Blog | Page 2 of 17 | Ahlander Injury Law

Being Injured as a Pedestrian in a Car Accident

November 1, 2022 by Big Leap

When most people think of a car accident, they only think of accidents involving one or more vehicles where a collision occurs. However, pedestrians can also be involved and heavily impacted in car accidents. It’s important to understand their role.

Causes of Accidents

Drivers are legally responsible for looking out for pedestrians, so the driver is typically at fault in an accident involving a pedestrian. A driver might strike a pedestrian for a variety of reasons. If they’re backing up and can’t see well, they might hit some. Accidents are also common due to the negligence of the driver, speeding, distracted driving, and ignoring traffic laws are all reasons for accidents involving pedestrians. All these actions make it harder for drivers to stop in time. Additionally, the risk of hitting a pedestrian increases after dusk. If drivers aren’t being careful, they can cause significant damage.

Potential Injuries

Injuries in any kind of car accident are quite serious, but they are more severe when involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian isn’t protected in any way. No matter how fast the driver is going, the pedestrian is still being struck by heavy machinery. Pedestrians can sustain injuries to their entire bodies when hit by a car. They may have fractures or even fully broken bones. They can sustain injuries to their head and spine which can cause permanent damage. Of course, bruises, cuts, lesions, sprains, joint dislocation, and more are also common. Recovering from all these injuries can take significant time and may even require medical procedures such as surgery.

Receiving Compensation

If you, as a pedestrian, are hit by a car then you deserve fair compensation. Your injuries can affect you in several ways. First of all, it is expensive to receive medical care to treat injuries. The cost will cover things like surgery, medication, physical therapy, etc. and this cost can be overwhelming. Fair compensation from insurance companies can relieve the financial burden. If your injuries are severe, they can prevent you from returning to work, and you are entitled to compensation for lost wages. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it is best to contact an attorney so they can argue your case. With their help, you can be fully compensated for the damages you’ve received.

If a pedestrian is injured in a car accident, those injuries can be life-threatening. It’s a frightening experience to go through and the aftermath can lead to even more stress. You need all the help you can get.

Find an attorney to assist on your case. Click here to learn more about Ahlander Injury Law and get in contact with a car accident lawyer.

Everything You Need to Know About Witnesses of a Car Accident

October 19, 2022 by Big Leap

Having witnesses to a car accident can make a big difference in the outcome of the accident including how you are compensated by insurance companies. There’s a lot you and anyone else directly involved in the accident can say about what happened. However, a witness can improve your situation.

Types of Witnesses

In any accident, there are two main types of witnesses. The first is an eyewitness. This witness is anyone who watched the accident happen or observed your injuries after. These witnesses are more believable if they are not passengers in the same car as you or are related to you. The second type of witness is an expert witness. An expert witness can add more strength to your case by using science and help persuade the insurance companies and their attorneys of what compensation you need. Examples include medical or mental health professionals, accident reconstruction experts, engineers, highway safety experts, etc.

Benefits of a Witness Testimony

A strong witness is an objective third party that is present simply to state the facts of what happened. They offer no bias and simply testify of what happened during the accident or what resulted because of the accident. Insurance companies can use their testimonies to understand what really happened and who is deserving of what compensation. Additionally, a witness testimony can be used to determine who is at fault because they may have witnessed behavior that clearly implicates one of the motorists involved in the crash.

Impact on Insurance Claims

Insurance companies will thoroughly scrutinize the credibility of any witnesses in order to avoid giving out more compensation than necessary. First, they will determine if there are any connections between the involved parties and the witnesses. They will also look for any inconsistencies in the witness’s story. If the witness can’t recall certain events or if they tell the story differently, the insurance company may claim they are not a reliable witness. A witness could also be counted as invalid if they only saw what led up to the crash or what happened right after, rather than the whole thing.

A car accident is scary to experience and a hassle to deal with. Having some witnesses involved can improve your chances of getting the compensation you deserve after a crash. If you work with an accident or injury lawyer, talk to them about calling in witnesses.

Working with an attorney can help you get compensation after an accident. Click here to receive help from Ahlander Injury Law.

Biggest Mistakes Made After a Car Accident

October 5, 2022 by Big Leap

After being in a car accident, it’s common to experience shock and uncertainty. However, there are certain actions you need to make sure you avoid after any kind of accident. Making these mistakes can ruin your chances of getting proper compensation.

Not Seeking Medical Help

No matter the results of your car accident, you should seek medical help if you feel any pain. Often, the injuries you receive are not obvious at first and you might assume you’re fine. However, these injuries can become more serious when it’s too late to receive compensation. Additionally, if you don’t seek any medical attention then it can be difficult or even impossible to prove to the insurance companies involved that you received serious injuries. You need verification from a health care professional that you received injuries and this verification will also explain how serious the injuries were.

Admitting Fault

Under no circumstances should you ever admit fault when you’re in a car accident. Even if you know it was your fault, it’s best to keep your mouth shut. Don’t apologize to the others involved (even though this may feel wrong) because apologizing admits guilt. It is fine to ask if other are okay, but don’t admit to doing anything wrong. In any accident, the police should be called and they will investigate the crash and determine who is at fault. Don’t admit anything and let them handle it.

Settling Quickly

Since car accidents are so stressful, it’s natural to want to take care of everything quickly and be done with it. However, this is the wrong approach to have. You want to make sure everything has been thoroughly investigated first, so you can successfully obtain what compensation you need. This includes having a medical evaluation done to see what injuries you’ve sustained and how serious they are. You should also make sure your vehicle is inspected so you know the extent of the damage. Settling quickly can mean missing out on potential compensation. Again, not all injuries are obvious at first and you may receive compensation before realizing how bad your injuries really are.

You need to know what actions you should take after a car accident occurs. If you know common mistakes, you can know what to avoid and you can protect yourself. For further protection, you should hire an injury lawyer to support your case.

Having an injury lawyer on your side can help you get the compensation you need. Click here to get in contact with qualified attorneys at Ahlander Injury Law.

The Dangers of Truck Blind Spots

September 21, 2022 by Big Leap

When driving on a freeway, everyone encounters big semi-trucks and other box trucks. Driving alongside these big vehicles can be stressful and it’s important to understand the risks. These trucks have large blindspots and understanding these blindspots can help you to stay safe.

What Are Truck Blind Spots?

Blindspots are any areas surrounding a vehicle that are difficult for the driver to see even when using mirrors. These blindspots can pose dangers to other vehicles who may be in them and they can lead to unintentional collisions. Since trucks are such large vehicles, they have many blindspots that need to be avoided. These include immediately in front of the truck, immediately behind, along the sides on a diagonal, and right below the driver’s window.

Why They’re Dangerous

The blindspots of a truck nearly surround the entire vehicle. Because of this, it can be unsafe to be next to a truck at any point. It’s difficult for them to see you and it can lead to a very serious collision since their vehicle is likely much larger than yours. Collisions can occur both due to the vehicles driving in the blind spot and the actions of the truck driver. Aggressive driving of any kind can lead to an accident. If the truck driver is fatigued or doesn’t check their blindspots then this can also lead to a collision.

How to Drive Safely

You can’t control what a truck does on the road, but you can control how you drive around them. The best way to be safe when driving alongside a larger truck or semi is to practice safe driving. In general, you should avoid a truck’s blindspots and drive past them quickly (but safely) when you are alongside one. When pulling in front of a semi, allow extra space before merging because they can’t see directly in front of them. If you are behind a truck, don’t follow too close behind. They can’t see you and you’re likely to end up in a rear-end collision.

Being safe on the road should be your top priority. Understanding truck blindspots can help you know how to best drive alongside these larger vehicles. You can avoid nasty accidents and provide a safer environment for all drivers.

Have you been injured in a truck accident? Click here to find an injury lawyer to represent your case.

Compensation Received in a Motorcycle Accident

September 12, 2022 by Big Leap

While any automobile accident can be scary, a motorcycle accident is especially frightening. You are far more exposed and can receive serious injuries in addition to the damage to your motorcycle. After an accident, you should seek compensation and you have several options for that..

Coverage for Injuries and Vehicle Damage

As with most accidents, you can receive coverage for any injuries you recieve. This will include portions of the cost for medical bills, procedures, medications, therapies, and more. These costs can be overwhelming, so seeking compensation for them should be a priority. In a motorcycle accident, it’s very likely that your vehicle will have sustained damage. You can receive coverage to repair your motorcycle.

Lost Wages and Lost Transportation

Due to severe injuries, there is a chance that you won’t be able to work. Fortunately, you can receive compensation for any wages you will have lost while unable to work. This can help ease your mind, and any financial burden, as you recover from the accident. Additionally, you can receive coverage for lost transportation. If you’re in a motorcycle accident, it’s possible that your vehicle was totaled or you won’t be able to drive it until it’s repaired. Compensation for a lost vehicle can help you afford alternative transportation options until your motorcycle is repaired or you’re able to get a new form of transportation.

Pain and Suffering

In addition to the above compensation, you can also seek compensation for pain and suffering you’ve experienced from the accident. This accounts for things that are more subjective. For example, you can receive compensation that counts towards recovering from the trauma of the event, the effort for getting treatment, and activities you’ve had to modify or cancel due to your injuries. Getting this kind of compensation can provide you with some peace of mind and help take care of all other troubles you may suffer after a serious accident.

While there are plenty of ways you can be compensated after a motorcycle accident, it can be difficult to actually get this compensation. Working with an attorney is an effective option. Your attorney can help you to get the compensation you need so you can recover from your accident and get back on your feet.

Have you recently been in an accident? Click here to learn more about your options and get in touch with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.