El Dorado Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents - Most Popular

Why Uninsured or Under-insured Motorist Coverage is Necessary

Drew Dixon — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:59:42 GMT

With the cost of treatments for many injuries rising, people involved in accidents do not always have enough insurance to pay their bills after an accident. Almost every state requires a driver carry some liability insurance, but the sad truth is that not everyone does and chances are the ones that do are under-insured. It is estimated that the uninsured motorist population in the U.S. has grown to more than 15%. In fact, in some states such as California it is estimated that as many as one third of drivers do not carry insurance.

What that means is that nearly one out of every eight serious accidents in the U.S. is caused by an uninsured driver. And when an accident is caused by an uninsured driver, the victim may have to rely on their health insurance through work to pay their medical bills. And more often than not the victims lost wages and property damage go unpaid and uncollected.

A solution to this growing problem is the added insurance coverage for "uninsured" and "under-insured" motorists. When you select this on your policy you are covered when the tortfeasor either does not have insurance at all or doesn't carry enough to pay your medical expenses. With this in mind I would recommend that you contact your insurance provider and add both "uninsured" and "under-insured" motorist coverage because you never know when you might be in an accident.

Image source: Wikimedia commons

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Basic Car Insurance Information

Frank Bailey — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:07:39 GMT

Car insurance is complicated. Attorneys don’t always understand policies that are filled with fine print. How can consumers be expected to understand what kind of insurance they are buying. This article is intended to offer some basic understanding of a car insurance policy.

Liability insurance provides money to cover damages you cause to other people or their property due to your negligence. The laws of most states require that every driver have this coverage. The problems come when the policy has minimum limits. In Arkansas that is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. In many, if not most accidents, this is not enough to cover all injuries with today’s rising cost of medical care.

Consumers can purchase higher limits for a minimum amount. Some insurance companies or agents do not disclose this because the additional coverage means the insurance company will possibly have to pay more money out if you are the cause of a serious injury. If you only have minimum limits, the company is protected. It only has to pay the minimum limits, and you may be on the hook for the rest.

We recommend to all our clients that the safe thing to do is to have higher limits even if it costs a little more. What are higher limits? $100,000\300,000 is a good place to start. It doesn’t cost that much more, and will cover all but the most serious of accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

Danny Okurily - Death - Bus Accident - Lawyer

Sach Oliver — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:27:39 GMT

A terrible accident on I-40 near Forrest City took three lives this last Saturday night. The accident involved a bus, a tractor trailer, and a car. Dozens of people were injured in the accident. The bus that caused the accident belonged to Tornado Bus Lines of Dallas, Texas.

According to the Arkansas State Police, the bus crossed the median and collided with and eastbound truck. Then another eastbound tractor trailer collided with the bus.

Sadly, Danny Okurily, 30 years old, was the driver of the truck and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Danny was from Hot Springs, AR. It is so tragic when we have a loved one taken from us as a result of the negligence of someone else. We should all keep his families in our thoughts and prayers.

Raul Lopez and another victim were also found lifeless on the bus. Raul was 58 years old. He was from West Chicago, Illinois. So many people were traveling over the holiday weekend and drivers have a greater duty to drive safer in high traffic conditions.

If the family members of Mr. Lopez or Mr. Okurily have questions about this accident or about their rights, please do not hesitate to email us or contact us for more information.

Fortunately, David Rice, the driver of the tractor-trailer, lived and only had minor injuries. However, he should still seek proper medical treatment and ask about his rights. Mr. Rice is from Mars Hill, North Carolina.

The scariest part of this tragic event is that 47 people were on this Tornado Bus Line bus. The driver, Felix Tapia, had the lives of so many in his hands including children. The Tornado Bus Line Manifest list only 44 passengers and a driver onboard the bus which was en route from Chicago to Dallas. The bus driver is only 28 years old and is from Brownsville, Texas.

Numerous people were injured in the accident and hauled to the hospital in Forest City, West Memphis and Memphis.

If someone has questions about their legal rights as a result of this accident, please do not hesitate to ask our firm.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Tragic Highway Accidents

Sach Oliver — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:15:30 GMT

This is a sad, and sorrowful story, but a realistic one. Two people lost their lives in separate highway accidents in south Arkansas this week. One took place on Sunday, and the other, on Monday. Unfortunately, the importance of driving safely is increasing on the roads today.

The first accident was a young boy, only thirteen years old. He, with two others, was driving down the highway, while reportedly passing vehicles in a no-passing lane, when they collided with a truck. The two passengers with the boy survived, and were both taken to the Magnolia Hospital. The two passengers of the truck were also sent there.

The second accident happened at 5:30 PM, when a man lost control of his motorcycle, and careened into a field. Sadly, he died on the scene. Motorcycles are so dangerous, we must all be careful when riding or driving around a motorcycle.

These are horrible accidents that remind us of how vital it is to drive ever so carefully. Bless the souls of the families that have lost loved ones, and continue to drive safely.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Primary Seat-Belt Law Approved In Arkansas

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:06:00 GMT

The Arkansas House voted 60-31 on Wednesday in favor of a bill that would make seat-belt violations a primary offense.

Arkansas, like Missouri, now has a secondary seat-belt law, which means officers are able to issue citations for the violation only after stopping the vehicle for another reason. There are 26 states that currently have primary seat-belt laws, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Under the bill, by Sen. Hank Wilkins IV, (D-Pine Bluff) violators will be subject to a $25 fine. But it won’t be reflected on their driving record. Wilkins says the change will save lives and make Arkansas eligible for $9.5 million in federal funding.

A spokesman has said the governor will sign the bill.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Cell Phones and Driving is Deadly

Frank Bailey — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:37:34 GMT

Evidence continues to mount that talking on a cell phone while driving is deadly.

Friday’s edition of the Baxter Bulletin carried a story about the driver of a trolley who was killed when the trolley she was driving struck the rear of a parked train. Passengers saw the driver talking on a cell phone moments before the collision.

How many people have to lose their lives before something is done about this dangerous practice?

We know of studies and studies that show talking on a cell phone while driving is just as dangerous as driving drunk. In our courts we are entitled to punitive damages if we are injured by a drunk driver. Shouldn’t we also be entitled to punitive damages if we are hit by a driver talking on a cell phone?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

What is Enough Insurance?

Frank Bailey — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:05:26 GMT

Today I see the average price of regular gasoline went up to $3.78 a gallon. This is beginning to make a difference in the types of cases we see.

Consumers are buying smaller cars, but in a crash mass always wins. For example, think about who wins when a bug hits your windshield at 55 mph. That is an extreme example, but think of a compact car hitting a pick-up truck or a semi…injuries are catastrophic even with seat belts.

Many of the people who are injured today do not have enough insurance to even begin to cover their medical expenses, let alone their lost wages, or their pain.

In Arkansas the minimum liability coverage is $25,000. That may have been enough 30 years ago, but with today’s high cost of medical treatment; $25,000 is a mere pittance.

We urge our clients to purchase high limits of uninsured and underinsured insurance on their vehicles. That way, if someone hits them and only has $25,000 in coverage, our clients insurance will kick in and cover the full cost of the collision.

What do I mean by high limits? I think $300,000/$500,000 is pretty good, but if you want to be safe, most insurance companies offer umbrella coverage on top of the basic coverage for a relatively small premium.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

Raul Lopez - muerte - accidente del autobÃºs - abogado

Sach Oliver — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:39:46 GMT

Un accidente terrible en I-40 cerca de la ciudad de Forrest tomÃ³ a tres vidas esta Ãºltima noche de sÃ¡bado. El accidente implicÃ³ un autobÃºs, un acoplado del tractor, y un coche. DaÃ±aron a las docenas de gente en el accidente. El autobÃºs que causÃ³ el accidente perteneciÃ³ a las lÃneas de autobÃºs del tornado de Dallas, Tejas.

SegÃºn el policÃa del estado de Arkansas, el autobÃºs cruzÃ³ el punto medio y chocÃ³ con y carro eastbound. Entonces otro acoplado eastbound del tractor chocÃ³ con el autobÃºs.

Tristemente, Danny Okurily, 30 aÃ±os, era el conductor del carro y Ã©l era muertos pronunciados en la escena. Danny era a partir de los resortes calientes, AR. Es tan trÃ¡gico cuando tenemos a amamos uno tomado de nosotros como resultado de la negligencia alguien . Debemos toda la subsistencia sus familias en nuestros pensamientos y rezos.

Encontraron a Raul Lopez y otra vÃctima tambiÃ©n sin vida en el autobÃºs. Raul era 58 aÃ±os. Ã‰l era de Chicago del oeste, Illinois. Tan mucha gente viajaba sobre el fin de semana del dÃa de fiesta y los conductores tienen un mayor deber para conducir mÃ¡s seguro en altas condiciones del trÃ¡fico.

Si los miembros de la familia de Sr. Lopez o Sr. Okurily tiene preguntas sobre este accidente o sobre las sus derechas, no vacila por favor en el email nosotros ni nos entra en contacto con para mÃ¡s informaciÃ³n.

Afortunadamente, el arroz de David, el conductor del tractor-acoplado, vivido y tenÃa solamente lesiones de menor importancia. Sin embargo, Ã©l debe tratamiento mÃ©dico apropiado de la bÃºsqueda inmÃ³vil y preguntar por las sus derechas. Sr. El arroz es de colina de Marte, Carolina del Norte.

La parte mÃ¡s asustadiza de este acontecimiento trÃ¡gico es que 47 personas estaban en esta lÃnea de autobÃºs del tornado autobÃºs. El conductor, Felix Tapia, tenÃa las vidas de tan muchos en sus manos incluyendo niÃ±os. La lÃnea de autobÃºs del tornado lista manifesta solamente 44 pasajeros y un conductor onboard el autobÃºs que era en el camino de Chicago a Dallas. El conductor del autobÃºs es solamente 28 aÃ±os y es de Brownsville, Tejas.

DaÃ±aron en el accidente y fueron acarreada a la gente numerosa al hospital en ciudad del bosque, Memphis del oeste y Memphis.

Si alguien tiene preguntas sobre las sus derechas legales como resultado de este accidente, no vacile por favor pedir nuestra firma.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Arkansas Teen Killed in Head-On Collision

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:40:48 GMT

A three-vehicle car accident claimed the life of an 18-year-old man, according to Arkansas State Police.

Arkansas State Police Troopers conducted a joint investigation of the accident with Independence County Deputies. The teen was traveling southbound in his Nissan Maxima, on St. Louis when he crossed the turn lane into the path of a Ford pickup truck driven by a 49-year-old man of Mountain View.

After the impact of the crash, the truck came to rest in the roadway and was struck in the rear by a Mercury Villager, driven by a 18-year-old man, of Floral. The crash caused the vehicle to swerve off the street and land on the shoulder of the northbound lane.

They were both transported to White River Medical Center for treatment. The teen was later transported to a Memphis Trauma Center where he died.

The accident is still under investigation pending further details.

For more information on this subject, please visit our section on Car Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Nighttime Crashes Linked to Lack of Seat Belts

Drew Dixon — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:55:11 GMT

This past Monday the National Highway Safety Administration released a report stating that more than two-thirds of young drivers and passengers killed in nighttime car crashes weren't wearing seat belts. This report should be an important reminder to all of us that teenagers don't always listen to parent's advice.

Though seat belt is on the rise nationwide, the fatality figures of teens killed in nighttime crashes continues to raise concern as the Arkansas State Police launches it's annual "Click-it or Ticket" program. Total seat belt use rose to 82 percent last year, up slightly from 81 percent in 2006. Twelve states had rates above 90 percent, while Arkansas, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire were all below 70 percent in total seat belt usage.

However, recent rise in total seat belt usage does not transcend to nighttime teenage drivers. Sixty-eight percent of drivers and passengers between the ages of 16 and 20 who were killed in car crashes at night in 2006 were unbuckled, claimed the National Highway Safety Administration. And Another statistic showed that 57 percent of the young motorists killed during the daytime were also not wearing seat belts.

The problem isn't just with teens though. The percentage of unbuckled drivers and passengers who died at night is well over 60 percent through the age of 44, and it declines to around 50 percent for people older than 44.

If you would like more information on statistics related to seat belt usage and tips for teaching your teenagers proper techniques for driving check out www.teendriving.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon