St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - Car Accidents

Two Single Car Accidents Remind Us That Winter Driving Requires Extra Care

Mike Bryant — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:47:00 GMT

Wednesday night, two separate collisions in northern Todd County were reported. Todd County Sheriff personal believe that snow played a role in both incidents.:

Around 7 am a eastbound pickup on Todd County Road 73 west of Hewitt lost control 73 and rolled.
An hour later, a southbound 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier on Todd County Road 23 near Hewitt went out of control, went into the ditch and rolled.

This is exactly the type of accident, I blogged about with: Single Car Accidents: Is There A Claim? . Hopefully, all of those involved will recover quickly, but if not the help of experienced Personal Injury attorneys can make a difference in getting to the bottom of what coverages are involved.

Despite the warm November it won't be long until we see winter conditions across the state. For all Drivers winter road tips from DPS and MnDOT include:

Always use seat belts.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly on icy/snow-covered roads to retain traction and avoid skids.
Do not use cruise control.
Do not “power up” hills, which may cause wheels to spin. Build momentum before reaching a hill and don’t stop while traveling uphill. Reduce speed before going downhill.
Know your brakes. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of the foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Give yourself plenty of travel time. Don’t put your schedule before safety.
Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.
Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting.

Most police officers asked say the key is usually to Just Slow Down.

Sgt. Jeff Wenker of the Marshall Police Department made a number of great suggestions concerning winter driving. They included:

Watch the weather, don't travel if the weather is bad
Carry extra clothing, extra blankets and extra food with you and a heat source such as Sterno or candles is not a bad idea to take along.
An empty can, such as a coffee can, can be used for bathroom breaks. Toilet paper and hand wipes could be useful, as well.
If you are on medications, always carry extra.
Don't store extra water in your vehicle because it will freeze, but take extra water with you before you leave on the trip.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and bring a charger with you.
Let someone know the route you will be taking and do not deviate from it.
Take your time. A four-hour trip might take five. It's easier to drive slow when you've allowed the time.
If you do slide off the road or have to pull over due to the weather or road conditions: Your car can be an effective shelter so don't leave it unless you have to. Windchills are dangerous and can kill if you are exposed for too long. A vehicle offers some protection from that.
If it's a white-out, you don't want to walk out, because you can lose your way.
Run the engine 10 minutes every hour to help keep you warm. Bundle up in the extra clothes and blankets.
Keep the windows open a crack so you stand less chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide. Check the tail pipe periodically and clear it if necessary to keep the exhaust from coming back into the vehicle.

Hopefully, all of the suggestions will lead to lives being saved and people making it home safe this winter.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Friday: Minnesota Winter Awareness Week - On the Road

Mike Bryant — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:31:00 GMT

Sponsored annually by the Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), last week was Winter Awareness Week. Each day was devoted to a different topic concerning winter safety. To help with the effort, cities across the state are holding forums, providing daily winter safety tips and publicizing the effort in local newspapers and on city websites.

The week is broken down as:

Day 1 Surviving Winter Weather
Day 2 Outdoor Safety
Day 3 Fire Safety
Day 4 Indoor Air Issues
Day 5 On the Road

The Minnesota Safety Council recommends the following tips:

Make sure your car is ready for the season. Throughout the winter, keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze.
Avoid traveling, especially alone, if severe weather is threatening.
Before taking a trip, inform someone at your destination of your expected arrival time and your travel route.
Stock your car with basic winter driving equipment: a scraper and brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain and a bag of sand or cat litter for tire traction. Also include road flares, a blanket, heavy boots, warm clothing, and a flashlight with batteries.
Keep an emergency survival kit in the car, including high-energy food such as a chocolate bar or energy bar.
If your car has been outside during a snowfall, brush all the snow off before starting out. Snow left on the front hood will blow into the front vent and cause defrosting problems, and can also melt and re-freeze on the windshield. Snow on the roof will cover the rear window and snow on the rear deck will blow onto tail lights. Pay particular attention to cleaning off headlights and tail lights so that other motorists can see you.
Adjust your speed to the conditions and increase following distances.
Remember that bridges and overpasses can be more slippery than other parts of the road. If you begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) apply a steady firm pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump ABS brakes.
If even after following all precautions you find yourself stranded, stay calm and stay put. Staying in your car will decrease your risk of frostbite or hypothermia and increase your chances of being rescued. Run your engine for heat about once an hour, (every half hour in extreme cold.) Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear to prevent the back up of carbon monoxide. Leave one window slightly open. Tie a piece of brightly colored cloth to your antenna to alert others and aid rescuers. Limit your sleep to short naps.
Consider keeping a cellular phone for use during emergencies. For long trips, be sure the batteries are fully charged and consider bringing a spare battery. Keep the phone and batteries warm to avoid quick power drain. Because driving requires your full attention, it is recommended that you find a safe place to pull off the road when you need to make a call.

Identifying the reason behind the week the HSEM press release identified the issues:

Over the last 10 years, more than 50 people drowned after falling through thin ice, and 65 percent of ice drownings were vehicle related. Last winter, 22 people died in snowmobile accidents; half those fatal events involved alcohol or drug use. And during 2005–2007 in Minnesota, officers reported snow or icy road conditions in nearly 41,000 crashes that resulted in 159 deaths and 13,000 injuries. Clearly, people are being “surprised” by weather conditions."

The plan is, no matter how harsh the winter, to make sure everyone is safe and alive at the end of it.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Todd County Field Approach Destroys Wayward Vehicle

Mike Bryant — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:55:00 GMT

Friday afternoon, a vehicle heading west on Todd County Road 24 left the road, struck a field approach and rolled . Both the driver and passenger were injured. The police described the car as destroyed.

These are exactly the type of accidents, I blogged about with: Single Car Accidents: Is There A Claim? . Hopefully, the Little Falls woman will recover quickly, but if not the help of experienced Personal Injury attorneys can make a difference in getting to the bottom of what coverages are involved.

Investigation will hopefully uncover what happened. It will be interesting to see if speed and weather conditions played a role. Hopefully, each of the two occupants will heal quickly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Elk River Rollover Sends Driver To Jail

Mike Bryant — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:39:03 GMT

Thursday, a Elk River woman was arrested after the vehicle she was supposed to be driving rolled. It is unclear if she had one of five passengers. Also there are questions as to who was injured. Police did find that alcohol was involved.

Rollovers can lead to all sorts of horrible injuries. These are exactly the type of accidents, I blogged about with: Single Car Accidents: Is There A Claim? . Hopefully, whatever the number of passengers there were, they weren't hurt badly. but if not the help of experienced Personal Injury attorneys can make a difference in getting to the bottom of what coverages are involved.

If you are in an accident, make sure to get the names of anyone who indicates they saw what happened. If you witness an accident, check to see if everyone is OK and stay around or at least give the drivers your contact information. If you are injured, seek the advice of an attorney who does that kind of work and who can explain your coverages and rights.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Separate Single Car Rollovers Remind All To Slow Down

Mike Bryant — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:00:27 GMT

The St Cloud Times had two single car rollover stories in the paper today:

A 21-year-old Zimmerman man died this morning when his 2000 Ford Mustang went off southbound U.S. Highway 169 near 225th Street Northwest in Sherburne County and rolled.

A 19-year-old Little Falls woman is in serious condition after her car went off north on the off ramp of Minnesota Highway 10 to Haven Road in Morrison County and rolled over.

We may find out what caused each. Was it speed, weather conditions, or maybe driving inexperienced? For each family sympathy goes out for the loss and for what they will go through in dealing with each incident.

These are exactly the type of accidents, I blogged about with: Single Car Accidents: Is There A Claim? . Hopefully, the little falls woman will recover quickly, but if not the help of experienced Personal Injury attorneys can make a difference in getting to the bottom of what coverages are involved.

For all Drivers winter road tips from DPS and MnDOT include:

Always use seat belts.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly on icy/snow-covered roads to retain traction and avoid skids.
Do not use cruise control.
Do not “power up” hills, which may cause wheels to spin. Build momentum before reaching a hill and don’t stop while traveling uphill. Reduce speed before going downhill.
Know your brakes. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of the foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Give yourself plenty of travel time. Don’t put your schedule before safety.
Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.
Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting.

Most police officers asked say the key is usually to Just Slow Down.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Seatbelt Use Is Up In Minnesota

Mike Bryant — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:11:56 GMT

I sat through the primary seatbelt law debate that went on the last day of the 2009 legislative session. It was interesting to hear the different views on the issue. But, in the end it passed and it is now the law of Minnesota. The Police can stop you for simply not wearing your seat belt. Did it have the intended effect with the recent report that overall use of seat belts in the state are up? It couldn't have hurt.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported this week that 90 percent of people are now using seat belts. This is up from 87 percent in 2008. This is coupled with the report that highway deaths are also down this year. In 2009, 239 motorists have been killed on Minnesota roads as compared to 246 at this time last year. The two numbers do seem to run at least in part together. In the last five months, the number of unbelted traffic deaths dropped 10 percent compared with the same time period in 2008.

Looking closer at the numbers seat belt use is lowest among 16- to 29-year-olds, at 88.5 percent, and highest among 11- to 15-year-olds at 96 percent. Hopefully, the highest group will continue this practice for life. The state patrol and local police are working to increase the numbers by working overtime and using roadside spotters to help crack down on unbelted drivers and passengers this month.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Branch Impaled In A Neck? Yes This Would Be A No Fault Claim.

Mike Bryant — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:37:35 GMT

Fox news had an interesting story that actually caught the eye of a number of other outlets, about a woman who got impaled in the neck with a tree branch. I won't post the pictures here, but they can be found a number of places. Apparently, a couple was driving through the backwoods of Idaho when a branch came through the windshield into her neck.

If this had happened in Minnesota there would be at least two sources of coverage to look to:

-As with any accident involving a motor vehicle, you will always have No Fault coverage to pay the basic needed medical , wage loss and replacement service benefits. However, the pain and suffering part of the claim will be covered through the liability part of the policy.

- If a family member is negligent (at fault) and due to that negligence a relative is injured, there is a claim after a motor vehicle accident. It's no different than if you never knew the person who caused the accident.

Just one of those odd questions that sometimes need to be answered. If you are in an accident that involves a vehicle you should take the time to talk to a lawyer that does this type of work.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Is The Blue Mice Group Going To Help With Spinal Injuries?

Mike Bryant — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:56:00 GMT

Doctors are now looking to blue mice to deal with spinal injuries. Apparently, through the injection of Brilliant Blue G into injured mice, researchers are seeing substantial signs of healing. The tested mice are more active and moving about, as compared to the control group which showed no improvement and couldn't walk. The mice also turn blue.

It is thought that the Brilliant Blue G blocks the problem that creates inflammation in the injured spinal cord. Limiting or preventing the inflammation is understood to prevent extensive irreversible damage. The researchers from the University of Rochester will be continuing the research with clinical trials. The blue dye is found in M and M's, Jell-O, candy, and drinks thus is approved for human consumption.

In our practice we see a number of these types of injuries. It would be great if they could find more remedies to help these people. As lead researcher Maiken Nedergaard pointed out "Even a moderate improvement in functional performance of the patient is a big, big event for these patients,...They can control their bladder. If they can just take small steps instead of sitting in a wheelchair all the time, it's a tremendous benefit for these patients," Hopefully, this research will help a lot.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Child Trailers Recalled By Burley

Mike Bryant — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:04:00 GMT

The second week of August, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Burley Design LLC, of Eugene, Ore recalled 2,700 2009 d’lite ST and Solo ST Child Trailers. The axle assembly’s internal sleeve can loosen, causing one wheel to separate from the trailer. This poses a risk of injury to the child occupant or bike rider.

The recalled products are two-wheeled child trailers designed to carry one or two children behind a bicycle. Only the 2009 d’lite ST and 2009 Solo ST trailers with serial numbers that begin with D939 or D948 are included in the recall. The serial number is located in the rear cargo area behind the seat on the lower left rear frame tube. The trailers have “d’lite ST” or “solo ST” screen printed on the cover. They were sold by independent bicycle retailers and specialty outdoor retailers nationwide and on various web sites from November 2008 through June 2009 for between $550 and $600.. The products were made in Philippines.

Consumers should immediately stop using the trailer immediately and contact Burley to receive a free repair kit or to locate a retailer to assist with the free repair. Burley can be contacted at (800) 311-5294 or through the firm's Web site at www.burley.com/STProductRecall.

If you or a family member is injured by a product, you need to get immediate medical care. If there is a significant affect or injury, you should contact an attorney concerning the problem. Early investigation can include the collection of product, checking recall alerts, and the proper notifying of those who caused the problem.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Happy Fathers Day

Mike Bryant — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:00:22 GMT

At times, we represent clients who are fathers and we see how much the injuries can change their lives. I was moved by the client that couldn't fish or go camping out doors with his children, after he had surgery. It was a horrible time for him as he watched his brother stand in for him.

Other times, we represent families who have lost their father. It is heartbreaking to talk to family members about their loss. The conversations often remind me of my own departed Dad.

On this day I think it's fitting to post one of the poems that I sometimes use as a part of those cases:

Dad, our sadness knows no end;
We can’t believe you’re gone;
We’re grieving for you every day;
It’s hard to carry on.

You were always there to support and care,
When we needed a true friend,
How we’ll ever do without our dad,
We cannot comprehend.

You were our teacher and our guide,
Our dad, so good and strong;
Your example will sustain us now,
And last our whole lives long.

We’re trying to communicate;
We hope that you can hear;
Expressing what we feel for you,
Helps us feel you’re near.

Our memories of the times we had
Help the pain to go away.
But Dad, our lives won’t be the same;
We’ll miss you every day.

A part of us went with you;
You left a gap too big to fill;
You’re our father and our hero;
We love you and we always will.

Happy Fathers Day to all Fathers. May it be a special day with your family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant