Helping Those Injured By Negligent Drivers

 

Standing Up For Motorcycle Riders Throughout Kentucky

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, people are 27x more likely to get in an accident on a motorcycle than in another vehicle. One reason for that discrepancy is that motorcycles are hard to see. They are smaller and harder to spot when stopped at an intersection.

Motorcyclists can be at the mercy of other drivers. When a distracted minivan pulls in front of a bike, the minivan is usually fine. It’s the bike (and its rider) that pays the price. At Edwards & Kautz Law Firm, we understand the frustration bikers feel and fight hard to get riders the compensation they deserve after an accident.

The Dangers Of Bad Road Conditions

Bad roads, like potholes, oil slicks or ruts, that cause minor problems for car drivers can be deadly for cyclists. Slides can send cyclists spinning into oncoming traffic or nearby trees and buildings.

Hazards on the road, such as ongoing construction, sharp turns, fresh pavement, or loose stone, should be marked by the highway department. If they are not clearly marked (or not marked at all), an accident may be the fault of the highway department.

What Causes Commercial Vehicle and Trucking Accidents?

Truck drivers are often tired and pushed to meet tight schedules, creating the conditions for a crash. If you are involved in a tractor-trailer accident, you should immediately contact the law firm of Edwards & Kautz Law Firm in Paducah, Kentucky. Our lawyers can help you secure the full compensation you need to pay for medical bills, lost income and other expenses related to your accident.

There are several reasons trucking accidents can happen:

Driver fatigue. Not getting enough sleep, loading and unloading heavy loads and putting in overtime can impair not only a driver’s ability to drive but also to judge how well they are driving. Drivers get paid only when they deliver their loads. They are constantly pressured to deliver on time. Federal guidelines mandate how much sleep a driver must have. If they fall behind on a trip, they should not make up time by using stimulants or driving while tired.

DUI. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law. When truckers drive drunk, they risk not only the lives of the other people on the road but their own livelihoods. If you’ve been injured by a truck driver driving under the influence, the state’s criminal case against the driver won’t help you, but a personal injury lawsuit could.

Bad weather. Poor weather, like snow, fog or even rain, can cause truck accidents. Semi-truck drivers can struggle to spot motorcyclists, pedestrians or even smaller cars.

Reckless/distracted driving. Truckers need to follow the rules. If they do not they can hurt people by:

• Playing the radio or texting and not watching the road
• Following too close
• Not using blind spot mirrors
• Speeding
• Improperly braking
• Making quick lane changes
• Driving with unsecured or poorly loaded cargo
• Not using a signal to turn

Jackknifing. This usually happens when a driver slams on their brakes while traveling at a high speed. Then the entire truck, trailer and all can start to skid. Jackknifing causes major damage and can be deadly to other motorists. In addition, the truck can roll, causing an even worse accident.

 

What To Do In Case Of A Motor Vehicle Accident