St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - No fault

Arizonian Arrested After Hit And Run In Todd County

Mike Bryant — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:19:00 GMT

Thursday afternoon, a hit and run driver was arrested by the Todd County Sheriff. The pick up driver had hit a 71 year-old man and left the scene. Witnesses were able to describe the truck and spotted one matching the description in a driveway. The pedestrian was injured and taken to Long Prairie Memorial Hospital.

Often when the drivers are tracked down, it is determined that the driver was drunk, high or driving with no insurance. If you or a family member is ever involved with a hit and run driver, it is imperative that the police be contacted right away and they be told everything so that an investigation can be successful. All witnesses need to be spoken to and all evidence will need to be preserved.

This is also the time when you learn how good your own insurance coverage is. Your No Fault PIP coverage will be needed to cover your medical bills, wage loss, medical mileage and replacement services. If you have more than one car on your policy, hopefully you have stacked coverage which multiplies your minimum limits by your cars. The other coverage that will come in to play is your Uninsured motorist coverage. This is the coverage that you have to protect you when the other car has no coverage or is nowhere to be found. As I pointed out previously and other members has advised, this may be a vital coverage as more people are forgoing insurance coverage in tough economic times.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

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

Was It Alcohol? A Deer? Or Both That Caused SUV Rollover?

Mike Bryant — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:12:59 GMT

Wednesday night, a SUV rolled after leaving northbound Hwy. 169, north of Garrison. The driver and a passenger where injured. The driver told the State Patrol that a deer caused the incident. Initial reports are that alcohol was detected on the driver. The passenger was taken to the St Cloud Hospital.

While there is no liability claim for the driver of the car, passengers may still have a claim for liability depending on the facts of the collision. It is important that these case be investigated early by an Attorney who does this type of work. Hopefully, both of these people will heal up quickly.

The Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety's "Crash Facts 2007" indicated that there were 3,144 vehicle-deer accidents reported last year with 336 injuries and six fatalities.

The Duluth News Tribune recently published some helpful suggestions:

Rule 1: Treat every deer as if it’s going to cross in front of you. If you assume a deer feeding on the shoulder is going to hold its position until you have gone by, you’re just an accident waiting to happen.

Rule 2: Drive according to the conditions. If the night is foggy, rainy, or slippery, you might not be able to prevent a collision, but you can minimize the damage if you’re driving slowly enough. Don’t just speed along and hope nothing gets in your way.

Rule 3: Keep your eyes on the road at all times. You may only have a second or two to react to a deer crossing the highway. If you’re not an attentive driver, you can get hurt.

Questions as to what happened in this case will need to be answered.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Why Did A Semi Truck Rollover Close Highway 10?

Mike Bryant — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:13:30 GMT

Much of last night, U.S. Highway 10 near its intersection with Minnesota Highway 15, was closed. A 2006 Volvo semi-tractor lost control and rolled over. The road was closed until 3:00 am. Odd to see a single truck incident like that. What happened on this stretch of road:

Was it weather? Speed? Something else? This one will be interesting to find out what happened. The State Patrol is still investigating.

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

Hit And Run Intoxicated Driver Apprehended In St Cloud

Mike Bryant — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:26:00 GMT

Friday morning, a hit and run was reported in the 300 block of Seventh Avenue South. The driver was apprehended and was intoxicated and under the influence of a prescription drug, according to police. Officers also found a large amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Recent research indicates that deaths involving motor vehicles are down in Minnesota, but at the same time those deaths linked to drinking and driving have increased. The rules are simple and must always be followed:

Don't Drink and Drive
Use designated drivers
Always remember that the more you drink, the more your odds of making bad choices increase.
As drivers on the road: It's also worth keeping in mind, the deadliest roads in Stearns county to try to stay away from at night.

Stories about hit and run collisions are yet another reminder why your uninsured motorist coverage is so very important. It is what protects you and your family is the other vehicle is uninsured or runs away.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

What Will The Police Find With Gray Eagle Accident?

Mike Bryant — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:43:34 GMT

Friday morning, a eastbound vehicle missed a stop sign at the intersection of Todd County Road 98 with Minnesota Highway 287 west of Grey Eagle. The vehicle slid across the intersection and went into a westbound ditch of Highway 287. A second vehicle directly behind also missed the stop sign, went across the intersection and hit the rear of first vehicle.

Was it weather? Speed? Something else? This one will be interesting to find out what happened. The Todd County Sheriff is still investigating.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Watkins Man Injured In St Cloud Intersection Accident

Mike Bryant — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:41:00 GMT

Tuesday morning, a intersection collision at 33rd Avenue and First Street North sent a Watkins man to St Cloud Hospital. The man was ejected from his car after the impact. The intersection section has a stop sign, so it will be interesting to see if the common issues of speed explains what happened. Investigation continues.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

St Paul Collision Sends Six To The Hospital

Mike Bryant — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:28:00 GMT

Saturday night, a intersection collision on Roberts Street, sent everyone involved to the Regions Hospital. A 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out of a shopping mall parking lot onto Robert Street and into the path of a northbound Mercury Mystique, which hit the Cavalier broadside on the driver's side. Investigation continues with involvement from Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul and West St. Paul emergency units assisting.

Two people were thrown from the turning vehicle. Both were not wearing seat belts. They also were the most severely injured. Yet another reminder of the important of wearing a seatbelt from the minute you get into the vehicle.

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

St Cloud 1st Street Collision Sends Three To The Hospital

Mike Bryant — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:49:00 GMT

Friday night, a head on collision on 1st Street sent everyone involved to the St Cloud Hospital. The collision took place west of the 600 block of First Street North. A vehicle driving west lost control and hit a truck. Both of the drivers and the vehicles' passenger were injured. Investigation continues, but the police did suggest that the vehicle's driver will be charged. It will be interesting to see if it's the common issues of speed or drinking that were part of what happened.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant