Truck Accidents Caused by Hours of Service Violations

Semi-Truck Drivers and Hours of Service Regulations

Truck driving is an occupation that takes an immense toll on a driver’s endurance. Semi-truck drivers will typically spend hours upon hours behind the wheel in order to make deliveries across the country. Hours of monotony concentrating on keeping a semi-truck safely on the road can eventually cause a number of impairments as a driver gets fatigued. This is why semi-truck drivers are required to limit their hours. This allotted amount of time to semi-truck drivers before they must take mandatory breaks is known as hours of service. 

Semi-Truck Driver Fatigue Causes Accidents 

Spending long periods of time sitting down may not sound exhausting but doing so while concentrating on driving a semi-truck can cause severe strain on the mind and body. Truck drivers that don’t take regular breaks and drive over their limit end up driving drowsy which is a surprisingly common cause of semi-truck accidents. 

Drowsy driving or fatigued driving causes a number of impairments that can affect your driving abilities. In many cases, driving while drowsy is comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol. Some examples of drowsy driving impairment include:

• Reduced perception
• Slowed reflexes
• Poor judgment
• Worse motor skills

In addition to all of this impairment that can come from driving fatigued is the danger of falling asleep at the wheel. When a truck driver falls asleep at the wheel a severe accident is assured involving either the truck driver alone crashing into a status object like a railing, tree, building, etc., or other drivers caught in a collision with the semi-truck bulk. 

Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving can be extremely dangerous since it comes on gradually. The effects of drowsy driving will not start to impair a driver right away like how driving after a few drinks will cause fast-acting side effects. Instead, truck drivers can feel good about their state while driving after they have driven past their hours of service. This false sense of confidence often proves to be many driver’s undoing since before they know it a yawn or two starts turning into nodding off behind the wheel surprisingly quickly. 

This is why hours of service were implemented. By putting strict limits on the number of hours a truck driver can drive straight, avoiding this scenario where drivers overestimate their ability to stay awake and alert is avoided much more effectively. Some of the early signs that someone is starting to reach their limit and are driving drowsy include:

• Yawning or blinking frequently
• Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven
• Missing your exit
• Drifting from your lane
• Hitting a rumble strip

What Are the Truck Driver Hours of Service?

No matter which states a truck driver is in they are required to observe the hours of service since they are a federal regulation imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They pertain to both a truck driver’s length of time driving per single shift as well as the amount of time total they are allowed to work in a span of time. 

• Truck drivers are only allowed to work 60 hours in a seven-day period or 70 hours in an eight-day period.
• Truck drivers that are transporting property can only drive 11 hours after having 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers who are transporting passengers are limited to drive 10 hours after having eight consecutive hours off duty.
• Commercial truck drivers are required to take a break for at least 30 minutes after driving for eight consecutive hours.

Why Do Truck Drivers Violate Hours of Service?

Truck drivers are under an immense amount of pressure to complete their deliveries on time and this stress can lead to them taking risks like driving past their limit. Drivers will often believe that it is better to drive dangerous and shave some time off of their route rather than take a small thirty-minute break to collect themselves. 

In other cases, it may not always be the driver alone that neglects to obey the hours of service regulations put in place to keep drivers safe. Trucking companies will sometimes pressure their drivers to drive longer than they should in the interest of making deliveries faster and getting higher profits.

Hours of Service Violation Liability

Enforcement of hours of service among truckers is done via a trucking log that they are required to make entries in. The trucking log records the amount of time that they have been on the road, the distance they have traveled, origin and destination, and a host of other useful bits of information that can be beneficial in a truck accident claim. 

In many cases, semi-truck drivers that violate the hours of service will manipulate their logs in order to try and get away with their infraction. Upon close investigation, falsified trucker logs will usually be revealed to be fraudulent. What will often happen is that semi-truck drivers will be found liable because of their negligent violations of hours of service via their falsified logs. Many other truck accident cases will also involve the trucking company that employed the driver because they either coerced or aided a semi-truck driver in falsifying their logs which can make them liable as well. 

Contact a Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that are often much more severe than the injuries caused by passenger vehicles. Victims are left with large medical bills and frequently cannot return to their jobs. As a result, victims and their families live under constant stress, which reduces their quality of life and can sometimes tear families apart.

Fortunately, help is available. If the truck driver was responsible for the collision, then you can hold him and his employer legally accountable for your injuries by filing a truck accident injury claim or lawsuit. By bringing a lawsuit for negligence, you can receive financial compensation for your economic and non-economic losses, which will take a huge load off of your shoulders.

At Dolman Law Group, our lawyers have handled dozens of truck accidents and understand how to construct a case from the ground up. We are ready to fight to obtain full compensation for your injuries, and all you need to do is reach out. Our firm offers a free consultation and case evaluation to potential clients. Call 727-451-6900 or fill out our contact form online.

Dolman Law Group

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727)451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/truck-accident-attorneys/

A Traumatic Brain Injury Can Cost You Your Job

 

Lost Careers and Prospects Due to Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the most common types of injuries that people suffer as a result of accidents of all kinds is a traumatic brain injury. Trauma directed to the skull can occur in a number of situations ranging from car accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents, etc. resulting in thousands of people every year struggling with the effects of these kinds of injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are well known for inflicting debilitating symptoms among those injured in this way and the fallout can affect many aspects of a person’s life. One of the worst ways someone can be affected by a brain injury is through their career where they may suffer setbacks and even termination. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries Overview

Understanding what exactly a traumatic brain injury is capable of doing to a person is integral to understanding the fallout these injuries can cause when it comes to employment. A traumatic brain injury can be defined as a class of injury where a person suffers damage to the brain as a result of physical trauma that acts on the skull either in the form of a direct blow or through violent jerking of the skull. 

The Range of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are not one size fits all but rather occupy many places on a spectrum of severity. For example, one of the more mild traumatic brain injuries that people commonly suffer is a concussion. A concussion is when someone suffers a blow to the head that can cause temporary cognitive issues. This injury can usually be recovered from with minimal medical assistance. 

On the other hand, people can suffer a penetrating brain injury where the skull is breached by a foreign object that inflicts direct damage to the brain. In this case, a person’s life can be in serious danger and there is almost a sure chance that they will come away with some degree of permanent damage that can result in cognitive issues. 

Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

Regardless of how seemingly severe a traumatic brain injury is, you should always seek medical attention if you display symptoms attributed to a traumatic brain injury or have suffered a strong blow to the head. Some common symptoms people suffer from following a traumatic brain injury include:

• Anxiety
• Change in sense of smell or taste
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Inattentiveness
• Inability to concentrate
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Loss of balance
• Loss of concentration
• Memory loss
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Slurred speech
• Vision issues

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Disability

The aforementioned symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can range from mild to severe depending on the intensity of a traumatic brain injury, its location, the victim’s previous health status, etc., and can easily get much worse if proper measures are not taken. Even if someone manages to have the immediate danger caused by a traumatic brain injury averted with treatment, that does not guarantee that they will not end up suffering symptoms or complications down the line. 

The brain is perhaps the most complex organ in our body and as a result, is not fully understood meaning that damage to it is not as treatable as damage to other organs. It is responsible for making us who we are. Our memories, personality, behaviors, and conscious self are all to be found within the complex electrochemical reactions and structures of the human brain. So any change to this will inevitably result in a change to the aspects of our being. The various body functions the brain is responsible for managing are also affected when it suffers damage as well. Common disabilities caused by traumatic brain injuries and complications include:

Cognitive disabilities:

Damage to the brain affects our thought processes and thinking. The most common example of this is memory loss both short term and the loss of specific memories. Traumatic brain injuries are also well known to cause issues with a person’s problem-solving abilities. You can have trouble with logical reasoning, organization, make correct judgments, and so on.

Sensory problems:

Traumatic brain injuries can affect the five senses in a negative way. Sight is the most commonly affected. People can have trouble recognizing objects or faces. They may have trouble processing visual cues or suffer bouts of poor vision. Other senses can be affected in via, itching or tingling sensations, only smelling bad odors, bitter taste, and roaring in the ears. 

Communication issues:

Language and communication can be affected by brain damage to varying degrees. In terms of language, a person can slur their words or have trouble making full sentences. They can also have difficulty understanding written or spoken words. Body language and other non-verbal cues can also be difficult to understand.

Emotional difficulties:

Suffering a traumatic brain injury can take an immense emotional toll but it can also directly affect emotional processing and expression as well. Mood swings, aggressive behavior, depression, anxiety, apathy, and impulsive behavior are not unusual issues facing those that suffer traumatic brain injuries. 

Losing a Job Because of Brain Injury Caused Disabilities

It is not at all uncommon for people to lose their jobs and even whole careers because of a brain injury. Like with any severe injury, your ability to perform your job can be significantly affected by traumatic brain injuries which may give employers no choice but to either change your position at work or terminate your employment altogether. 

In other cases, employers may see your brain injury and the disabilities that result as an undesirable employee trait that is bad for business and not take any steps to work with you as a survivor of such an injury leading to job termination. You may be able to still remain employed but your disability can affect the quality of your work to the point you can’t keep going. 

In the case of mild traumatic brain injuries, the odds are actually fairly good that any symptoms you experience will be temporary or will be minor enough to not affect your job performance. However, the time you may need to take off work to recover may be too long for your employer and they may replace you. 

Long Term Effects of Job Loss Due to Traumatic Brain Injuries

Losing a job because of a brain injury is a serious blow. This is not only detrimental to a person financially since they can lose income and even career prospects but psychologically as well.

Losing a career because of disabilities caused by a traumatic brain injury can lead to loss of hope and depression that can cause a downward spiral. Relationships can suffer, your health can further suffer, and all because of an injury to the head. 

Suffering a loss of career due to a brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence does not have to be the end of your prospects and future. You can fight to better your circumstances by holding those responsible for your injuries and loss of career accountable for their negligent actions by taking legal action.  

Seek an Experienced Clearwater Personal Injury Attorney

If your loved one has suffered a head injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced Clearwater brain injury attorneys of Dolman Law Group. Our lawyers are ready to sit with you and discuss the details of your case and what kind of legal options are available to you. Our lawyers can assist you in securing evidence for your case, investigating your accident, navigating the legal process, and negotiating with the insurance company. 

At the Dolman Law Group, our team of experienced brain injury lawyers are ready to fight for your recovery and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call our Clearwater office at (727) 451-6900 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Dolman Law Group

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/clearwater-personal-injury-

AFFF Lawsuits: Everything You Need to Know | Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, P.A.

AFFF Lawsuits: Everything You Need to Know | Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, P.A.: For decades, firefighters, including both military and civilian units, used AFFF, or Aqueous Film-Forming Foam, to suppress fires. AFFF saw use in both

Clearwater, Florida Slip and Fall Head Injuries

 

Filing a Lawsuit Over Head Injuries Suffered in a Slip and Fall Accident

Falling is one of the most common causes of injury in the United States. While many people do slip and fall only to maybe suffer some slight bumps and bruises, there are many that are not so lucky and end up suffering severe and life-changing injuries. There are a surprising amount of people that slip and fall in a way that they hit their heads either on the ground or some other object on the way down and suffer a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries have the potential to inflict permanent damage and disability among those that experience them. It is because of this that people that suffer these injuries will often turn to personal injury claims to try and seek some level of compensation from another party if they caused their injury.

Slip and Fall Injury Claims

Civil law allows for those injured because of the negligence of another party that had an obligation to keep them safe, to file a claim that seeks compensation for the damages they suffered. Filing a claim over a slip and fall head injury requires a slip and fall head injury that caused damages significant enough to make filing a claim worth it. Just because you may have suffered an injury in a slip in fall, it does not always mean that going through the process of seeking compensation will get you more compensation than the investment of time and resources into your case. You need to suffer significant damages and have a clearly serious injury otherwise you may have trouble with your case. 

Traumatic Brain Injury Credibility in a Slip and Fall Claim

A person filing a claim over a traumatic brain injury they suffered in a slip and fall accident needs to be able to prove that their traumatic brain injury was caused by their fall. Most of the time an injury like this is easily attributable to this kind of accident but there are cases where a defendant's insurance company will be able to make an argument claiming that your injury was a pre-existing condition. 

Premises Liability and Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim

Claimants in a slip and fall injury claim need to be able to prove that the accident that caused their injury occurred because of the negligence of a liable party. Most slip and fall cases involve what is known as premises liability. Basically, this is the duty of care a person owes to the people that they invite onto their property and the liability they have when they fail to take appropriate precautions for the safety of those on their property leading to an accident. 

Connecting this negligence of property owners to the slip and fall accident that injured a claimant is an integral part of a slip and fall injury claim. Mostly it comes down to gathering evidence of the conditions that lead to the accident occurring. This includes pictures, video, or witness testimony of things that can cause slip and fall accidents and are within the power of property owners to address. Things like loose carpeting, puddles, exposed wiring and cables, debris, etc.  

Defining Traumatic Brain Injuries

The term traumatic brain injury is more of an umbrella term for a variety of head injuries rather than a term for a specific type of injury. It covers head injuries that involve a powerful physical force acting on the skull that is strong enough to cause damage to the brain. Traumatic brain injuries can range in intensity widely although all have the potential to cause permanent damage and serious complications. Traumatic brain injuries are also well known for their cognitive side effects that are less tangible than physical side effects like bruising and swelling but can lead to severe disability. Common traumatic brain injuries include:

• Concussions
• Brain Contusions
• Penetrating Brain Injuries
• Skull Fractures
• Edema
• Hematoma
• Hemorrhage

Traumatic Brain Injury Risk and Slip and Fall Accidents

Tripping or slipping occurs all the time with minor injuries suffered that heal on their own over a short period of time. However, there is always a risk of more severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries occurring as well. Most of us are able to catch ourselves when we slip and fall to help minimize the damage these kinds of accidents can inflict but some factors can significantly decrease our ability to break our falls and minimize damage. One of the biggest risk factors for severe fall injuries, in general, is age. Specifically, the elderly and the very young have a very high risk of suffering traumatic brain injuries when they fall due to their lack of agility and physical vulnerability. Also, tripping or slipping in situations where a person is running or if they are at a great height also increases the likelihood of suffering traumatic brain injuries because of a fall accident although these injuries are possible even when simply walking down a grocery aisle and slipping on a puddle.

Dolman Law Slip and Fall Injury Attorneys of Bradenton, Florida

Slip and fall accidents can bring about serious injuries that are worthy of monetary compensation. Not only may you be compensated for your medical bills, but you may also be eligible to recover compensation for all of your pain, suffering, aggravation, and loss of enjoyment of life due to your injuries. The Florida slip and fall injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group will begin the process by filing an insurance claim for coverage.

A qualified and experienced personal injury attorney will have the resources and the desire to take a case as far as necessary to recover the full, true value of a slip-and-fall case. Dolman Law Group is a personal injury law firm that has successfully recovered substantial awards for countless victims of negligence. We have the resources required to cover the cost of litigation, no matter how long it takes, to ensure the client recovers the maximum award possible

With offices across both Florida coasts, you can easily reach Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, and Sibley Dolman Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP, at (941) 961-8841 or (833-55-CRASH), or you can write to us using our online contact page.

Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys/

Semi-Truck Accidents Due to Brake Failure

 

Defective or Unmaintained Truck Brakes Cause Accidents

A semi-truck is a very large and surprisingly complex piece of machinery that is responsible for hauling immense amounts of cargo over vast distances. While doing so these vehicles have to share the road with hundreds, even thousands of other vehicles they can easily crush should a truck accident occur. One way in which these accidents can occur is when one of the parts of semi-truck malfunctions and causes the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle. One of the most essential parts of a semi-truck that sometimes fails is the braking system. 

Semi-Truck Braking and the Potential for Accidents

The ability to stop or slow down is a very important component of being able to drive safely. When someone’s brakes fail this naturally can be a bit difficult. What makes this even worse is how semi-trucks are already notoriously difficult to stop quickly. When you are driving a semi-truck you are usually hauling several tons of cargo in addition to an exceptionally heavy trailer as well. All of this weight does not make stopping or slowing down easily. Once a semi-truck gets moving, the momentum of all the weight behind the truck is very difficult to stop. 

Semi-truck brakes have to be able to stop a vehicle and trailer that weighs around 80,000 pounds and in some emergency cases be able to do so as fast as possible to avoid an accident. As one can imagine this can put immense strain on these brakes so they are held to a much higher standard than the average brakes you would find on most other motor-vehicles. Brakes have to be designed and manufactured properly to handle this level of stress. Semi-truck brakes also need to be properly maintained so that they don’t wear down and malfunction leading to a dangerous semi-truck accident. 

How Do Semi-Truck Brakes Malfunction?

As mentioned before, truck brakes are held to a higher standard than the brakes found on other motor vehicles since they have to handle significantly more stress. These brakes can fail in a number of ways depending on whether they were poorly maintained, manufactured incorrectly, or improperly designed. In some cases, the actual design of a brake can have engineering problems that can have the shape, thickness, or materials of a brake not be of good enough quality to handle the task they are needed for or so that they break when they experience a certain amount of stress considered normal for those brakes to handle. 

In other cases, the brakes may be poorly built in the factory so that there are imperfections that lead to brake failure. What often leads to brake failure is actually perfectly made brakes that simply are not properly maintained. Truckers and trucking companies have a responsibility to maintain their trucks up to safe driving standards or else risk liability for damage inflicted by an accident caused by the part malfunction.

This means that brakes must be regularly maintained and checked by a certified mechanic. Semi-trucks are not the same as smaller vehicles and require mechanics specially trained to provide maintenance for them. Some of the more common issues that a semi-truck’s brakes may experience include: 

• Brake lines with broken seals

• Overheated brakes

• Improperly adjusted brakes

• Worn down brake components

• Incorrect air pressure

What Kind of Accidents do Truck Brake Malfunctions Cause?

When any vehicle lacks brakes they are at immense risk of causing an accident. One of the most common accidents caused by this type of malfunction is the rear-end accident. A semi-truck already has enough trouble braking as it is. It takes almost twice as long for a semi-truck to reach a complete stop and almost twice as far in terms of stopping distance as well in comparison to smaller motor vehicles. Trucks with perfectly functioning brakes already tend to get into rear-end accidents because of this so when a truck’s brakes malfunction it is almost guaranteed that the truck will slam into the back of another vehicle. 

Semi-trucks can also end up rolling over because of brake malfunctions as well. Say a semi-truck goes to take a turn around a bend in the road. The length of the trailer makes it so that the turn radius is larger and more potentially dangerous. If the truck can’t slow down or stop when it needs to when making a turn then the momentum of the trailer could cause it to tip over and roll. 

Can I File a Lawsuit Over a Semi-Truck Accident Caused by a Brake Malfunction?

Commercial tractor-trailers are supposed to have all of their maintenance and repair information kept on a detailed log. If it is found out that the log is lacking info about maintenance, it shows skipped maintenance or repairs, or that maintenance was done by someone uncertified then the party in charge of the truck like a trucking company or even the driver could be held liable.

In the event that the accident was caused by a defective brake part then the company that designed or manufactured the brake may be held liable for the accident the malfunction caused. 

Contact a Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that are often much more severe than the injuries caused by passenger vehicles. Victims are left with large medical bills and frequently cannot return to their jobs. As a result, victims and their families live under constant stress, which reduces their quality of life and can sometimes tear families apart.

Fortunately, help is available. If the truck driver was responsible for the collision, then you can hold him and his employer legally accountable for your injuries by filing a truck accident injury claim or lawsuit. By bringing a lawsuit for negligence, you can receive financial compensation for your economic and non-economic losses, which will take a huge load off of your shoulders.

At Dolman Law Group, our lawyers have handled dozens of truck accidents and understand how to construct a case from the ground up. We are ready to fight to obtain full compensation for your injuries, and all you need to do is reach out. Our firm offers a free consultation and case evaluation to potential clients. Call (727)451-6900 or fill out our contact form online.

Dolman Law Group

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727)451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/truck-accident-attorneys/

Common Motorcycle Accident Causing Road Hazards

 

Florida Road Hazards and Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can occur very easily since they are very small vehicles. A major issue is how this small size affects motorcycle visibility and leads to other vehicles accidentally running into bikers. Another lesser-known issue that comes with the significantly smaller size of motorcycles is the vulnerability to road hazards that would generally not affect larger vehicles or affect them to a significantly lower extent. Motorcycles have much less weight and lack the stability that four wheels offer so there is a surprising amount of danger for motorcyclists on the roads aside from other drivers. 

Common Motorcycle Road Hazards

Rough Roadways

One of the simplest yet also most dangerous road hazards a motorcyclist can encounter is rough or poorly maintained roadways. There are many parts of the country where infrastructure is in dire need of maintenance meaning roadways with uneven surfaces, bumpy surfaces, cracks, as well as potholes. With a larger vehicle, these road conditions are definitely felt do not affect the stability of four wheels enough to be of serious concern. Motorcycles on the other hand can lose control when traveling on roads in these conditions and the chance of an accident occurring increases significantly. 

Gravel

Roadways, especially those near construction sites can have gravel end up across their surface which can be a serious road hazard for motorcyclists. When a motorcycle’s tires ride over gravel they can lose traction with the road which can cause a bike to slide out. Gravel on turns and curves in the road is especially dangerous since motorcyclists shift their weight to turn which can exaggerate the effects of gravel on bike wheels. Riding across patches of gravel in the road should be undertaken carefully and at a steady speed. Motorcyclists should avoid hard braking, leaning, sharp turning, and accelerating when driving through this type of road hazard. 

Edge Breaks Between Lanes

An edge break between lanes is when one traffic lane is either a little higher or lower than where it meets the next lane. There are times where this road hazard is easily missable which can catch motorcyclists unaware and cause an accident. Edge breaks are not very dangerous at lower speeds but when a motorcyclist is traveling on a highway then the immediate shift in elevation between lanes can have a pronounced effect on the stability of a bike and increase the risk of a motorcycle accident occurring when a motorcyclist switches lanes.   

Slippery Surfaces

When the road is slippery then there is a chance that motorcycles can lose control and cause an accident because of the lack of wheel traction. Slippery roads do not always mean roads wet with water after bad weather but can also include roads wet with paint, oil, or other liquids that may happen to be spilled across the asphalt. 

Expansion Joints and Open Bridge Joints

An expansion joint is a piece of metal that connects two segments of the road together. A bridge joint is similar but instead joins parts of a bridge together. These joints are essential to road construction and our infrastructure yet they can be dangerous for motorcyclists. Expansion and bridge joints can create gaps in the road that can catch a motorcycle’s wheel if a rider is not careful about how they travel over them.

Strong Wind

Traveling at high speed on a motorcycle comes with the sensation of wind resistance pushing against you as you ride which feels similar to a strong wind. However, actual strong winds can be dangerous for motorcyclists since they can knock them off balance. Strong winds can often be encountered on roads at higher elevations. 

Road Debris

Much like with larger vehicles, road debris can be very dangerous for motorcyclists. Things like car accident debris, lost loads from trailers or truck beds, ruined tires, and even stray branches can cause motorcyclists to crash when they are run over or hit by a motorcycle. 

Standing Water

Unlike roads that are simply wet, standing water creates an even more dangerous driving condition. Standing water that is even only an inch deep significantly reduces the traction between a motorcycle’s tires and the road. Motorcycles and even larger vehicles that ride over parts of the road that are flooded and have standing water can hydroplane and crash. 

Railroad Crossings

Railway tracks may be just a slight bump for cars as they drive over them but motorcyclists can experience a more pronounced effect on their riding when they have to traverse this road hazard. Railroad tracks often will be built into a raised part of the road so that they do not jut and create as much of a bump when ridden over but there are occasions where this is not the case and there will be two rails that can create a pronounced obstacle for riders and catch a wheel if they are not careful when riding over them. 

Animals

Whether driving through the country or the city, there is a chance that a motorcyclist may encounter a wayward animal in the street. It could be a deer when driving through a wooded area or a runaway dog on a city street. They are still hazards that can either cause a motorcyclist to dangerously swerve out of the way or may be hit by the bike and cause the rider to crash. 

Seek an Experienced Clearwater Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Riding is a lifestyle, one that not every attorney understands. If you are suffering from severe injuries, including brain injuries, road rash, spinal injuries, or psychological injuries, as the result of a Florida motorcycle accident, it is important to contact a Florida personal injury attorney to discuss your case. You are entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering if another driver was negligent, and you should not be afraid to contact a personal injury attorney and explain to him what you are looking for. 

Most personal injury attorneys do not charge you anything out-of-pocket. Take advantage of your no-risk, free consultation with the Dolman Law Group, your premier personal injury and motorcycle lawyers in the greater Tampa Bay area. They are here to fight for your right to compensation, and they can advise you as to whether you have a claim for personal injuries under Florida law. Contact them today online or at (727) 451-6900.

Dolman Law Group

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/motorcycle-accident-attorneys/

Can I File a Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawsuit?

 

Who Can File a Firefighting Cancer Foam Lawsuit?

Firefighters across the country both civilian and military alike have developed cancer and other severe health issues as a result of exposure to toxic firefighting foam. The substance is more formally known as aqueous film-forming foam or AFFF and has been in use since the 1960s as a firefighting tool. Firefighting foam is utilized in cases where fires may be fueled by something that water is not effective at extinguishing such as jet fuel, oils, and certain chemicals. 

While AFFF has proven effective at fighting these fires, it also has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and the development of many other health issues. People like firefighters regularly exposed to this substance and have developed health issues have taken legal action to hold negligent AFFF manufacturing companies responsible for their actions. 

On What Grounds Are Firefighting Lawsuits Being Filed? 

Most of the people that have been affected by firefighting foam are firefighters that have been chronically exposed to AFFF. These firefighters typically will come into contact with firefighting foam not only when they are using it in an emergency situation to put out flames but also when they are training with it, transporting it, disposing of it, or handling equipment that has also been exposed to it. The carcinogenic chemicals that AFFF contains can be absorbed through the skin, ingested, and inhaled to negative effect.

Firefighting foam is a potentially dangerous chemical but firefighters come into contact with dangerous chemicals in their work all the time. Firefighters know their job comes with a high degree of risk and even knowingly utilize potentially dangerous equipment but they do so informed of the danger.

The basis of the lawsuits against many AFFF manufacturers is that they provided a dangerous chemical to civilian and military firefighters without disclosing how dangerous these chemicals can be. In fact, some companies went out of their way to actively conceal the carcinogenic effects of AFFF despite knowing that if they supplied it to firefighters, many of them would develop cancer while they made a profit. Suffice to say this prioritization of profit at the cost of giving people that selflessly put themselves in danger to save lives cancer is beyond morally bankrupt.

Product Liability Lawsuits and Firefighting Foam

Consumers have rights. People that purchase and use products from manufacturers, distributors, and designers are entitled to seek compensation from these companies when they negligently provide a product that injures said consumer due to some kind of defect. Product defects due to design, manufacturing, or labeling that harm consumers can be the grounds for which a consumer files a lawsuit against the maker of that product. In the case of firefighting foam, a product liability lawsuit would not be filed on the basis that the product was harmful.

Companies sell toxic chemicals all the time to consumers. You likely will have several chemicals in your home that can potentially cause cancer or even kill you. Instead, lawsuits against firefighting foam manufacturers like 3M, Chemours, and DuPont seek compensation for injuries caused by their products because they failed to properly label and inform their consumers of the potential health risks their product comes with. 

Who is Filing Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

Private individuals and even whole states like Michigan and New Jersey are now taking legal action against the companies that knowingly put their customers in danger of developing cancer by being exposed to dangerous AFFF chemicals so they could make a profit. Most of the people that are seeking compensation for cancer injuries caused by firefighting foam are firefighters that have had regular contact with the substance. 

Firefighters that have come into contact with firefighting foam and developed cancer can actually come from a number of different fire fighting backgrounds. There are the civilian firefighters that we are all familiar with but also many airport firefighting personnel have also been heavily affected by firefighting foam because it is a preferred tool for combating flames fueled by jet fuel. Military personnel in firefighting positions also are a heavily affected group since firefighting foam is commonly used in all branches of the American Armed Forces. 

Non-Firefighters Affected by AFFF

Even people that have no connection to firefighting may run the risk of being exposed to the dangerous effects of AFFF. Many personnel at military bases that may not be firefighters can come into contact with AFFF. What is especially disturbing is that the chemicals that make AFFF so dangerous have leached into the water supplies of many military sites and even civilian water sources endangering people that have nothing to do with firefighting as well. 

Diseases Connected to AFFF Exposure

Firefighting foams can cause severe health problems such as compromised immune systems, growth problems with children, fertility issues, as well as liver damage. The main issue caused by AFFF exposure is cancer which is thanks to toxic ingredients used in the foam known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These synthetic chemicals have carcinogenic effects that increase the chance of developing the following cancers. 

• Testicular Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Pancreatic Cancer

• Prostate Cancer

• Breast Cancer

• Liver Cancer

• Bladder Cancer

• Lymphoma

• Leukemia

If you have developed one of the aforementioned cancers or health issues and have worked as a firefighter or have been regularly exposed to firefighting foam then you may have the ability to file a lawsuit against the chemical companies that manufacture AFFF.

Seek an Experienced Florida Product Liability Attorney 

Dolman Law Group has been assisting those that have suffered at the hands of negligent companies for years by representing injured plaintiffs in product liability lawsuits. Do not hesitate to contact our Clearwater office about your case. We offer free consultations to those that have found themselves in this terrible situation. Our attorneys can assist you in building your case, calculating the damages you’ve suffered, negotiating settlements, and representing you at trial if need be. 

The lawyers of Dolman Law Group will walk you through every step of the process and maintain close communication with you in regard to your case’s progress. We provide the resources and experience of a larger law firm while also giving each case the personal touch and investment one would expect from a smaller firm.Call us for a free consultation today at (727) 451-6900 or fill out a contact form online.

Dolman Law Group

800 North Belcher Road

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/firefighting-foam-cancer-attorneys/