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Archive for January, 2009
The Bigger the Truck, the Harder They Fall
Aside from the song that mentions 18-wheelers don’t stop on a dime, there is the well-known fact that if they’re not loaded correctly, they are apt to topple over with disastrous consequences.
Cargo aside, the weight of the truck without a load is at least 10,000 pounds or more, or it isn’t classified as a large truck. Rig drivers need to pay special attention to how their load is packed on and strapped down.
Any load on a semi is the responsibility of the driver - to make sure it gets from point A to point B - and in the process does not shift and either lose the load, jackknife or topple the load and truck with it. “Accidents like this usually have grave consequences,” outlined Lance Sharp of The Sharp Law Firm in Austin, Texas. Sharp would definitely know what he’s talking about, as he’s handled many of these cases during the years he has practiced law.
It’s not enough to just load and go. There are federal, state and even local rules and regulations that deal with acceptable weights of commercial vehicles. In many cities, there are even specially designated large truck routes, specifically designed to handle the weight of a fully loaded semi, such as 130 recently built around Austin. Vehicles that large play havoc with the asphalt.
“Weight, speed and time behind the wheel are just some of the factors we need to examine in a large truck accident,” explained Sharp. For that, an experienced attorney spends time researching gross commercial vehicle weights, gross combination weights, tire loads and axle weights. Illegally overloading can be the cause of some serious accidents, and it’s the job of the large truck accident attorney to get to the bottom of the details of the case.
While some people think it’s a waste of time to consult with a lawyer, as it is obvious they were in an accident, it’s not always so obvious what damages have been sustained. Damages and injuries go straight to the heart of a court case for personal injury and factors such as illegal overloading would pertain to liability.
When involved in a serious large truck accident, make sure a highly qualified attorney assesses the case, such as the attorneys at The Sharp Law Firm in Austin, Texas. It is one phone call that may change the lives of those involved.
To learn more visit http://www.sharpfirm.com.
Adviatech Corp. PR for The Sharp Firm
9280 Bay Plaza Blvd Suite 706
Tampa, FL 33619
1.813.600.3017
Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Not Easy
Insurance companies have a tough time settling motorcycle insurance claims, largely because they take advantage of the misconception that it’s always the motorcyclist’s fault. The reality is that two-thirds of the time, it’s the vehicle driver’s fault. Yet there is a misconception that motorcyclists take unnecessary risks and are at fault for their own misfortune.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists take on an enormous risk when riding today. It’s no laughing matter that they face a much higher risk of fatality or severe injuries.
Motorbike riders have little protection when a vehicle, whose driver wasn’t paying attention, hits them. Yet the same driver tells police that the motorcycle came out of nowhere. That’s the time to call an experienced motorcycle attorney such as those at The Sharp Law Firm in Austin, Texas. They know how to ask the right questions and fight the insurance companies.
Once called, The Sharp Law Firm acts immediately to collect all the evidence including the police reports of the crash, photos of the scene of the accident and eyewitness statements. The Sharp Law Firm will also access the nature of the injuries and their value in today’s legal system.
A motorcycle accident is not an easy thing to face for the rider’s family. It is gut-wrenching and the process of recovery may be a long and painful one. A motorcyclist may be faced with a long list of medical bills, rehabilitation, loss of wages and extensive property damage. When involved in such an accident, call the experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at The Sharp Law Firm in Austin, Texas.
The Sharp Law Firm in Austin, Texas, has an outstanding record handling cases of this nature and litigates not only aggressively, but compassionately. The Sharp Law Firm also knows how to get a fair and just settlement from insurance companies that have denied your claims unjustly.
To learn more visit http://www.sharpfirm.com.
Adviatech Corp. PR for The Sharp Firm
9280 Bay Plaza Blvd Suite 706
Tampa, FL 33619
1.813.600.3017
Bicycles and Cars Don’t Mix
Bikes and cars don’t mix gracefully and often there is a dangerous (and at times, lethal) crossover where the cyclist or motorcycle rider sustains serious bodily harm or even death.
Unfortunately, cars and bikes - whether they are bicycles or motorcycles - don’t get much respect from car drivers. That may be for a variety of reasons, largely due to the fact they are hard to see in some areas around the car, especially in the blind spots. In addition, defensive driving aside, a lot of people (who will shoulder check for another vehicle) don’t bother to check for bike riders.
If you have gotten into a tangle with a car, then you need to speak with a bicycle and motorcycle accident attorney who specializes in this area. While you might think, “big deal, a bicycle accident, nothing to it,” you could not be more wrong. This is a rather extensive and somewhat complex area of the law, and any attorney practicing in this area is worth their weight in gold.
If you have been in an accident with a car, immediately call a bicycle and motorcycle accident attorney. In most instances, it is usually the motorists who are at fault for any accidents. They just don’t seem to “get” how to share the road. This, of course, puts the cyclist in a serious situation as they do not have much in the way of protection.
Is this a huge issue? Take a peek at some National Transportation Safety Board stats that state roughly 540,000 bicyclists show up in emergency rooms with injuries every year. Approximately 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 are injured badly enough to be hospitalized. That’s not all. At least 700 bicyclists died on U.S. roads in 2007 and over 90% died in fatal crashes with motor vehicles.
This is where a good bicycle attorney will earn his or her keep. They know precisely what types of injuries result from a “bike meeting a car” accident. They know about the pain and suffering of injuries, the long-term recoveries, the medical bills, the loss of wages, and how long it will take to recover from things such as traumatic brain injury, serious road rash, and a broken arm or leg. They know how to aggressively litigate to get you the damage award you need to recover and not have to suffer without proper care due to lack of funds.
Something else you might not know is, typically, insurance companies offer pitiful settlements; settlements that if applied to a motorist would be up to 40% higher. There is no equity in that equation, and this is why contacting a bicycle attorney will mean having someone in your corner to fight for your rights and keep you from getting stiffed by the insurance company.
Lance Sharp of The Sharp Firm is an Austin personal injury lawyer specializing in personal injury and accident law in Austin Texas. The lawyers at The Sharp Firm have a collective 40 years experience in being Austin injury lawyers. To learn more visit http://www.sharpfirm.com.
Austin personal injury lawyer, Austin injury lawyer, Austin personal injury
When to Call a Lawyer for an Insurance Dispute
There does come a time when it is wise to call a professional to deal with what has become an insurance dispute. Actually, in many instances, it is even wiser to call the attorney BEFORE dealing with insurance companies.
Here is the advice we give time and time again to our clients: Do not speak to insurance representatives for the other party involved in an accident; do not give statements to anyone; do not explain anything until you have a chance to speak with a lawyer. This advice needs to be heeded for the simple reason that insurance companies are not your friends and they do not really want to help you. What they want is to settle with you for as little as they can get away with in the long run.
While this may sound cold and calculating, it is a fact of business. Insurance companies are in business to stay there, not put themselves out of business by offering more for an accident claim settlement. They also won’t think twice about using any statements you made, at the scene or later, against you if it means they can offer a lower settlement or none at all. This is why you need a qualified insurance lawyer who knows the system and will get you a just settlement.
Dealing with your own insurance company is one thing; dealing with the other person’s insurance company is something else entirely. This is where things like delays, stalling, low-balling and other not-so-nice tactics come into play, such as intimidation and harassment.
Many people who have just been in a car crash have no idea what their accident claim may be worth. They think if the other party is at fault, the other party’s insurance company will offer a fair sum and won’t make you hire a lawyer.
Most often that sum is more like a pauper’s pittance and you can do better by having a qualified insurance attorney in your corner.
It’s a simple fact that insurance companies want you to settle right away so they can get rid of the claim and not put out much money on it. They don’t want you to see a lawyer who knows what s/he is doing. That only means they are going to have to pay out more money. If they are able to persuade you to take their figure, you have not only lost the battle for a just claim, but may wind up with a great deal less than you are entitled to.
When you’ve been in an accident, even if you think it is minor, take the time to call an auto accident attorney for advice. The first consultation is usually free and you will find out quickly if you have a leg to stand on in making a good settlement or court case. Don’t assume you are entitled to only what they offer. You may be way off the mark because you are not familiar with how the justice system works. This is your lawyer’s job and that first call is often well-worth your time.
Lance Sharp of The Sharp Firm is an Austin personal injury lawyer specializing in personal injury and accident law in Austin Texas. The lawyers at The Sharp Firm have a collective 40 years experience in being Austin injury lawyers. To learn more visit http://www.sharpfirm.com.
Austin personal injury lawyer, Austin injury lawyer, Austin personal injury
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