Accidents can sometimes be avoided by simple car maintenance. For instance, preventing a tire blowout can prevent an accident. Before it’s too late, learn how to check for tire defects and keep your car rolling safely along.

Check Your Tire Pressure. The leading cause of tire failure is the combination of under-inflated tires and an overloaded vehicle. Make a regular practice of checking your tire pressure by using a calibrated tire gauge. Go by the tire pressure listed in your driver’s manual on your vehicle’s tire pressure information label (usually found somewhere on the driver’s door).

Check Your Tread. Check the tread and sidewalls of your tires at least once a month. Most tires have built-in wear bar indicators to determine when it’s time to replace your tires. Uneven tread wear could be a sign that your tires need to be rotated, or a sign of wheel misalignment. Either way, have your car serviced as soon as possible if you notice uneven tread wear.

Be Aware of Tire Recalls. If you sense that something is wrong with your tires after you’ve ruled out improper inflation or tread wear, check to see if there’s been a recall or investigation.  Tire recalls are listed by the federal government at http://www.safercar.gov/.

Tire defects not caused by wear, age, or improper inflation usually arise during the manufacturing process, which makes the manufacturer liable for accidents arising from tire failure. Design defects may be the problem if the tire design does not correspond to the motor vehicle design. For example, the weight limits for some tires are completely inadequate for some larger vehicles.  Poor labeling and faulty installation, which fall under product liability laws, can also lead to accidents.

To report a tire failure or to file a complaint with the government, go to https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm. If you or a family member was injured as the result of a tire defect, be sure to speak with an experienced San Antonio accident attorney such as Crosley Law Firm.

U.S. truck accident statistics show that injuries and fatalities from large truck accidents are on the rise.  According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2010 over 5,000 people died after crashes involving Large Truck and Commercial Vehicles, which includes semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and buses. Only 3,200 deaths occurred in 2009 from motor vehicle accidents involving these large trucks. About 100,000 people sustained injuries in 2010 in motor vehicle accidents with large trucks and commercial vehicles.

Part of the reason for the rise in truck accidents is that there are more trucks on the road. In fact, some statisticians expect a 20% increase in semi-truck traffic in 2012, because starting in 2012, Mexican commercial trucks will be allowed to travel across the United States. These trucks will be electronically monitored to allow only one trip at a time, directly from Mexico to a single destination and back, and Mexican drivers must have clean driving records and speak English. Still, the mere increase in traffic can be expected to cause more truck accidents.

Cell phones and mp3 players may also be a cause for the rise in commercial truck and bus accidents. In September 2011, a semi-truck driver in Kentucky hit a 15-passenger van immediately after making an outgoing phone call on his cell phone. That accident killed 10 people. The National Transportation Safety Board supports a national regulation prohibiting semi-truck drivers from texting, making phone calls, or using mp3 players while driving.  Creating this law could be an uphill battle, as many people feel that truck transportation companies should self-regulate and set these policies for themselves.

Unfortunately, a large percentage of truck accidents happen in large states where truck accident statistics show the most amount of commercial truck traffic: California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. If you or a family member was involved in a large truck accident where the driver was distracted or overtired, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the driver and the transportation company. Talk to a personal injury attorney today to determine if you may have a claim against a negligent truck driver.

It can be difficult to protect yourself properly if you attempt to navigate a personal injury settlement alone, especially during a traumatic time. Follow these personal injury settlement guidelines in negotiating your personal injury settlement.

The first thing you must know about your claim is how easy it will be to establish fault. If you have a straightforward case and it will be easy for you to establish liability in court, the person who caused the injury (or that person’s insurance company) will be more eager to settle. While it can be difficult to wait for a settlement if medical bills are piling up, take the time you need to gather information and protect yourself.

You should also know the different types of damages you can request as part of your settlement. Economic damages include, but aren’t limited to, lost wages, medical bills, and the costs of transportation to and from medical visits. General damages include pain and suffering, humiliation, and mental anguish. Your settlement should include all the types of damages available to you, because once you sign the settlement you will likely give up your right to recover for those losses. The value of your injury will depend on the nature and extent of your injuries, your wage loss, and how long the injury can be expected to last.

Be aware that most health insurance policies now have language that allows the health insurance company to be repaid for medical bills if the insured person gets a personal injury settlement. This is called subrogation. The theory behind subrogation is that a person should not have his medical bills paid twice–once by his health insurer, and a second time in the form of a settlement or judgment for damages in an accident liability case.

A good personal injury or accident attorney will be well aware of personal injury settlement guidelines and can help you negotiate your settlement successfully. An experienced San Antonio accident attorney like Crosley Law Firm can help you figure out the value of your injury for settlement purposes.

A wrongful death is a death that was caused by the negligence, carelessness, or misconduct of another individual or a company.  The definition of wrongful death is similar to a personal injury action, but instead of the injured person bringing the lawsuit, the spouse, parents, or children of the deceased can sue. Close family members who have lost a loved one in a tragic, preventable accident may be entitled to compensation, including funeral and burial expenses, the victim’s final medical expenses, and the victim’s future anticipated earnings. Depending on the circumstances, the spouse, parents, or children of the deceased may also be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship, care, or protection, and survivor’s pain, suffering, and mental anguish.

Wrongful deaths occur as a result of an accident that could have been prevented. They are the fault of a person or company that was not following the rules—the rules of the road, or company safety policies, or safety precautions that a reasonable person would have taken. Types of wrongful death claims can include truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian or bicycle accidents, and even airplane or boating accidents. Wrongful death claims can also arise from intentional violence, situations of gross negligence in the workplace, defective products, or medical malpractice. Keep in mind that the definition of wrongful death does not denote a criminal action, and it is not a true accident, either. A wrongful death action attaches civil liability, or fault, on the person or company that caused the victim’s death.

To prove a case of wrongful death, the victim’s close family members must be able to prove that the victim’s death was caused, in whole or in part, by the conduct of another person or a company. They must also show that the person or company was negligent, grossly negligent, or strictly liable for the victim’s death. Lastly, monetary damages must have resulted from the individual’s death.

If you have lost a family member through someone else’s fault, call an attorney today.  A San Antonio accident attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to compensation.

A traumatic brain injury is a life-changing event. A severe traumatic brain injury can result in death, coma, or loss of physical functions.  A moderate or mild traumatic brain injury can cause not only physical problems (dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea) but also problems with communication (expression or understanding), cognition (thinking, memory), sensory perception (sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch), and emotions or behavior (depression, aggression, or irritability). The degree of damage depends on the type of force or impact that causes the traumatic brain injury.

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Falling out of bed, falling in the shower, falling off of a ladder, or falling down steps are common injuries, especially for children or the elderly. These injuries frequently result in damage to the brain, primarily in the area of impact.

Motor vehicle accidents are the second most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Cars or trucks colliding with motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians often cause the most severe traumatic brain injuries, resulting in death or disability. These types of accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury for people in their 20s and 30s.

Other causes of traumatic brain injury include assault or violence, accidentally striking one’s head, sports injuries, and explosive blasts. American soldiers often return from Iraq or Afghanistan with mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries caused by their proximity to an explosion.

If you or your family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury, consult an attorney as soon as possible to find out the legal ramifications of the accident and resulting injury–especially if the injury was caused by a motor vehicle accident.

In 2003, according to the federal Administration on Aging, there were over 20,000 cases of elder abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation reported on behalf of nursing home residents. Of the seven types of abuse or neglect, physical abuse is the most common, but the preventable nursing home injury is the most lamentable.

To keep costs low, some nursing homes rely on short-term or temporary nursing aides. While this helps the nursing home’s bottom line, high turnover can demoralize nursing home employees and allow quality of care to suffer. Nursing homes that decide to keep employees long-term by paying good wages and benefits and providing opportunities for upward mobility may have to change the way they manage employees, but after the initial costs, they often find the new way is better. Consistent care and adequate staffing can help in catching medical problems in the early, treatable stages. Higher quality of care can also prevent falls and bedsores.

There are some things you can do to help prevent a nursing home injury. Be careful when choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one. Ask questions about staffing levels, health inspection results, and quality measures. Talk to the caregivers, not just the people in the front office. If your family member lives at a nursing home, visit as often as you can on different days and times to gauge the level of care throughout the week. If you suspect neglect or abuse, call your state licensing agency for nursing homes—the agency is required to investigate a complaint.

In an ideal world, your loved one would never suffer a nursing home injury due to neglect or lack of care. However, if your loved one has experienced an injury while under nursing home care, you should speak to a personal injury attorney to determine your options in remedying the situation.

San Antonio accident attorneys know that every year, motorcycle accidents claim the lives of Texans. A lack of basic safety precautions causes many of these fatal motorcycle accidents. Follow the safety precautions listed below to ensure that you can enjoy the freedom and challenge of riding motorcycles for many years to come.

Take a motorcycle safety course. There are several motorcycle safety courses available in the San Antonio area. A significant number of motorcycle accidents occur simply because the rider is inexperienced. Make sure you learn how to properly operate your motorcycle by participating in a motorcycle safety course before taking to the roads.

Don’t drink and ride. In 2009, over 30% of motorcycle accidents in America involved a rider who had recently been drinking alcohol. If these riders had avoided alcohol before getting back on the road, many lives could have been saved and injuries prevented.

Watch your speed. A motorcycle ride can be thrilling, but reckless driving can lead to severe motorcycle accidents. Riding your motorcycle within the speed limit could prevent a joyride from turning into a fatal event.

Wear a helmet. A 2010 study published in the Southern Medical Journal showed that fatal motorcycle accidents increased 30% after the mandatory helmet law was repealed in Texas. Although motorcycle helmets are now only required for Texas riders under 21, numerous studies have proven that wearing a helmet will increase your chances of survival in a motorcycle accident. Wearing a helmet could also prevent a traumatic brain injury.

Maximize your visibility. Many motorcycle accidents occur when cars pull out into the road right in front of motorcycles. The safest riders are aware that drivers of cars and trucks can easily fail to see a motorcycle on the road. You can maximize your visibility by wearing reflective gear and always using your headlights.

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Confusion, turmoil, sorrow, and helplessness are just a few of the words that may be familiar to a person who has been injured by the negligent actions of another. Often in such situations, people struggle alone needlessly, not realizing that the help they require is but a phone call away. If you are one who is searching for a safe haven, someone to protect and defend your legal rights, what you need is a San Antonio personal injury lawyer.

The Crosley Law Firm offers an immediate, free consultation to determine how they may best be of assistance to you and your family. There is never a cost to you until your case is settled. Therefore, there is no reason for you to forego the legal representation you desperately need while your bills and damages are piling up. There is no need to lose sleep worrying about how you will manage to care for those who depend on you after a harmful situation has occurred. Your life may have changed but you do not need to withstand the changes alone.

Your San Antonio personal injury lawyer is fully prepared to take control of your case and seek the restitution you deserve to get your life back on track. Serious, life altering events demand the best in legal protection and that is exactly what the Crosley Law Firm can provide. Based in Texas, this full service law firm offers nationwide services with a network of professionals who have your best interests front and center. With a proven track record of victories for their clients, you can rest assured that your legal needs will be well taken care of.

Virtually every type of injury is covered, including medical malpractice, product liability, vehicle accidents, medication liability, birth injuries and insurance claims to name but a few. In this bilingual law office, you will find a friendly, caring environment that will have you breathing a sigh of relief. Your life and well being are too important to risk one more day without the best legal representation you can engage. Protect yourself and the people you love by making that all important contact today with your future San Antonio personal injury attorney.