Category: Personal Injuries
Texting While Driving Revisited
April 20, 2011 | Adriel B. VillarrealA couple of months ago I posted some information regarding the dangers of “texting while driving.” Since then this topic seems to have been in the news on a daily basis. Anyone watching the Minneapolis nightly news during the last couple of days was again reminded that texting while driving can lead to devastating consequences. In October 2010, a twenty year old mother with two kids in her car is alleged to have struck a motorcyclist in Eden Prairie, MN while texting/talking on her phone. Luckily the motorcyclist was not killed but sustained life changing injuries requiring multiple surgeries. This week she was charged with multiple counts including criminal vehicular operation with injury. This felony charge in and of itself warrants a prison sentence. The tragic consequences are endless for all parties involved. While I make no claim to be an expert in this matter, I believe a good practice is to inform, inform and inform. Simply put, all drivers (young and old) need to know the real consequences that texting while driving creates. The following is an article prepared by Abhijit Naik detailing some meaningful statistics, regarding the topic, published by the Virginia Tech Driving Institute and the NHTSA. Dangers of Texting While Driving: Statistics A study by Virginia Tech Driving Institute…
Read MoreDriving Safely
April 12, 2011 | Jon P. EricksonI was driving to work the other morning, and almost collided with a car which apparently was in a “blind spot” for me as I was about to change lanes. I even have those add on blind spot review mirrors attached to my regular review mirrors, but apparently missed seeing the car. It made me once again consider the importance of safe driving. I recall an incident when I was learning how to drive back home. My Dad was with, and I sped up to go through a yield sign out in rural Roseau County. There was a grain truck approaching from my right. My Dad asked, “Why did you do that? Didn’t you see the truck coming?” I said I had gone ahead because I had the right away. He said, “Having a right of way doesn’t help much if you’re dead.” Just after my daughter got her license I told her she had to learn to slow down because she tended to drive too fast especially on corners and etc. About a week later she called to say she had gone in a ditch with the car as she went around a corner near her home. I simply said, “You need to slow down.” We here at BGS see injuries from…
Read MoreWhat are "No-Fault Benefits"?
March 29, 2011 | Adriel B. VillarrealIf you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident you are entitled to benefits through your insurance company. These benefits are called “No-Fault Benefits” or “Personal Injury Protection Benefits.” As the insured of your policy you may be entitled to them regardless of who was at fault in the automobile accident. Minnesota Statutes provide that all motor vehicle owners must have no-fault coverage for any vehicles operated in Minnesota. These no-fault benefits are available to the insured even if the accident occurs in a state other than Minnesota. Basic No-Fault Benefits consist of the following: $20,000.00 in medical benefits. Medical benefits may include doctor’s examinations/treatment, mileage reimbursement due to medical visits, interpretation services, prescription reimbursement, etc. $20,000.00 in income loss, replacement services, funeral expenses, and survivor’s losses. Replacement services may be claimed if your doctor recommends that you do not perform household duties due to your injuries. As no-fault benefits are available due to an injury, the insurance company can decide to investigate if the insured is entitled to any or additional benefits. This process will begin with the scheduling of a medical examination by an independent medical provider, hired by your insurance company. According to the doctor’s opinion the insurance company may deny payment of additional or past medical bills or…
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