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Interesting Legal Cases

Statistics Regarding Fatal Car Crashes – 9/8/2011

          According to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, this is what’s happening on our nation’s highways:

          1.       33,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes – this makes automobile crashes the leading cause of death for Americans between the age of 4 and 34.

           2.       5,623 people were killed in crashes involving young drivers 15 to 20. 

          3.       The greatest number of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths occur from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. 

          4.       Motor vehicle crashes cost the nation more than $230 billion dollars in property, productivity losses, medical bills and other related costs.

           5.       Seatbelts saved the lives of 404 people in Pennsylvania – an additional 120 lives could have been saved if all vehicle occupants had worn seatbelts.   Steve Karp

Motorcycle Accidents Cause The Worst Injuries – 8/31/2011

In over 35 years of representing accident victims, the worst injuries I have seen involve motorcycle accidents.  I have handled death cases, amputations to legs and arms, fractures of every part of the body, as well as serious infections caused by road debris in open wounds.  The reason, of course, is due to the fact that a motorcycle operator who is tossed from his bike has no protection other than his helmet and clothing.  I still marvel at the resilience of my motorcycle clients.  Even after serious trauma, they still have the urge to get back on their bikes.  I have had more than a few clients who have purchased new motorcycles with the proceeds of their settlements.    Steve Karp

Do Doctors Sue After They Are Injured – 8/24/2011

A surgeon in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania was injured when a bed being pushed past the nursing station by a hospital employee hit his right leg.  He was later diagnosed as having necrotizing fasciitis, and he underwent an above the knee leg amputation.  He and his wife sued the hospital alleging that the hospital bed was defective and that maintenance should have repaired the wheels of the bed.  He was awarded $3.25 million dollars by a jury.

Obviously, the doctor had the right to sue.  My comment on the subject is – if doctors want laws to be passed restricting pain and suffering awards to $250,000.00 for victims of medical malpractice, do you think they want those same restrictions on cases in which they or their loved ones are injured? 

          Obviously, the doctor had the right to sue.  My comment on the subject is – if doctors want laws to be passed restricting pain and suffering awards to $250,000.00 for victims of medical malpractice, do you think they want those same restrictions on cases in which they or their loved ones are injured?    Steve Karp

 

 

What Not To Do If You Are Injured In An Automobile Accident – 8/10/2011

If you are involved in an automobile crash, do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney.  Insurance Company adjusters will be calling you within a day or two of the accident in an effort to extract a statement from you.  This statement will be written up by the adjuster and, if you give permission, recorded.  Anything you say, no matter what your physical or mental state, could be used against you later during settlement negotiations or in court.  In West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania the large automobile insurance companies such as Nationwide, Allstate and State Farm require their adjusters to reach out immediately to victims before they have either thought about or had a chance to talk to an attorney.  They want to get to you first to oftentimes ask you leading questions to lock you in to damaging testimony.

These adjusters are professionals.  They are well trained about how to ask questions to place, as best they can, the fault for the accident on to you; to diminish the amount of fault for their insured and to minimize the value of your physical injuries through your own words. 

Most attorneys will be glad to give you advice by phone before you consult with an insurance adjuster.  We at Karp and Hart will spend as much time as necessary to prepare you before you talk to one.  But, our best advice will be not to talk to the other driver’s insurance adjuster at all, or if need be, to do so with an attorney present.              Peter J. Hart