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How Do I Know Whether or Not My Car Accident Is Worth Anything?

July 27, 2016 | Tapalian Law

Car accidents are relatively common not just in Rhode Island and Massachusetts but across the state and around the country. What makes car accidents unique, however, from the perspective of a personal injury attorney, is whether or not these cases meet the grounds for filing a car accident lawsuit. If you have sustained severe injuries as a result of a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, for example, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation with the help of an Rhode Island and Massachusetts personal injury attorney.

All civil lawsuits have one thing in common and that is damages. Damages may refer to property damage, financial harm or the injuries sustained to which the victim may be entitled to recover money from the other individual. Personal injury claims associated with helping passengers and drivers receive compensation for injuries they have suffered in Rhode Island and Massachusetts car accidents are no exception.

Several factors may influence the amount of compensation received, including whether or not you sought medical attention and what your doctors have to say about your diagnosis and your prognosis, the behavior involved on the part of the other driver and whether anyone else was charged with criminal misconduct like driving under the influence. In order to be sure, it’s smart to set up a meeting with a personal injury attorney now.

Rhode Island Named One of the Most Dangerous States for Older Drivers

July 22, 2016 | Tapalian Law

A new research study put together by Caring.com indicated that Rhode Island is the most dangerous state in the country for drivers aged 65 and above.

In order to determine this research, the study looked at the number of individuals aged 65 and older who lost their lives in car accidents and compared that with the age groups percentage of the population in each state. In 2014 alone, seniors were involved in 35% of fatal traffic accidents according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, they were only 16% of the state’s population.

Older individuals may have more difficulty after an accident than younger victims because the elderly may struggle to recover fully. A car accident can significantly impact an elderly individual’s mobility, but that’s just one example of how a car accident can make things difficult for a victim. It’s often harder for older individuals to heal, meaning that the elderly face serious risks in accidents.

Providence Police Investigate Pedestrian Death

July 15, 2016 | Tapalian Law

The police in Providence are still evaluating the circumstances of an accident that led to a pedestrian fatality. It’s not yet clear whether the incident was a vehicle accident or a potential assault. According to witnesses, the individual was killed when he was struck near the edge of the road. He was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital.

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are an all too common cause of severe injuries and even fatalities in Rhode Island. In some cases, a driver may not be paying the appropriate amount of attention in order to prevent an accident or see the pedestrian standing there at all. With no protective gear, a pedestrian is exposed to life-threatening injuries if he or she is struck by a car and thrown into the roadway or into other objects.

Pedestrians who have been injured and survived the accident may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party. The elements of your case will depend largely on whether or not the driver involved was reckless or negligent and the severity of your injuries.

Construction Sign Pierces a Windshield During Distracted Driving Accident in Rhode Island

July 8, 2016 | Tapalian Law

A Rhode Island teenager was traveling on I-495 mid-June when he slammed into a highway sign which ultimately pierced the windshield of his vehicle. The Toyota Corolla driver was not paying attention when traffic stopped ahead of him as a result of a lane closure for a construction project. When the driver attempted to stop his vehicle, he lost control of the car and slid off the road, slamming into a construction sign warning him about that lane closure. The man was hit in the head when that sign came through his windshield and he was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with a head laceration.

If you have been injured in a distracted-driving accident because someone else was not paying attention or otherwise driving recklessly, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim with the help of a Rhode Island car accident attorney. Although many studies have pointed out the dangers of distracted driving and more police officers have taken an active role in stopping this behavior, it still persists.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that more people are aware of the dangers of distracted driving, this practice is still extremely common. This is especially true among teenagers who are more likely to be on the roads during the summer and are more likely to engage in texting and driving or other forms of distracted driving to begin with. In fact, this is why the summer is known as the 100 deadliest days. During this period, fatalities in accidents involving teenagers are at a year-round high.

Recent Actor’s Death Caused by Vehicle Recently Recalled

July 1, 2016 | Tapalian Law

The unfortunate accident that resulted in the death of actor Anton Yelchin seemed like a freak car accident like many that happen all over the country every day, but it may have been caused by a defect recently the subject of a recall for the SUV he was driving. His body was identified at the scene of the accident between a fence and the vehicle. The Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled into him after he attempted to exit the vehicle.

Fiat Chrysler recalled more than 1 million of these vehicles equipped with a device known as a monostable shifter this April. The shift lever has been the subject of great confusion among drivers of the vehicle since it rests in a groove after it has been pointed to neutral or park, sending the lever back to a default position. This makes it much easier for a driver to exit the vehicle and then realize that the car is actually still in drive.

A number of reports and accidents have already made its way to the car manufacturer including 212 crashes, 41 injuries and more than 300 reports of property damage. These reports were ultimately the cause of the recall. Recall notices were sent to the news media as well as in the mail to consumers who may have the vehicle, per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulations.

4 Steps You Need to Take Immediately After a Truck Accident

June 24, 2016 | Tapalian Law

Unfortunately, truck accidents in Rhode Island are all too common and they can leave you with devastating injuries. What follows are several steps you need to take as soon as possible after you have been involved in an accident like this. Since trucks often weigh 20 or 30 times more than a traditional vehicle, the accident can lead to major injuries.

Step #1: Contact the Police

Even if you suspect that you have not sustained severe injuries or damage to your vehicle, you need to contact the police. Some injuries and damage may not be readily apparent. For example, you might not realize that you have a traumatic brain injury until you have gone to the hospital and you might not realize the full extent of damage to your vehicle until you have taken it to the mechanic. You need to contact the police anyways in order to file a police report and it is strongly recommended that you contact them even if the other party requests that you do not.

New Study Indicates Long Term Recovery Impacts for Whiplash

June 17, 2016 | Tapalian Law

One of the most common outcomes of a Rhode Island or Massachusetts car accident is suffering from head, neck or back injuries. This can typically present itself as whiplash and can range in severity from mild to extremely painful. A new research study out of Denmark backs up previous research that individuals suffering from a whiplash injury may continue to experience pain years after the initial accident in which the whiplash happened.

Not Just Neck Pain Felt From Whiplash

There are physical as well as psychosocial impacts of whiplash. What the researchers found is that individuals classified as high risk for whiplash injury immediately after an accident were the most likely to still experience pain a decade after the accident happened. These individuals also suffered in more substantial numbers as it related to general arm, neck, head, and shoulder pain as well.

What Parents Should Know About the 100 Deadliest Days and Teen Driving Accidents

June 10, 2016 | Tapalian Law

Typically, an alarming number of teenage drivers have been injured during the 100 deadliest days of the year, the period which started recently on Memorial Day weekend. During this time period, numerous research studies and accident reports have indicated that teens are at their highest risk of car crash fatalities. A recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is the newest study of this type indicating that nearly 60% of teen crashes in general involve being distracted behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving Is Especially Dangerous

In the last five years, more than 5,000 individuals have been killed in car accidents involving teen drivers during this 100 day period. The number of deaths from crashes associated with teen drivers increased by 16% on a daily basis when compared with other days of the year. The results are part of an eight-year research program using crash videos to analyze the experience of teen drivers. The three leading types of distractions for teens behind the wheel included:

What You Should Know About Lane Drifting

June 3, 2016 | Tapalian Law

If you have recently been involved in a car accident and are exploring all possible causes for this accident to present to your Rhode Island car accident attorney; you may need to reflect back carefully on the moments just prior to when the accident occurred. Thinking carefully about the other driver’s behavior in this instance could help you identify important information for moving forward with a personal injury claim.

Drowsy Or Distracted Drivers Are A Growing Problem

Although there are many factors that can contribute to driver negligence on the road, if you spotted the other driver weaving in and out of or drifting into other lanes, this could be a clear sign that he or she was drowsy or distracted behind the wheel. Lane drifting might seem innocuous but in fact, it can lead to devastating car accidents. This is because drivers in the other lane are not expecting any other vehicles to enter their lane without appropriate signals and clearance to do so.

Tips for Buying a Used Car After a Car Accident

May 20, 2016 | Tapalian Law

If your vehicle has recently been declared a total loss by your Rhode Island insurance company, you may be in the market for a new vehicle. Be aware that it is important you realize the rules associated with dealers disclosing a vehicle’s damage from a previous accident. It could be frustrating, for example, to purchase a vehicle and then realize that it has been subject to severe damage as a result of a past accident with another driver. You need to be well-informed and confident about your purchase when obtaining another vehicle after a serious Rhode Island car accident.

What Are the Dangers in Buying A Used Car?

One of the most important things to consider is whether or not the vehicle you purchase has already been in an accident. While some accidents might be minor crashes with very little damage, you need an accident report to give you more information before making your final decision. It’s not a good idea to rely on the input of the dealer alone; check out the facts for yourself with an independent vehicle report. Buying a vehicle that has already been through a major accident could mean that you’re on the road to costly repairs and numerous breakdowns.