Drowsy Driving as a Profession in the Transportation Industry
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Most Americans have heard these slogans before. Anyone watching the Super Bowl, the World Series, or any television event that is guaranteed to have high ratings has seen the advertising of Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide, Progressive or GEICO. The advertising is so pervasive that these slogans can be recited by the great majority of television viewers all over America.
What many American’s don’t know is that most insurance companies have some slogans of their own.
“This is all we are contractually obligated to pay for.”
“We’re sorry, but we can’t help you.”
“We have decided that most of your medical treatment was unnecessary.”
For many Americans who are injured in accidents with cars or trucks, these slogans are the answers that they get when they present their medical bills to the insurers. Victims often have to endure delays that last weeks or months, all while the bills are piling up. They receive denials or settlement offers that don’t cover the costs. And if the injury keeps the victim from going back to work, the insurer usually won’t even bother to address the subject.
Recovering from a debilitating injury is the worst time to learn that you are not in good hands, that they aren’t on your side, and that the “good neighbor” is nowhere to be found.
It’s bad enough when someone receives this treatment from an insurance company, but it’s even worse when the accident wasn’t their fault.
Most of us are smart enough to follow the rules while driving. We obey the speed limit, we keep both hands on the wheel, and we keep our cell phones off. But these days it seems that there are more and more ways for other drivers to be distracted behind the wheel. There are cell phones, iPods and entertainment centers complete with television screens. People talk on the phone, put on makeup, read maps or the newspaper, or hunt around on the backseat for their favorite CD.
This is negligent driving, and it’s the sort of behavior that almost always results in an accident.
Equally dangerous is reckless driving, which occurs when drivers speed, tailgate, or fail to properly signal their turns. It also occurs when people drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These are very real dangers, and those who suffer from injuries due to someone else’s carelessness deserve compensation.
While the dangers posed by automobile drivers are certainly significant, drivers of trucks and tractor trailers can almost guarantee severe injuries and fatalities if they are negligent or reckless. For instance, in 2003, 92,000 Americans were injured due to collisions with trucks, and just under 5,000 were killed. When an automobile is hit by a tractor trailer that is often 20 to 30 times heavier, the end result is usually disastrous. Since commercial trucking involves rewarding drivers who get their freight delivered quickly, drivers are often under pressure to speed or go without sleep.
When an accident occurs, it’s important to remember that insurance companies aren’t as interested in covering your damages as they are in limiting their liability. They’ll offer low settlements, or they will go after your medical records in the hopes that they can find something that will cast doubt on the cause of your injuries. And if the accident was not your fault, you can be sure that the other driver’s insurer won’t tell you about their liability under the law.
People who are injured due to the negligence of others are eligible for compensation for pain, suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disability. Insurance companies don’t want you to know this, and will usually offer settlements that don’t even address these damages. An experienced attorney can help you maneuver through these insurance company tactics, and can assist you in securing the compensation that you both need and deserve.
The New Jersey law firm of Brunnock & Fleming is well-known for building comprehensive auto accident cases, and our successful results give the victims and their families some measure of relief and confidence in their future. Our lawyers in Morristown can help you in several crucial ways, the first of which is protecting you from being under-compensated by the insurance company and/or responsible party. We can perform accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, and witness statement collection—all of which will strengthen and secure your case in court. Finally, our New Jersey auto accident attorneys work hard to make certain that you receive the fair and maximum compensation for your suffering.
As former insurance company defense attorneys, the lawyers at Brunnock and Fleming are well versed in the tactics used by insurers to minimize their liability. Thanks to their experience, they know what it takes to build a successful case for their clients.
Brunnock & Fleming, P.C.
1776 On The Green
67 Park Place
5th Floor
Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: (973) 898-3700
Fax: (973) 898-6766
Toll Free: (800) 378-6206