U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately.

“We applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation for taking this measure to prevent senseless accidents involving texting while driving,” stated Attorney Eric Hageman. “Because trucks are heavier, harder to maneuver and more difficult to slow and stop than passenger vehicles, it is important that we continue to hold truck drivers to the highest possible standards.”

The texting ban on truck and bus drivers is the result of the Department's interpretation of standing rules. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

In addition to the federally-imposed penalty, truck and bus drivers, the companies they work for and others can be held liable for injuries and death caused by texting while driving. Contact our law firm about holding drivers accountable and compensation for accident victims and their families.

To contact an injury lawyer MN about a lawsuit against a truck driver, bus driver, trucking company or bus company, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online form for a free consultation.

Labels: car accident lawyers, semi accident mn

Collision attorney Fred Pritzker settled a semi truck accident collision case this month for 2.56 million dollars. The clients, a husband and wife in their sixties, were returning from a family reunion when their automobile was hit from behind by a semi-truck. The initial impact caused their vehicle to lose control, cross the center median and collide head-on with an SUV traveling in the opposite direction. The husband suffered a traumatic brain injury and both the husband and wife had extensive orthopedic injuries.

Below are more of Fred Pritzker's million-plus recoveries for his clients:

1. Motorcycle Crash - $6,000,000 on behalf of a 26 year-old female passenger whose right leg was traumatically amputated when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger was struck by a drunk driver.
   
2. Collision and Product Liability - $3,750,000 on behalf of a 39 year-old man whose left leg was amputated below the knee following injuries sustained in a recreational vehicle crash caused by a defective control mechanism.
3. Car Accident - $3,500,000 on behalf of a child who suffered significant brain damage in a multi-vehicle crash. The vehicle in which she was a passenger lost control after attempting to avoid a collision with another vehicle. Her vehicle then crossed the median and collided with two other vehicles.
4. Truck Accident - $2,850,000 on behalf of the family of a man who was killed when his vehicle was struck by debris from a truck. The man was survived by his wife, two minor children and two adult children from a previous marriage.
5. Truck Accident Wrongful Death- $2,000,000 on behalf of the heirs of a 37 year-old male who was killed when his delivery truck was struck from the rear at high speed by a garbage truck.
6. Truck-Pedestrian Crash - $1,700,000 on behalf of a 42 year-old man who was run over by s semi-tractor as the man stood beside the road while assisting another motorist who crashed in an earlier accident. The victim sustained a number of fractures and internal injuries from which he never fully recovered.
7. Medical Product Liability - $1,800,000 in a case involving a medical product that caused permanent injury.
8. Truck-Pedestrian Crash - $1,536,921 on behalf of a 36 year-old man whose wheel chair was struck by a garbage truck as the man tried to cross a busy road. He used a motorized chair due to pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis. The crash resulted in a hip fracture that required surgery and caused the man to lose additional function.
9. Collision with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) -( Farm-Implement/Automobile Crash) - $1,225,666 on behalf of a 50 year-old female who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when the vehicle she was operating was struck by a farm sprayer that failed to stop at a rural intersection.
10. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - $1,100,000 on behalf of a 26 year-old male whose motorcycle was struck by a left turning automobile operated by a 16 year-old driver.

Labels: accident, car, car accident lawsuit, car accident lawyers, collision, head injury, pain

Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“Talking on cell phones and texting while driving have become national pastimes, and they are high-risk activities,” stated Attorney Fred Pritzker. “We represent people in injury and wrongful death cases involving distracted driver accidents. Lives are ended or changed forever because drivers think it is more important to talk on the phone or text a friend than to focus on driving.”

One merely has to stand on a busy street corner to know that a large number of people drive while using cell phones. With advanced technology, these phones can also be used to text, surf the Web, play video games and watch movies.

“We now know that the worst offenders are the youngest, least experienced drivers,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Unfortunately though, the problem doesn't end there. Distracted driving occurs across all age groups and all modes of transportation, from cars to buses and trucks to trains. We must work together to find solutions that will prevent crashes caused by driver distraction.”

Pritzker Olsen attorneys agree with Secretary LaHood and propose a three-pronged approach:

1. Legislation: Several states have bans or partial bans on cell phone use and texting while driving. Every state needs to address this life-threatening problem and enact effective laws. These laws need to have teeth—violators should be adequately punished.
2. Enforcement: The laws need to allow police and other traffic enforcement officers to pull over a vehicle if the driver is observed talking on a cell phone or texting. Traffic enforcement officers need to make the effort to enforce these laws.
3. Education: The public needs to be educated about the laws and the consequences of violating those laws.
   

To contact a car accident lawyer at Pritzker Olsen law an accident involving a driver who was talking on a cell phone or texting, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our online form for a free consultation.

Labels: car accident lawyers

A tragic accident in Independence, Minnesota has left four people dead, two of them children. According to news reports, a dump truck was heading west on County Road 6 when an SUV crossed the center line and collided with the dump truck.

Some of the family members of the passengers of the SUV will probably be contacted by the SUV driver’s auto insurance company within the next few days.What they need to know is that they are probably entitled to some financial recovery from the insurance company. If you would like to discuss family compensation with a lawyer, contact our law firm for a free consultation:

• (612)338-0202,
• 1-888-377-8900 (toll free), or
• submit our free consultation form.
  

Labels: car accident lawyers, wrongful death

A violation of a Minnesota traffic law is prima facie evidence of driver negligence, meaning it is considered negligence if the defendant fails to introduce evidence of an excuse or justification for violating the traffic law. If a driver involved in a car accident is found negligent, persons injured in the accident may sue for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering (includes physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement and disability) and other expenses.

CONTACT A LAWYER ABOUT MINNESOTA LAW AND VICTIM COMPENSATION >>

Traffic law violations frequently involved in Minnesota car accidents include the following:

Failure to Yield Right-of-Way: Minnesota statutory law regarding right-of-way can be found in Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.20. Includes provisions on intersections, left turns, stop signs, emergency vehicles, entering the highway and transit buses. Read about Minnesota accidents and failure to yield right-of-way.

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Speeding: Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.14 provides specific speed limits for different roadways. For example, the speed limit for noninterstate expressways and noninterstate freeways is 65, unless otherwise stated on a traffic sign. All of the speed limits listed can be modified and the lower speed limits posted. Drivers are responsible for knowing the speed limit. Read about a Minnesota accident caused by a speeding driver.

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Turning, Signaling, U-Turns and Changing Lanes: Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.19 provides laws governing turning at an intersection, signaling to turn, signaling to stop, u-turns, changing course (includes changing lanes) and starting from a stopped position. The law states that all drivers are responsible for driving in a manner that is safe. Read about an accident involving failure to signal, an illegal turn, a u-turn or recklessly changing lanes.

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Drunk Driving (DUI): Under Minnesota Statute, Sec. 169A, it is a violation of Minnesota law to drive with an alcohol concentration of .08 or more. In a civil action against a drunk driver, the injured party may have a claim for punitive damages, which, depending on the circumstances, can be significant. A criminal charge or conviction is not a prerequisite to consideration of punitive damages. Read about a Minnesota drunk driving (DUI) accident.

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Cell Phones and Text Messaging: Under Minnesota Statutes, Sec. 169.443, subd. 9, a school bus driver may not operate a school bus while communicating over, or otherwise operating a cellular phone for personal reasons when the vehicle is in motion. This restriction applies whether the style of the cell phone is hand held or hands free. This also includes texting. Minnesota Statutes, Sections 171.05 and 171.055, states that provisional license holders and instruction permit holders who are under the age of 18 may not use cell phones when driving. Read about a Minnesota accident involving cell phone use or test messaging.

If you have been injured by a car, commercial truck, motorcycle or other vehicle in Minnesota, contact our law firm at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free) or (612)338-0202. If you would prefer to send us an on-line message, please submit our free consultation form.

Labels: car accident lawyers, Minnesota accident

Reduce the risk of injury from any frontal airbag by observing the following:

• Buckle your safety belt.
• Keep about 10 inches or more between your chest and the airbag cover.
• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag, even a reduced-power or advanced air bag, unless the air bag on-off switch is in the OFF position.
• Place children age 12 and under in the back seat, and make sure they are properly restrained, either in a safety belt or a child safety seat that is appropriate for their size, weight, and age.
• Watch for car recalls involving airbags.
  

Warning!!! Even with advanced air bags, children can be killed or seriously injured by air bags. Always put children age 12 and under in the rear seat.

We have a national reputation in the area of product liability. If you were in a car accident and the air bag did not deploy, contact us regarding your accident toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit our online consultation form (right) for review by one of our car accident lawyers.

Labels: air bag, airbag recall, airbag safety, car accident lawyers