St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - pedestrian

Hybrid Cars Are They Too Quiet?

Mike Bryant — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:28:00 GMT

I've had the chance to ride in a couple of Hybrids as of late. They seem like nice rides and they get great gas mileage and I like so many said "Man, they are quiet". OK, maybe not everyone said it that way, but it was at least the same idea.

But, are the cars too quiet? The silence for a pedestrian could be deadly, As a result, human factors/ergonomics researchers recently went to work on a study to examine participants' preferences for sounds that could be added to quiet vehicles to make them easier to detect. The National Federation for the Blind recently called for all cars to, at a minimum, emit a constant sound.

It's important to think about the old, young, and those who depend upon sound to navigate the world. Quiet cars don't do that. The U.S. Congress has considered the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008, which would require the Secretary of Transportation to study and implement regulations for hybrid, electric, and other silent-engine vehicles to emit non visual alerts for pedestrians. Hopefully, more protections will come from looking at this issue.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Drunk Driver Hit's Patrol Car

Mike Bryant — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Thanksgiving morning, State Trooper Sam Catlin was making a drunk driving stop along Highway 52 near Rochester. A speeding car being driven by a Rochester woman hit his sitting patrol car. The driver was cited for 3rd degree DWI and authorities say more charges could follow.

These are officers who are on the roads doing their jobs. Protecting society and doing their work in full uniform with lights going. I have had the honor on a number of occasions to represent some of Minnesota's finest. Usually, they are hit by cars going too fast and not giving them the room they need.

Minnesota law requires all cars to move over one lane when emergency vehicles are on the road. It's pretty simple to keep those actions in mind. While the law doesn't directly require a reduction in speed , it's the safe thing to do and it is taking into consideration the conditions at the time.

If it's wintry weather and the emergency vehicles are dealing with a car in the ditch, consider for a minute how the car got there. It's probably a case of the road itself being especially slippery in the very same area. A couple of times a year, we will be involved in layered car accidents where one car hits another and within the next ten minutes, two or three more impacts take place. A good look out and slowing down will make a difference. Also if you are in an accident, make sure you clear yourself and all passengers away from the dangers of oncoming cars.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

20-year-old Eagan Woman Killed By Passing Car In St. Paul

Mike Bryant — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:18:40 GMT

Monday night, a 20 year old woman from Eagan was stepping on to W 7th street in St Paul when she was stuck and killed by a passing car. Sympathy goes out for all of those involved. Cause was still being determined by the St Paul Police.

A number of Injuryboard members have discussed pedestrian accidents and the issues that are often involved.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In all of these cases sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Local Pizza General Manager Killed By Passing Vehicle

Mike Bryant — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:25:22 GMT

Thursday night, a the general manager of Sammy’s Pizza was hit and killed as he was on Interstate Highway 94. He hit the side of a semitrailer that swerved to avoid hitting him, according to the St Cloud Times. He was knocked down and then run over by a silver Dodge Caravan that left the crash scene near Clearwater. Sorrow goes out to his family, many friends and the many customers he served for their tragic loss.

The State Troopers and local law enforcement are still looking for the van and it's driver. There are many questions that will need to be answered as to how this happened.

For the man's burial , there will be some no fault benefits as a resident relative from his home or if there is no coverage, from the No Fault of the involved car. If there is no coverage on the car, the bills would then go to the assign claims bureau for coverage.

Beyond No Fault , the question of liability concerning the cars actions and anything else may need to determined. Early investigation may be necessary to make these determinations. As Steve Lombardi has pointed out, these type of incidents are so sad they no one wants to ever talk about them, but hopefully they will be used to prevent this type of thing from happening again.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Trains Kill Record Number In Minnesota So Far In 2009

Mike Bryant — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:21:00 GMT

This year, we have seen a record number of people killed by trains. The most recent were two that were killed this past week.

Monday morning, in Winona a 51 year old man was killed when he was hit by a Canadian Pacific Railway train, as he walked south at the railroad crossing on Johnson Street in Winona . There are no lights or signals at the crossing.
Tuesday evening, a 24 year old man was killed by a Burlington Northern/Santa Fe train in Litchfield. There were headphones found at the scene and the claim is made that he was wearing them.

What happened in each of these cases is still being investigated. History tells us that the railroad companies may not go out of their way to find evidence helpful to any family of the people killed. So early evidence gathering and the search for all of the available witnesses can be vital to find out what really happened.

These two deaths, bring the years total of railroad deaths to 11, which is over double the number from last year which was 5. It is the highest total in a decade. As a result the state has sent out a safety warning pointed out that a 2008 law makes it illegal to walk on tracks. They also said that fewer than one-third of the 4,362 railroad crossings in the state have warning devices.

Minnesota Operation Lifesaver does offer the following safety suggestions:

Basic Safety Tips at Highway-Rail Crossings

Expect a train at any time.
You can't be sure when a train may appear at a crossing, even if it's one you drive or walk across every day. Freight trains don't travel on a regular schedule and the schedules for passenger trains can change. Always be alert, because trains can run any time of day or night, on any track, in any direction.

Don't be fooled—the train is closer and faster than you think!
In the same way that airplanes can seem to move slowly, your eyes can play a trick on you when a train is approaching—an optical illusion that makes a train seem farther away and moving more slowly than it really is. Don't take chances—it's easy to misjudge a train's speed and its distance, especially at night. If you see a train, just wait.

Trains can't stop quickly or swerve—be prepared to yield.
After fully applying the brakes, a loaded freight train traveling 55 miles an hour takes a mile or more to stop. A light rail train can take 600 feet to stop, and an 8-car passenger train traveling 80 miles an hour needs about a mile to stop. Even if the engineer can see you, it's too late to stop the train in time to prevent a collision.

Stop and wait when gates are down or lights are flashing.
If the gates are down, the road is closed and you must stop and wait—that's the law. Continue across after the gates go up and the red lights stop flashing.

Check all tracks before crossing.
If you're at a crossing with more than one set of tracks, be very careful after a train passes. Before you begin to cross, be sure that another train isn't coming on another track from a different direction—the first train can hide the second train.

Don't get trapped on the tracks.
Never drive onto a railroad crossing until you're sure you can clear the tracks on the other side without stopping. If your car stalls or is trapped on the tracks, get everyone out right away, even if you don't see a train coming. Move quickly away from the tracks. If a train is coming, move in its direction as you move away from the tracks. If you run the same direction the train is going, you could be injured by flying debris when the train hits your car. When you're at a safe distance from the crossing, call 9-1-1 or the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

Don't trespass on foot.
Tracks and the property alongside them—the right of way—are private property. Stay off railroad cars and tracks. Don't trespass—it's illegal and too often it's deadly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Off Duty Ramsey County Deputy Killed While Directing Traffic At Haunted House

Mike Bryant — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:07:00 GMT

Friday night, a reserve deputy with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office died after being hit by a vehicle. The officer was off duty and volunteering at the Fright Farm, a haunted house in Maplewood. The Maplewood Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the incident.

The officer had volunteered at hundreds of events including parades, community festivals, and with parks and water patrol. He was also known for his work with D.A.R.E., the organization that was running the Halloween event. On this night he had been at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Frost Avenue. He will be missed.

It is yet to be found if speed was also involved in this death. It is important when these officers are out in the road doing their job, that you slow down. They are out there because other cars and most likely pedestrians are present.

As with any death , there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. For the family and friends of the Deputy sympathy goes out. Their loved one should have been safe from being hit out on the road. especially, considering he was out there to make sure others were safe.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Bridge Opening Will Hopefully Cut Down On St Clouds Downtown Collisions

Mike Bryant — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:32:55 GMT

For 19 months the DeSoto Bridge has been closed. It has caused hundreds of major and minor collisions as people have navigated around the area. There have been large congestion points where people have sat for long periods of time. Initially, there was a lot of confusion with the signage and what roads were the best to use.

Thankfully, those issues will be coming to an end next month. The direct route down Division to each side of the river, should save a lot of people the grief of a collision and the resulting problems. It will be much nicer to have another route to get across St Cloud.

According to the St Cloud Times the Bridge opening events will include:

Minnesota Department of Transportation officials are expected to announce the opening date for the new Granite City Crossing bridge during a dedication at 8 a.m. Oct. 26, according to Mayor Dave Kleis.

Kleis said it’s unlikely the bridge will start carrying traffic immediately after its dedication, but it shouldn’t be long. The target opening date remains Nov. 1, give or take a few days, he said.

Beyond just replacing the bridge there will be a new overpass with ramps at Lake George; updated traffic signals and pedestrian crossings; new paving, water, sewer, sidewalks, street lighting and curbs; and reconstruction of the city’s Cloverleaf parking lot, according to MnDOT.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Woman Hit By Metro Transit Bus At Light Rail Transit Station

Mike Bryant — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:07:00 GMT

Friday morning, a woman was hit and injured by a Metro Transit bus. At 6:30 a.m. a eastbound Route 46 bus was making a left hand turn into the bus station near the 46th Street Light Rail platform. The woman was crossing the driveway of the bus station on the sidewalk when the bus hit her. She was then transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center. Investigations are ongoing.

It has now been reported in the Minneapolis Tribune that the woman died. Sympathy goes out to her family and friends for their loss.

Beyond No Fault , the question of liability concerning the bus actions and those of the pedestrian will need to determined. Early investigation may be necessary to make these determinations.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Man Hit Crossing Division Street

Mike Bryant — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:57:26 GMT

Thursday morning, a St Cloud man was hit while crossing Division Street. at 8:35 p.m. Thursday at 25th Avenue and Division Street West. The man was taken to St Cloud Hospital. Investigations are ongoing. Early reports are that the man was not in the crosswalk.

For a pedestrian, they will be covered for no fault benefits under their own policy, as a resident relative who has coverage in their home or if they have no coverage, by the No Fault from the car they were hit by. If there is no coverage on the car, the bills may then go to the assigned claims bureau for coverage.

Beyond No Fault , the question of liability concerning the cars actions and those of the pedestrian will need to determined. Early investigation may be necessary to make these determinations.

Our firm has looked at a lot of these cases. If a person isn't in a crosswalk, there can be additional issues, but that doesn't just allow any car to run the person down. It is so very important to talk to witnesses and find out what happened.

When crossing the street Askacop.com makes the following suggestions:

Find a safe place to cross
Look both ways when crossing
Keep looking while crossing
For car, make sure you see pedestrians.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Drunk Driver Sentenced To 41 Months For Killing Mother In Crosswalk

Mike Bryant — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:33:00 GMT

Early this week, a Edina man was sentenced to 41 months for running over a mother of two that was in a crosswalk. The woman had been crossing in a group after attending the fireworks of the Father Hennepin Festival. The senseless tragedy happened at Hwy. 169 at Hayden Lake Road. Hopefully, her family will find a little solace in the drivers going to prison. Sympathy goes out to all those that suffered from this loss.

Recent research indicates that deaths involving motor vehicles are down in Minnesota, but as my partner, Joe Crumley, recently wrote about, the numbers of pedestrian deaths are up. Deaths linked to drinking and driving have also 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.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant