Loose Objects Pose a Serious Risk in Auto Accidents
Loose objects in cars can become dangerous projectiles in the event of a car accident, potentially causing serious injuries or fatalities. Consulting an auto accident attorney can help those who have been injured in a car accident obtain the compensation they deserve. Experienced in personal injury claims involving auto accidents and loose objects in the car, the Salt Lake City, UT legal team at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton, are ready to help you in your time of need. Here, we take a moment to consider the dangers of loose objects in auto accidents and how you can protect yourself and your passengers. The Dangers of Loose Objects in Auto Accidents Loose objects can pose a serious risk in auto accidents. This is because unsecured items don’t stop when a car suddenly stops. Instead, loose objects will continue to move at the speed at which the vehicle was moving at the time of impact. This can cause ordinary objects, like cell phones, books, or full water bottles, to speed through a car and potentially hit passengers. When such items travel at high speeds, as seen in freeway accidents, a small item like a cell phone can have a painful, sometimes fatal, impact. In addition to causing injury, loose objects themselves can cause car accidents. Loose items placed in the driver’s side footwell can get stuck beneath the break pedal or gas pedal, preventing a driver from safely breaking or interfering with acceleration. Improperly designed floor mats can also become lodged beneath a break pedal, potentially causing a wrongful death accident. Loose objects can also lead to distracted driving car crashes. For example, a bag stored on the front passenger seat may fall and spill, causing a driving to take his or her attention off the road. Tips to Protect Yourself and Passengers from Loose Objects Taking the time to secure or store loose objects safely can help protect yourself and your passengers from projectile objects in the event of a car crash. Place items in your trunk: Place loose items in your car’s trunk to keep items from becoming a distraction while driving or from becoming a projectile during an accident. Heavy items should be stored toward the center and as close to the front of the trunk as possible to reduce the amount of momentum they may build in a car crash. Use a rear hatch cargo cover: If your vehicle is a hatchback with an open cargo area instead of a trunk, use a rear hatch cargo cover when storing items in the cargo area. Nets and tethers may also be used to further secure items. Stow small items in the glove compartment: Keep small loose items, such as cell phones and sunglasses, safely inside your car’s glove compartment. Although small items may not seem like they would pose much of a hazard, a crash at high speeds will increase the force at which small items will impact passengers. Place items behind the front passenger seat: Items that must be placed inside a vehicle and can’t be stored in a trunk or cargo area should be placed on the floor (or as low as possible) and against the back of the front passenger seat. Items should also be positioned in such a way to limit movement or shifting. Keep your car free of clutter: Keep your car free of clutter to limit the number of items that may become dangerous projectiles in the event of a car crash. Insist that passengers buckle-up: Passengers who don’t wear a seatbelt can be thrown from a vehicle, just like loose objects. Wearing a seatbelt is one the most effective ways to survive a car crash and should be worn at all times. Contact the Car Accident Attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton If you have been injured in a car accident, the car accident attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you secure compensation for your injuries. To learn more about your legal options, please contact our firm to schedule a consultation.
High Winds and the Risk of Auto Accidents
Drivers are faced with numerous dangers on the road every day, but one danger that often gets overlooked is high winds. High winds can last for an extended period of time, blowing at a rate of at least 40 miles per hour or more. High winds can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, pushing them off the road or into another car, potentially resulting in serious injuries. At Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton, our auto accidents attorneys are experienced in getting client’s the compensation they deserve when injured in a car accident. Our legal team in Salt Lake City, UT is standing by to help you if you become injured in a car accident. The Dangers of Driving in High Winds Driving in high winds can be dangerous for everyone on the roadways. High winds can decrease visibility from snow or dust, and cause lanes to become obstructed with debris, such as fallen tree branches. High winds can also be unpredictable and powerful, potentially causing a driver to quickly lose control of his or her car. Besides the inherent dangers of driving in high winds, drivers can increase their risk of an accident if they don’t modify their driving to weather conditions. Speeding, or driving faster than conditions call for, can be catastrophic when high winds are involved. Distracted driving, such as playing with the radio, talking to passengers, or eating while driving, is particularly dangerous when faced with high winds, as driving in high winds requires more focus due to the increased unpredictability of road conditions. Reducing Your Risk of an Accident in High Winds If a storm is approaching and high winds are expected, the best way to keep safe and avoid an accident is to stay off of the roads. If you must drive, these tips may help: Slow down: It’s harder to control a vehicle in high winds, especially when driving fast. Slowing down can help drivers maintain control as well as help them avoid hazards, such as road obstructions or other accidents caused by high winds. Keep a safe distance from others: Stay far away from other vehicles on the road, especially large trucks and buses, which are more likely to be affected by high winds. Keeping a safe distance can give drivers enough time to stop in the event of an accident or other obstruction. Don’t drive over downed power lines: Power lines may get knocked down by high winds. It’s important to never drive over downed power lines as they could send a fatal dose of electricity through you and your car. Keep both hands on the wheel: Drivers should always keep both hands on their steering wheel, especially while driving through high winds. Using both hands helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle when faced with unpredictable gusts or steady high winds. Contact the Auto Accident Attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, our experienced auto accident attorneys can help you recover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages. To learn more about your legal options, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.
Construction Accidents and Back Injuries
One of the most common types of injuries affecting construction workers is back injuries. Once a back injury is sustained, it can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, for a construction worker to return to work. Mounting medical expenses and lost wages can leave injured construction workers uncertain of their futures. For those who have been injured in construction accidents as a result of another party’s negligence, a personal injury lawsuit may provide a means of recourse. At Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton, our attorneys represent clients affected by construction accidents and back injuries in and around Salt Lake City, UT. If you have been injured in a construction accident, we welcome you to contact our legal team to learn more about your legal options. Common Causes of Back Injuries on Construction Sites Construction workers face hazards every day on the job. Proper training, sufficient safety gear and safety protocols are just a few ways to reduce the risk of hazards at construction sites. When proper precautions are not taken or are not provided by employers, construction workers are at greater risk of back injuries. Some common causes of back injuries on construction sites include: Falling from elevated structures: Construction workers frequently work on scaffolding, ladders, and other elevated platforms. Without proper fall prevention, such as guardrails and control line systems, workers may fall and injure their backs. Falling into holes or trenches: It’s not uncommon to find trenches or holes on construction sites. Without proper warning signs or coverings, a construction worker may easily fall into a trench or hole and suffer a back injury. Heavy lifting: Construction workers often need to carry heavy equipment or materials while working. Such frequent heavy lifting can cause the muscles supporting the spine to strain or tear, or damage the joints and discs of the back. Accidents with heavy equipment: Heavy equipment, such as cranes, forklifts, and backhoes, are common on a construction site. Operating heavy equipment can become dangerous in the event of an accident and lead to back injuries. Overuse and repetitive motion: Working on a construction site often requires long hours of repetitive motion, such as bending over, lifting heavy loads, and the daily use of power tools, all of which can wear down the structures of the back and cause injury. Common Types of Back Injuries There are many different type of back injuries that can occur as a result of a construction site accident. Some common types of back injuries may include: Herniated discs Crushed vertebrae Muscle injuries Tendon injuries Paralysis Degenerative discs Spinal fractures Torn ligaments Seeking Compensation for a Work-related Back Injury In many cases, those who have suffered a back injury as a result of a construction accident or from repetitive motion while on the job may qualify for payment through workers’ compensation. However, workers’ compensation may not adequately compensate an injured party for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. When a back injury was sustained due to another person’s negligence, like an employer failing to provide adequate training or proper safety precautions, it may be possible to recover damages through a personal injury case. A personal injury attorney can help. Contact Our Construction Accident Attorneys If you have been injured in a construction accident, the attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are ready to review the details of your case to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation.
Construction Accidents and Amputation Injuries
Construction sites are full of potential hazards that put construction workers at risk of injury. One type of life changing injury that construction workers may experience is the amputation of a limb. Even with extensive rehabilitation, injured parties may never fully regain the same level of limb function they had prior the accident and may not be able to return to work. A construction accident attorney can help those who have suffered an amputation injury recover compensation for medical expenses and future lost wages. If you would like more information about your legal rights regarding construction accidents and amputation injuries and live near Salt Lake City, UT, we encourage you to contact the construction accidents attorneys at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton. Construction Accidents That Can Cause Amputation Construction sites have many unique hazards that may result in amputation injuries. Some possible causes of amputation injuries include: Serious falls: Falling from a great height increases the risk of severely injuring a limb. Sometimes, the limb injury may be so serious that the limb will require amputation. Equipment or tool accidents: Accidents with construction equipment, power tools, or other machinery can result in serious injuries, including amputation. Accidents may occur from operator error, equipment malfunction, or inadequate training. Insufficient safety equipment: Work sites with insufficient safety equipment, such as hand guards for tools or safety lines for working on elevated platforms, put workers at greater risk of an injury, including amputation. Vehicle accidents: Large vehicles, such as bulldozers and backhoes, are common on construction sites. When accidents occur with these vehicles, it can result in the loss of a limb. Falling objects: Falling, heavy objects can pin a worker’s body or limbs underneath. When a heavy objects lands on an arm, fingers, foot, or any limb, it may crush the limb so severely that amputation is necessary. Seeking Damages for an Amputation Injury When faced with the amputation of a limb as a result of a workplace injury, it is important to have experienced legal representation. An experienced construction accident attorney can help those who have been injured in a workplace accident get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Compensation for an amputation injury sustained in a workplace accident may include workers’ compensation benefits and permanent disability. While such benefits are available to help with medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation, they do not compensate injured parties for other damages, such as pain and suffering. When an amputation injury was sustained in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, such as lack of training, insufficient safety equipment, or equipment malfunction, there may be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Through a personal injury lawsuit, it may be possible to recover damages not included in workers’ compensation or disability benefits. Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton If you have been injured in a workplace accident, you are encouraged to contact the construction accident attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton. Our team of experienced attorneys will work to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.