https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-4.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-04-13 07:04:252017-03-22 17:38:36New Trucker Regulations for 2017 May Help Improve Overall Safety https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-1-2.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-04-06 07:06:192017-03-21 16:25:16Why you should be careful what you tell insurance adjusters https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-1-1.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-03-23 07:45:592017-05-31 13:55:54What damages can be sought after a wreck resulting in spinal injuries https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-3.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-03-16 07:26:032017-05-31 13:57:59Brain Injuries: When Auto Accident Symptoms Do Not Improve https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-2.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-03-09 07:07:592017-03-03 15:26:22How is liability determined in a motorcycle accident https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-1.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-03-02 18:49:422017-03-02 18:49:42What factors affect your trucking accident case https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-02-22 07:03:112022-05-18 13:54:04Personal Injury Life Care Plans Explained https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-2.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-02-15 07:05:482017-02-07 16:10:45How does pain and suffering factor into a personal injury lawsuit? https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina-1.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2017-02-08 07:47:032017-02-07 16:05:03Why are truck accident cases more complicated than car accident cases https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Robert-armstrong-personal-injury-attorney-north-carolina.png 225 601 robert https://www.rlaattorney.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/RLA-full-white.png robert2016-09-09 16:53:132017-02-01 17:31:02Do I need a personal injury attorney? Scroll to top
New Trucker Regulations for 2017 May Help Improve Overall Safety
It’s a new year and a new era of regulations for truck drivers in the United States.
The trucking industry is among the most regulated industries in the country, and this year there are even more rules to add to the long list. These rules are designed to make the roads safer for truck drivers and motorists alike.
What are the most important trucker regulations for 2017?
Here are some of the highlights of the proposed new regulations for the trucking industry:
All of these new regulations are expected to increase safety on the roads and major highways of America.
Accidents involving trucks are typically more serious than accidents involving other vehicles. That’s why it’s so important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney if you’re involved in a wreck with a big rig.
Contact Robert Armstrong’s office today for help.
Why you should be careful what you tell insurance adjusters
Anytime you’re in a vehicle accident that you didn’t cause, it’s very likely that you’ll be hearing from the insurance company of the driver who caused the wreck.
It’s very important to remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and the less money they give you, the more money they keep. That means the insurance adjuster’s job is to pay you as little money as possible.
That’s why it’s crucial that you don’t say the wrong things to an insurance adjuster when he or she calls.
What should you NOT say to an insurance adjuster?
Here are some of the statements you should avoid when speaking with an insurance adjuster:
Why do you need an experienced attorney to handle your car accident case?
Without an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, the insurance company handling your case is more likely to avoid paying what you deserve.
A good attorney can figure out how much money you need, based on the following factors:
The first offer an insurance company gives you is likely much lower than what you are entitled to. That’s why it’s so important to contact an experienced car accident attorney.
If you’ve been in a car accident, contact Robert Artmstrong’s office today.
What damages can be sought after a wreck resulting in spinal injuries
If you hurt your spinal cord in an accident, it’s very likely that your injury is much more serious than most other injuries. That’s because the spinal cord is not able to repair itself, unlike other parts of the body.
Often, spinal cord injuries involve a “sharp blow” that can sever your spinal cord, or even crush, dislocate, break or press the vertebrae around your spinal cord.
Spinal cord injuries can end in partial or full paralysis, and it is most often considered a life-changing injury.
Why do spinal cord injuries cause so much more physical damage?
The spinal cord is simply a group of nerves that connect your brain to your back and allow the brain to send messages to the rest of your body.
Spinal cord injuries get in the way of these messages from the brain to the body. There are two types of spinal cord injuries:
What kind of damages can you seek for a spinal cord injury?
One of first things you should do after a spinal cord injury in an accident is contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A good attorney will go after the following damages:
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury because of an accident, contact Robert Armstrong’s office today for help. We’ll find the negligent party, and we’ll go after them to make sure you get what’s owed to you.
Brain Injuries: When Auto Accident Symptoms Do Not Improve
If you’re in a serious automobile accident, it’s normal to feel a little out of focus and disoriented at first. But if those symptoms are severe and don’t improve quickly, you might have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
There are several ways traumatic brain injury can happen in a car accident, like if your head hits the steering wheel or windshield. You can also suffer a brain injury if you’re ejected and your head hits the pavement.
What types of brain injuries are there?
Generally, brain injuries can broken down into two categories: closed head injury and open head injury.
A closed head injury could include the following:
What are the signs of a traumatic brain injury?
Your brain is responsible for the following functions, among several others:
If you’ve suffered a brain injury, you might have issues with attention, concentration, talking, comprehending and remembering, or a host of other areas.
Do you find yourself with any of the following problems?
If someone was negligent in causing your brain injury, you are entitled to compensation in several areas. A good personal injury attorney will go after the responsible party for the following, depending on the circumstances of your case:
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury because of an accident, contact Robert Armstrong’s office today for help.
How is liability determined in a motorcycle accident
Motorcycle accident cases are typically more complicated than other vehicle accident cases, mostly because the injuries for the motorcycle driver are more severe and there are several factors associated with driving a motorcycle.
These elements include:
How is liability determined in a motorcycle accident?
Liability in most motorcycle accidents is based on the law of “negligence.”
Someone is deemed negligent when he fails to exercise ordinary care or that degree of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise. It’s behavior that injures another person. You can be ruled as negligent if you hit and injure the following:
If a driver was not being careful and someone got hurt because of it, the driver will be held liable.
A lot of motorcycle accidents are the fault of other drivers, but sometimes, the motorcycle rider is to blame.
What are the elements of negligence?
A negligence claim involves four key elements. The plaintiff must prove the following:
What should you do if you’re in a motorcycle accident?
If you are in a motorcycle accident that was caused by someone else, you should contact an attorney immediately. You should also take the following actions if you are able to:
If you or someone you love was in a motorcycle accident, contact the offices of Robert Armstrong today.
What factors affect your trucking accident case
Trucking accidents are one of the most severe and dangerous types of auto accidents a person can be involved in. These accidents can easily leave the victims with major injuries, physical pain, and emotional trauma; in some cases they may even be fatal.
That is why it is important to understand the issues that contribute to the severity of a trucking accident.
Some of the major issues in some truck accident lawsuits are:
Whenever there is a motor vehicle accident the question becomes who is at fault for causing the crash. That is always the main issue in every case involving a car accident or an 18-wheeler.
Truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to additional rules and regulations that do not apply to everyday drivers. Truck drivers are professional drivers much like a pilot in that they have the safety of many under their hands.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations provide a baseline safety standard for compliance by both truck driver and trucking company. The regulations also cover duties and obligations of others such as maintenance providers who may provide services to the trucking company.
Additional factors in a trucking accident include:
THE SPEED AT IMPACT
The speed at which the impact occurs is another case of not being able to fight physics. If the big rig truck slams into you at high speeds it’s going to exert a great deal more force than if the accident occurred at slow speeds. If your own vehicle is traveling at high speed as well this could make you more likely to spin out of control and crash into someone or something else.
High speeds are also a contributing factor for the accident to occur in the first place. It is much easier to stop in time to prevent an accident at slower speeds, and similarly it is also easier to take evasive action. High speeds may also make it more difficult to stop in bad weather or dangerous road conditions.
THE CARGO BEING CARRIED
In some tragic cases the cargo that the 18-wheeler is carrying may ultimately end up being what does the most harm in an accident. Heavy pipes and large equipment that are being hauled on a flatbed truck for instance may break loose as the result of an accident and crush the other car. Chemicals such as flammable liquids and gases, or other hazmat and toxic substances can also easily make a bad situation much worse. In some cases these dangerous substances could even prevent emergency responders from successfully rescuing victims.
THE PRESENCE OF SAFETY DEVICES
There is a reason why seat belt laws have been gaining ground and why airbags now come standard in most cars. These safety devices go a very long way toward minimizing the harm and injury that happens during an accident. Many cars are also specially engineered to crumple in strategic places while remaining firm in other places, thereby distributing the force of the accident and minimizing injury to the driver and passengers.
THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
Getting hit by a big rig truck is bad enough, but if the impact pushes your car down a steep embankment, or over a bridge or overpass, that will obviously result in an even higher likelihood of serious injury or even death. Dangerous weather conditions, or simply bad traffic, may also delay ambulances and rescue workers. Along the same lines if your accident happens very far from a hospital or trauma center capable of treating your wounds your chances of surviving with minimal long-term damage will likely be much bleaker than if you were mere minutes away from a top facility when the accident happened.
HUMAN FACTORS
Human factors can also go a long way toward minimizing, or exacerbating, an accident. For example, if the trucker is able to begin applying brakes prior to collision then this will at least result in the accident happening at a slightly slower speed. The driver of the struck vehicle may also in some cases be able to avoid hitting another car or object by steering away from it or applying the brakes. Calling 911 immediately or evacuating from a burning vehicle may also be imperative to prevent more serious injury.
Trucking Accident Attorney
Remaining vigilant while on the road and knowing what steps you can take to minimize your injury in an accident are essential. However, sometimes despite best efforts serious injuries and accidents do occur.
When this happens it is important to protect your legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries, pain, and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler contact Robert Armstrong today.
Personal Injury Life Care Plans Explained
There’s nothing that can prepare you for the moment when an accident causes devastating injuries to you or your loved one. But thanks to significant developments in the legal field, there are a number of things you can do after the accident to make sure you lead the best life possible.
That’s where personal injury life care plans come in.
What are catastrophic life care plans?
Life care plans are complex tools that are used to plan for a number of issues that arise after a serious injury, such as:
It’s a holistic, long-term approach to living life after a catastrophic accident.
What services are offered through life care plans?
Often, it takes an attorney who’s experienced in this specialized approach to personal injury care.
The attorney can help with several complex areas of the legal field:
What kind of things will life care plans consider?
When you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, you can’t possibly be expected to know everything you might need to care for yourself or your loved one, things like:
It takes medical experts, attorneys, economists, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, life care planners, financial planners, and a host of other professionals to best determine your post-accident future.
What questions need to be answered when executing a life care plan?
In order to implement an effective life care plan for you or your loved one, some questions will have to be answered:
It’s important to note that life care plans have three components:
These facts, opinions and conclusions will be based on medical records, personal interviews, examinations, and much more.
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, Robert Armstrong can help. Contact him today.
How does pain and suffering factor into a personal injury lawsuit?
When you’re in a serious car accident, the likelihood that you will experience some form of pain and suffering is high. We’ve all heard of pain and suffering, but how do those words play into a personal injury lawsuit?
What is pain and suffering?
Typically, there are two types:
How is pain and suffering factored into your personal injury case?
An insurance company, a judge or a jury is going to look a wide range of things when determining pain and suffering in a personal injury lawsuit.
Here are some of the factors they will consider:
How is pain and suffering calculated?
Although there’s no set in stone law on how to calculate the amount of money a person should receive in a personal injury case, insurance companies sometimes rely on two methods:
Regardless of how an insurance company values your claim, it may not be the value that you agree with. That is why it is so important to have a conversation with your lawyer about how the injury has affected you at home, work and the things that you enjoy doing in life. You are not stuck with any amount that an insurance company is willing to offer. That is why our Court system is there.
There’s a lot of information out there on pain and suffering, but no amount of research can make up for having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact Robert Armstrong today.
Why are truck accident cases more complicated than car accident cases
Accidents involving large trucks are far more dangerous than smaller vehicle accidents for one obvious reason – the sheer size of the truck means injuries are often severe or even fatal.
There are other differences between cars and truck accidents, namely:
Because there are so many additional responsibilities involved in driving a big rig, it’s important that truck drivers are highly trained and adhere to federal truck driving regulations, including the number of hours they drive consecutively, the number of hours they work in a week, and many, many more.
In 2014, 97 percent of the 3,600 deaths from truck accidents were passengers in a car.
What are some safety tips for dealing with big trucks?
Here are a few ways you can stay safe around semis:
What are the rules for truck drivers in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, truck drivers must adhere to both Federal and State guidelines designed to combat driver fatigue, since driver fatigue is often the cause for such serious or deadly crashes involving large trucks.
Truckers in North Carolina also are responsible for the following crucial things:
However, not all truck drivers follow the strict laws that govern the trucking industry, and trucking companies are often multi-million dollar companies with huge liabilities.
When you’re involved in an accident with a semi, it’s important that you hire a personal injury attorney with experience in 18-wheeler accidents. Contact Robert Armstrong today.
Do I need a personal injury attorney?
Do I need a personal injury attorney? The answer to this question is absolutely, unequivocally yes! Years ago, insurance companies used to handle claims very differently than they do now. A person’s insurance company has a contract with said person. A contract that basically says that the insurance company will defend and indemnify that person against all claims for negligence; even if they caused the wreck!
Whose side do you think that they are on? Who do you think they are looking out for? I can assure you that it is not you! Their only concern is to protect their insured. They are also in the business of saving money – if they can get out cheaply, they absolutely will. It’s their bread and butter, and is what they do best. So how can a person compete against an agency that is actively trying to denounce their claim?
You hire someone who can go toe-to-toe with these companies to be your champion. A really good personal injury lawyer that knows how to:
There are many varieties of lawyer; traffic ticket, criminal, real estate, business, etc. And while some lawyers may dabble in multiple areas – it is vital that you go to someone who specializes in personal injury law. Additionally, you want a lawyer that will be there for you for small and large issues – someone that is going to answer when you call, respond to your texts or emails, and meet you whenever and wherever you need them to. You need a lawyer that will treat you with respect whether your claim is worth $3,000 or $3,000,000.
You may be asking yourself, “That sounds great, but how do I pay for all of this on top of my medical bills?” Short answer? You don’t have to! Most decent personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. You don’t pay your lawyer out of your own pocket! The lawyer is paid a percentage of your recovery (typically around 33%). If there is no recovery, you don’t owe your lawyer any fees. You and your lawyer succeed or fail, together.
That’s why it’s so important to choose a lawyer that will be honest about the merits of your case, in order to avoid creating false hope.You also want a lawyer that will not sell you short, but knows the value of the case to you, and will give you sound advice about the merits of settling your claim vs filing your claim in Court and trying your case to a jury of your peers. Your lawyer should be looking out for you and giving you wise, sound advice so that you can make an informed decision about how you want your case handled.
Call 910-256-1233 for a free personal injury case consultation.