What you need to know about neck, back and spine injuries.
Neck, back and spine injuries are the most common types of injuries that happen in auto accidents. For example, in a rear-end accident the victim’s head is often jerked back and forth rapidly. This sometimes forces the muscles in the neck and back to over stretch and cause severe swelling and pain. Although most strain…
“Slip, Trip and Falls: Injuries on Someone Else’s Property”
In Minnesota, property owners have legal responsibilities to people coming onto their property. However, the responsibilities owed are different depending on if that person’s a trespasser, guest, tenant or patron. In fact, the steps a property owner must take in order to protect you while you are on the owner’s property depends upon your reason…
Glossary of Truck Related Terms
Axle Structural component to which wheels, brakes, and suspension is attached. Drive axles are those with powered wheels. Front axle is usually called the steer axle. Pusher axles are not powered and go ahead of drive axles. Rear axles may be drive, tag, or pusher types. Tag axles are not powered and go behind drive…
Minimize Risk and Injury
There are many ways to minimize the risk of vehicle rollover, as well as reduce the risk of serious injury should one occur. Statistics prove that wearing a safety belt has the greatest effect on reducing the chance of fatality—occupants are 75% less likely to be killed in a rollover crash if they are wearing…
Common Defenses to Product Liability Claims
As with all personal injury claims, a person who wants to bring a product liability claim must file their action within the applicable time limit, or "limitation period." The failure to do so will give rise to a statute of limitations defense by the defendant(s). In addition, some states have "statutes of repose," which bar…
The Most Common Types of Accidents- General Aviation
General Aviation, is a class of airplane often referred to as "little planes," or "puddle jumpers.” The historical pattern of GA accidents has changed little in the modern era. While the number of accidents continues to decline to record low levels, the most common types of accidents keep showing up in the same relative proportions….
“Train Accidents Blamed on Maintenance Cutbacks, Crew Fatigue”
Article Author: Paul E. Godlewski Serious train accidents are caused by a variety of mechanical and/or human factors. A spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington and others have suggested that many mechanical failures are actually a result of deferred maintenance. The railroad companies, he said, in an effort to eke out greater profits…
“Federal Employers Liability Act – F.E.L.A”
Article Author: Larry E. Stern What is the FELA? In 1908, Congress passed the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). This law assures a railroad employee a safe work place and gives them and their families the right to recover compensation if injured is a railroad related accident. Many railroad workers have been led to believe…
Types of compensation recoverable in a wrongful death lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit maintains that a decedent was killed as a result of the negligence (or other liability) on the part of the defendant. It also states that the surviving dependents or beneficiaries are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the defendant’s conduct. The following types of damages are considered in a…
Preventing Spinal Cord Injuries
The following tips, based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network, may reduce the risk of spinal cord injury: Wear a seat belt every time you drive a car or ride in one. Make sure your children are buckled into a child safety seat,…
LOOK. LISTEN. LIVE
Trains are a great addition to the Twin Cities. But like any moving vehicle, they come with warnings. Make safety a priority on and around trains. Adults and children should learn how to be safe around the tracks. National studies show that light-rail trains are safer than cars, trucks – and even buses. Metro Transit…
The importance of investigating railroad crossing accidents
Many police officers have had the unpleasant experience of investigating a railroad crossing accident. In addition to the human carnage found at the scene, officers know that these investigations are, by necessity, detailed and burdensome. The officer knows that he will be questioned by investigators and lawyers. Civil trials often result from railroad crossing accidents,…
“Railroad Passenger Accidents and Injuries”
Article Author: Paul E. Godlewski Railroads continue to play a vital role in the American economy with more than one hundred thousand miles of rail line throughout the country. While passenger use of railroads has declined over time, rail transportation continues as a popular high-volume, low-cost method to ship freight and goods. The ongoing use…
Highway-Rail Crossing Program
Summary A highway-railroad grade crossing is an intersection where a roadway crosses railroad tracks at the same level (referred to by civil engineers as the same “grade”). America’s landscape is currently dotted with more than 250,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings. In recent years, roughly 300-400 deaths have occurred annually at the Nation’s grade…
Railroad Accidents – History
NOTE: Very few passengers were killed in a single U.S. train wreck up until 1853. These early trains ran slowly and made short trips, night travel was rare, and there were not many of them in operation. 1831 June 17, nr. Charleston, S.C.: boiler exploded on America’s first passenger locomotive, The Best Friend of…
Light Rail Train Accidents – Metro Transit
INTRODUCTION TO METRO TRANSIT Beginning June 26, 2004, the Hiawatha Line offers fast, quiet light-rail service to 12 stations between downtown Minneapolis and Fort Snelling. Dozens of bus routes are timed to connect with trains at Hiawatha Line stations, making it easy to get to work, to shopping or wherever you need to be. Hop…
Minnesota Wrongful Death Law
573.02 Action for death by wrongful act; survival of actions. Subdivision 1. Death action. When death is caused by the wrongful act or omission of any person or corporation, the trustee appointed as provided in subdivision 3 may maintain an action there for if the decedent might have maintained an action, had the decedent lived,…
Top 10 Airline Safety Tips
1. Fly on Nonstop Routings Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent, and landing phase of flight so flying nonstop would reduce exposure to these most accident prone phases of flight. 2. Choose Larger Aircraft Currently, aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats were all designed and certified under the strictest regulations. Also, in…
Seat Belts in New School Buses
Students Are At Risk There have been at least 62,000 pupil injuries in reported school bus accidents in the period 1991 to 1996. There were at least 59 passenger fatalities. (Accident Facts, National Safety Council 1992-97 editions; Fatal Accident Reporting System) Research done by CNN shows that school bus passenger injuries have risen by 94%…
Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses
School age children transported in school buses are safer than children transported in motor vehicles of any other type. Large school buses provide protection because of their size and weight. Further, they must meet minimum Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS’s) mandating compartmentalized seating, improved emergency exits, stronger roof structures and fuel systems, and better…