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You may not have even seen it coming. Or you may have watched the other vehicle in what seemed like slow motion as it slammed directly into your car. Either way, once you’ve been in an auto accident, nothing’s more important than to make sure you’re all right. But other actions you take can also make a big difference.
As auto accident attorneys, we’ve gathered some information for you to keep in mind if the above scenario ever does happen to you - or to a loved one.
- Go ahead and accept medical help - or offer it, if needed by the other party. Under Connecticut law, it is illegal to not seek medical attention for someone with whom you’re involved in an accident requires it. Do not, however, discuss the accident, even if you believe it is your fault. Admissions of this nature are valid in court.
- Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses. Although police officers should do this, sometimes the information may not be reliable, get misplaced, etc. Also, write down this information as soon after the wreck as you are able. Some witnesses may not wait around for the police.
- Take pictures of the accident scene, if possible. Personal injury attorneys credit these pictures as one of the most significant advantages to plaintiff litigation in recent years. Take pictures not only of the vehicles involved, but also of any skid marks and damage to surrounding objects, like guard rails, telephone poles, etc., if applicable.
- Claims investigators from the other party’s insurance company may call you. Don’t take the call. Any after-accident interviews should be conducted only with your attorney present!
Statutes of limitations vary on vehicular accidents, so please don’t hesitate to call or contact our offices if you have been hurt or injured. The experienced auto accident attorneys at Trantolo & Trantolo are here to make sure your interests are protected.
A 1998 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report revealed that it was not only the large number of jet ski accidents that have occurred, “but the distinctive way in which fatalities occur,” that prompted the Board to examine the nature and design of jet skis, especially in regard to steering loss.
The report stated that, “steering difficulties were evident in many of the personal watercraft accident reports examined in the study.” For example, in Four Bears Park in Michigan, on June 29, 1997, a 29-year-old driver lost control of his Sea Doo. The vessel skidded over the water into a swimming area and struck six children, ages 5 to 12, and then hit a seventh person on the beach.
In Texas, according to the Board’s report, a 24-year-old swerved in front of his mother, lost control, and the 400-pound vessel hit her in the back. She was pronounced dead the next morning. The report stated that the accident “involving a mother and son on a Texas lake illustrates the consequences that can result from steering difficulties.”
The NTSB 1998 report, now a key piece of documentation in liability suits, provides personal injury attorneys with convincing evidence that jet skis are unsafe, and that inherent defects in their design cause numerous injuries and fatalities each year.
Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of conditions that affect control of an individual’s movement and posture. Because of damage to one or more parts of the brain that control movement, a CP affected child cannot move his or her muscles in a normal fashion. CP symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Fortunately, CP does not get worse as the child gets older. With treatment and therapy, and a supportive environment, most children will be able to significantly improve their abilities.
Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 babies and infants are diagnosed with CP each year. It is estimated that 20% of the children diagnosed with congenital CP developed it due to a brain injury during the birthing process. While the United States does not currently have a system to track the rate of CP incidents, studies have shown that there has been an increase in doctor error, birthing mistakes, and medical malpractice associated with CP.
In most of the 10,000 CP diagnoses each year, the direct causes for the condition will never be revealed. However, medical mistakes that could cause CP include:
- Misreading fetal monitoring equipment
- Failure to diagnose fetal distress during labor
- Waiting too long to perform a C Section
- Failing to act in a timely manner
- Administering too much Pitocin (a drug given to induce labor)
In 1998 the National Transportation Safety Board criticized the basic design of all personal watercraft, including jet skis, by stating: “Personal watercraft have no braking mechanism. They coast to a stop, and while coasting, there is no turning ability.”
Most experts concur. Jet skis present special hazards because they will not steer when you let go of the throttle. This presents inexperienced jet skiers with an unexpected loss of control when something unforeseen happens. Unlike traditional boats, jet skis are rudderless. When the throttle is off, a speeding jet ski has been compared to a car sliding on ice because it can't stop or turn and the driver has no control. It would be surprising if accidents were not frequent.
Many safety experts also believe that, contrary to industry claims, the vehicles themselves, not just the riders, cause numerous injuries and fatalities. These critics believe that the design of jet skis makes them a menace, not only to their own riders, but to swimmers, kayakers, boaters, and anyone else who shares the water in good faith.
To avoid swimming and diving accidents, swimmers should have some important knowledge about swimming:
- Always swim at a beach patrolled by lifeguards, parents or guardians.
- Avoid swimming alone or unsupervised. Children should always be accompanied by adults.
- Read the signs carefully. Don’t swim on a closed beach.
- Do not swim directly after a meal.
- Float with a rip current. Don’t try to swim against it.
- Do not swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Do not run, jump or dive into the water. Make sure you know the conditions and how deep the water is.
- If you get in trouble, try not to panic. Instead, raise one arm up and float until help arrives.
Watch out for flags:
- Red and yellow flags mean lifeguards are on patrol. Swim only in the area between the flags.
- The red flag means it is dangerous to swim. Don’t go into the water.
- The black and white flag indicates the area is zoned for surf craft and is not safe for swimmers.
Chris Benoit, a professional wrestler who killed his wife, son and then himself in suburban Atlanta in June 2007, had brain damage caused by repeated concussions in the ring. According to two leading neurosurgeons. Dr. Julian Bailes of West Virginia University and Dr. Robert Cantu of Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, an examination of Benoit's brain tissue revealed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or brain swelling. This is a degenerative condition typically found in boxers but also found in recent years in the brains of four former N.F.L. players.
Cantu said that symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy include depression and erratic behavior, but he declined to speculate on any role the condition might have played in Benoit's final violent acts. He and Bailes added that Benoit's use of anabolic steroids, which could have contributed to his mental state, would not have caused the brain damage they found.
With the permission of Benoit's father, the doctors examined Benoit's brain tissue on behalf of the Sports Legacy Institute, a nonprofit organization that investigates the effects of brain injuries in sports. Its president, Christopher Nowinski, is a former World Wrestling Entertainment performer who retired after sustaining several concussions.
Each year nearly 5 million people in the country visit emergency rooms with heart attack symptoms including the most obvious - chest pains. Since heart attack symptoms are similar to a number of other non-life threatening conditions, some doctors may fail to appreciate the severity of the situation and misdiagnose the patient's medical condition.
Some of the most common mistakes made during the diagnosis of a heart attack are:
- Failure to diagnose a heart attack in younger patients
- Failure to consider a heart condition in women
- Improper reading of a patient's ECG
The proper diagnosis of a heart attack can often be difficult due to the vague nature of some symptoms. Nevertheless, careful and attentive consideration of all factors is critical to the patient's survival and recovery from a heart attack. Be aware that a doctor may fail to properly consider:
- The patient’s age
- Any previous heart conditions
- Medical history and drug interactions
- Exercise, alcohol or drug use
- Smoking
- Menopause
Failing to diagnose a heart attack is a leading cause of medical malpractice lawsuits.
If you have questions or comments please contact us.
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