Category: Personal Injuries
Driving 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…
Read MoreIt's My Money and I Want It Now – But Should You Do It?
March 16, 2011 | John T. BuchmanThere have been many t.v. ads from J. G. Wentworth and others urging people with structured settlements to convert them to cash now. These ads feature comments like, “It’s my money and I want it now.” For some it may be a good decision, particularly if they are in financial distress without any other options. A structured settlement is one that pays an injured person over a period of time rather than a one-time payment upon conclusion of a settlement. I have represented many people who have suffered injuries from car crashes in the Coon Rapids/Blaine area as well as in greater Anoka County, who have opted to explore a structured settlement. I also represented a client who suffered a brain injury at a construction site accident in Blaine, for which it worked out very well to purchase a structured settlement. Such settlements are common in cases involving injuries to minors as well as people with serious or catastrophic injuries. The advantage of these was that they can provide prudent financial counseling for young people, who may not otherwise make the best decisions about having a significant sum of money when they turn 18, or for those whose injuries have impacted their ability to earn a living and this becomes an income substitute….
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