Drivers Must Adjust Their Driving Habits To Wet, Hazardous Conditions

After a car spun off the roadway and crashed, a man pulled over to help but was then hit by another car that lost control and flipped over the first car. The victim was transported to the hospital with injuries unknown. An investigation is ongoing, but police believe wet roadways were the main cause of the multi-car crash.

Rain can quickly create dangerous driving conditions, and is blamed for thousands of accidents annually. Most accidents result from drivers who don't realize how much driving changes in wet weather compared to dry conditions. Problems from visibility to traction to traffic contribute to hazardous conditions especially in stormy conditions; drivers can easily lose control of their vehicles. With the recent rains and flooding across parts of the country, this is a perfect opportunity to remind drivers of some safety tips during rainy weather.

• Never take wet conditions for granted. Oil and other lubricants drip onto pavement as people drive. Rain loosens the accumulation of these substances and spreads. That means drivers are moving across a thin film of water, oil and grease that can reduce traction and cause a car to skid
• Slow down! It takes longer to stop or adjust in wet weather. When coming to a stop, begin slowing down sooner and apply brakes gently.
• Turn on your headlights even in a light rain. Not only do they help you see the road, but they’ll help other drivers see you.
• After driving through a puddle, proceed slowly and gently apply the brakes to generate enough heat to dry out the brakes.
• Your visibility is reduced in rain, so increase your following distance especially when following large trucks or busses. The spray they create reduces your vision.
• Prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on a curve. Brake before entering the curve. If your car begins to skid, ease off the gas, and carefully steer into the skid – the direction you want your vehicle to go. If your car has anti-lock brakes, brake firmly; if not, avoid braking until you recover from the skid.
• If you begin to hydroplane, do not brake or turn suddenly. Such maneuvers can throw you into a slide and cause an accident. Ease off the gas and steer straight ahead until your steering returns to normal.
• Never drive through flooded areas or moving water. If you can’t see the ground through it; your car could be swept off the road.

Being aware of road conditions, reducing speed and preparing for challenging situations can greatly reduce the likelihood of a wet weather accident.

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Second Wrongful Death Lawsuit File Agains Nursing Home

Last week, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the Bloomfield Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center alleging negligence caused the residents’ death. According to the claim, the man had a history of delusional psychosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, a seizure disorder and dementia. Those medical conditions required that he needed close supervision, monitoring and medical attention. Due to staff negligence, the patient developed pressure sores, and suffered from malnutrition, weight loss and dehydration.

An earlier lawsuit was filed in September by the granddaughter of another patient who allegedly suffered from dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss. The claim also states that her grandmother developed bed sores and infections due to negligence, and suffered injuries, including an "unexplained" arm fracture, while being cared for at the facility. On Dec. 29, a judge granted an extension to the nursing home's motion to dismiss that lawsuit. Both lawsuits requests unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

In addition to these lawsuits, Preferred Care Partners Management, the parent company for the nursing home, was sued by the New Mexico Attorney General in 2014. That lawsuit alleged the company did not adequately staff its nursing homes, which led to the inability to provide adequate care for patients. The case is still pending. Preferred Care Partners Management acquired the Bloomfield Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, as well as nine other New Mexico nursing homes, from former parent company Cathedral Rock in November 2012.

When placing a loved one in the care of a nursing home, it is expected that the resident will receive quality care. Unfortunately, negligence and abuse in this setting are all too common. Violations continue to occur every day, tragically compromising the health and well-being of already ill or traumatized individuals.

Nursing home neglect and abuse can be physical, mental, or emotional, leaving marks that are not easily seen; these may linger and become more problematic. Often, the abuse or neglect continues undetected because not all elderly or infirm persons are able to easily communicate with friends and family. Also, some have medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to slip and fall accidents, broken bones and other injuries.

If you believe that a loved one may be the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you may be entitled to compensation. Choosing the right attorney in this situation is also a vitally important decision. If you do not know an attorney who specializes in nursing home abuse, Lawsuit Financial has excellent legal referral sources all over the country and our professional staff will locate you a top-notch legal specialist, in your city or state, within 24-48 hours. This is a free service for injury victims and their family members.

Lawsuit Financial will also devise a legal finance plan to assist victims and family members through the difficult financial issues facing them. Victims do not want to conduct settlement negotiations when they are struggling, financially. If they do, they will, almost always, accept an offer that is less than full case value. Strategic lawsuit funding can often be the difference between a mediocre settlement and a large, injury appropriate one. Visit us on the web, or call toll free 1-877-377-SUIT (7848) to discuss your financial needs. The call is free; the advice is priceless!

Holiday Horror: Two Separate Gruesome Deaths By Elevators

Millions of people use elevators every day without any question as to its safe operation. But once in a while, a true horror story makes headlines that causes us to reconsider our safety. Injuries that may result from these types of malfunctions are wide ranging from the psychological trauma of witnesses to serious injuries to wrongful death.

A passenger aboard the Carnival Ecstasy filmed what appeared to be a scene from a horror flick. Rather it was blood flowing down the elevator's golden door. The passenger said "it sounded like a rainstorm . . ."

On December 27, a couple was heading to dinner on the 10th floor of the cruise ship when they saw what appeared to be a scene from a horror flick. Blood was flowing down the elevator's golden door; the couple said it sounded like a rainstorm. A 66-year-old crew member working on the elevator was mortally injured. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.

On New Years’ Eve, passengers riding an elevator of a Lower East Side apartment building thought little of the elevator’s shudder as the doors closed. It was something residents had experienced many times before. As a woman was about to exit on the third floor, the elevator started moving again. Quickly thinking, a 25-year-old man, who was on his way to a New Years’ Eve party in the building, pushed the woman out to safety. But before he could pull back from the doorway, the elevator came crashing down, pinning him between the ceiling of the elevator and the third floor entrance. His legs were dangling in the elevator car as riders trapped inside frantically dialed 911 and people in the hallway tried to pull the man out. The man was rushed to a New York hospital, but couldn’t be saved.

According to city Department of Buildings records, there have been 36 elevator complaints since 2009, seven complaints were in 2015. In July 2011, a complaint said the middle elevator dropped several floors while people were inside. Thirteen days later, another said the elevator dropped several floors and the door’s opening was delayed. There were three open violations for “failure to correct defects” issued by the city Buildings Department after a 2012 inspection. A hearing related to a $200 fine by the Environmental Control Board for problems with the elevators’ directional lights had even been scheduled for the same day as the fatal accident.

Investigating elevator accidents and determining fault can be complicated. The elevator company may be responsible for failing to maintain the elevator, the manufacturer may be to blame for using faulty parts or having prior knowledge of problems with components of the elevator without a timely remedial response, and/or the property owners may be liable for ignoring repair requests, taking short cuts to save money, failing to maintain timely inspections, or otherwise negligent in keeping the elevator in good working condition. For victims or family members of those killed, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help the families conduct an investigation, determine who is to blame, find expert witnesses, and make a claim for compensation.

Whether the case is settled through out-of-court negotiations or is resolved through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, as long as the victim has a strong case and attorney representation, he/she is eligible for lawsuit funding. With a lawsuit cash advance, Lawsuit Financial can provide plaintiffs the financial security of paying bills while waiting for a fair and full settlement. We feature an easy online application process, quick approval time, professional customer service, and affordable rates. Don’t worry about a bad credit history or unemployment; with us, those don’t matter. There are no application fees or monthly payments, either. Best of all, with Lawsuit Financial you only repay the cash advance if you win your case.

Lawsuit Financial has built a strong track record of helping cash-strapped plaintiffs in a timely manner. We typically can fund cases within 24 – 48 hours. Give us a call today for a no-fee, no-obligation consultation to determine if lawsuit funding would be beneficial in your case.