Pedestrian Accidents
Posted by: euser
January 19, 2007

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that an estimated 65,000 pedestrians were injured in an accident in 2005, causing nearly 4,600 facilities. Many of those accidents involved children crossing the street after school. Pedestrians crossing the street outside of a crosswalk are at an increased risk of being struck by an automobile. However, even attentive pedestrians may be in danger of an automobile striking them head-on, which could result in broken bones, internal injuries, head trauma, and possibly death.

There are several reasons why pedestrians are susceptible to collisions with automobiles and other vehicles. These include:

Many pedestrians sustain non-vehicle-related injuries as well. Pedestrians may slip and fall walking near construction sites, open manhole covers, and poorly-maintained sidewalks and parking lots. Therefore, property owners, construction site managers, and municipal and state public works offices may be liable for these injuries. In addition, particularly in colder climates like Minnesota, pedestrians may be injured because of a property owner?s failure to clear sidewalks of ice and snow.

If you or someone who know is involved in a pedestrian accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on pedestrian accident injuries, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

Resources

Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Traffic Safety - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/index.html

National Highway Traffic Safety Association - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center - http://www.walkinginfo.org/

U.S. Department of Transportation - Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Research - http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pedbike/pedbike.htm

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Motorcycle Accidents
Posted by: euser
January 19, 2007

It can be argued that the most dangerous and deadly accidents on the road involve motorcycles. Unlike most drivers, motorcycle riders are uniquely vulnerable to the actions of other drivers, particularly in relation to large trucks and buses. A motorcycle accident will not only result in serious injuries, as the lack of protection in a motorcycle dramatically increases the risk of fatalities.

Despite public awareness programs and bumper stickers, motorcycle accidents are on the increase. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, motorcycle injuries have increased every year for the last eight years, with an estimated 78,000 injuries in 2005. Over 4,300 riders were killed in these accidents. In Minnesota, the Department of Public Safety states that there were 1,431 motorcycle crashes in 2005, resulting in 1,319 injuries and 59 deaths.

There are many common causes of motorcycle accidents, including:

                    Poor weather and road hazards, such as potholes and debris

                    Inexperience of the motorcyclist

Further, the law treats motorcycles differently than automobiles. For example, Minnesota?s No-Fault Insurance Act makes important distinctions between motorcycles and automobiles. In addition, motorcycle laws are different in each state regarding the use of helmets and other safety equipment.

If you or someone who know is involved in a motorcycle accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on train collision injuries, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile and semi-trailer accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

http://www.fra.dot.gov

American Motorcyclist Association - http://www.ama-cycle.org/index.asp (Organization protecting interests of motorcyclists)

Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Traffic Safety - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/

Minnesota Department of Transportation - http://www.dot.state.mn.us/

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/index.html

Motorcycle Riders Foundation - http://www.mrf.org/ (Motorcycle rights organization)

Motorcycle Safety Foundation - http://msf-usa.org/

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

National Transportation Safety Board - http://www.ntsb.gov/

U.S. Department of Transportation - http://www.dot.gov/

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Medical Malpractice
Posted by: euser
January 19, 2007

Medical malpractice continues to be one of the major contributors to personal injury in the United States. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, between 44,000 to 98,000 Americans die every year from medical errors. In addition, a July 2006 Institute report concludes that at least 1.5 million preventable "adverse drug events" occur in the United States each year. Further, medication-related errors for hospitalized patients cost $2 billion annually.

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical provider fails to provide the same standard of care that other reasonable physician would do in the same or similar circumstances. The most common cause of injury to a patient is through the negligent act or omission of a physician. Negligence can arise in several ways, including:

                    Neglect of patients in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities

As a result of these and other negligent actions by doctors, hospitals, medical staff, pharmaceutical companies and others, patients can incur many significant injuries, including brain injuries, broken bones, infections, paralysis, and even death.

Due to the complexity of medical issues, it is common that a medical expert will be necessary to prove that the physician, hospital, or other defendants deviated from general standard of medical care within that practice. In addition, complex legal issues arise concerning statutes of limitation, evidentiary thresholds, and various agency concepts.

If you or someone who know believes that they are the victim of medical malpractice, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on medical malpractice, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as wrongful-death and other personal injury claims.

American Medical Association - http://www.ama-assn.org/

Institute of Medicine of the National Academies - http://www.iom.edu/

Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Minnesota Board of Medical Practice - http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=BMP

Minnesota Medical Association - http://www.mnmed.org/

National Board of Medical Examiners - http://www.nbme.org/

National Library of Medicine - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

National Patient Safety Foundation - http://www.npsf.org/

Persons United Limiting Substandards and Errors in Health Care - http://www.pulseamerica.org/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - http://www.hhs.gov/

U.S. Food and Drug Administration - MedWatch - http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/

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Minnesota Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Posted by: euser
January 18, 2007

Minnesota Bicycle Accident Attorneys

• See a doctor as soon as possible to treat your injuries.  By doing so, you not only receive the appropriate treatment, but the extent of your injuries will be documented in the medical records produced by your medical provider.

• Immediately report the incident to police

• Obtain as much information as you can about the accident including the names, addresses, and insurance information of all parties involved and witnesses to the accident

• If possible, take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries

• Refrain from talking to anyone besides police officers about the accident.  You may be contacted by insurance company personnel or other individuals who are interested in obtaining information or a statement from you about the injury.  If you talk with these people, you can potentially jeopardize your claim.

• Contact an attorney familiar with bicycle accidents

With our decades of experience representing bicyclists, Milavetz, Gallop, and Milavetz, P.A., can effectively help you seek compensation for your injuries and hold the negligent party responsible for his or her careless actions. If you are seeking damages against an individual or insurance company, trust us to use our experience and knowledge of bicycle accidents and the insurance industry to protect and assert your rights.

 For additional information pertaining to bicycle accidents and injuries, please feel free to consult the following resources: 

United States

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

US Dept. of Health and Human Services: Centers for Disease Control

National Safety Council (NSC)

Bicycle Blueprint - Bicycle Accidents: Perceptions and Reality

How to Not Get Hit by Cars

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)- Bicycle Recalls

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

National Bike Safety Network

Minnesota

Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety: MN Bicycle Accident Crash Facts

Minnesota State Bicycle Advisory Committee

Minnesota Coalition of Bicyclists

Minnesota Department of Public Safety-Bicycle Safety

Minnesota State Patrol

Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Department of Public Safety: Bicycle Registration
Medical Directories/Resources

American Academy of Family Physicians

U.S. National Library of Medicine

Medline Plus

Women?s Health

Health Finder

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Minnesota Bus Accident Attorneys
Posted by: euser
January 18, 2007

School and Commercial Bus Accident Attorneys

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Injuries to Children
Posted by: euser
January 11, 2007

There is nothing worse for a parent or children than for their children to be injured or killed, yet thousands of children are injured every year in Minnesota. The causes are numerous and some are difficult to stop. It is inevitable that some child accidents will happen, from falling while playing to receiving small cuts or bruises.

Nevertheless, there are many other causes of child injuries that are avoidable:

(1) Birth defects and injuries may be avoided if doctors used an proper standard of care to accurately assess conditions and complications during pregnancies and other medical treatments.

(2) Injuries at schools could be prevented by maintaining safe conditions on playgrounds and school buses, as well as through appropriate supervision.

(3) Automobile accident-related injuries could be mitigated by properly working airbags, car seats, and seat belts.

(4) Children?s toys, electrical outlets, and many other products can be made child-safe.

(5) Physical and sexual abuse at daycare centers, schools, and other places can be prevented by childcare workers, teachers, and supervisors.

Various parties could be responsible for a child?s injuries, including doctors and hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, toy manufacturers, automakers, schools, daycare facilities, and many others. Some cases, particularly those involving medical treatment, may require the use of expert testimony. In other cases, a trust may be necessary to control any financial award received until the child?s 18^th birthday.

If your child or someone who know whose child has been injured in an accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on injuries involving children, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

Kidshealth.org - http://www.kidshealth.org

Minnesota Safety Council - http://www.mnsafetycouncil.org/home.cfm (non-profit organization dedicated to preventing accidents in Minnesota)

Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety - Child Passenger Safety Program - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/CPS_Program/childhome.asp

National Birth Defects Prevention Network - http://www.nbdpn.org/NBDPN

Seat Belt Safety USA - http://www.carseat.org/index.html

Safer Child, Inc. - http://www.saferchild.org/ (Organization providing information to parents, teachers, and others about children?s health)

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Drunk Driving Accidents
Posted by: euser
January 11, 2007

Despite stricter laws and increased enforcement, drunk driving accidents continue to claim lives across our nation?s highways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16,885 people were killed in 2005 as a result of drunk drivers. In Minnesota, 201 people were killed in drunk driving accidents, a figure amounting to 36% of the state?s total traffic deaths.

In Minnesota, a driver 21 years of age or older is legally under the influence of alcohol when his or her blood alcohol content is .08 percent or higher. There also is a zero tolerance policy for driving under the influence if the driver is under 21 years old. Further, parties other than the drunk driver may be liable for injuries sustained in an accident. For example, Minnesota has a "dram shop" law, meaning that in such situations an establishment may be liable for providing alcohol to a person who consequently causes an accident. Finally, drivers may be liable for driving under the influence of other substances if it can be proved that those substances impaired his or her driving ability.

If you or someone who know has been injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on drunk driving accidents, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

Resources

Governors? Highway Safety Association - http://www.statehighwaysafety.org/

Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Traffic Safety - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/DVS/

Mothers Against Drunk Driving - http://www.madd.org/

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

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Construction Injuries and Accidents
Posted by: euser
January 11, 2007

Construction Accidents

The construction industry is vitally important to our nation?s economy. However, the construction industry is also one of the most hazardous industries, with frequent accidents and injuries. Although efficiently regulated by state and federal rules and standards, the nature of construction work and the dangerous conditions surrounding construction work continue to make the construction industry hazardous for both workers and bystanders. According to the U.S. Department of Labor?s Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were close to 1,200 construction fatalities across the nation in 2005 alone.

There are many hazards on construction sites, including:

                    Falls from scaffolds

                    Defective or unsafe equipment

                    Exposure to toxins and other dangerous chemicals

                    Electrocution

                    Injuries from moving or mechanized machinery

                    Injuries resulting from unsafe working conditions (lack of safety plan, failure to warn, etc.)

                    Bystander injuries (falling equipment, slip and falls, etc.)

Given the complexity of construction work sites, numerous parties may be involved in any construction injury claim. Work site managers may be negligent in managing the work site or implementing proper safety precautions. Architects, designers, and engineers may have failed to proper design particular structures. Suppliers may be liable for unsafe or malfunctioning tools and machinery. Further, construction injury claims involves use of general and independent contractors, various federal and state safety regulations such as OSHA, and may involve claims for workers? compensation.

If you or someone who know is involved in an construction accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on construction accident injuries, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry - http://www.doli.state.mn.us/mnosha.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration - http://www.osha.gov

U.S. Department of Labor - http://www.dol.gov

U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics - http://www.bls.gov

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Car Accidents and Collisons
Posted by: euser
January 08, 2007

Car Accidents

Automobile accidents are one of the most prevalent causes of injury and death in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, close to 2.7 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2005. There were 43,000 deaths on the nation?s highways and motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for people ages 5-33. In Minnesota, there was 88,000 crashes in 2005, injuring 38,000 and killing 560 Minnesotans.

There are many causes of automobile accidents, including:

Automobile accidents frequently cause cuts and bruises, broken bones, injuries to the neck and back, and possibly permanent injury or death. In addition, automobile accidents may cause time away from work and injured persons may incur significant medical expenses resulting from an automobile collision.

In Minnesota, a person injured in a car accident is entitled to compensation under the state?s no-fault insurance law. Compensation may include recovery of medical expenses, wage loss, and other expenses. In order to obtain the greatest amount of compensation available under the law, it is vital that an person injured in a motor vehicle accident consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to deal with insurance companies.

If you or someone who know is involved in an automobile accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on automobile accident injuries, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as motorcycle and semi-trailer accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

Resourceshttp://www.fra.dot.gov

Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Traffic Safety - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/

Minnesota Department of Transportation - http://www.dot.state.mn.us/

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services - http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/index.html

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

National Safety Council - http://www.nsc.org/

National Transportation Safety Board - http://www.ntsb.gov/

U.S. Department of Transportation - http://www.dot.gov/

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Boating Accidents and Collisions
Posted by: euser
January 08, 2007

Boating Accidents

Minnesota, the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," is a haven for boating enthusiasts. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota has the highest per capita boat registration figure in the country. With these kinds of numbers, it is very likely that the state will see its share of boating accidents. Although accidents have declined over the decades, the DNR reports that 88 boating accidents occurred in Minnesota in 2004, including 15 fatalities.

The U.S. Coast Guard defines a "boating accident" as one of the following:

A life is lost due to the accident

Someone is injured and requires medical attention beyond first aid

There is damage by or to the vessel and other property

As with other vehicle collisions, some of the most common causes of boating accidents occur because of driver inattention, unsafe driving, high speeds, and weather conditions. In addition, intoxication and inexperience are very common factors in boating accidents, with a frequency greater than those seen in automobile accidents. Furthermore, numerous other accidents can occur around a boat, such as slip-and-falls, falling overboard, drowning, engine fires, carbon monoxide poisoning from smoke inhalation, and boat sinking.

Typically, litigation revolves around the negligence of the owner or operator of the boat, as well as the manufacturers of any faulty equipment. Further, various state and federal regulations may be involved. If you or someone who know is involved in a boating accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on boating accident injuries, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

Boating Accidents InfoCenter - www.boatingaccidentsinfocenter.com

(Boating law information for attorneys)

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Boat & Water Safety - www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html

(Provides information regarding boating safety)

U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety - www.uscsboating.org/index.aspx

(Provides information regarding boating safety)

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Aviation Injuries and Accidents
Posted by: euser
January 08, 2007

Aviation Accidents

Although regarded as one of the safest means of transportation, accidents involving aircraft do occur with some frequency and with devastating results. In addition to the horrific airline crashes that dominate the headlines, many more accidents occur involving private planes, helicopters, and other small planes.

Regardless of the size of the aircraft, there are many typical causes of aviation accidents. Among others, these include:

Pilot error

Faulty equipment

Substandard maintenance

Violation of applicable federal aviation regulations

Aviation law is a challenging subject that can be brought at the local, state, national, and international levels. Typically, aviation litigation involves several possible defendants, including owners, operators, manufacturers, air traffic controllers, and others. Claims may arise out of negligence or products liability. Finally, accidents may occur in-flight or before and after the flight is in the air. Because of the complexity, a potential plaintiff should contact an attorney experience in aviation litigation.

If you or someone who know is involved in an aviation accident, contact the experienced attorneys of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. to work for you. With over 40 years of experience in the personal injury, our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving justice for our clients. It is imperative that you act quickly if you have been injured, as your claim may be barred by a period of limitations if legal representation is not contacted.

If you would like more information on aviation accident injuries, please contact our offices at (952) 920-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-365-6666. The personal injury attorneys at Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. also represent clients in other accidents, such as automobile, semi-trailer, and motorcycle accidents, as well as medical malpractice and wrongful-death claims.

http://www.airsafety.co

Air Transport Association - www.airlines.org/home/default.aspx

(Trade organization of major airlines)

Aviation Safety Data Exchange - www.safetydata.com

(Site devoted to exchange of safety information)

Aviation Safety Network - http://aviation-safety.net/index.php

(Site containing information regarding airline safety, safety assessments, and passenger safety)

Federal Aviation Administration - http://www2.faa.gov

National Aviation Safety Data Analysis Center - www.nasdac.faa.gov

(Aviation safety data and information)

National Transportation Safety Board - www.ntsb.gov

Plane Crash Lawyers Network - www.planecrashlawyersnetwork.com

(Aviation law information)

U.S. Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division -

www.dot.gov/airconsumer

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