If your son or daughter is ready to get behind the wheel you may have already completed the necessary driver’s education course, driven the hours with your child and taken the test. Now it is time to pick the right car.

According to a new report released on teenage driving, picking the right vehicle for a new driver is an important decision. Teenagers killed in crashes are more likely to be behind the wheel of smaller vehicles that do not offer adequate crash protection or older vehicles that lack important safety features such as electronic stability control and side air bags. When picking out cars for new drivers, parents are urged to follow a few guidelines:

• Avoid High-horsepower cars that invite speeding
• Select bigger cars. More mass may offer protection to occupants in an accident
•  Select cars with electronic stability control, which help new drivers maintain control of a vehicle in dicey situations.
•  Take a look at the Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety rating as a reference when picking out a car for a teenage driver
• Look for recalls on vehicles you are considering

Parents want to protect their children as they begin to navigate the roads independently, so it is important to equip them for the journey. Taking time to pick out the right vehicle may help them avoid being injured in an auto accident. If you have personal injury questions or you were injured in a car accident, contact the Des Moines, Iowa Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for assistance today.

Driver Fatigue is a key factor in many crashes involving large trucks. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 1 in 8 highway crashes involve large trucks and 13% of those truck accidents are caused by truck driver fatigue. In 2013, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released new regulations that limit drivers to:

• 70 hours on the road per calendar week
• behind the wheel times to no more than 11 hours per day, and
• on duty totals to no more than 14 hours per day

However, the 2013 regulations neglected to address how long interstate truck drivers could drive to get to work to begin their shift. Many of us are used to commuting to and from work and a 1 or 2 hour commute is common in dense urban areas. We never consider that the driver of a large multi-ton truck speeding down the highway may have driven 6 hours or more before they even started their shift.

This driving of ‘off duty hours to work on duty hours’ played out tragically in the 2014 crash that killed comedian James McNair and seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan in New Jersey. Driver fatigue and excessive speed were cited as the cause of the accident and, according to the accident report, “the truck driver made an 800-mile overnight drive from his home in Georgia to his workplace in Delaware” to start his shift without sleeping a wink.

Since the incident, the NTSB has made recommendations to support stronger Fatigue Management Programs for interstate truck drivers which takes into account a driver’s commute to and from their duty place. Overall, truck drivers are subject to stringent hours of service regulations to stem the problem of driver fatigue, however, sometimes those rules are ignored by truckers or their companies who may be more concerned with making timely deliveries putting all motorists at risk.

Contact An Experienced Iowa Truck Driver Fatigue Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member has been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial truck, it is important to contact an experienced truck driver fatigue accident lawyer to determine exactly what lead up to the incident and if all trucking regulations were followed. Contact the Iowa truck accident lawyers of John T. Hemmminger Law Firm at 515-283-2116 for immediate assistance.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by another’s negligence, that individual and their insurance company is likely liable for your damages. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical care, lost wages, pain and physical suffering, disability and disfigurement. You may also have a claim for loss of family, social or educational experiences and emotional damages.

To arrive at a figure for damages, an insurance company will determine the medical expenses related to your injury as a starting point for compensation. After tallying-up your medical costs, they will then look at the overall picture related to your injury.

The adjuster will take into account factors such as the degree of pain and how long-lasting or invasive the injury is or will likely be. They will examine medical records for supporting evidence of the extent of the injuries and the anticipated recovery period. The more serious the injury, and whether the result is permanent or created visible effects, will also be considered.

After calculating your medical expenses (referred to as specials) and accessing the general damages of pain and suffering, permanent, partial or temporary disability and emotional effects, the adjuster will determine a range of compensation. The settlement amount will likely be anywhere within this range – a low and a high end – with any lost wages added to the top.

If you have been injured in an accident, you deserve to be fully compensated for your medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages. However, because there is built in flexibility in the insurer’s calculation, some insurance companies may offer you an unsatisfactory or hasty settlement in the interest of saving money.

Calculating Personal Injury Damages – Experience Matters

It is important to work with an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney to make sure that you or your loved one is being treated fairly. If you or a family member has been injured, contact the Des Moines personal injury Law Offices of John T. Hemminger at 515-283-2116 for help today. We have been working on behalf of injured Iowans for decades to make sure they get the maximum compensation they deserve.

Electrocution is a recognized hazard for construction workers and tree crews. According to OSHA, the major types of hazards for those working in these industries are contact with overhead power lines, contact with energized sources (e.g., vehicles, live parts, damaged or bare wires, defective equipment, machinery or tools) and improper use of extension and flexible cords.

Overhead and buried power lines are especially hazardous because they carry extremely high voltage. Fatalities from electrocution are possible as are burns and falls from elevations when workers are exposed to high voltage. Not only do cranes reach overhead power lines, but so do many high profile vehicles and workers on ladders or in man-baskets.

When employers fail to adopt or follow safety protocols and training is not regularly provided, construction workers and tree crews are at increased risk of injury from electrocution. Employers are required by law to provide safe and healthful working conditions for their employees and must act to prevent workplace accidents.

Iowa Workplace Electrocution Accidents Attorneys

If you or your family member has been injured in an Iowa workplace electrocution accident, contact the personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys at The Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for free consultation at 515-283-2116.

A new Iowa law has made an array of fireworks available to consumers that were formerly banned in the state. Everything from toy smoke devices to missile-type rockets can now be purchased by anyone 18 and up from approved locations.

Of course the availability of fireworks in the state raises concerns about safety. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that an average of 230 people go to the emergency room everyday with fireworks-related injuries around the Independence Day holiday. More than 10,000 firework injuries were treated in U.S. hospitals in 2014 alone.

Unfortunately, some of the injuries reported just last year included the loss of appendages, typically hands or fingers, and injuries to the eyes, serious burn injuries some involving young children. While most consumers handle fireworks responsibly, some are negligent, which may result in serious harm to themselves or others.

Iowa firework Injury Safety

Because of the danger fireworks can present, consumers are urged to follow the instructions on the package and to exercise extreme caution. Safety tips include the utilizing a flat, clear surface free of people to ignite fireworks; standing at a safe distances after lighting the fuse; not firing devices from the hands or other makeshift containers; and, never attempting to re-ignite a firework that doesn’t light the first time.

Contact an Iowa firework personal Injury lawyer for help

Des Moines Iowa Personal Injury Lawyers with 30 years of experience handling hundreds of Personal Injury cases. We provide personalized, one-on-one attention. You will work directly with an attorney with decades of experience in obtaining maximum compensation for your loss – you will never be handed off to a less experienced attorney! Call 515-283-2116 for your free consultation.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in a car accident pertain to head and neck injury. While some victims may experience minor symptoms, others may experience serious, long lasting or worsening problems related to a traumatic brain injury TBI or whiplash.

If you are involved in a car or truck accident, seeking the immediate help of a physician is advisable to rule out serious issues. That said, despite our best efforts, sometimes problems may go undetected initially only to become a major or life threatening issue after the passage of time.

If you notice a change in your condition, it may be a sign of a serious head or neck injury, such as a blood clot in the brain, severe TBI, or damage to the vertebrae in the neck area. It is important to be attuned to changes in your or your loved one’s behavior or abilities to rule out a more serious injury following an injury accident.

Victims of TBI’s do eventually recover in many cases, however there may be lifelong complications and, in these circumstances, victims may require extensive medical care stretching over long periods of time. The commitment to care and the financial impact of a serious injury can take a major toll on victims and families.

Contact an Experienced Iowa Head and Neck Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an Iowa car accident, it is important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you to get the necessary compensation for your immediate and long term needs. Contact our Des Moines, Iowa car accident injury lawyers at the Law Offices of John T. Hemminger if you or a family member has been hurt in a motor vehicle accident. We have helped many clients who suffered traumatic brain injuries ranging from mild to severe get the compensation they need when they are injured.

Watch Where You’re Walking! Fatal Pedestrian Accidents Are on the Rise!

We know that the increase in motor vehicles accidents is the result of distracted drivers using mobile phones while they are driving. However, did you know that according to a new study just released by the Governors Highway Safety Association, 2016 could be the deadliest year in more than two decades with 6,000 pedestrian deaths

You may have seen the funny videos posted online of people walking down the sidewalk, head down, glued to their smart phone, oblivious to their surroundings and falling into fountains and pools. But with cameras watching nearly everywhere, it isn’t a laughing matter to see videos of pedestrians, seeming unaware of their surroundings, being mowed down by distracted drivers. With their dense populations and high traffic volumes, bigger cities are more dangerous for pedestrians than smaller cities and towns. But preliminary data shows that even rural states, like Iowa, saw an increase in deadly pedestrian accidents. Iowa experienced a 35% increase over the first half of 2016 over the first half of 2015. (Iowa had 8 fatal pedestrian accidents in first half of 2015 and 11 fatal pedestrian accidents in the first 6 months of 2016 – a 37.5% increase).

There are many factors that are causing the rise in car and pedestrian accidents. Experts advise that you use common sense and, just like when you are driving, you should put your smart phone down while walking, especially when approaching and walking through cross walks and intersections.

Many people are not aware of just how vulnerable they are to liability exposure, especially when it comes to driving. These days many Americans not only use their cars to get from point A to B, but most of us talk on our phones in the car, conduct business from our cars and sometimes work in a meal while we’re at it. Driving is completely routine until we have a near miss, or worse, get into an accident, sometimes resulting in injury to ourselves or others.

Because of the prevalence of car accidents, especially among younger drivers, it is important to have enough insurance coverage to protect you when you are at fault. Taking the time to review your insurance policy, noting that different policies cover you in different ways, will help to ensure that you have coverage when you need it the most.

Liability Coverage Policies cover liability and expenses when you are at fault in an accident. They provide money for the party that is struck, not the occupants of your car:

• A Body Injury Liability Policy will pay the medical expenses for people injured in a crash when you are at fault. A “20/50” policy, for example, describes the maximum dollar amount a policy will pay for a single person’s injuries, $20,000, and the maximum amount for all the injuries sustained by all the occupants of the other car, $50,000.
• A Property Damage Liability Policy pays for damage done to the other car if you’re at fault. Property liability sometimes is reflected as the third number alongside BIL, so a 20/50/10 liability package will cover up to $10,000 for damages to the other car.

Nearly every state requires car owners to carry some kind of liability insurance and will often have required minimum values you must carry. Of course, minimum coverage isn’t necessarily your best bet. Because the potential for a car accident is high, it is recommended that you carry the highest auto liability insurance limits you can afford. The premium for $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident bodily injury liability limit typically does not cost much more than that of a $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident limit. For five times the coverage, paying a little bit extra will help you to handle the financial consequences of causing a car accident or having a teen driver involved in one.

Most people never expect to be involved in a car or truck accident, but the reality is that motor vehicle crashes are all too common. The number of cars on the road, drivers distracted on their cell phones and other factors contribute to the risks of an injury accident. When accidents do occur, the at fault party is liable for injuries and property damage suffered by the other party – having adequate insurance coverage is key.

If you or a family member has been injured in an Iowa car accident, contact the Des Moines Personal Injury Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help. Our firm offers experienced representation to clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle and pedestrian motor vehicle crashes. We fight hard for clients and seek maximum compensation to help clients recover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and future medical and rehabilitative care. Call today at 515-283-2116.

Wrongful death claims can be brought against someone who causes another’s death through their negligence or through an intentional act. Wrongful death suits have arisen from a variety of situations ranging from an intentional act such as homicide to medical malpractice where a doctor negligently fails to provide necessary care. Sometimes wrongful death claims result following a fatal car accident, where one person’s negligence led to the death of another and other times it stems from a product liability case.

Who is Liable in a Wrongful Death Case?

To hold a defendant liable in a wrongful death claim due to negligence, the plaintiffs must show that (A) the defendant owed a duty of care (B) that the defendant breached that duty (C) the breach resulted in the direct or proximate cause of the death and (D) that the death resulted in damages.

Damages in a Wrongful Death Case

Damages may include pain and suffering of the decedent, medical costs incurred prior to death, and funeral and burial costs. Loss of the decedent’s income, any potential inheritance, and the value of services the decedent provided may also be considered. Compensation may include damages for loss of care or guidance and loss of love and companionship.

Family Members and Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim may be brought be a representative on behalf of the survivors who suffer damage from the decedent’s death. Parties of interest may include immediate family members, life partners, distant family members or others who suffer financially from the death of the deceased depending on state laws.

Contact an Experienced Wrongful Death Lawyer for Help

If your family member has been fatally injured in an accident due to the intentional act or the negligence of another, you may wish to pursue a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death cases involve complex areas of law and require a skilled attorney so that survivors are able to receive the greatest amount of compensation they are owed under the law. Contact the Des Moines Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for compassionate and knowledgeable representation of your wrongful death case.

Nail gun injuries are one of the leading causes of injury in the construction industry. Injuries to the hands and fingers are most common, with one-fourth of those injuries involving structural damage to the tendons, nerves, joints, or bones. Severe nail gun injuries have even resulted in construction worker deaths.

An estimated 37,000 people visit the emergency room with nail gun injures every year. Sixty percent of those injuries are work-related and about two thirds of all work-related nail gun accidents occur when construction workers are doing framing and sheathing work or roofing and exterior siding.

Many nail gun accidents can be avoided in the workplace if employers provide training, establish nail gun work procedures, provide personal protective equipment and use full sequential trigger guns instead of contact trigger guns. Unfortunately, many accidents happen when construction workers aren’t wearing proper protective equipment or when they are not given the training that they need to work with the gun.

OSHA has safety standards to hold contractors and employers accountable. If these rules and standards are not followed, and workers get hurt as a result, damages may be payable. As with most work injuries, workers’ compensation may be payable to compensate you for your medical care and missed work. If you have been injured at work, contact the workers’ compensation, personal injury law offices of John T. Hemminger for help at 515-283-2116 or email us through our website at iowa-injury.com. John has helped many Iowa workers get the benefits they need when they are injured at work.