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5 Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

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Commercial trucking accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries and deaths every year in the United States. With so much commercial trucking traffic moving through Louisiana on a daily basis, the potential for 18-wheeler accidents is high. Some of the 5 common causes of 18-wheeler accidents include:

1) Driver Fatigue – Unrealistic schedules and expectations of trucking companies encourage drivers to speed to their destinations without breaking or resting, causing physical or mental exhaustion and stress on the driver. Fatigue combined with speeding, poor weather conditions, and other factors, can increase the risk of a crash.

2) Overweight or Unbalanced Truck Loads – “Overweight” truck loads can cause a tire blowout, rollovers from an increase center of gravity, and an increase in speed, making it difficult to slow down and/or stop the truck. That often occurs when the truck is traveling downhill. “Unbalanced” truck loads cause the weight of the truck to shift to the rear, making it difficult for the truck driver to control the vehicle’s movement and speed.

3) Cellphones & Text Messaging – Talking or texting on cellphones can cause the truck driver to take his/her eyes off the road and become distracted from the road conditions.

4) Inadequate Training – In most situations, driver trainees have approximately 5 days in the classroom to soak-in information for the first time, about safety, mechanical procedures, and logging requirements. Thereafter, the truck driver spends just a few hours learning about inspections and test driving, before taking the truck weighing nearly 80,000 pounds, through highly trafficked areas, moving at high rates of speed. Lack of adequate training on how to handle such a vehicle and how to react to the various roadway conditions often presented, are ingredients for destruction and devastation.

5) Truck Driver Drug & Alcohol Use – Recent data collected by the Federal Motor Safety Administration of crashes between passenger vehicles and large trucks within 17 states, revealed that 3,757 deaths occurred, and 88,000 injuries were sustained by individuals involved. The data also revealed that alcohol and illegal drug use by truck drivers while behind the wheel was prevalent and a significant cause of many of those accidents.

Regardless of why trucking accidents occur, they can cause horrible injuries and even death. Because truck accident injuries are so often catastrophic and disabling, the cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation, equipment and possibly lifetime care can be extremely high. If poor maintenance or defective equipment played a role in causing an accident that results in serious injury or the wrongful death of your loved one, you may have more options and sources for financial recovery. Compensation from the trucking company and its insurer, or other responsible parties, can go a long way toward making life easier for your family and your injured family member after a serious truck crash.

The Russell Law Firm represents injured victims of 18-wheeler, trucking, and car wrecks throughout the State of Louisiana. Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in handling injury and wrongful death claims arising from 18-wheeler, trucking, and car wrecks. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries from an 18-wheeler, trucking, or car wreck, make the Right Call, Right Now and contact the Russell Law Firm, at 225-307-0088. We’ll take a fierce but personal approach towards getting you the compensation you deserve.

**Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

By: Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana and admitted in the following courts:

– All Louisiana District Courts
– All Louisiana Appellate Courts
– Louisiana Supreme Court
– U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana
– U.S. Western District Court of Louisiana
– U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana
– U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

****THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE IS NOT A DEPICTION OF ANY ACTUAL EVENT OR SCENE, BUT MERELY A DRAMATIZATION.

Common Back Injuries from Car Wrecks

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The average U.S. car weighs 4,000 pounds and the human spine isn’t built to withstand the force that such a heavy vehicle exerts against it during a car accident. That’s why back injuries are so common during car accidents, which usually involve back muscle and ligament strains, disc herniations, and spine compression fractures.

It is important to spot the symptoms of those injuries, so that they can be adequately evaluated and treated by a medical professional. The following are some of the most common symptoms of back injuries caused by car accidents:

1.) SPINAL FRACTURES

Compression fractures are common in the middle and lower back during a car accident, due to the upper body being thrown forward while the lower body is held by a seatbelt. Some of the symptoms of a spinal fracture are: moderate to severe back pain that worsens with movement, tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

2.) DISC HERNIATION

The force of the impact during a car accident can cause a disc between the vertebrae to move out of place or tear, irritating the surrounding nerves. Some of the symptoms of a disc herniation are: arm pain, leg pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.) SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra shifts out of place due to a stress fracture in the bone and presses against the nerves or spinal canal. Some of the symptoms of spondylolisthesis are: pain, numbness, or weakness in the buttock or leg and difficulty walking.

A muscle strain may heal on its own, but if someone suffered a more severe injury in the back, he/she may continue to feel pain months or years later. That’s why it is important to seek medical treatment immediately after being involved in a car accident. If you were involved in a car accident and now suffer with one of the symptoms listed above, the attorneys at the Russell Law Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve.

 

 

 

 

 

Louisiana Auto Accident Attorney

The Russell Law Firm represents injured clients involved in car wrecks throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville,    Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in handling car accident claims. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident and suffers with back injuries in Baton Rouge or anywhere else in Louisiana, make the Right Call, Right Now and contact Louisiana car accident attorneys at the Russell Law Firm today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands-on, aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

**Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

Danny Russell

Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney with Offices in Baton Rouge, LA.

Admitted to practice in:

  • All Louisiana District Courts
  • All Louisiana Appellate Courts
  • Louisiana Supreme Court
  • S. Middle District Court of Louisiana
  • S. Western District Court of Louisiana
  • S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana

****THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE IS NOT A DEPICTION OF ANY ACTUAL EVENT OR SCENE, BUT MERELY A DRAMATIZATION

Whiplash & Auto Accidents – The Long-term Effects

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Many people suffer from whiplash injury after a car accident, and this injury can be both mild or severe. A severe whiplash injury, and failure to properly diagnose or treat it, can result in serious, long-term injuries and consequences such as disability and significant medical costs. Whiplash is often a slow onset, gradually referring pain to multiple regions of the body. As it progresses, this seemingly small injury can go on to have long-term and sometime, permanent effects.

What is whiplash and when does it happen?

Whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury that is caused by a severe jerk to the head, which often occurs during rear-end car accidents. However it can also happen during many other incidents that involve a sudden movement of the head and neck.

The most common causes of whiplash are:

  • Car and cycling accidents,
  • Physical abuse,
  • Contact sports such as football, boxing, or karate,
  • Amusement park rides,
  • Horseback riding,
  • Falls where the head is violently jerked backwards, and
  • Blows to the head with a heavy item.

Whiplash occurs when your head is jolted forward and then snaps back, or severely rotates to the side. The sudden movement can damage the soft tendons, ligaments, and muscles in your neck as a result of being stretched beyond their typical range of motion. Even the discs between your neck and bones can be torn from whiplash, causing extreme pain as well as other symptoms to some people.

A 1998 study on whiplash showed that injuries can be sustained at low speeds, even as slow as 4 miles per hour.

The long-term effects of whiplash

The symptoms of whiplash after a car accident can last for days, weeks, months, or even years, depending on the severity of the impact and injury sustained to your neck or upper back. The symptoms of chronic whiplash may never disappear completely. These can include:

  • Pain and stiffness in the neck or shoulders,
  • Upper or lower back pain,
  • Jaw pain,
  • Severe headaches,
  • Dizziness,
  • Blurred vision,
  • Constant weariness,
  • Concentration and memory problems,
  • Ringing in the ears,
  • Difficulty sleeping,
  • Irritability,
  • Travel anxiety, and
  • Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.

A severe whiplash injury can also lead to osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis in the long term, if there is a true injury to the spine such as a fracture. That is why it’s always important to seek medical treatment immediately after an accident, as sometimes there will be a delay before effects show.

Making a compensation claim for whiplash injuries

If you wish to make a compensation claim for your whiplash injury, you should first visit your general practitioner and have them make a record of the symptoms. Whiplash symptoms can be difficult to document medically by scans or x-rays, which can prevent you from obtaining fair compensation, and for that reason it’s highly recommended that you make a claim with a lawyer.

The Russell Law Firm represents injured clients involved in car wrecks throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville,    Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in handling car wreck claims. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car wreck  and suffers with whiplash injury in Baton Rouge or anywhere else in Louisiana, make the Right Call, Right Now and contact Louisiana car accident attorneys at the Russell Law Firm today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands-on, aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

**Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

By:      Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

****THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE IS NOT A DEPICTION OF ANY ACTUAL EVENT OR SCENE, BUT MERELY A DRAMATIZATION. 

 

Auto Accident & Wrongful Death Attorney – Russell Law Firm

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Danny Russell is a Baton Rouge car accident & wrongful death attorney, representing injured clients involved in car accidents throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville,    Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in handling car accident & wrongful death claims. If you or someone you know has a car accident & wrongful death claim in Baton Rouge or anywhere else in Louisiana, make the RIGHT CALL, RIGHT NOW and contact Louisiana car accident & wrongful death attorneys at the Russell Law Firm today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands-on, aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

**Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

By:      Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

****THE VIDEO ABOVE IS NOT A DEPICTION OF ANY ACTUAL EVENT OR SCENE, BUT MERELY A DRAMATIZATION. 

Car Wreck Claims – Danny Russell

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Car Wreck Claims

 

russell law firm baton rouge la

Danny Russell is a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer, representing injured clients involved in car accidents throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville,    Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in handling car accident claims. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident in Baton Rouge or anywhere else in Louisiana, make the RIGHT CALL, RIGHT NOW and contact Louisiana car accident attorneys at the Russell Law Firm today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands-on, aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

**Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

By:      Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

****THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE IS NOT A DEPICTION OF ANY ACTUAL EVENT OR SCENE, BUT MERELY A DRAMATIZATION. 

 

Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer – Make the Right, Call Right Now!

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Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer

 

Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyer, Danny Russell

Danny Russell is a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer, representing injured clients involved in car accidents throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville,    Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in handling car accident claims. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car wreck in Baton Rouge or anywhere else in Louisiana, make the RIGHT CALL, RIGHT NOW and contact Louisiana car accident attorneys at the Russell Law Firm today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands-on, aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

**Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

By:      Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

****THE PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE IS NOT A DEPICTION OF ANY ACTUAL EVENT OR SCENE, BUT MERELY A DRAMATIZATION. 

10 Most Deadly Parishes: Fatal Car Accidents

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According to the data collected by the Highway Safety Research Group from the LA State Police, LA Department of Transportation, and other LA state agencies, the top 10 parishes with the most fatal car accidents over the past 3 years, are as follows:

Top 10 Deadly Parishes – Fatal Car Accidents Over the Last Three Years:

  1. East Baton Rouge – 16
  2. Orleans – 14
  3. Tammany – 14
  4. Calcasieu – 14
  5. Tangipahoa – 14
  6. Jefferson – 12
  7. Lafayette – 9
  8. Webster – 8
  9. Caddo – 7
  10. Acadia – 6

Most Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Louisiana

According to national statistics released by the Insurance Industry Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the following are the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Louisiana:

  1. Failure to operate with required equipment, such as seat belts;
  2. Excessive drinking; and
  3. Excessive speed.

Louisiana vs. Other States: Fatal Car Accidents

Fatal car accidents are occurring throughout the United States, but they appear to be occurring more often in Louisiana as compared to other states. Louisiana ranks #4 in the nation for fatalities caused by careless or reckless driving. We also rank #4 for car accident deaths due to speeding and have one of the highest rates of fatalities due to impaired driving by alcohol. Those are national rankings that Louisiana is undoubtedly not proud of.

The Russell Law Firm represents clients in wrongful death cases due to fatal car accidents throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville,    Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in fatal car accident cases. If you have lost a loved due to a car accident, contact a Louisiana fatal car accident attorney at the Russell Law Firm today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hand on and aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice.

By:      Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.

18-Wheeler Accident: Lawsuit Deadline

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Someone who sustains bodily injuries and/or property damages (“damages”) resulting from an 18-wheeler accident in Louisiana, has one (1) year from the date the “injury or damage was sustained,” to file a lawsuit against the the driver of the 18-wheeler, the owner of the 18-wheeler, the insurance company insuring the 18-wheeler, and any other parties responsible for compensating you for the damages you’ve sustained. The date the “injuries or damages were sustained,” is usually the date that the accident occurred.

Given that you have only one (1) year, it is important to make early contact with a personal injury law firm experienced in handling 18-wheeler accidents in Louisiana if you’ve suffered damages from an 18-wheeler accident. Before filing a lawsuit, it is crucial to collect all necessary evidence from the scene of the accident, the 18-wheeler, and others, which can take months. If some of that evidence is lost or destroyed, it could severely impact the outcome of your case.

The Russell Law Firm represents clients injured in 18-wheeler accidents throughout the State of Louisiana, including the parishes of East Baton Rouge Parish, West Baton Rouge Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Livingston Parish, Ascension Parish, Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Assumption Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish; and the cities of Baton Rouge, Livingston, Denham Springs, Walker, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, Lafayette, Napoleonville, Kenner, Harvey, Marrero, Estelle, Gretna, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Ville Platte, Eunice, Opelousas, Thibodaux, Houma, Belle Chasse, and Hahnville.

Our firm is experienced and highly skilled in 18-wheeler accident cases. If you have sustained damages from an 18-wheeler accident, contact the Russell Law Firm  today at 225-307-0088. We will take a hands on and aggressive approach towards getting you compensated for your losses.

Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice
****The photograph above is not a depiction of any actual event or scene, but merely a dramatization.
By:       Danny Russell, Baton Rouge area personal injury attorney, licensed in Louisiana.