Thursday, December 31, 2015

Should You Go The Doctor After a Motorcycle Accident Even if You Do Not Notice an Injury?




The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Crash Facts and Statistics provides that in the year 2014, there were 3,281 motorcycle accidents in the State of Pennsylvania and that 184 of those accidents included fatalities.  That report also states that while the total number of motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania decreased in 2014 by 4.2%, the total number of motorcycle accidents involving a fatality increased by 5.1% [1].   The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that through 2008, lower extremity injuries were the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents, followed by upper extremity and head injuries and that motorcyclists involved in accidents sustained more leg injuries with bone fractures being the most common type of injury [2].  These statistics remind us of the severity of the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, to both driver and passengers alike, and suggest that anyone involved in a motorcycle accident may require medical attention even if their injuries are not initially obvious. 

CALL A PHILADELPHIA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Even if you do not believe that you are injured, it is important to visit a doctor or other qualified medical professional as soon as possible following a motorcycle accident.  After you receive medical treatment, you should contact a Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation. 

Motorcycle accident victims, both riders and passengers, are often entitled to financial compensation under Philadelphia law. For this reason, anyone injured in a motorcycle accident should retain an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney.  At the Levin Firm, we understand how difficult it can be if you are involved in a motorcycle accident.  We know how to evaluate your situation based upon the facts of your case and to investigate these types of accidents.  We can assist you in dealing with insurance companies or to file a claim against any party that may be liable for your injuries so that you can receive the full amount of compensation that is owed to you.  Please call 215-825-5183 to schedule a free consultation today or call our toll free number at 877-825-8542.


References

[1]  http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/HighwaySafety/Web%20Development/Crash%20Facts%20Book/2014_CFB_linked.pdf

[2] http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810982.pdf

Friday, December 11, 2015

Truck Accidents in Adverse Weather



Truck drivers are expected to comply with all traffic laws, abide by regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA),1 and to drive in a reasonably safe manner. What is considered to be “reasonably safe” can change depending on different factors, however. For example, safe driving behaviors on an open highway may not necessarily be safe in heavy traffic or in a construction zone. One important factor truck drivers must always consider when driving safely is the weather.

Rain, ice, fog, snow, and sleet can all make roads extremely dangerous. Truck drivers may drive through many different areas of the country and sometimes may experience several different weather patterns in one trip. This means they need to be prepared for any type of adverse weather and also must adjust their driving based n changing weather.

Unfortunately, truck drivers do not always slow down or take necessary precautions in adverse weather. They are driving the largest, heaviest vehicles on the road and, therefore, they may have more control than drivers of small passenger vehicles. This does not make it safe to drive faster than other traffic or to follow too closely. Instead, truck drivers should be well aware of what driving behaviors are prudent in adverse weather and what could lead to a collision. If a driver is operating a truck at speeds too fast for the weather conditions, they can be found negligent even if they were traveling within the posted speed limit. Negligent truck drivers and their employers can be held accountable for the losses of victims of accidents that may occur.

Schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia truck accident attorney
Commercial truck cases are often challenging, as trucking corporations have attorneys and insurance companies working to dispute your claims and avoid liability. The Levin Firm has the resources to take on these companies to hold truck drivers and their employers accountable for their negligent actions so that you can fully recover financially for your losses. Consultations are always free of charge, so please call us at 215-825-5183 so we can get started on your case.


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Do You Have A Concussion?


A concussion1 is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) though the qualifier “mild” can often be misleading. Simply because a brain injury is considered to be mild does not mean it may not have serious effects on your life or cause losses. “Mild” simply refers to the fact that symptoms clear up in a shorter amount of time than id the case with more severe TBIs. Even if your brain injury is minor, a diagnosis and treatment is necessary to avoid complications and ensure your recovery.

Were you in an accident?
Anytime you are in an accident that involves a hit to the head or a sudden jolt, there is the potential to sustain a concussion. Some accidents that commonly cause concussions include:

·         Hits in contact sports
·         Falls
·         Motor vehicle accidents
·         Pedestrian accidents
·         Bicycle accidents2

After any of these accidents, it is important to undergo a medical evaluation to identify a concussion or any other type of injury.

Are you experiencing symptoms?
Brain injury symptoms are not always immediately identifiable or recognizable to the victim. If you are experiencing any of the following, you should tell your doctor:

·         Headaches
·         Confusion
·         Cognitive problems
·         Physical coordination issues
·         Troubles with speech or senses
·         Loss of consciousness

There are many more possible symptoms so if anything feels out of the ordinary, you should err on the side of caution and seek a diagnosis.

Contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer for help today
At The Levin Firm, our legal team understands that even relatively minor injuries can have a significant effect on your life. Not only should you always receive the proper medical treatment you need for physical recovery, but we also know how important financial recovery from any responsible parties can be. Even victims of a concussion or other type of mild TBI can incur medical costs and may lose income due to missing work while their brain injury heals. You deserve to be compensated for any injury-related losses, so please call an experienced brain injury attorney at 215-825-5183 for a free consultation today.


Thursday, October 22, 2015

Should I Accept a Settlement Claim from an Insurance Company?



Following a car accident, you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries by your insurance company whether or not you were at fault under Pennsylvania's no-fault insurance laws.1 If you pay your premiums, you should be able to trust that your own insurance company will have you best interests in mind and will provide adequate compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Unfortunately, the business model of many insurance companies depends upon limiting liability whenever possible and this often means paying injured policyholders less than they deserve.

Know the true value of your insurance claim
Too many auto accident victims submit a claim and then wait for the insurance company to tell them what their claim is worth. However, most major insurance companies now use software to determine a settlement offer, so a real person is not even reviewing your losses. Additionally, this software can often be manipulated to purposely lower settlement offers2 for bodily injury whenever possible. For this reason, you should never simply trust the insurance adjuster's assessment of your claim.

For example, many initial offers are solely based on your already-incurred medical expenses and may not take into consideration necessary future treatments. If you unknowingly accept a settlement offer that is too low, you cannot go back and make additional claims for future complications or treatment arising from the same accident. Instead, all past and future treatment costs should be taken into consideration when you are considering a settlement, as well as past and future lost income and other losses.

Accepting a settlement offer is not your only option. Instead, you can negotiate with your insurance for a higher payout or bring a claim against the party who caused your accident. You should always discuss your legal rights and options with a qualified auto accident attorney.

Discuss your case with an experienced Philadelphia auto accident lawyer
Before you accept any type of settlement offer from an insurance company, you should always consult with a qualified Philadelphia car accident lawyer who knows how to determine the true value of your claim. At The Levin Firm, consultations are always free, so there is nothing to lose by calling 215-25-5183 to schedule an appointment to discuss your accident today.



Friday, October 9, 2015

What Kinds of Accidents can Result in a Spinal Cord Injury?


Spinal cord injuries, or SCIs, are among the most serious kinds of injuries that an individual can sustain. In many instances, SCIs result in long-term medical issues, and could even cause permanent paralysis. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center [1] at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, there were approximately 276,000 people living with a spinal cord injury in the United States during 2014. These injuries can occur for a number of reasons, some of which could entitle victims to significant compensation. For this reason, anyone who has sustained an SCI should talk to a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Common accidents that can cause SCIs
When people are injured in preventable accidents, they must generally be able to establish that their accident was the result of someone else’s negligence [2] in order to be able to recover compensation. In the context of a Pennsylvania personal injury case, “negligence” refers to a person’s failure to conduct himself or herself with the degree of care that would ordinarily be exercised by a reasonable person. There are many kinds of accidents caused by negligence that could result in an SCI, including the following:

·         Car accidents
·         Truck accidents
·         Motorcycle accidents
·         Bicycle accidents
·         Medical errors
·         Slip and falls
·         Recreational accidents
·         Sports accidents
·         Accidents involving consumer products
·         Pedestrian accidents

Whether or not your accident was the result of negligence is often a complicated issue, so victims should always have their case reviewed by an attorney. In addition, it is important for victims of accidents to make sure that they do not say or do things that may inadvertently admit fault. For this reason, it is important to retain legal counsel before making any statements to any insurance company that may contact you.

Contact a Philadelphia personal injury attorney to discuss your case today

Attorney Gabriel Levin is a skilled personal injury lawyer who aggressively pursues compensation on behalf of his clients. To schedule a free consultation with Mr. Levin today, call our office at 215-825-5183 or send us an email through our online contact form.