Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer’

Page 2 of 4«1234»

2010 Toyota Prius Recall – 2010 Lexus HS 250h Recall – Bad Brakes

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

mn-toyota-prius-1 2010 Toyota Prius Recall - 2010 Lexus HS 250h Recall - Bad Brakes There is a third major Toyota recall. Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling 437,000 of its flagship Prius and other hybrid cars for braking problems. The recall is on all 2010 Prius hybrids (133,000) and Lexus HS 250h (14,500) vehicles.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda made the following statements on Monday.

“I apologize for causing trouble and worries for many customers over the quality and safety of Toyota. We sincerely acknowledge safety concerns from our customers. We have decided to recall as we regard safety for our customers as our foremost priority.

Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company. With myself taking the lead, and by keeping to the ‘genchi genbutsu’ [go and see for yourself] principle, all of us at Toyota will tackle the issue in close cooperation with dealers and suppliers together, we will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that owners contact Toyota dealers immediately if they have experienced any braking problems or if they notice changes in their braking performance. Loss of braking is most likely to occur in cold weather when traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole, or bump.

If this occurs, the NHTSA advises owners to continue to firmly press on the brake to stop the vehicle. Toyota claims that the brakes will work with continued, firm application. As an extra precaution, drivers should leave extra stopping distance until the recalled vehicles are fixed. Toyota says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the anti-lock brakes.

Dealers will rewrite the programming of the ABS control unit at no charge. The recall will begin late February and should be completed in late March 2010.

Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and Lexus at 1-800-255-3987 or contact your local dealership if any problems are detected. For more information, consumers may visit www.nhtsa.gov, www.safercar.gov, or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

NHTSA Recall Number: 10V039000

Number of Vehicles Affected: 148549

This information is provided as a service from TSR Injury Law, 612-362-0000. Our lawyers are experienced, skilled litigators and are willing to answer any questions regarding your Toyota car accident claim.


Minnesota Car Accident: Second Degree Burn

Monday, February 8th, 2010

mn-burn-injury-1 Minnesota Car Accident: Second Degree BurnThere are three layers of protection for tendons, muscle, and bones. The first layer of protection is the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. There are many layers of cells (50-150) in the epidermis. It is our main defense against injury and infection. The second layer of protection is the dermis. This layer gives skin elasticity. The final layer of defense is the fatty tissue. There are fat cells, hair follicles, and sweat glands in the fatty tissue layer.

When someone sustains a significant burn, the fluids in the body shift to the burned area. Fluid resuscitation is necessary in cases where the burned area is greater than 20% of the body. Fluid resuscitation is critical during the first 24 hours and is administered by IV.

Second degree burns go through most of the layers of the epidermis, damaging sweat glands and hair follicles and potentially reaching the topmost layer of dermis. Blisters form from the fluid that accumulates between the epidermis and the dermis, increasing the chance of infection. The redness and blistering is accompanied by intense pain because the nerves are damaged, not destroyed.

Because of the chance of infection, second degree burns should be examined by a medical professional. If the second degree burn is ivory or whitish in color, it will require debridement (scrubbing). Debridement exfoliates skin that is not receiving good blood circulation. This facilitates healing and lessens risk of infection. Skin grafts are usually required following debridement.

Once the burn area is thoroughly cleaned, compression garments will be used to minimize scar tissue. Compression garments must be worn for 6 months to 3 years, depending on how the burn is healing.

There can be many long-term complications from a second degree burn, including:

  • problems with sweating
  • dryness due to oil gland damage
  • severe eczema
  • premature wrinkles
  • mesh scar pattern

On top of the physical problems, many burn victims struggle with psychological and emotional problems. They may suffer from low self-esteem, cold sweats, or nightmares.

A burn injury is a very real, long-term complication. You should not have to bear the financial and emotional burden alone. With aggressive, ethical representation you may be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering, and any disability. Call TSR Injury Law at 612-362-0000 for more information.


Minnesota Car Accident: Facet Joint Injury

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

tn-facet-joint-injury-1 Minnesota Car Accident: Facet Joint InjuryFacet joints occur in pairs at the back of each vertebra in the spine. The facet joints link the vertebrae to form a working entity that permits rotation and flexion of the spine. The facet joint bone surfaces are covered with articular cartilage, allowing the bones to glide over each other with minimal friction.

Facet joint injuries most frequently occur in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. It is the most common cause of neck pain following a car accident. A cervical facet joint injury can also cause headaches, shoulder pain, sleep apnea, and dizziness. Facet joint injury in the lumbar region may cause referred pain to the buttocks and thigh.

When a facet joint is injured it can result in neurological damage. If the facet joint is dislocated, the injury can be accompanied by soft tissue injury — tearing of a ligament, compression of the nerves, and swelling and bruising with disruption of blood supply.

Facet joint injury diagnosis is tricky because it does not show up on an x-ray or MRI. In about half of the cases, there is a significant delay in a diagnosis. That is a major reason to refrain from signing any insurance forms until you have recovered from your accident and you are sure you do not have any lingering medical issues.

Some facet joint injuries are age-related, but most of them are a result of trauma from:

Facet joint injuries can be treated conservatively with physical therapy, a back brace, traction, or injections. If those options do not alleviate your pain, you may require a radiofrequency neurotomy. Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is not a cure for your injury. It is a treatment that kills the nerve endings, interrupting the pain signals to the brain. It is effective for only 11-16 months because when the nerves regenerate, the pain returns. That means you will probably require RFN multiple times during your lifetime.

It is vital to have expert legal representation because insurance companies will offer a lower value than what you should receive for a facet joint injury. If you have questions about your accident and resultant facet joint injury, please call TSR Injury Law at 612-362-0000. Our attorneys will answer your questions and help you maneuver the legal system.


Minnesota Car Accident: Coup Contrecoup Injury

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

mn-neck-injury-1 Minnesota Car Accident: Coup Contrecoup Injury Coup and contrecoup injury can occur even in a relatively minor accident. If the head snaps, front to back or side to side, the brain will slam and recoil against the skull. The majority of head trauma hospitalizations are car accident related and classified as minor injuries; that is, no or only momentary loss of consciousness, no major complications, and no intracranial surgery.

A coup and contrecoup injury:

  • is defined as bruising at both the impact site and the opposite side of the brain
  • occurs when the force of the impact causes bruising at the impact site and further bruising on the opposite side of the skull
  • can occur individually or together
  • are considered a focal injury rather than a diffuse injury

Coup contrecoup is classified as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the United States, a traumatic brain injury occurs every 15 seconds and it is one of the leading causes of death for people under the age of 45. The long-term impact of a traumatic brain injury can range from full recovery to a life time of disability. A study by Rebecca Rimel, published by Neurosurgery, addressed disability issues associated with minor head injury. For the parameters of the study, minor head injury was defined as 20 minutes or less of unconsciousness, a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13-15, and less than 48 hours of hospitalization. The statistics from the study are dramatic.

424 patients who sustained minor head trauma were evaluated 3 months after injury in the following areas:

  • history of events since the accident
  • assessment of subjective complaints
  • objective measures such as employment status
  • a neurological exam
  • a psychosocial assessment designed for estimating life stress
  • a neuropsychological test battery to measure higher cortical function

Of these 424 patients, 79% complained of persistent headaches, and 59% described problems with memory. Of the patients who had been gainfully employed before the accident, 34% were unemployed 3 months later. The most striking observation is the high rate of unemployment in patients 3 months after a seemingly insignificant head injury and the evidence that many of these patients may have, in fact, suffered organic brain damage. (Neurosurgery 9:221-228, 1981)

This study again shows that there is no such thing as a mild brain injury. When a person sustains a brain injury in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian accident; their life is forever changed.

There is no way to put a price tag on a coup contrecoup injury. How do you assess value to change in personality, change in ability to concentrate, loss of drive, and permanent disability? It is disheartening to have an injury that total changes your life — and then have people label it as mild or negligible.

If your coup contrecoup injury is the result of an accident, that was not your fault, you do have legal recourse. Our Minnesota Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers are experts in the area of coup contrecoup TBIs. We will fight for a generous and fair settlement for your injuries. Call 612-362-0000. See our video center for more information on traumatic brain injuries.


Minnesota Car Accident: DWT – Driving While Texting

Friday, January 29th, 2010

mn-driving-while-texting-1 Minnesota Car Accident: DWT - Driving While Texting Driving while texting (DWT) is dangerous. It is the new DWI / DUI. DWT is a hot topic — made even hotter now that Oprah has gotten on the bandwagon by encouraging people to make a pledge to not text or even use a cell phone while driving.

“It is my prayer that this show, this day will be a seminal day in your life,” Oprah says. “Let it be the end, the end of you using a cell phone or sending a text message when you are behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. And until we as a nation decide we’re going to change that, those numbers are only going to go up.”

All the research and statistics show that drivers that DWT pose a threat. The following gives an overview of some of the research outcomes:

  • Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that semi truck drivers were 23 times more likely to have an accident while texting than non-distracted drivers. While texting, their eyes were off the road for an average of 5 seconds. A truck doing 55 mph travels travels the length of a football field in 5 seconds.
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance Group conducted a survey of nearly 1000 teens and reported that 37% of them found texting to be “very” or “extremely” distracting.
  • A study by the AAA found that 46% of teens admitted to being distracted behind the wheel due to texting.
  • The University of Utah found distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) negatively affects a driver’s reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that drivers that use cell phones are 4 times more likely to get into crashes with injury. They also reported that the number one source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device.
  • A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon found that driving while using a cell phone resulted in a 37 percent reduction in concentration on driving.
  • A study conducted by the Eastern Virginia Medical School showed that teens using a driving simulator while sending text messages or searching multimedia device menus changed speed, steered erratically, and, in some cases, ran over pedestrians.

The challenge we now face is to educate all drivers about the risks associated with the use of cell phones and other multimedia devices while operating a motor vehicle. Additionally, states should implement stiffer penalties for reckless, inattentive driving. If cell phone records reveal a driver was DWT at the time of an accident, the resultant fine and punishment should be increased.

“Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road – even for just a few seconds – they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood . “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating. We must work together to find solutions that will prevent crashes caused by driver distraction.”

If you have been injured in a car accident, where the offender was DWT, you need legal representation to maximize your compensation. The car accident attorneys at TSR Injury Law are skilled, experienced litigators. We have recovered millions for victims of inattentive drivers. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.


Toyota Recall: Additional Recalls on Toyota Models

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

mn-toyota-recall Toyota Recall: Additional Recalls on Toyota ModelsDo you need assistance with your Toyota Car Accident? Contact a Toyota Recall Lawyer at 612-362-0000.

On January 21, 2010, Toyota announced it was initiating a voluntary recall on approximately 2.3 million Toyota model vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals. This action is separate from and in addition to the on-going recall of approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles that have issues with the gas pedals getting trapped by the floor mats. Approximately 1.7 million Toyota vehicles are subject to BOTH recall actions.

Reason for Recall: When the accelerator pedal mechanism becomes worn it may become harder to depress, slower to return, or stuck in a partially depressed position. This could lead to motor vehicle accidents.

Models Recalled:

  • 2009-2010 RAV4
  • 2009-2010 Corolla
  • 2009-2010 Matrix
  • 2005-2010 Avalon
  • 2007-2010 Camry
  • 2010 Highlander
  • 2007-2010 Tundra
  • 2008-2010 Sequoia

This recall does not include any Lexus or Scion vehicles. It also does not include any of the following models: Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, and Camry hybrids.

Number of Incidents: Toyota is not reporting the number of incidents, merely saying “the condition is rare.”

Remedy: Toyota is working to prepare the correction remedy. In the meantime, should a driver experience an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the driver should apply firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

Additional Contact Information: Toyota owners who have questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

This information is provided as a service of TSR Injury Law. If we can be of assistance in any way with a defective vehicle, call 612-362-0000. We can give you guidance and support if you have a car accident in a Toyota recalled vehicle or any other vehicle.


Chrysler Recall: 2010 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Models, 2009 Dodge Ram

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

mn-jeep-1 Chrysler Recall: 2010 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Models, 2009 Dodge Ram Chrysler Group LLC issued a recall January 7, 2010 on 2009-2010 models of Dodge Ram, 2010 model of Chrysler Sebring, and then numerous Dodge and Jeep 2010 models for hydraulic brake problems. These vehicles may have been built with a defective brake booster input rod retaining clip. Some vehicles may be completely missing the retaining clip. This could result in brake failure — WITHOUT WARNING — which could lead to a crash. This recall involves more than 24,000 vehicles.

2009 Model Recalled: Dodge Ram

2010 Models Recalled: Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Ram, Jeep Commander, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Liberty

Remedy: Chrysler will replace or install the brake booster input rod retaining clip at no charge. The recall begins in January 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. (Chrysler safety recall #J37.)

Recall Number: 10V009000

Additional Contact Information: You may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline, 1-888-327-4236 (TYY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.safercar.gov.

This information is a service of TSR Injury Law, a personal injury law firm serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the state of Minnesota. For help, call 612-362-0000.


Minnesota Car Accident: Speeding

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

mn-car-crash-1 Minnesota Car Accident: SpeedingIn 2009, speed was a contributing factor in 28% of Minnesota’s fatal crashes, and about 20% of crashes on rural two-lane roads were fatal. Many of those car accidents were due to passing maneuvers. If you have suffered injury in an accident where the offender was using excessive speed, you may be able to obtain compensation for:

  • medical expenses
  • lost wages
  • pain and suffering
  • other damages

It is written into Minnesota state law that drivers are to use duty of care when operating a motor vehicle — that includes obeying the speed limit. Our firm will investigate the accident to establish fault. We will then use those facts to prove liability. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling car accident cases — with excellent results, including a recent car accident settlement for $400,000.

Call 612-362-0000 | Free Consultations | No Fee Until We Win

The Minnesota State Statute dealing with duty of care and speed limits is 169.14. It is as follows:

Subdivision 1. Duty to Drive with Due Care

No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. Every driver is responsible for becoming and remaining aware of the actual and potential hazards then existing on the highway and must use due care in operating a vehicle. In every event speed shall be so restricted as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

Subdivision 2. Speed Limits

Where no special hazard exists the following speeds shall be lawful, but any speeds in excess of such limits shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful; except that the speed limit within any municipality shall be a maximum limit and any speed in excess thereof shall be unlawful:

(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district;

(2) 65 miles per hour on noninterstate expressways, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 18b, and noninterstate freeways, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 19;

(3) 55 miles per hour in locations other than those specified in this section;

(4) 70 miles per hour on interstate highways outside the limits of any urbanized area with a population of greater than 50,000 as defined by order of the commissioner of transportation;

(5) 65 miles per hour on interstate highways inside the limits of any urbanized area with a population of greater than 50,000 as defined by order of the commissioner of transportation;

(6) 10 miles per hour in alleys;

(7) 25 miles per hour in residential roadways if adopted by the road authority having jurisdiction over the residential roadway (signage is required); and

(8) 35 miles per hour in a rural residential district if adopted by the road authority having jurisdiction over the rural residential district (signage is required).

Subdivision 3. Reduced Speed Required

The driver of any vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements, drive at an appropriate reduced speed when:

  • approaching or passing an authorized emergency vehicle stopped with emergency lights flashing on any street or highway
  • approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing
  • approaching and going around a curve
  • approaching a hill crest
  • traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway
  • when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions

Minnesota Car Accident: Failure to Yield Right of Way

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

yield-right-of-way-sign-1 Minnesota Car Accident: Failure to Yield Right of WayThe most common violations related to drivers and vehicles in Minnesota are speeding, failure to wear seat belt, and failure to yield right of way. All of these violations can lead to car accidents or to more serious injury if a car accident occurs.

Failure to yield the right of way may seem like a minor violation, but it can have serious consequences. When a driver fails to yield the right of way, it can cause road rage and unsafe retaliatory behaviors that could result in a car accident and personal injury or death.

If you have been in an accident due to someone failing to yield the right of way, you may be able to obtain compensation for:

  • medical expenses
  • lost wages
  • pain and suffering

Our Minnesota Car Accident Lawyers will work on your behalf to establish fault and prove liability in your failure to yield right of way accident. Call 612-362-0000 or submit a comment and we will contact you. Our lawyers have decades of combined experience and are consistently voted Minnesota Super Lawyers.

Call 612-362-0000 | Free Consultations | No Fees Until We Win

The following are Minnesota State Statutes on the various aspects of right of way.

Minnesota Statute 169.20 RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Subdivision 1. Right of Way when Approaching an Intersection

(a) When two vehicles enter an uncontrolled intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
(b) When two vehicles enter an intersection controlled by stop signs or by blinking red traffic signals requiring drivers or vehicles from any direction to stop before proceeding, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
(c) At an uncontrolled approach to a T-shaped intersection, the driver required to turn shall yield to the cross traffic.
(d) The driver of any vehicle traveling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit any right-of-way which the driver might otherwise have hereunder.
(e) The foregoing rules are modified as hereinafter stated in this section.

Subdivision 2. Right of Way on Left Turn

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.

Subdivision 3. Right of Way at Through Highway and at Stop Sign

(a) The driver of a vehicle shall stop as required by this chapter at the entrance to a through highway and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from the through highway or which are approaching so closely on the through highway as to constitute an immediate hazard, but the driver having so yielded may proceed, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection on the through highway shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicles so proceeding into or across the through highway.
(b) The driver of a vehicle shall likewise stop in obedience to a stop sign, as required herein, at an intersection where a stop sign is erected at one or more entrances thereto although not a part of a through highway, and shall proceed cautiously, yielding to vehicles not so obliged to stop which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, but may then proceed.

Subdivision 4. Vehicle Entering Roadway

The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a roadway from any place other than a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be entered or crossed.

Subdivision 5. Right of Way to Emergency Vehicle

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, the driver of each other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in this position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. The driver of another vehicle on a one-way roadway shall drive to the closest edge or curb and stop.
(This subdivision does not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of persons using the highways.)

Subdivision 6. Right of Way to Funeral Procession

When any funeral procession identifies itself by using regular lights on all cars and by keeping all cars in close formation, the driver of every other vehicle, except an emergency vehicle, shall yield the right-of-way.

Subdivision 7. Right of Way to Transit Bus

The driver of a vehicle traveling in the right-hand lane of traffic shall yield the right-of-way to any transit bus attempting to enter that lane from a bus stop or shoulder, as indicated by a flashing left turn signal.


General Motors Recall: 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvettes

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

corvette-1 General Motors Recall: 2005-2007 Chevrolet CorvettesGeneral Motors issued at recall December 18, 2009 on certain models of Corvettes equipped with a removable roof due to adhesive failure between roof panel and the frame. If the roof flies off while being driven down the road, it could strike a vehicle following and cause personal injury or property damage. This recall may involve more than 22,000 vehicles.

Models Recalled: Chevrolet Corvette 2005-2007 and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2005-2006

Symptoms of Defective Roof: The driver may notice a snapping noise when driving over bumps, wind noise, poor roof panel fit, roof panel movement when a door is closed, or water leakage.

Remedy: Dealers will be equipped to install a newly designed roof panel, free of charge, in January 2010. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall Number: 090230

Additional Contact Information: You may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline, 1-888-327-4236 (TYY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.safercar.gov.

This information is provided as a service of TSR Injury Law, a leading personal injury law firm serving the state of Minnesota. Call 612-362-0000 for help with your Minnesota car accident.


Page 2 of 4«1234»