying more than the minimal coverage. However, carrying further protection may not be as costly as carrying the minimal protection.
While the minimum amount of insurance coverage can be costly, carrying a further $250,000 in insurance coverage may wind up being less costly in the end. If you are in an motor vehicle accident that results in injuries or significant property damage, the costs could go above and beyond the minimum insurance requirements and you could face a lawsuit for the costs that are left. If you carry enough insurance coverage you may avoid the possibility of a lawsuit that could cause you to incur a significant amount of expenses. The extra coverage you may want to consider includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments and collision and comprehensive coverage.
Whether you carry the minimum amount of insurance coverage or a greater amount of insurance coverage, if you are involved in a serious car crash you may find that your damages exceed what is covered by your insurance. If this is the case, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for the crash. This post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Our firm’s webpage on auto accident injuries may be a good resource for those who have been in a car crash and are looking for further information on their rights and options.
The post Why should I have more than the minimum auto insurance coverage? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>The post Are you in a truck’s blind spot? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>A bigger vehicle means that everything that comes with it is bigger, including the blind spots. For semi-trucks, their blind spots can obscure multiple vehicles at the same time. There are four primary zones that you should always avoid to ensure the truck driver can see you.
When a driver cannot see you, they may change speeds or lanes and crash into you. Because of how deadly these accidents can be, it is best to avoid these blind spots entirely.
Remember: if you cannot see a truck driver while driving near them, they cannot see you. Do not risk your safety and the safety of your passengers by assuming you are in a safe spot. If you are driving near a semi-truck, be sure to give them the space they need to drive safely.
The post Are you in a truck’s blind spot? appeared first on Van Eman Law, LLC.
]]>