Virginia Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers

A tractor trailer accident can be devastating and what to do next can be confusing. The Virginia tractor trailer accident attorneys at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen have extensive experience handling lawsuits for clients who have been seriously injured in accidents involving large trucks. Call us for a free consultation at 866-388-1307 or stop by an Allen & Allen office in Richmond, Petersburg, Charlottesville or Fredericksburg. We handle cases in Virginia and nationwide.

Each and every day, drivers traveling on U.S. roads and highways encounter numerous large trucks like 18 wheelers, semis, tractor trailers, and other vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. Government statistics reveal that in 2008 tractor trailers were involved in an estimated 380,000 fatal and non-fatal crashes nationwide. Those accidents resulted in 4,229 fatalities, meaning that 1 out of every 9 fatal accidents in the United States in 2008 involved a tractor trailer. In Virginia alone tractor trailer accidents were responsible for 78 fatalities and more than 1,300 injuries. As VA tractor trailer accident lawyers, we have worked with accident victims and their families to obtain favorable settlements and verdicts. View our tractor trailer case results or click here to see what our clients have to say.

Proven Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen's tractor trailer accident lawyers are experienced in handling many causes and types of tractor trailer accidents, including:

Tractor Trailer Driver Fatigue

Tractor Trailer Accidents Caused by Shifting and Falling Cargo

Tractor Trailer Accidents Resulting from Faulty Inspection, Maintenance and Repair

Tractor Trailer Accidents Caused by a Drunk Driver

Catastrophic Tractor Trailer Accidents and Wrongful Death from Trucking Accidents

The lawyers at Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen, specializing in tractor trailer accidents, are familiar with the federal and state laws as well as the federal regulations which control the trucking industry. These laws and regulations often play a prominent role in the successful prosecution of large truck cases. Click here to view the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations yourself.

Prompt investigation of tractor trailer accidents is essential to the successful prosecution of a tractor trailer accident case. The sooner you engage the tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen to represent you, the sooner we can act to secure evidence while it is still fresh. Rain, wind, ice and snow can cause the disappearance of the physical evidence like skid marks, yaw marks, accident debris, impact marks on the road surface, as well as oil, gas, and radiator fluid stains. Other critical evidence involving the truck itself can be lost or destroyed. Preservation of important data like driver’s logs and alcohol and drug testing along with eyewitness testimony may also be vital to your case. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a tractor trailer, contact our tractor trailer accident lawyers now.

The Allen Law Firm has assembled an experienced team of attorneys, investigators, and legal assistants who work with accident reconstruction experts, health care providers, and engineering experts to investigate, develop and prosecute tractor trailer accident cases.

Virginia Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers with 8 Locations

When looking for a tractor trailer accident lawyer, choose a Virginia law firm with proven results. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen has locations throughout Virginia in:

Richmond, Chesterfield, Short Pump and Mechanicsville

Virginia Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries or death to cyclists because they ride with no physical protection except a helmet. An injured rider may face months or years of medical treatment, lost wages, rehabilitation, and permanent disability. Where can you turn for help in figuring out what to do about your medical bills, your lost income, and your disability? For years, the experienced lawyers at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen have advised and guided bicyclists through the maze of issues that may arise out of serious bicycle accidents. These may include medical treatment options, related health insurance issues, and litigation.

The bicycle accident attorneys at Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen know the Virginia laws and ordinances which apply to the operation and use of bikes as well as those applicable to motor vehicles. The law firm has established a team of qualified investigators who can visit the accident scene to take photographs and measurements. Our investigators are trained to interview the state troopers, local police officers, sheriffs, and/or witnesses who were at the scene and who may have important information about how your accident happened.

Call us for a free consultation at 866-388-1307 and put our bike accident attorneys to work for you.

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen's legal assistants will be at your side, every step of the way, listening to and answering your questions while gathering the medical documents and other material needed to prepare your claim. You are also a crucial part of our team, and we will look to you for updates concerning your medical condition, the names and addresses of the health care professionals you have seen, and the dates on which your doctors have released you from their care and/or to return to work. This information is essential to the success of your case.

Tips to remember after a bicycle accident:

Do not fix, repair or dispose of your damaged bicycle without talking to an attorney. Your lawyer may need your bike to help prove your case! He may want to photograph the damage to your bicycle or ask an expert to examine the bicycle before it is repaired or thrown away. In fact, he will probably want you to keep the bike while your case is pending, which leads to the next tip.

Keep your damaged bicycle in a safe and dry place. Ordinarily, it is best to keep your bike inside or under cover so it won’t sustain further damage which is not accident related. Subsequent damage or repair to a bike can confuse the property damage evidence and make your case more difficult.

Keep your damaged bicycle secure. If possible, limit access to your bike. Better yet, keep it under lock and key. The defense may contend someone besides you has had access to the bicycle and has altered or further damaged it in some way.

You may not know yet whether you have an actionable claim or a case you are likely to win. Our attorneys can review the facts of your case and evaluate them. Call us at 866-388-1307 for a free consultation. Let us help you.

Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers

Accidents involving large trucks are often life altering, and the proper course of action can be difficult to determine. Allen, Allen, Allen, and Allen’s truck accident attorneys have extensive experience working for clients who have been involved in a variety of truck accidents including

large trucks

pick-up trucks

vans

delivery vehicles

semi trucks

18 wheelers

Our lawyers are experienced in handling truck accident cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Call for a free consultation at 866-388-1307 or visit one of our 8 convenient Virginia locations in Richmond, Petersburg, Charlottesville, or Fredericksburg. We handle cases both in Virginia and throughout the nation.

Drivers traveling on U.S. roads and highways constantly encounter myriad large trucks such as 18 wheelers, semis, tractor trailers, and even pickup trucks. Statistics from the U.S. government have revealed that in 2008 there were an estimated 380,000 fatal and non-fatal crashes involving large trucks nationwide. Those accidents caused 4,229 fatalities, meaning that 1 of every 9 fatal accidents in the US in 2008 involved a large truck. In Virginia alone 78 people were killed and more than 1,300 were injured in large truck accidents.

Our Virginia truck accident lawyers have worked closely with the victims of these crashes and their families to achieve positive verdicts and settlements. Take a look at our truck accident case results or review the experience other clients have had.

Allen and Allen’s truck accident lawyers specialize in truck accidents and are familiar with the state laws and federal laws and regulations which control the large truck industry. These laws and regulations are often crucial to achieving a positive result in a large truck case. Click here to review the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The VA truck accident lawyers at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen have experience in handling many different types of truck accidents, such as:

Truck Driver Fatigue

Truck Accidents Caused by Shifting and Falling Cargo

Truck Accidents Resulting from Faulty Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair

Truck Accidents Caused by a Drunk Driver

Catastrophic Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death resulting from a Truck Accidents

Working with a Truck Accident Lawyer

The successful prosecution of a truck accident case requires prompt investigation of the truck accident. By quickly engaging a truck accident attorney at Allen & Allen to represent you, we can move to secure the evidence while it remains fresh. Physical evidence such as accident debris, impact marks on the road surface, skid marks, and oil, gas, and radiator fluid stains are all vulnerable to weather conditions. Evidence involving the truck itself is often critical and can easily be lost or destroyed. Vital data such as driver’s logs, alcohol and drug tests, eyewitness testimony, and maintenance reports can all be important to your case, and swift action must be taken to ensure their preservation. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a large truck accident, contact our truck accident lawyers at 866-388-1307.

Our attorneys, investigators and legal assistants will take a team approach to your case. We work with accident reconstruction experts, health care providers, and engineering experts to investigate, develop, and prosecute large truck accident cases.

Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Virginia

The attorneys of Allen & Allen have proven results when it comes to large truck accidents. We have locations throughout Virginia in:

Richmond, Chesterfield / Midlothian, Short Pump / Glen Allen, and Mechanicsville

Petersburg

Fredericksburg and Garrisonville

Charlottesville

And if you or your loved one is unable to come to our office due to catastrophic injuries, we’ll come to you. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is one of the oldest and largest personal injury firms in Virginia, and we are here for you.

Virginia Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Pedestrians, who walk along our roads and sidewalks without the physical protection afforded drivers, are especially vulnerable to accidents which can cause severe injuries or death. Suddenly, a pedestrian can find himself hospitalized for weeks and out of work for months. If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian / motor vehicle accident, the burdens you face may seem insurmountable. For decades, the pedestrian accident attorneys at Allen & Allen have helped hundreds of pedestrians, who have been injured through no fault of their own, obtain just compensation for their losses. Our firm is ready to give you the legal advice and counsel you need when you have medical bills to pay, a family you can’t support because of your injuries, and permanent disabilities you may endure for a lifetime.

Contact Allen & Allen at 866-388-1307 for a free consultation and put our pedestrian accident attorneys to work for you.

When tragedy strikes and a pedestrian is hit and killed in an accident involving a truck or car, his family is left to deal with the resulting grief, lost income, funeral expenses, and most importantly the loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice the decedent provided. Allen and Allen's pedestrian accident lawyers and staff members have the experience and understanding needed to provide grieving families with personal attention and emotional support while they confront the legal, as well as the everyday issues that arise from a family member’s death.

The pedestrian accident lawyers at the Allen Law Firm have a long history of working with clients whose injuries in pedestrian accidents range from modest to catastrophic. A few years ago, Allen & Allen attorneys were asked to represent the family of Thelma Lomax, a resident of Buena Vista, Virginia. Ms. Lomax was crossing a local street within the crosswalk when she was struck by a Greyhound bus. A 66-year-old retired library science and English professor, Ms. Lomax had been a pillar of her community. She died of her accident-related injuries three months after the accident leaving a husband and two grown children. A local jury returned a verdict against Greyhound in the amount of $3.7 million. In another case, Susan Wilkins was walking on the grass in front of a paved residential parking area when the defendant failed to properly park his vehicle nearby. The vehicle moved onto the grass and rolled onto plaintiff’s right leg and ankle causing significant injury to Ms. Wilkins’ ankle. An Allen Law Firm attorney took Ms. Wilkins’ case to trial and won a $125,000 verdict for her.

We are all familiar with the “rules of the road” for motor vehicles. There are also state laws that govern how and where pedestrians may walk. For example, a pedestrian must always use the sidewalk when a suitable and passable one is available. If there is no sidewalk, the pedestrian may walk on the hard surface of the road. However, he must keep to the extreme left side or edge of the road unless there are shoulders of sufficient width for him to walk on. In that case, he may walk on either shoulder.

Of course, there are also state laws which outline the duties every motor vehicle driver owes a pedestrian. For instance, a driver must change course, slow down, or come to a complete stop, if necessary, to permit a pedestrian with the right- of- way to cross a street safely when he walks within a clearly marked crosswalk or at another permitted crossing location.

Determining who is negligent in pedestrian accident cases is not always easy. The lawyers at Allen & Allen are familiar with the state statutes, local ordinances, and case law regarding this issue. Our investigators will take photographs of the accident scene, interview eyewitnesses, and talk to investigating police officers or troopers to help develop the facts surrounding an accident. Once the facts are gathered and the applicable Virginia law reviewed, an attorney from Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen can plan a course of legal action to help the injured pedestrian recover the monetary compensation he deserves for his medical expenses, physical injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Stark statistics tell a grim story about the frequency and severity of pedestrian accidents. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 4,784 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States during 2006. That same year, approximately twenty percent of the children between the ages of 5 and 9, who were killed in traffic accidents, were pedestrians. The elderly are especially vulnerable to pedestrian accidents as their vision begins to diminish, and they take longer to move from one place to another. In 2006, the fatality rate for pedestrians 70 and over was higher than that of any other age group. Intoxication also plays a significant role in pedestrian injuries and deaths. 49 percent of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian fatalities involved alcohol on the part of either the driver or the pedestrian.

We have helped thousands of pedestrian accident victims. Let our team of committed professionals help you. We invite you to call us at (866) 388-1307 or complete our online inquiry form.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Hurt In A Pedestrian Accident?

If you are hurt in an accident, you should seek medical care promptly, within the first 24 hours or shortly thereafter. Visit a nearby hospital Emergency Room or your family doctor. If you need a specialist, you may want to ask your family doctor for a referral. Keep in mind that the longer you wait to get medical attention when you need it, the easier it will be for an insurance company to argue you weren’t hurt in the accident. Once you visit a doctor, follow his advice.

Comply with all of his directives.

Take the medicine he prescribes according to the directions on the bottle.

If your doctor refers you to a specialist or physical therapist, schedule an appointment immediately.

Keep all medical appointments. If you can’t make an appointment, call to cancel it and schedule a new appointment immediately. You don’t want the words “No Show” to appear on your medical chart.

Return to work as soon as your doctor says you can. If you have reservations about your ability to go back to work given the nature of your job or its requirements (repetitive heavy lifting, for example) discuss the specifics with your doctor or bring your concerns to your lawyer’s attention promptly.

Your doctor’s opinions and testimony are essential to your case. You want your doctor on your side. Your Allen and Allen personal injury attorney also needs him to support your wage loss claim and to describe any accident related temporary or permanent disabilities you may have.

Allen & Allen has helped thousands of accident victims. Let our team of committed professionals help you. We invite you to call us at 866-388-1307 or click to complete our online inquiry form for a free consultation.

Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers

Injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash can be devastating. Even worse, they can result in the loss of life. The medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering associated with these accidents place a heavy burden on injured motorcyclists and their families. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen know how to help.

Contact the Allen Law Firm for a free consultation at 866-388-1307 or email us.

We understand the risks motorcyclists take every time they get on their bikes. Some of our motorcycle accident attorneys are experienced bikers themselves. We know that it is the responsibility of automobile and truck drivers to share the highway safely with motorcyclists. These drivers must always keep a proper lookout for motorcycles, not just other cars and trucks. This is particularly important when they enter highways from side streets and driveways, when they make left turns in front of oncoming traffic, and when they pass traffic. In these situations, motorcyclists are at higher risk for crashes with cars and trucks.

Allen, Allen, Allen and Allen’s attorneys have handled motorcycle accident cases arising out of a wide variety of circumstances. Our lawyers are experienced, not only in the courtroom, but at the negotiating table, in mediation, and in arbitration. They understand the Virginia laws enacted to protect motorcyclists and have years of experience building successful cases for motorcyclists injured through the negligence of others.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may have questions about what to do next. What can you do to help?

Do not fix, repair or dispose of your damaged motorcycle without talking to an attorney.

Your Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen lawyer may need your bike to help prove your case. He will want to take photographs of it. He may ask an accident reconstruction expert to examine your motorcycle and look for physical evidence which may prove fault on the part of the vehicle that struck you or ran you off the road. Occasionally a motorcycle accident happens because the motorcycle itself was defective. Unless you keep your bike in its immediate post-accident condition, your attorney may have difficulty proving a product defect.

Keep your damaged motorcycle in a safe place.

It is best to place the damaged bike under cover and keep it secure. The fewer people who have access to it the better. The defense may contend someone besides you altered or damaged the bike in some way after the accident. Never give the motorcycle to the vehicle manufacturer for “testing” without consulting a lawyer first.

Keep all owners’, maintenance, and repair manuals for your motorcycle as well as all warranty documents whether or not your bike is a total loss.If anyone at the scene after the accident identifies himself to you as an eyewitness, ask for and write down identifying information.

Occasionally a witness will approach you after an accident to render aid or tell you he saw your accident happen. If you are physically able to do so, try to get the name, address and phone number of such witnesses and save this information for your lawyer. Don’t count on the police investigators to record or keep this information. Frequently, witnesses don’t even stay at the scene until the police arrive.

Virginia Boat Accident Lawyers

Across the country hundreds of people die in boating accidents every year and thousands more are injured. These accidents may also result in severe injuries, unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disabilities. The attorneys at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen are experienced in handling cases arising from boating accidents as well as personal watercraft accidents (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, Sea-Doo). If you or a family member has been injured in a boat accident or a relative has been killed, the Allen Law Firm stands ready to help you pick up the pieces. Call 866-388-1307 for a free consultation.

Many of our boat accident attorneys are boaters themselves. They are familiar with the Virginia laws and administrative regulations as well as the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Rules that govern all facets of boating and boating safety.

The major causes of recreational boating accidents are operator inattention, careless/reckless boat operation, excessive speed, inappropriate passenger/skier behavior, alcohol, and improper lookout. These negligent acts and others cause boats to capsize or collide. They may result in flooding, fire and explosion. When boat operators are careless, skiers may be struck by propellers or the vessels towing them. Passengers may fall overboard. From time to time, negligently designed boats and defective boating equipment can also cause accidents which give rise to claims against manufacturers.

The boating accident lawyers of Allen, Allen Allen & Allen know how to investigate boating accidents and evaluate the validity of claims that arise from them. They focus on answering critical questions which may determine the validity of your case:

Was the defendant operator of the boat intoxicated at the time of the accident?

Was he operating his boat at an excessive speed for the circumstances and conditions?

Was he turning too sharply in close proximity to another vessel?

Was he in compliance with Virginia Administrative Code regulations regarding the safe operation of watercraft?

If the defendant was operating a personal watercraft such as Jet Ski, Sea-Doo or Wave Runner:

Was the defendant speeding or weaving across the water unsafely?

Was he following or crossing the path of another vessel too closely?

These are only a few of the questions and issues that may require thorough review by an Allen Law Firm attorney.

Winning a case involving death or injury due to the negligence of a boat operator or a boat equipment manufacturer can be difficult without the help of an attorney who knows the ins and outs of boating negligence litigation. We know how to help you

Virginia Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents can cause serious and sometimes devastating injuries. These can range from cuts, bruises, and soft tissue injuries to catastrophic injuries including head, neck, spinal cord and brain injuries. How will I pay my medical bills? How will I support my family while I recover? These are some of the questions people injured in auto accidents ask themselves. The Virginia car accident lawyers at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen can help by providing answers to these questions and by offering advice regarding your legal rights and remedies when you are involved in a car accident or any other type of accident.

Under Virginia law, you may have the right to recover monetary damages if you have been injured in a car accident through the negligence or recklessness of another person. Damages may include reimbursement or compensation for:

Medical costs

Lost wages

Pain and suffering

Loss of Property

Contact an Allen & Allen car accident attorney for a free consultation and put our Virginia auto accident attorneys to work for you.

After a car crash, a representative of the negligent party's auto insurance company may call and make a settlement offer in your personal injury case. Please remember that signing a release of your personal injury claim, in exchange for an insurance company check, may extinguish your personal injury claim forever. Also keep in mind that insurance companies are businesses. Therefore, even if the insurance company makes what you believe is a reasonable settlement offer, it may be in your best interest to contact the experienced car accident attorneys of Allen and Allen, who will evaluate your case and put your interests ahead of the insurance companies.

When you work with us, you can participate in ensuring your legal rights are protected while relying on an experienced team of auto accident lawyers to represent you. If you are in need of a Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Petersburg or Richmond car accident attorney, please call us today at 866-388-1307 for a free consultation.

When looking for a car accident lawyer, choose a Virginia law firm with proven results. Allen and Allen has locations throughout Virginia in:

Richmond, Chesterfield / Midlothian, Short Pump / Glen Allen and Mechanicsville

Petersburg

Fredericksburg and Garrisonville

Charlottesville

If your injuries prevent you from traveling to our office, we will come to you. The Allen Law Firm is one of Virginia's oldest and largest personal injury and car accident law firms and we are here for you.

Our Car Accident Lawyers

Our exceptional team of Michigan trial attorneys has a total of over 250 years of combined experience representing victims of Michigan car crashes and other personal injury accidents.

In each case, our attorneys will be responsible for making legal decisions, as well as overseeing the progress and details of your Michigan car accident case.

All our attorneys and other legal professionals strive to thoroughly explain your rights, keep you informed as your Michigan car accident claim proceeds, and answer any questions you may have.

The team of Michigan attorneys who will be working for you are:

Samuel I. Bernstein

Mark J. Bernstein

Richard H. Bernstein

Beth Bernstein Miller

Michael L. Battersby

Edmund O. Battersby

Michael A. Weisserman

Mark Picklo

Ronald S. Marvin

Kimberly A. Suzor

David M. Cohen

Elizabeth D. Klein

Sheldon M. Adelson

Marya V. Sieminski

Brian H. Lonnerstater

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan car accident, make the time to contact an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your car accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.

Child Safety in Cars

Car accidents are especially dangerous for young children.

The small size and shape of small children’s bodies make them much more vulnerable to injury in a car crash; even an accident would cause little harm to adults in the same vehicle.

In the United States, 529 infants and toddlers died in car accidents in 2003, while thousands more suffered serious injuries. However, there is a way to protect the youngest passengers in your car. Securing young children in proper child safety seats reduces the risk of fatal injuries by over 70%.

Michigan law requires drivers to take these precautions. In this state, every child under age 4 must be properly buckled in a child safety seat while riding in a motor vehicle. Older children, as well as all the adult occupants of a motor vehicle – must wear seatbelts.

Travel Safely with Young Passengers in Your Car

The following is essential safety information for every parent, relative, friend, or caregiver, who may transport an infant or small child in an automobile.

Be sure to get the right car seat for your child.

When it comes to child restraint systems, one size does not fit all. Each car safety system must be appropriate for the individual youngster’s age, weight, and height.

The following are general guidelines about the kind of protection your child may need:

Infants up to about 1 year old should travel in a federally-approved infant safety seat that faces the rear of the car. Facing the back of the car protects a baby's fragile head and neck if a car accident occurs. The car seat should be semi-reclined so that the baby’s head does not flop forward.

Children between 1 and 4 years old can sit in a convertible seat that faces forward, if the car seat is equipped with harness straps to securely hold the youngster in place.

A child who outgrows a convertible seat should ride in a booster seat, which will make the safety belt fit better and more comfortably.

After a child gets too big for a booster seat, he or she can wear a regular seat belt, but should continue to sit in the back seat until 12 years of age.

Give your child the maximum protection by using the car safety seat properly.

Although about 80% of drivers use child restraint systems, over 70 % were incorrectly installed. The most common mistakes were incorrect use of the tethers and harnesses, which will keep the child safely secured in the event of an accident.

This puts children at risk, which could easily be avoided, if drivers took the time to take these simple steps:

Study the vehicle owner’s manual and car seat instructions carefully.

Check to see if you need a special locking clip. Not all standard safety belts will secure a car seat without it.

Look for a car seat with a label saying it meets federal motor vehicle standards.

Send in the car seat registration card, so that you will get notice of product safety recalls.

Get a tight fit - the car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or forward. To check for proper installation, push and pull on the car seat near the safety belt buckle.

Replace a car seat that has been in a crash.

Get Help If Your Child is the Victim of a Michigan Car Accident

No matter how hard you try to protect your child, sometimes you cannot avoid getting into a motor vehicle crash.

You need to protect your legal rights.

If you or a family member is injured in a Michigan car accident, consult an experienced Michigan car accident attorney, before you talk with the insurance company of the person at fault. If you sign the wrong papers, you may give up all the legal claims that you or your child may have for payment of medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

After auto accidents, injured victims and their families tend to focus on their physical, emotional, or financial challenges. Nevertheless, the time that Michigan law allows an adult - or a child - to act to preserve legal rights starts to run from the day of the motor vehicle accident.

Therefore, make the time to talk with an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your Michigan car accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.

SUV Rollover Accidents

SUV & Truck Rollover Accidents

Rollovers are one of the most dangerous types of highway accidents.

Tragically, the result may be deadly. More than 10,000 Americans died in rollover accidents every year.

Only 4% of crashes involve rollovers, but these auto accidents are much more likely to cause serious injuries or death. In fact, one-third of all the deaths of motor vehicle occupants result from rollover accidents.

Any type of vehicle can end up in a rollover accident. However, taller, narrower vehicles, like sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans, pickups, and other trucks all have higher centers of gravity. This makes them more likely to tip over and roll than passenger cars, which have most of their weight closer to the ground.

When a rollover occurs, the occupants of some SUVs and vans may be in grave danger, because the vehicles have weak roofs and inadequate crash protection.

People riding in a car are at greater risk if they are in an accident with an SUV or truck. The high bumper, stiff frames, and steel-paneled construction of SUVs and trucks can override the crash protection of automobiles. The weight of SUVs and trucks can cause significantly more harm in a two-vehicle accident. When a heavier vehicle hits a regular-sized car, the driver of the smaller vehicle has more difficulty keeping it under control. The force of the impact can be so great that it causes the car to spin or rollover, into oncoming traffic or off the highway.

The results of a rollover accident involving an SUV, truck, or other vehicle can be devastating.

If a victim survives, he or she may lose substantial income from work or time from school. The individual may have to cope with severe injuries, major surgery, extensive rehabilitation, or even lasting disability.

In short, a serious SUV or other rollover accident can change the victim’s life - temporarily - or permanently.

If you or a family member is involved in a Michigan SUV or rollover accident, you need to protect your legal rights. Consult an experienced Michigan SUV and rollover accident attorney, before talking to the insurance company of the person at fault. If you sign the wrong papers, you might give up all your legal claims for payment of medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

After SUV and truck rollover accidents, injured victims and their families tend to focus on their physical, emotional, or financial challenges. Nevertheless, the time that Michigan law allows an adult - or a child - to act to preserve legal rights starts to run from the day of the motor vehicle accident.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Michigan SUV or rollover crash, make the time to consult a lawyer experienced in SUV and rollover accidents cases immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your Michigan auto accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.

Car-Truck Accidents

Any serious auto accident is a terrible experience.

But some of the worst collisions result from a huge truck crashing into an ordinary passenger car. In that situation, the occupants of the car may suffer severe, permanent, or even fatal, injuries .

At the Law Offices of Sam Bernstein, we are committed to fighting to protect the legal rights of these Michigan truck accident victims. If you were hurt in a truck accident, you can get help now. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form today.

We listen to our clients and understand the extraordinary hardships they suffered in serious accidents involving large trucks or tractor-trailers. This is the way some of our clients described their experiences:

A split second before the crash, I saw the truck coming. But there was no time to get out of the way.

When that truck hit me, I lost control of my car and started spinning. I thought I was going to die.

I have no idea what happened. I heard a crash and the next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital.

The doctor told me that I was lucky to be alive, but that my life would never be the same.

The worst day of my life was the day that the police called to tell me that my child was killed in a semi truck crash.

We know how badly these individuals and others involved in truck accidents need highly-qualified legal representation. That is why, since 1968, our law firm has been dedicated to helping victims of Michigan motor vehicle accidents and other serious personal injuries.

If the worst happens, and you or a loved one is hurt in a Michigan truck accident, you need to protect your legal rights. The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein is here to help you. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your Michigan motor vehicle accident today.

Before you talk with the insurance company of the person at fault, be sure to consult an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney. Without good legal advice, you might sign the wrong papers and give up all your legal claims for payment of medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

After serious collisions, injured truck accident victims and their families tend to focus on their physical, emotional, or financial challenges. Nevertheless, the time that Michigan law allows an adult -- or a child -- to act to preserve legal rights starts to run from the day of the truck accident.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a Michigan truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your truck accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.

Never leave your child alone in the car. Never.

Now that summer is approaching and the temperature is rising it’s a good time to review a few summer car safety tips. In 2010, forty nine children died from heat stroke after being left in cars unattended. Even the best of parents or guardians can forget their children are waiting in a vehicle. Being trapped in a hot vehicle, for even a very short time amount of time, can be a deadly situation for kids.

Since many young children are helpless when locked in a vehicle, it is up to the parent to realize these dangers and to never leave their children unattended in a car. In an effort to reduce the number of deaths, new technology is becoming available. One innovation places weights in the backseat of cars, which then beeps when someone is left behind or a seat belt is not fastened. These can serve as a helpful reminder for busy parents juggling life, work, children, etc.

Here are some simple tips to ensure a child’s safety in the backseat of the car:

1. No child left behind

Never leave a child alone in a car unsupervised. Not only can weather conditions make it dangerous, but also the possibility of predators seeing a child alone and seizing the chance to do something harmful is a scary reality.

2. Place necessities near your child as your reminder

Place something you need, such as a purse, cell phone or laptop next to your child. This will ensure you automatically go to the back seat making it an effective reminder that your child is in the back.

3. Always lock doors and store keys

For safety reasons, keep your car doors locked at all times, even when it’s parked in the garage, and store the keys out of the reach of children. Small kids can easily slip out the door and hide in cars. Don’t risk them getting trapped in the car, which can be particularly dangerous in extreme heat or cold.

4. Use drive-thru services

If you are running errands with your kids, try to utilize drive-thru services so you aren’t tempted to leave your child unattended.

5. Be aware of other children

Keeping people safe not only applies to your own children, but to others you may spot trapped in cars. If you suspect a child is in danger inside a locked car, do not hesitate to call 911, it may save a young life.

6. Know the facts

Sunlight can heat car interiors to lethal temperatures in just 30 minutes, even if the weather is relatively cool. When it’s warmer outside it heats up even faster. If it is 80° outside, a closed car or a car with the windows slightly open will heat up to 99° in 10 minutes. In an hour, it will be 123 degrees. These are deadly temperatures. Never leave your child alone in the car. Never.

Michigan Car Accident Attorneys

The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, our Michigan personal injury law firm, has championed the cause of seriously injured Michigan car accident victims for three generations.

Since 1968, our firm has helped over 100,000 clients and recovered over $500 million in damages. Our team of extraordinary trial lawyers has a combined total of over 250 years of legal experience.

We have built our law practice on client service. Our commitment to each client is the bedrock of our firm. As a result, our firm is among the leading car accident law firms in the United States.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan car accident, make the time to contact an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your car accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.

The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, our Michigan personal injury law firm, has championed the cause of seriously injured Michigan car accident victims for three generations.

Since 1968, our firm has helped over 100,000 clients and recovered over $500 million in damages. Our team of extraordinary trial lawyers has a combined total of over 250 years of legal experience.

We have built our law practice on client service. Our commitment to each client is the bedrock of our firm. As a result, our firm is among the leading car accident law firms in the United States.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan car accident, make the time to contact an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your car accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.

Air Bag Safety in Auto Accidents – FAQs

Safe Driving Near Tractor Trailers and Semi Trucks

Large trucks and tractor-trailers may be some of the most dangerous kinds of vehicles on Michigan highways.

At some time, almost everyone has felt this risk while driving a car near a giant truck. Perhaps this happened to you:

A huge truck suddenly tried to pull in front of your car with just inches to spare.

A giant semi truck started tailgating your automobile.

You wondered whether the driver of the tractor-trailer in the next lane could see your passenger car in the truck mirror.

It is wise to be concerned -- and use extra care in these situations.

Know the Risks: The Size of Trucks on Michigan Roads

Michigan laws allow extremely large trucks and tractor-trailers to travel on major highways. The following are some of the current Michigan legal standards for semi trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large trucks:

A loaded tractor-trailer can be up to 8 ½ feet wide -- 50% wider that a passenger car.

The overall length of a truck hauling a trailer can be up to 65 feet on designated truck routes.

The length of a tractor-trailer transporting logs can be up to 70 feet, or more than 4 times the length of an average automobile.

There is no overall limit on the length of a semi truck, if it is pulling one trailer no longer than 50 feet or two trailers no longer than 28 ½ feet each.

The normal maximum load for a truck with a single trailer can be as much as 120,000 pounds.

The maximum weight of a tractor truck with two loaded trailers can be as much as 160,000 pounds, about the same weight as 50 passenger cars.

The enormous size and weight of a tractor-trailer or semi truck make it a dangerous vehicle, even if a skilled and careful truck driver is at the wheel.

Safety Tips for Auto Drivers Sharing the Road With Large Trucks

If you are on the highway near a tractor trailer or semi truck, you can reduce the risk of a serious accident by driving with extra care. Here are safety guidelines to help you protect yourself and your family:

Stay out of truck blind spots. Although every truck has side mirrors, the driver still has blind spots, or areas on both sides of the truck where he or she cannot see cars in nearby traffic lanes. If your car is next to a large truck, either drive on past or back off. If you are passing, try to drive your car on the left side of a large truck, where the blind spot is smaller.

Never follow a large truck too closely. Keep 20 to 25 car lengths between the front of your vehicle and the back of a large truck. This extra distance will allow you to see in front of the truck. In case there is congested traffic or an accident up ahead, you will see it in time to stop or safely steer your car away from the danger.

Use extra caution when passing a large truck. After you pass a large truck, do not pull your car back into its traffic lane until you can see its headlights in your rear view mirror. Leaving this extra distance gives the truck driver the time to slow down or stop if something is happening on the highway ahead.

Always remember that a loaded tractor-trailer or semi truck needs as much as 100 yards -- the length of a football field -- to come to a complete stop. No matter how crowded the highway, make sure to maintain this safe distance. If the truck driver ignores this margin of safety and keeps following your car too closely, do not take a chance. Move your car into another traffic lane.

Get Help If You Are In an Auto Accident with a Tractor-Trailer or Semi Truck

No matter how carefully you drive, sometimes you cannot avoid getting into a motor vehicle crash.

You need to protect your legal rights.

If you or a family member is injured in a Michigan truck accident, consult an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney, before you talk with the insurance company of the person at fault. If you sign the wrong papers, you may give up all your legal claims for payment of medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

After motor vehicle accidents, injured victims and their families tend to focus on their physical, emotional, or financial challenges. Nevertheless, the time that Michigan law allows an adult -- or a child -- to act to preserve legal rights starts to run from the day of the truck accident.

Therefore, make the time to talk with an experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your truck accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.