Assessing Fault for a Crash Involving a Vehicle Making a U-Turn

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on July 30, 2021 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 6, 2022

Sometimes you must make a U-turn to get where you are going. Other times, you missed a turn and need to head back the way you came.

The problem is that this is a dangerous maneuver. You can consider this a left turn, which you may know is much more dangerous than a right turn. Unfortunately, there is often a lot of confusion about who has the right of way in these situations, and it can lead to crashes and other drivers getting angry as they try to turn left while waiting for a U-turning driver to get out of the way.

Below, our experienced attorneys discuss fault for a crash involving a vehicle making a U-turn. If you were injured in a crash in Minnesota, give us a call today to discuss how we may be able to help. We have helped numerous crash victims secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. An initial consultation is 100 percent free.

What Does State Law Say About U-Turns?

According to Minnesota Statute 169.19 Subd. 2., you are prohibited from making a U-turn on a curve or crest of a grade if approaching vehicles cannot see you from a distance of 1,000 feet. You are also prohibited from making a U-turn if you cannot do so safely and without interfering with traffic.

It is also illegal to make a U-turn when a sign says you are prohibited from making a U-turn. Even though you have a green arrow, you are required to yield to the drivers who are turning right onto the road where you are making a U-turn. Unfortunately, drivers either do not know this or do not care. U-turning drivers often violate the right of way of right-turning drivers – they may do this because the drivers behind them are honking because they are waiting for the U-turning driver to get out of the way.

What Does This Mean for Assessing Fault?

When a Bloomington car accident lawyer reviews a crash involving a turn, he or she is going to try to determine who may have had the right of way. The driver who violated the right of way is likely to be found at fault for the crash.

Keep in mind that drivers turning left may also have the right of way versus a U Turning driver because they are often turning because they have a green arrow. Even if they are turning right on a red light, they probably have the right of way compared to a U turning car. If you want to make a U-turn and are concerned about making the drivers behind you angry, pull up and a little around the median to give them space to get around you. It should be possible to do this without getting in the way of left-turning drivers.

Assessing fault may be complicated if the driver who wants to turn right waves you ahead, but then your two vehicles crash anyway. Does this gesture give you the right of way as the driver making a U-turn? Can you still be found partially or fully at fault for the crash?

Impatience is often a factor in car crashes. It is important to wait to make a turn to be sure you have enough time and space to do so. If you are unsure about whether you have enough time, it is probably better to wait for more traffic to clear. You should not assume right-turning drivers will slow down or yield. They may not even be looking for you, as they assume they do not need to stop or yield because they have the right of way.

If possible, avoid making a U-turn, as it can be a dangerous traffic maneuver.

Call TSR Injury Law for Help After a Car Crash

Think the insurance company is going to fork over the compensation you need after a car crash?

Oftentimes, insurance companies deny or underpay claims, even when liability seems clear, and the victims’ damages are covered by the insurance policy. You need an experienced advocate at your side to aggressively pursue the compensation you need.

TSR Injury Law has been assisting crash victims for decades and has secured millions on behalf of our clients.

Free Consultation. No Upfront Fees. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

What You Should Know About Liability for Injuries to Children at Summer Camp

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on July 27, 2021 in Personal Injury
Updated on December 6, 2022

While there is no way to prevent all the injuries that may occur at summer camp, some may have been the result of another’s negligence and may have been avoidable. The trouble is that liability for these situations is complex.

If your child was injured at summer camp and you think it was because of negligent supervision, failure to follow safety protocols, or some other form of negligence, you should seriously consider discussing the situation with an experienced attorney.

TSR Injury Law’s licensed Minneapolis personal injury attorneys offer a free legal consultation to discuss your situation. Our firm has obtained millions on behalf of injury victims in a wide variety of cases. Give us a call today to learn more about how we may be able to assist you. Our goal is to hold at-fault parties accountable and obtain compensation for the damages you suffered.

How Children Often Get Injured at Summer Camp

The idea of children at a camp paints a picture of mayhem. A lot of kids in many directions. That is why there are rules and adult supervision. Kids have to be protected from themselves. While minor injuries may be expected, serious injuries are not acceptable. Serious injuries are usually caused when supervision is lax or rules are not enforced. For example, children could be injured in slip and fall accidents around swimming pools, they can get burned at a campfire, they can be assaulted in a cabin when they are not accounted for. Preventable serious injuries must be addressed to help the injured child, but to also prevent other injuries for the next child.

There are many other reasons children suffer injuries at summer camp:

Inherently Dangerous Sports or Outdoor Activities

One of the benefits of summer camp for children is exercise. They often participate in a variety of sports at summer camp, some of which may be dangerous, such as swimming, or soccer or basketball, as there is a potential for collisions with other children. Contact sports like lacrosse and football put children at risk for head injuries, broken bones and joint injuries.

There are also inherently dangerous activities like horseback riding, kayaking and hiking that put children at risk for injury. There needs to be proper adult supervision during these activities. Children should also be warned about danger and instructed on how to keep themselves safe.

Lack of Safety/Protective Equipment

This is particularly true when playing sports. If children are going to be riding horses or bicycles, they need to wear helmets.

If children are going to be outside, they need sunscreen and water so they can avoid getting dehydrated. Children are not expected to have the same good judgment as adults, which is why it is up to the adults at the summer camp to be sure children have what they need to stay safe.

While some injuries may happen, injuries should receive proper treatment to keep them stabilized and prevent infection.

Not only do summer camps need to provide safety equipment, but they also need to enforce the use of this equipment. Summer camps cannot escape liability by saying they provided the equipment, but children chose not to wear it.

Poor Supervision

One of the most common injuries that may result from negligent supervision is drowning. It can take just a second or two for a child to go underwater. The more dangerous the activity, the better the supervision needs to be.

Adults can also break up fights between children, as these fights could result in serious injuries.

Negligence in Hiring Staff Members

Unfortunately, summer camps do not always conduct the appropriate background checks on their employees. Sometimes children are being supervised by people who have been convicted of crimes or been arrested. Children could be at risk for physical abuse. There are even situations where children suffer sexual abuse at the hands of staff members.

Failing to do a proper background check on potential employees is negligent, but sometimes summer camps find out about things that should disqualify potential hires and hire them anyway.

What You Need to Know About Liability Waivers

When you signed your child up for summer camp, you may have signed a liability waiver releasing the camp from liability for injuries suffered by your child. These documents say your signature waives your right to take legal action over your child’s injuries because you assumed there was a risk.

There is a question as to whether these documents would hold up if they were challenged in court. For example, if you could provide evidence of negligence or recklessness on the part of counselors and other authority figures at the camp, the liability waiver may be invalid. Evidence of intentional misconduct may also invalidate a liability waiver.

The important thing is to discuss the situation with an attorney. Summer camps have a responsibility to take reasonable care to keep your children safe. They should not be able to escape that responsibility by including a liability waiver when you sign your child up to attend the camp.

One of the questions we may need to answer about the liability waiver is whether the risk of injury was thoroughly explained in the document. Sometimes these waivers are vague, which makes it harder to enforce them.

Contact a Licensed Attorney for Legal Assistance

Our experienced lawyers understand how stressful the aftermath of a personal injury can be, particularly when the victim is your child. You need experienced legal assistance to determine what to do next and to help protect your child’s best interests.

Our firm has secured over $1 billion in compensation on behalf of personal injury victims throughout the state. Our dedicated attorneys are prepared to manage the legal process on your behalf, including investigating, building a case, negotiating for compensation and going to court if necessary.

TSR Injury Law. A firm you can trust. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

How Credibility Can Affect Car Crash Eyewitness Statements

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on July 19, 2021 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 5, 2022

Eyewitness statements could go a long way toward validating a car crash claim. However, the witness must be believable because you can be sure the insurance company will attack the witness’s credibility. For example, the insurance company may say the witness did not have a good view of the crash or that he or she does not seem very certain of what he or she saw.

Below, learn more about eyewitness credibility and what factors into it. It is important to understand that a credible witness can help a claim, but a witness who lacks credibility could hurt a car crash claim.

If you were injured in a car crash and are unsure if an eyewitness may have good credibility, give us a call today to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced Minneapolis motor vehicle accident lawyers have helped many crash victims recover compensation. We can determine if you have a valid claim and if an eyewitness could help your case. There are no upfront fees for our services.

What Factors into Eyewitness Credibility?

When someone has good credibility, people trust what that person says. They believe he or she is being truthful and not lying. When someone lacks credibility, it is very difficult to take what they are saying seriously.

There are a variety of things that affect someone’s credibility, particularly if they witnessed a car crash. For example, a witness’s vantage point has a significant impact on what may have been witnessed. If a witness was a significant distance away from the crash, it is difficult to believe specific details about what they claim they saw because the witness’s view may have been obstructed by other things, like other cars. A witness’s vision may also be an issue. Do they wear glasses, was it dark out, how far away what the event they saw?

Another factor to consider is how much of the crash the witness saw. Did he or she watch the whole thing? Did the witness hear something and turn to look, meaning he or she did not see the whole crash?

However, even if a witness were close to the crash, his or her credibility could be in question. The witness may have looked away or been more focused on getting out of the way to stay safe.

Another factor affecting credibility is bias. For instance, if the witness is a family member or close friend, he or she may be more likely to say things that are favorable to your claim. Family members and close friends tend to feel a strong obligation to help.

There are many other factors that may affect the credibility of an eyewitness to a car crash:

Criminal record
How likely the witness’s account is
Whether the witness is hard of hearing or visually impaired
Whether he or she made contradictory statements
What the witness was doing before and during the crash
If the witness is easily confused
If other evidence contradicts what the witness says
If others say the witness has a reputation for regularly lying
Whether the witness had been drinking or using drugs
Whether the witness’s testimony is supported by the testimony of other witnesses

If you talk to witnesses at the scene, make sure to get their contact information and provide this to your attorney. If you have suspicions about whether a witness is telling the truth, relay that to your attorney.

TSR Injury Law has managed countless car crash claims and we know how to determine if an eyewitness has good credibility and may help strengthen your claim. For example, sometimes the damage to the vehicles involved and the injuries suffered by the crash victim are enough to validate a claim. Even though there may be witnesses, their statements may not be needed.

Each car crash is unique, which is why it is so important to have an experienced lawyer managing your claim. The insurance company is working against you and those who hire attorneys often recover more compensation compared to those who do not.

Need Help with Your Car Crash Claim? Call Today

For more than two decades, the attorneys at TSR Injury Law have been assisting car crash victims and we have obtained millions in compensation on their behalf.

We know how important it is for crash victims to recover full compensation for the damages they have suffered as they try to move forward. If we validate your, we are committed to pursuing maximum compensation. There are no upfront fees or obligations, which means no risk to you in contacting us.

TSR Injury Law. A firm you can trust. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

Could You Benefit from a Second Opinion About Your Crash-Related Injuries?

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on July 14, 2021 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 5, 2022

You could greatly benefit from seeing another doctor to review your diagnosis and treatment plan. Even though the second doctor may concur with the first’s opinion, this should offer you some peace of mind.

Below, learn more about the potential benefits of seeking a second opinion about your crash-related injuries. You want to make sure all your injuries are being treated appropriately so you have the best chance to make the best physical and legal recoveries possible.

You also want to be able to include all your medical costs in your claim for compensation. You do not want treatment expenses to be left out of your claim, meaning you must pay them out of your own pocket. Another doctor may recommend another treatment the first doctor did not, potentially improving your recovery.

Reasons You Might Want a Second Opinion

Crash victims often seek additional treatment after the emergency room when they notice new or worsening symptoms a few days after the crash. This is not necessarily a second opinion. It is more akin to simply getting more treatment outside the emergency room setting which is usually one stop. Once a continuing treatment plan is chosen, such as chiropractic or physical therapy treatment, it is common to seek a second opinion if the pain plateaus or gets worse. Medical doctors, pain management specialists, neurologists or surgeons are all viable options to make sure your treatment plan is working for you.

Another common reason for seeking a second opinion is concern the doctor is not doing enough or is taking the wrong approach. For example, maybe you think the doctor could do more to reduce your level of pain. Maybe you have heard about alternative treatments, or you know someone else who had a similar injury and was treated differently.

It is very important to trust your doctor and the treatments he or she is recommending. If you do not trust your doctor, you may be less likely to continue treatment, which could hurt your chances of recovering fully both physically and legally

When a doctor recommends surgery, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of the procedure. Make sure to get answers to your questions and if you are still uncertain about the surgery, getting another opinion may be a good idea. The second doctor may agree with the first doctor, and that should help reassure you that surgery is a good option.

However, the other doctor may disagree with the first. If this happens, you have a lot to think about. The important thing is that you make a well-informed decision that you feel comfortable with, but you should be naïve and fail to understand the insurance company’s view of your injury if your own doctors cannot agree.

If the first doctor you saw is a general practitioner, or is not board-certified, it may be wise to seek an opinion from another doctor whose sole focus or accreditation is on the injured area of your body.

Another reason for seeking a second opinion is if your treatment seems to be progressing poorly. If you have talked to the doctor about it and you do not feel like he or she is listening or making changes to your treatment, a second opinion may be warranted.

Your health is your top priority after a crash, and if you think a second opinion would help, you should give it some serious thought.

If you are concerned about how this may affect your claim for compensation, give your attorney a call and ask. At TSR Injury Law, we are committed to answering your questions promptly and returning your calls.

When Might Insurance Companies Request a Second Opinion?

You seeking a second medical opinion is very different than the insurance company seeking one. The insurance company will be looking for some way to deny your claim or pay less than its full value. One option may be to request an “independent medical exam” better known as an “adverse exam”.

It is important to discuss a request for an independent medical exam with your attorney. He or she can advise you on whether you are required to go through with it and help prepare you for it. Your lawyer’s advice may help you protect the value of your claim during the exam. There is nothing independent about an insurance exam. Your attorney will cover the rules of what you are required to do and what are oversteps by the insurance company. The attorney will also be able to overturn the exam’s results and make sure your bills get paid.

Need Help After a Collision? Call Today with Your Questions

Our licensed Bloomington vehicle collision lawyers at TSR Injury Law have been assisting crash victims for decades, and we have a record of getting results for our clients. If you were injured in a collision and have questions about your claim, give us a call as soon as possible.

Our firm takes car crash cases on contingency, which means no upfront fees or obligations. We are not paid unless our clients get paid. That means there is no risk in contacting us to discuss what happened and learn how we may be able to help you during this difficult time.

We are ready to take your call. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Minnesota Has Recorded 202 Traffic Fatalities in First Six Months of 2021

Posted on behalf of Steve Terry
on July 7, 2021 in Auto Accidents
Updated on December 6, 2022

We are just six months into the year, and already more than 200 people have died on Minnesota roads. Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) data show there have been 202 traffic fatalities in the first half of the year, the first time this happened in more than 10 years.

This is an increase of 54 deaths compared to the same period last year. However, in 2020, the 200th traffic fatality occurred only one month later than it did this year.

While the crashes that caused these deaths have a variety of causes, many were the result of speeding, and drunk or distracted driving. Not wearing a seat belt also contributed to fatal injuries in these crashes.

Speeding was a factor in 40 percent of the deaths in the first half of the year. There were 80 deaths that resulted from crashes involving speeding – there were just 49 speeding-related deaths at this point last year. This is also the most speeding-related deaths in the first half of the year since 2009.

Drivers continue to drive over the speed limit despite attempts by the State Patrol to crack down on speeding, according to an article from the StarTribune. Between June 10 and the beginning of the year, 38,819 motorists had been cited for speeding and 550 tickets had been written for drivers who were traveling at a minimum of 100 miles per hour. This month, there will also be a speed enforcement campaign to discourage speeding.

There were 46 people who were not wearing their seat belts who died in the first six months of the year. Another 45 died in crashes involving alcohol and five people died in crashes involving a distracted driver.

Drunk driving is one of the biggest problems on the July 4 weekend. In 2019 alone, 38 percent of crashes that happened during this holiday weekend were a result of drunk driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The July 4 holiday weekend is the second-worst holiday for drunk driving, as nearly 3.5 drivers are arrested every hour.

These are behaviors drivers “can and need to control,” said DPS Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson.

“What is it going to take for drivers to understand the importance of driving smart?” said Hanson.

The National Safety Council predicted 580 motorists will die over the July 4 holiday weekend. Minnesota DPS data show there was an average of five deaths and 1,500 injuries on the July 4 weekend from 2013 to 2018.

Injured in a Crash? Call TSR for Legal Help

Our experienced car crash attorneys in Minneapolis offer a free consultation to crash victims to discuss their legal options. We understand this is a difficult time and we are prepared to help.

There are no upfront fees for our services, and we have a proven track record of success, having recovered millions in compensation on behalf of our clients.

Give us a call today to learn more. (612) TSR-TIME

Month: July 2021