Author: Steve Terry

Ever wonder if all the touchscreens and interactive features in newer cars is contributing to distracted driving?

Research from the late 1980s indicates that the poor performance of Apache helicopter pilots was the result of too many screens and devices demanding their attention. These pilots had to undergo considerable training prior to operating these high-tech aircraft. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume the numerous touch screens, interactive maps and other features in modern cars may be overwhelming for many drivers.

It is also important to note that research on Apache helicopter pilots led to a redesign of cockpits to help pilots stay focused.

According to David Strayer, one of the cognitive psychologists who was involved in the Apache research, cars are being loaded with instruments that are “overloading the driver just like we were overloading the helicopter pilots.”

The same discoveries about pilots being overloaded can be applied to drivers of heavily equipped motor vehicles, according to Strayer.

Unfortunately, auto manufacturers and smartphone designers have ignored this research and continue to add even more features. This constant influx of new technology may encourage distracted driving.

“They’ve created a candy store of distraction,” said Strayer.

It is worth noting that some of the innovative new features include blind-spot detection and lane-departure warnings. However, even with these new safety systems, we continue to see a rise in highway deaths.

While there are many reasons for crash fatalities, one of the biggest culprits is distracted driving. In fact, a Nationwide Insurance poll shows agents believe half of all crashes are caused by distracted driving.

The problem may be worse because people often do not report distracted driving. In many states, using a smartphone while driving carries penalties, particularly when distracted driving results in a crash. Those who readily admit to distracted driving could be held financially liable for damages following a crash.

People continue to engage in distracted driving, despite the statistics showing the dangers and consequences. A State Farm survey from earlier this year found more than half of the drivers interviewed often or always text and drive. The survey also found 43 percent of these drivers watched videos on their cellphones or even did video chats.

Auto manufacturers and smartphone makers tend to think about the problem of distracted driving as a problem related to cellphones. That is why they try to integrate the functionality of cellphones into vehicle dashboards and allow for voice recognition.

However, this technology does not seem to eliminate the problem. In fact, it may be making things worse. Even changing music or adjusting the air conditioning via voice commands can be just as dangerous as using a smartphone behind the wheel.

Strayer and his team found that voice commands can significantly increase a driver’s cognitive load. Studies show that distracted driving is not just about your eyes drifting away from the road. If your mind is not on the task at hand, such as driving, it can be just as dangerous. You cannot ask your brain to do too many things at once.

Another factor to consider is that all the distractions being built into vehicles may make drivers believe distracted driving is OK.

“People think, ‘It came with the car, it must be safe,’” said the father of a daughter who was killed in a distracted driving crash in 2016.

Injured by a Distracted Driver? Call TSR Today

Our firm has secured millions on behalf of crash victims in Minnesota, and we are ready to discuss your situation in a free consultation. Our Bloomington-based vehicle accident lawyers take cases on contingency, which means no upfront fees or legal obligations.

Contact TSR today to learn more: (612) TSR-TIME.

There are various things that can affect the value of a car crash claim. They include the type and severity of the injuries suffered, how you respond to treatment, wage loss from injuries, the insurance policy limits, and more.

One of the important factors they look at is the extent of damage to the vehicles involved in the collision. Rightly or wrongly, they assume it is unlikely for people to suffer significant injuries if the vehicle they were in sustained little damage. They are more likely to agree a victim suffered a severe injury if his or her vehicle was totaled or sustained extensive damage.

If the victim’s vehicle was totaled or severely damaged, it can be easier for the victim’s attorney to prove the victim suffered serious injuries. This may also improve your chances of recovering full compensation for your damages.

Below, we discuss how the extent of vehicle damage may impact a Minnesota car crash claim. If you have questions about taking legal action after a car accident, we are prepared to help. There are no upfront fees when you hire our services.

Schedule your free legal consultation. TSR is here to help: (612) TSR-TIME.

Vehicle Damage Can Help Indicate Fault for a Crash

The location of damage helps to show how the crash occurred. Attorneys and insurance companies can work backward from the damage location and severity to determine how fast vehicles were traveling and their position before the collision. The location of the damage may also help indicate who had the right of way.

For example, if the passenger side of your vehicle was damaged and the crash happened in an intersection, the other driver was likely turning left. In a crash like this, one of the drivers probably did not have the right of way.

If the front quarter of the at-fault driver’s vehicle was damaged and that driver was attempting to make a right turn, it may indicate the driver who was turning is at fault. This driver may have had a red light and it was not safe to make the turn.

On the other hand, the approaching driver may have had a red light while the turning driver had a green light. In this situation, the approaching driver may be at fault for running a red light.

These are just a few of the many examples of how vehicle damage can tell you things about how and why a crash happened and who may be at fault.

Vehicle Damage Helps Support the Value of Your Damages

There are many ways vehicle damage could help support the value of a claim for damages. For example, the faster cars are traveling when they collide, the more severe the damage is likely to be. The more severe the damage, the more serious the injuries are likely to be.

Severe damage often indicates who had the right of way. Severe crashes often happen when one driver violates another driver’s right of way, such as by running a red light. The driver who has the right of way often does not have much time to slow down or move out of the way. The result is likely a collision that causes a lot of damage.

Distracted driving crashes often cause severe damage because the at-fault driver may not slow down at all before the collision. He or she may not look up from his or her phone until a second or split second before impact.

Your attorney can consult vehicle crash test reports to show the type of impact that would be necessary to cause the damage your vehicle suffered. This can be strong evidence about the cause of the crash and who may be at fault. Crash test data may also indicate the types of injuries that would be likely to occur in different types of crashes.

Insurance Company Biases Related to Vehicle Damage

Insurance companies have a variety of biases that they apply to claims. For example, they often do not consider soft-tissue injuries to be that serious.

They also do not think serious injuries can result from crashes that cause relatively minor damage. The damage from a rear-end crash may not be severe – the bumper may need to be replaced and there might not be significant damage to the vehicle frame. That said, the driver may have suffered whiplash that affects him or her for months afterward and requires regular treatment.

The value of this claim could be considerable, and the insurance company may try to lowball you. They may tell you that your vehicle was not seriously damaged so you should not need the amount of compensation you are claiming.

It is important to note insurance companies are always looking for an excuse to deny or devalue a claim. Even if your crash resulted in significant vehicle damage, the insurance company may try to lowball you.

Call TSR Injury Law Today for Legal Assistance

Our firm has been recovering millions in compensation for our clients for decades. We are deeply committed to your best interests.

At TSR Injury Law, you are not a number. Our Bloomington car accident attorneys understand this is a difficult time for you, and we are here to help. We are available to answer your questions throughout the legal process.

Give us a call to learn more about our services: (612) TSR-TIME.

Many car crash victims have questions about what to do. They may think about contacting an attorney but think the “case is not big enough” or “I will get less”. They may want to wait and see if the legal process gets complicated or the insurance company denies their claim. Some crash victims may convince themselves they are waiting for the right time to call an attorney.

Is there a “right time” to call an attorney? Is it better to call an attorney sooner rather than later? Is waiting a good idea? The short is there is never a good reason to delay calling. The consult is free and educated decisions are always the best way to proceed.

TSR Injury Law’s experienced Minneapolis vehicle accident attorneys explain why it is best to contact a lawyer right away. We have helped many crash victims secure full compensation for their losses and there are no financial risks because there are no upfront fees.

Why Crash Victims Often Wait to Call a Lawyer

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions floating around about car crash lawyers. For example, some victims may be concerned that attorneys are going to take a big chunk of their settlement to cover legal costs.

This is an idea that has been aggressively pushed by insurance companies. However, hiring an attorney is not as expensive as many insurance companies would have you believe. In fact, not hiring an attorney could end up being more expensive than hiring one. Without an attorney, it is much harder to recover full compensation. Without an attorney, there is no threat of consequence to the insurance company.  Without accountability, they will never pay fair full compensation.

Other crash victims may think they simply cannot afford to hire a lawyer. They do not realize car crash attorneys are not the same as other types of attorneys. At TSR Injury Law, we do not charge fees up front. We work on contingency. That means we do not collect our fees unless you receive compensation at the end of the legal process. The bottom line is there is no financial risk in working with one of our attorneys. Statistics show represented people get three times the compensation, so even after attorney fees the client will come out ahead. In addition, clients can rest assured the law will be followed and they will be treated fairly.

Sometimes crash victims may think they are not badly injured so there is no need to bring in an attorney. They think they can deal with the legal process on their own.

The problem with this reasoning is you may be more seriously injured than you realize. Sometimes symptoms take time to get worse and interfere with more of your life. If you handle things on your own, the insurance company is likely going to make lowball settlement offers and try to convince you to accept them.

What if you are wrong about the severity of your injuries?

If you accept a settlement offer that does not take this into account, you may be left with significant damages that you must pay for out of your own pocket.

Crash victims also may not realize all the things an attorney can do for them. For example, an attorney can talk to the insurance company for you. He or she can negotiate a settlement, investigate the crash, gather evidence, advise the best medical treatment, get wage loss paid and file legal documents. In other words, an attorney can manage each step of the legal process, so you do not need to. You can focus on your medical treatment.

Why it is Best to Contact an Attorney Right Away

If you were injured in a crash and needed medical treatment, an attorney may be able to assist you. This is particularly true if your injury is preventing you from working and causes symptoms that significantly interfere with your life. If your car suffered serious damage, or was declared a total loss, a lawyer may be able to assist you.

That said, sometimes significant injuries result from crashes that do not cause significant property damage.

That is why there is no way to know for sure if a lawyer can help unless you ask. By contacting an attorney right away, you can get some clarity on your potential legal options. If an attorney says he or she cannot help, at least you will have some peace of mind that you should be able to get the compensation you need on your own.

If you wait to call an attorney, you are more at risk of making common mistakes that could hurt your claim. For example, you might accept a lowball settlement offer. If you work with a lawyer, he or she can review settlement offers and explain if they are fair. He or she can also negotiate for more compensation.  It is much easier for a lawyer to work early on a case and make sure it is presented well.

Sometimes, when a client tries to go it alone, it is difficult to “unring” the bell and fix errors that would not have occurred if the victim hired a lawyer in the beginning. TSR Injury Law gets paid the same no matter how long we work on a case. It is always better to hire us early so we can make sure everything goes smoothly.

Your lawyer can talk to the insurance company on your behalf. This means you do not need to talk to the insurance company. Insurance adjusters know how to trick crash victims into saying things that hurt their claims.

Another problem with waiting is it gives your lawyer less time to prepare a lawsuit. While most cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, some end up in court. There is limited time to file a lawsuit and once the deadline passes, you will be barred from taking any legal action.

Should I Call the Insurance Company First?

There is a misconception that it is best to call the insurance company first. Your attorney can file an insurance claim on your behalf. An attorney also knows how to protect the value of a claim when talking to the insurance company. If you talk to the insurance company, you could say things the insurance company could use against you.

What if My Crash Happened Weeks or Months Ago?

While it is best to call a lawyer right away, an attorney may still be able to help you if you waited to call. Sometimes our attorneys can help crash victims whose claims were already denied or victims who tried to work with other lawyers and had bad experiences.

For example, our firm was able to secure compensation for the victim of a high-speed rear-end crash. She was working with another lawyer who sat on the case for almost five years and would not return her calls. Fortunately, a friend suggested TSR, and we were able to stay the statute of limitations and ended up securing a settlement to pay all her bills.

We also secured compensation for a passenger who was injured in a crash during a high-speed chase with another vehicle. The victim originally hired a different firm, but eventually hired TSR and we recovered significant compensation.

There is no way to know if a lawyer can or cannot help you unless you contact him or her and ask. There are so many factors an attorney must consider about a claim. They need to learn more about your injuries, damage your vehicle suffered and how the collision happened.

Legal Help is Available. Call TSR Today to Learn More

For decades, TSR Injury Law has been a strong advocate for the injured in Minnesota. We have obtained millions on behalf of our clients, and we are prepared to help you.

Visit our client reviews page to see what some of our satisfied clients had to say about working with our firm on their claim.

No upfront fees. No legal obligations. Contact us: (612) TSR-TIME.

The insurance company may sometimes surprise car crash victims by quickly offering a settlement. The insurance adjuster may say it is because he or she wants to resolve the claim as quickly as possible and make sure you receive compensation.

Unfortunately, some crash victims accept the offer and are satisfied that they at least got something. The problem comes later when the settlement runs out and they still have medical bills and other damages they cannot pay for themselves.

These settlements are bound to run out quickly because they are usually too low. Below, we discuss some of the main reasons why these initial settlement offers are so low. We also explain the danger of accepting these lowball offers and why you should talk to an attorney about your situation.

For decades, TSR Injury Law has been helping crash victims recover compensation. We are committed to aggressively pursuing maximum compensation.

Reasons Initial Settlement Offers are Low

Insurance companies have many reasons to make low offers to victims, such as the following:

Protecting Their Bottom Line

Car insurance companies are businesses, and they need to make money to stay in business. They collect premium payments and invest those payments to make money.  By paying out as little as possible, they keep the difference and make a billions of dollars per year in profits.

Another part of their strategy is paying as little as possible for claims so they can keep their money invested for a longer time maximizing profits.

Victims Often Accept Lowball Offers

Unfortunately, some victims accept these low offers. Insurance companies know there is a chance of this happening, so why not try? If the injured person accepts the low offer, the insurance company has even higher profits. If no one ever accepted these offers, there would be no reason for the insurance company to make them.

The problem is most victims do not know the potential value of their claims. They may underestimate what their claims are worth, they may believe their injuries are not that serious or they may not understand that even a “policy Limit” offer might not be true. Insurers also know victims may be desperate for compensation, so they hope you will just take what is offered.

Insurers know some victims will think it is too much of a hassle to negotiate or hire a Bloomington auto accident attorney to help them.

Insurers Do Not Think You Will Hire an Attorney

Many crash victims decide not to work with an attorney. Insurance companies know this, and they often assume victims will not hire an attorney. If a victim does not hire an attorney, they are more likely to accept a lowball settlement offer. Some victims may not even make a counteroffer after the first offer is made by the insurance company.

Insurance companies do not want victims to hire attorneys, particularly attorneys who regularly take cases to court. When a car crash claim goes to court, a jury may award significantly more than the insurance company would pay out after negotiating with a lawyer outside of court.

Without a lawyer, the insurance company does not feel pressure to make a better offer that more accurately reflects the value of your damages. There is no fear or danger to the insurance company because no jury will hold them accountable. The fear is often the best motivator to settling cases fairly and without an attorney, that concern is negated.

The Insurance Company Questions Your Credibility or Strength of Your Case

When the insurance company thinks the victim is partially at fault or that he or she does not have a strong case, they may be more likely to make a lowball offer. The insurance company does not feel much pressure if they think you have a weak case.

There are various reasons the insurance company may question the strength of your case, such as:

• Statements you made that seem to indicate you are at fault or your injuries are not that serious
• Social media posts you made undermine your case
• You have missed doctor’s appointments without rescheduling them
• Your account of the crash differs from the accounts of others involved or witnesses
• You have preexisting injuries

Insurers Do Not Have All the Facts

Sometimes there is evidence that even the victim does not know about, much less the insurance company. The insurance company may still be investigating the crash. Additional evidence may help to validate the value of your damages and convince the insurance company to make a better offer.

Examples of missing evidence may include:

Your Claim May Have Significant Value

When a crash causes significant damages, the value of the claim can be quite high. That means it would cost the insurance company quite a lot of money. They have an incentive to try to settle it for as little as possible.

Even though the initial offer for these claims is far below the value of the victim’s damages, insurance companies are focused on their bottom line. If your claim is only worth a few thousand dollars, the insurance company may be more likely to settle for the full value of your damages. However, when a claim is worth tens of thousands or more, insurance companies would rather try to lowball the victim and hope he or she accepts the offer.

The Offer Was Created by Software

Sometimes settlement offers are created by a computer. These computers use algorithms to evaluate data collected by the insurance company to determine the value of a claim.

The problem with these offers is they do not consider specific differences between your situation and other claims. Computers cannot consider unique factors about your injury and other aspects of your case.  Bad results for the insurance company are often not entered as data, so future offers never reflect the true value of a claim.

Software used by these computers is designed to serve the interests of the insurance company.

Call TSR Injury Law Today to Discuss Legal Options

You have the option of hiring an attorney to represent your best interests at no upfront cost. At TSR Injury Law, we represent crash victims on contingency, which means we do not get paid unless you get paid.

Give us a call today to learn more about our services and the benefits of working with an attorney. We are here to help.

TSR Injury Law. Local. Licensed. Attorneys. (612) TSR-TIME

Rear-end crashes between two cars are often viewed as minor collisions. While every situation is different, this may be true for some crashes. However, rear-end motorcycle crashes are often much more dangerous, as there is a significant risk of the motorcyclist being thrown off the bike.

These crashes can cause severe injuries for riders, particularly when the crash occurs at high speed. Victims may be left with large medical bills and other damages that affect various aspects of their lives. Legal claims for these types of crashes could be complicated because the victim may be seeking significant compensation. Insurance companies will always look for a way to deny or at least underpay these claims.

Injured riders should strongly consider legal representation. You not only need a Bloomington motorcycle accident attorney who knows how to determine the full value of a claim and how to negotiate, but you also need an attorney who is prepared to take a case to court. You need full compensation to ensure you can get the medical treatment you need and mitigate other damages you suffered.

Why Do Rear-End Motorcycle Crashes Happen?

Many rear-end motorcycle crashes happen at intersections. For example, when a motorcyclist stops or slows down at an intersection and gets hit by an approaching car. Motorcycle rear-end crashes may also happen in heavy traffic.

Rear-end crashes could also happen around blind curves. The rear driver may not be able to see around the corner to see that a motorcycle is stopped ahead. If the driver is not familiar with the area, he or she may be more likely to get into a crash. Drivers who are more familiar with the area may anticipate stopped traffic around the corner and react accordingly.

There are various reasons why drivers of cars may crash into the rear of a motorcycle. For example, they may have been distracted. They may have been:

These are all reasons for rear-end crashes between any two vehicles, including motorcycles. However, drivers often do not check for motorcycles. If they are checking for other vehicles, they are looking for cars. People often fail to see things they are not looking for. Motorcycles are much smaller than cars, so it may be easier to miss them, particularly if you are not being attentive to the road and the traffic around you.

Some drivers do not leave enough space between their vehicle and the one in front of them. This can make it more difficult to stop before plowing into the back of the vehicle in front of them. This can be particularly dangerous when the rear driver is distracted, impaired or speeding.

Often, drivers who are following another vehicle too closely are speeding. They are unable to get around the vehicle in front of them and they decide to tailgate this vehicle.

It is important to note that when a motorcyclist downshifts or rolls out the throttle, it slows the bike down but does not cause the brake lights to light up. That is why drivers need to keep their eyes on the road, so they can notice when a vehicle appears to be slowing down.

Impaired driving is another reason for a rear-end motorcycle crash. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or even prescription drugs may have impaired reaction time. They may not react quickly enough to stop before hitting a motorcyclist, particularly if they were not paying attention, which often happens to impaired drivers.

Injuries Riders May Suffer in a Rear-End Crash

When a car rear-ends a motorcycle, the rider could get thrown over the handlebars and onto the ground. The bike can cartwheel and catapult the rider into the air. Sometimes riders fall to the left or right because of the impact.

These crashes can result in serious injuries, including:

Assessing Liability for a Rear-End Motorcycle Crash

Drivers are often liable for crashes with motorcycles. They are often negligent for some reason, such as distracted driving, tailgating, impaired driving or speeding.

Negligence refers to a failure to uphold a duty of care. In other words, negligence is a failure to take reasonable action to prevent an injury. Following traffic laws can be considered reasonable action.

For example, under state law, drivers may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering the speed of other vehicles and traffic conditions.

While drivers are often at fault for rear-end motorcycle crashes, there are times when motorcyclists could be partially at fault. For example, if a motorcyclist cuts off another car while changing lanes, and a rear-end crash results, the motorcyclist may be at least partially at fault.

If the brake light on your bike was not working, and you were rear-ended, it may be possible to argue you are partially to blame because the rear driver was not properly warned you were slowing down.

Preventing a Rear-End Motorcycle Collision

Even though drivers have an obligation to take reasonable care to prevent motorcycle crashes, riders should still take precautions to reduce the risk of a crash.

For example, be aware of cars behind you. As you approach the intersection, you should try to pull over to one side of the lane. Avoid staying in the center of the lane.

Keep an eye on your sideview mirrors and if a vehicle that is approaching does not seem to be slowing down, you may want to move out of the way.

Make sure your brake lights work and try to get away from drivers who are tailgating you.

A large percentage of motorcycle crashes happen in intersections, which is why riders need to take extra precautions to help prevent a crash.

Contact Us for a Free Legal Consultation

TSR Injury Law has been advocating for the injured in Minnesota for decades and we have a proven track record. If you were injured in a motorcycle collision, you could greatly benefit from the help of a licensed attorney.

There are no upfront fees at TSR. Your initial legal consultation is free. If we validate your claim, and you choose to hire our firm, there are no fees before we take your case. There are also no fees while we work to pursue compensation.

Have legal questions? We are ready to answer them. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

Many people do not fully understand how tired they are each day, as they rarely get enough sleep. That may be why many people get behind the wheel while they are tired without a second thought. Unfortunately, this can be extremely dangerous, as fatigued driving greatly increases the risk of a dangerous crash.

When these crashes happen, victims may have questions about proving the other driver was drowsy. Short of taking a picture of the other driver asleep in his or her vehicle, how do you prove the other driver was nodding off?

Fortunately, there are other ways to establish the at-fault driver may have been fatigued or asleep at the time of the crash. Victims of these collisions should strongly consider contacting an experienced attorney to help them prove their case. Not only do attorneys have the legal knowledge to build a strong case, but they also have the resources to build a strong case.

Why Do Drowsy Driving Crashes Happen?

Lack of sleep is often the reason a driver is tired. However, there can be various reasons a driver did not get enough sleep.

Sleep Disorders

For example, some people struggle with sleep disorders, like sleep apnea or narcolepsy. Sleep apnea causes people to repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night, which hurts their ability to get a good night’s sleep. People with sleep apnea often suffer from daytime fatigue, are excessively tired during the day and may struggle to pay attention during waking hours.

Narcolepsy is another type of sleep disorder that can cause people to fall asleep at random times throughout the day. For example, they may fall asleep while they are out on the road.

Working on Late Shifts

People may also from a lack of sleep due to shift work. For example, if someone works irregular hours or on a night shift, they may struggle to get enough sleep. They may often drive to or from work while they are severely sleep deprived.

Impairment

Drowsy driving may be the result of alcohol consumption or prescription medications that induce drowsiness. There are also over-the-counter medicines that can make drivers tired, like cold or allergy medicines.

Building a Case Against a Drowsy Driver

The law requires the at fault driver knew or should have known their drowsiness was an issue before a crash.  Your attorney can obtain medical records showing a driver had a history of sleep apnea or narcolepsy.  Records can also show what medications the driver was taking (perhaps Benadryl for the flu) that causes drowsiness.

Employment records could be used to prove the at-fault driver kept irregular hours or worked a lot at night. It is possible the at-fault driver was attending school and working. School attendance records could be used to show the driver took classes at night or spent much of the day at work or school, leaving little time for a full night of rest.

Your attorney may also be able to obtain cellphone records, review social media posts and even obtain credit card data showing the driver had been awake for an extended period.

An analysis of the crash scene may indicate drowsy driving. For example, if there were no skid marks left by the at-fault driver’s vehicle, it may indicate the driver was too tired to try to stop and avoid a collision.  Black box data can show sudden reactions when a driver “wakes up” and tries to over correct a steering wheel.

Head-on collisions are often caused by drowsy driving, as sleep-deprived drivers may cross the center line and drift into oncoming traffic without realizing it. Accidents caused by failing to maintain a lane may be another result of drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving crashes may be more likely to occur at night, early in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon. This may be one factor your attorney cites as evidence of distracted driving, in addition to other factors.

If you noticed signs the at-fault driver was tired after the crash, inform the responding police officer and tell your attorney what you observed. For example, if you notice these symptoms, it may be evidence of drowsy driving:

If you have a dashboard camera or there was a surveillance camera, it may show the other driver asleep or looking tired in the moments before the crash.

There may be witnesses who observed the driver yawning or with his or her eyes closed. He or she may have observed the driver operating his or her vehicle erratically.

Injured by a Drowsy Driver? Call TSR

For decades, the Bloomington-based vehicle collision attorneys at our firm have been advocating for those injured by another driver’s negligence. We have successfully recovered $1 billion in compensation in a variety of cases, many involving negligent drivers.

If you have questions about the benefits of hiring an attorney or whether you may have a valid claim for compensation, give us a call today. The initial consultation is free. There are also no upfront costs or fees to pay while we work on your case.

Licensed Attorneys. Proven Results. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

After being injured in a crash, victims often wonder when they will be able to return to work. Even though they are still in pain, they have financial obligations and just want to get back to normal. They think they can simply adjust to the pain and limitations caused by their injuries. Many car crash victims go back to work too quickly because they feel pressured by their employer, and they do not want to risk losing their job.

Returning to work before your injury has fully healed may hinder your recovery, but it may also affect your claim for compensation.

If you were injured, the attorneys at TSR Injury Law offer a free consultation. There are zero upfront fees to utilize our services and only get paid at the end of the claims process if we help you obtain a recovery.

Available 24/7 to take your call. (612) TSR-TIME

Dangers of Returning to Work Too Soon

Car crash victims may go back to work earlier than they should because they have bills to pay and other financial responsibilities.

However, returning to work too soon could be dangerous for your health. If your doctor has recommended not working for a couple of months but you go back to work halfway through your recovery, your injury will not be able to fully heal. Your injury may potentially get worse.

If your attorney files a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, they may view an early return to work as a sign you have healed, or your injuries are not that serious. They may use your early return to work as a reason to devalue your claim.

Following your doctor’s treatment plan can help show that you are committed to getting better. While you may have the urge to get back to your normal routine as soon as possible, it is important to not have any gaps in your medical treatment because the insurance company will be watching everything.

They will do everything in their power to pay you less or pay nothing at all. This is why you need an experienced lawyer on your side to protect your best interests and help negotiate for fair compensation.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Claim

It is important that you document your injury symptoms. This includes how your injury impacts you physically and mentally. This information could be useful to your claim and allow your treating doctor to put together a treatment plan that meets your specific needs to aid in your recovery.

Be sure to include the level of pain and discomfort you are experiencing while you heal from your injury. Doing so could help you keep track of any health-related issues that may come up, such as adverse side effects from a medication. Your doctor will be able to make any changes to your treatment plan.

If your doctor has given you the all-clear to return to work, let your doctor know if you still feel that you are in a lot of pain and cannot handle your work duties. He or she may agree with you and recommend certain restrictions on your work duties. Be sure to get a note from your doctor listing these restrictions to show your employer. This documentation can also help to strengthen your claim for compensation.

Many victims will go back to work part time at first with restrictions.  This is a great way to gauge pain levels, start to earn income again and balance between doing nothing versus doing too much too soon.

Speak to an Experienced Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a crash, our licensed car accident lawyers in Bloomington are ready to help you obtain the compensation you need for your losses. You should never have to feel financial pressure to return to work too soon. Learn more about your rights and legal options in a free initial consultation.

Our intake staff is available to take your call anytime, day or night. We charge zero upfront fees to take on a case and no fees while we work on a case. We do not get paid for our services unless you get paid.

Proven Results. Millions Recovered. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Some of the worst car crashes happen when one or more drivers completely ignore traffic laws, road signs or traffic signals. For example, red-light car crashes often result in severe injuries and even death.

There are various reasons why these crashes are often so dangerous. We trust other drivers to stop at red lights, so much so we often do not check for traffic to the left or right when going through an intersection on a green light. Think about slowing for every green light to make sure other drivers are stopping for their red lights.  When a crash is unexpected, there is little or no time to slow down or try to maneuver away from danger.

The sides of many vehicles are not built to withstand a collision the way the front and rear are built to withstand collisions. That is why you often hear about T-bone crashes resulting in devastating injuries.

Below, we discuss fault for red-light crashes and why this issue could be complicated. If you were injured by another driver running a red light and have questions about seeking compensation, give us a call today. We have the resources and proven track record to help you determine legal options.

Why do Red-Light Crashes Happen?

Red-light crashes are incredibly dangerous. In 2019 alone, according to statistics collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 846 people died and 143,000 people were injured in red-light crashes.

Red-light crashes involve drivers running red lights and drivers making right turns on red lights. For example, some red-light crashes happen when a driver approaches an intersection with a traffic light and tries to get through a yellow light that is about to turn red. In this common scenario, if the light changes to red before the driver gets through the intersection, and the other traffic gets a green light, the red-light runner could then get hit by an oncoming car.

Drivers who are turning right on red need to be cautious and make sure they have enough time to safely make the turn without obstructing oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, drivers routinely pull out into traffic when it is not safe to do so. This may result in a rear-end collision at high speed, which can cause serious damage to both vehicles and significant injuries to those involved.

There are also red-light crashes that occur when one driver attempts to turn left. This can happen when the driver in the left-turn lane ignores a red arrow or a red light and collides with a vehicle heading in the opposite direction.

Another example of a red-light crash is when a driver slams on the brakes after a light turns yellow. The driver thinks he or she cannot reach the intersection and get through it safely before the light changes so he or she hits the brakes. This results in a rear-end crash because the trailing driver cannot stop in time.

Who is Liable for a Red-Light Collision?

Red-light crashes are usually the result of one or more drivers running a red light and impeding another driver’s right of way. If you violate another driver’s right of way, you are going to be found at fault for the crash.

However, there could be situations when fault is shared between the driver who ran the red light and the other driver or drivers involved in the crash. If another driver also broke traffic laws and this contributed to the crash, that driver may bear partial fault.

For example, if you made a right turn and it looked like traffic was clear, but another driver changed lanes as you were turning and rear-ended you, the other driver should be at least partially to blame. In some situations, that other driver may be 100 percent at fault. It depends on various factors involved in each situation.

Distracted drivers could also be found at fault for crashing into a driver who was turning right. It could be argued the distracted driver would have been able to avoid a collision if he or she was not distracted. However, the driver who was turning right may also be found at fault for violating that driver’s right of way.

Pedestrians and bicyclists could also be found partially liable if they go out into an intersection and drivers do not have enough time to avoid a collision. Pedestrians and bicyclists still need to make sure it is safe to proceed. Under state law, it is illegal to step off a curb and walk into a vehicle’s path. This could happen when a driver is turning right at a red light.

In a rear-end crash approaching an intersection where the light was yellow and the lead driver chose to stop, he or she could be found partially at fault, depending on how far he or she was from the intersection and how much time there was before the light would turn red. However, the trailing driver may have been tailgating, which could make him or her liable for the crash.

Injured in a Collision? Call to Discuss a Claim

For decades, the licensed Minneapolis car crash attorneys at TSR Injury Law have been assisting crash victims with the legal process. We have obtained millions on behalf of our clients who were injured because of the negligence of others.

An initial consultation with one of our attorneys is free and you are not obligated to hire us after this meeting. If you hire our firm, there are no upfront fees to pay, and we also do not collect any fees while working on your case.

Learn more by giving us a call today: (612) TSR-TIME.

Car crash victims often suffer injuries to the hands and wrists, ranging from dislocations to sprains and fractures. When a wrist injury is visible on an X-ray, it is generally easier to link to injury to a car crash.

However, wrist injuries do not always manifest symptoms immediately and a fracture may not show up on an imaging test. The insurance company may say that your wrist injury is not as serious as you claim or that your injury is not related to the crash. They may also argue that your injury is preexisting, which means that your auto insurance policy would not apply.

Our licensed auto accident attorneys in Bloomington discuss what it takes to validate a car crash claim for wrist-related injuries.

We are prepared to answer any questions you may have during a risk-free, zero-obligation consultation. It costs nothing up front to use our services. Our firm only receives payment if you are compensated.

Learn if you have a case: (612) TSR-TIME.

Wrist Injuries Often Caused by Car Crashes

Car crashes can cause serious wrist-related injuries. A victim’s wrist can be injured by holding onto the steering wheel upon impact.  The wrist could also hit objects in the car’s interior during the crash, such as the steering wheel, air bags, window, dashboard or windshield. Damage to any part of the wrist can cause serious pain and swelling and affect your ability to use your wrist and hand.

Common wrist injuries after a car crash include:

Dislocations

The joints in the wrist can become dislocated due to the impact of the crash. When the joints are dislocated, your wrists and hands are unable to move properly. Dislocations can be very painful and may result in permanent damage if medical treatment is delayed, or the injury is left untreated.

Sprains

A wrist sprain is an injury where the ligaments in the wrist stretch or tear. Ligaments are connective tissues that attach bones to joints. If your wrist hits a hard object in a car crash, your ligaments can become damaged, which is also called a sprain. Wrist sprains are painful and can become a chronic injury.

There are three levels of sprain:

• A Grade 1 sprain (mild) where the wrist’s ligaments are stretched but not torn.
• A Grade 2 sprain (moderate) where some wrist ligaments may be partially torn.
• A Grade 3 sprain (severe) where one or more wrist ligaments are completely torn.

Fractures

Each of your wrists has 13 bones extending into your hands, which then connect to the 14 bones in your fingers. These bones are fragile and have a greater risk of being fractured or crushed from blunt force impact, such as in a car crash.

Damage to Tendons

The wrist tendons connect your forearm muscles to the hand and finger bones. The tendons can become inflamed due to blunt force impact. This inflammation – known as tendonitis of the wrist – can cause a great deal of pain when you grip and lift objects or move your wrists or fingers.

Importance of Medical Treatment After a Crash

It is important to seek immediate medical treatment after a car crash to check for wrist injuries. These types of injuries can get worse and may cause chronic issues if you are not seen by a doctor right away.

Additionally, since so many factors can lead to wrist pain, diagnosing the exact cause can be difficult. An accurate diagnosis is critical for proper treatment. A doctor can take diagnostic and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to determine the extent and severity of your wrist injury. Based on these results, he or she will be able to put a plan together to best treat your injury.

Your medical record can help to directly link your wrist injury to the car crash. By getting medical treatment and following your doctor’s orders, the insurance company will have a harder time arguing the existence and severity of your injuries in an attempt to deny your car crash claim.

Learn How Our Attorneys May Be Able to Help

It is never too soon to call an attorney for help after a crash. TSR Injury Law offers a free initial consultation with no legal obligation to hire our firm. This meeting is an opportunity to let us know what happened so we can determine how we may be able to assist you during this difficult time.

If you have a viable claim, there are zero upfront fees to get started. We only get paid for the services we provide if we help you obtain compensation. Our intake staff is ready to take your call anytime 24/7.

Call (612) TSR-TIME for Trusted Legal Help.

Drivers have an obligation to ensure their vehicles are safe to operate. That means they need to ensure their vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk of a crash.

That is why drivers need to make sure their tires are in good condition. Over or underinflated tires increase the risk of a blowout that could easily result in a crash. When a tire blows out, a vehicle becomes much more difficult to control.

Drivers need to make sure their tires are properly inflated and replace old tires when they become too worn down. Worn down tires can blow out, but drivers can also easily lose control of their vehicle because the tires cannot gain traction on the road.  Worn tread is worse in rain or snow conditions.

Below, we discuss tire blowout collisions, including liability and filing a claim if you were a victim of one of these crashes. Victims of these crashes should discuss the situation with a licensed attorney as insurance companies are always looking to underpay or deny claims.

What Causes a Tire Blowout Crash?

There are various reasons why a tire may blow out. Sometimes a tire blowout is not the driver’s fault. For example, a tire could get punctured by a rock or nail. As air slowly drains from the tire and the driver accelerates to a high speed, pressure can build up in the tire.

Blowouts can also be caused by:

Old Tires

Tires wear down over time, preventing them from expanding and contracting as they should because of temperature or pressure changes. Older tires can get more easily damaged and blow out.

Overloading

If a vehicle is carrying too much weight, it puts tremendous pressure on tires. Weight includes cargo and passengers. Worn tires are also at much greater risk from an overloaded vehicle.

Potholes

Sometimes a pothole can damage a tire so severely that it blows out. A pothole can cause a tire to expand or contract quickly.

Impact Damage

If you run over debris, a tire could blow out a mile or two later. The damage could be much worse than you initially thought.

Defective Tires

There may be a design or manufacturing flaw with the tire that causes it to break down. The tread can separate from the rest of the tire and cause a blowout.

What Happens When a Tire Blows Out?

The driver of a car that suffered a tire blowout will likely hear a loud pop when it happens. Your vehicle is likely to slow down a little as the blown tire is not going to continue rolling like normal. The vehicle is likely to pull toward the side with the blown tire, making the vehicle harder to control.

If your vehicle is carrying a lot of weight, it may be particularly difficult to gain control. It may be much more difficult to get the vehicle safely off the road.

These are all reasons why vehicles with blown tires are often involved in crashes. Drivers often panic and try to slam on the brakes, which is the worst thing you can do.

When the blowout occurs while the vehicle is traveling at high speed, the crash could involve multiple vehicles as other drivers may not be able to avoid a collision.

Liability for a Tire Blowout Collision

Often, the driver of the car that suffered the blowout bears fault for the crash that results. The driver may have over or underinflated the tire, left an old tire on the car or not dealt with damage to the tire, such as from a nail.

In some cases, the repair shop that worked on the vehicle could bear fault – maybe they over or underinflated the tires or failed to notify you the tires were old. Mechanics may be liable for failing to do proper repairs or at least notify the driver of a problem that could be a safety issue.

Other drivers may be at fault for negligence during the collision. For example, if you were in a multi-vehicle crash, another driver may have been distracted, speeding or failed to stay in his or her lane. If multiple parties are at fault, liability would be shared among those parties.

If the tire blowout was a result of manufacturer negligence, they may be held liable for your damages.

Fortunately, Minnesota drivers can seek compensation for medical bills and some other damages from their no-fault insurance. That means you can recover compensation no matter who is at fault.

Fault would be an issue in a claim against another driver’s liability insurance, which means your lawyer would need to prove another party caused your damages through negligence. Proving fault for a blown tire crash can be complicated, which is why you should strongly consider working with a lawyer. At TSR, there are no upfront fees for our services, and we do not collect our fees unless you get compensation.

Preventing a Tire Blowout

Preventing a blowout is mostly about doing routine maintenance on your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will say the proper pressure for the front and rear tires and the maintenance schedule should tell you when tires should be rotated.

Take the car to a mechanic you trust to determine when tires are too worn down to drive on. That way you know when tires should be replaced.

Use caution in areas where there may be a lot of debris, such as near a construction site. If you hit debris or a pothole, you may want to pull over and check your tires. You should also slow down to lessen the impact of debris on your tires.

Call TSR Injury Law Today to Discuss Your Crash

Have you been injured in a crash caused by another driver?

Our Bloomington car crash lawyers are ready to discuss your potential legal options in a free consultation. We have assisted many crash victims and have obtained millions on their behalf. We know this is a difficult time for you and how important it is to secure compensation for damages.

Give us a call today. We are ready to help. (612) TSR-TIME

Sometimes crash victims do not remember much of anything about their crash. Sometimes this is because they suffered a traumatic brain injury that has created gaps in their memory.

If someone was severely injured in the crash or the victim almost died, memory loss may be a side effect of the emotional trauma suffered by the victim.

There are other reasons someone may have impaired memory or no memory of the crash. Our attorneys discuss memory loss after a car crash below, including how it may impact a claim for compensation.

If you were injured in a crash, you can meet with one of our attorneys in a free consultation to discuss legal options. We have helped numerous crash victims and have a proven track record of securing compensation.

How a Crash Could Cause Memory Loss

A traumatic brain injury is one of the common reasons crash victims have memory loss. For example, crash victims often suffer concussions from a violent blow or jolt to the head. They could hit their head on the steering wheel, slam back into the headrest or strike their head on something else inside the car.  There have been cases where outside objects break through the windshield and strike victims in the head.

It is important to note a concussion could result from a crash in which the victim did not suffer a blow to the head. The victim’s head could get thrown forward and backward so violently that it causes the brain to move and hit the inside of the skull.

A severe concussion could impair short and long-term memory, so the victim may forget things that happened long before the crash, in addition to the crash itself.

Crash victims may also forget the incident because of:

• Substance abuse/impairment – If the victim was impaired by alcohol or drugs, he or she may not remember what happened. This may affect the victim’s ability to seek compensation because the victim is likely at fault for the crash.
• Cognitive impairment from before the crash – Older drivers may have cognitive impairment because of a condition like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• Emotional response/survival response – When someone is involved in a bad crash, such as one in which they nearly died or someone else died, they may forget about it as part of an emotional response. The brain is focused on survival instead of creating memories, which is why victims may not remember much about the crash.

Building a Case if You Cannot Remember the Crash

There are various pieces of evidence your lawyer may use to build your case for compensation. For example, the police report documents the crash and may indicate which driver the officer believes is at fault. If the other driver was issued a citation, it can go a long way in proving negligence.

Eyewitness testimony can also be useful, such as testimony from another driver or pedestrians who were in the area at the time of the crash. However, it depends on how reliable the witness is and what he or she was able to see.

There may be pictures of the crash taken by witnesses, law enforcement or others involved in the crash. These images may help your lawyer gain a better understanding of what happened.

Video footage of the crash can also help validate a case. For example, there may be a surveillance camera in the area that captured the crash. Traffic cameras may have also captured the collision.

If the vehicles involved have event data recorders, data from these devices can help the victim’s attorney determine what happened. These devices store a variety of data, including speed, braking, acceleration, deployment of airbags, use of seat belts and more.

It is also possible to reach conclusions about what caused a crash by analyzing damage to the vehicles involved. The location of damage could indicate that one driver was negligent by violating the other driver’s right of way. The amount and extent of damage could indicate how fast another vehicle was traveling. Your lawyer may bring in an accident reconstruction expert to further determine what the crash damage says about what happened.

How do Insurers View Crash Victims Who Have Memory Loss?

Car insurance companies are looking for some reason to deny a claim or diminish its value. They often do this by attacking the victim’s credibility. If the victim does not remember what happened, the insurance company may say there is no case. They may quickly deny the claim or make a lowball offer.

However, you can still seek compensation as there are other ways to validate your claim. You should discuss the situation with a licensed attorney. Some crash victims take the insurance company’s word for it even though they may still be able to obtain compensation.

If you have memory loss, it is probably a bad idea to talk to the insurance company. You may say something that hurts your case without realizing it. The attorneys at our firm know how to protect a claim when talking to insurance companies.

Contact TSR Injury Law Today to Discuss Your Crash

Give us a call to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Bloomington-based auto accident attorney. There is no obligation to hire our firm after this meeting, so there is no risk to you. We can explain how we may be able to assist you during this difficult time.

No upfront fees. No risks. Call today to learn more. (612) TSR-TIME