The construction industry is home to some of the most dangerous jobs; yet, roughly, 7 million Americans go to work at a construction site every day. Workers face numerous hazards and, sometimes, unsafe worksites that can lead to serious injuries. In fact, in 2019, construction site accidents accounted for 20% of worker fatalities or one in five worker deaths.
Monday, June 27, a deadly Missouri train derailment occurred near the city of Mendon (which is approximately 100 miles northeast of Kansas City) after hitting a dump truck. The Amtrak train carrying approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members struck the dump truck at an uncontrolled intersection.
At least 50 people were injured and three were killed (two on the train and one in the dump truck). Eight cars and two locomotives derailed.
Insurance companies want to speak with you while you are still processing what happened and before you retain a personal injury attorney. This is a time when you need to be careful in what you say or how you say things to insurance adjusters (and others). Their job is to settle claims with as little liability as possible to the insurance company.
You may think insurance provides a safety net for you, whether it is yours or someone else’s. It is there to offer peace of mind should you have an accident that seriously injures you. So, when an insurance company comes calling with their initial settlement offer, you may trust that it will compensate you fairly.
But that would be flawed thinking. The reality: you should not accept an insurance company’s initial settlement offer without first obtaining the advice of a personal injury lawyer.
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Slip and fall accidents happen all the time. They can happen at any public place, such as a store, sidewalk, or parking lot, or even on private property like a swimming pool. They happen to anyone, at any age (not just senior adults) and you can suffer minor bruises to more serious head trauma.
How often do you see motorcyclists riding without a helmet on our Kansas City roads? Knowing the potential hazards of riding a motorcycle, some might assume that wearing a motorcycle helmet is mandated by law. But it is not, not in every state. Do you know what the Missouri motorcycle helmet law is? Are motorcyclists required to wear a helmet?
The answer is no, not everyone is required to wear a helmet in the state of Missouri.
Accidents happen, and while motorcyclists sometimes share responsibility, many crashes result from the negligence of other drivers. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, understanding your rights and knowing what steps to take next is crucial.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published July 13, 2015. The practical steps to take after an automobile accident have been updated and tips provided to the reader.
Being involved in an automobile accident is a time of extreme emotions. While you may think you will know what to do, often, in the chaos and confusion of an accident it is easy to forget, especially when injuries or even fatalities are involved.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published April 3, 2017. It has been revamped and updated to ensure accuracy of the motor vehicle accidents statistics.
According to 2020 annual traffic crash data, a total of 38,824 lives were lost in traffic crashes nationwide – the highest number of fatalities since 2007.
As warmer weather arrives, construction work zones begin to pop up on our highways and roadways, a necessity to help maintain, repair, and upgrade them. But, they also entail dangers and hazards for motorists and construction workers. Drivers must navigate shifting traffic patterns, narrowed lanes, barrels, heavy equipment, trucks, and flaggers. At the same time, construction workers face just as many hazards and dangers, making work zone safety a top priority for everyone on the road.
