Before the spring of 2020, a long-term drunk driver crackdown appeared to be working. But coronavirus changed pretty much everything, including driver habits. When roads emptied and traffic enforcement stopped, people started drinking and driving again. So, the number of alcohol-related wrecks has increased significantly since 2020. These collisions often cause fatal or catastrophic…
In 2022, total dog bite injury settlements increased over 30 percent, to over $1.1 billion. Curiously, the number of claims dipped slightly, but the average claim amount went through the roof. These numbers probably reflect the fact that dog bite injuries are incredibly severe and some new legal changes have driven up the settlement…
Many people mistakenly believe that South Carolina’s victim-friendly dog bite laws guarantee a settlement in these cases. Alas, that’s not the case. Insurance companies often bicker about the amount of damages. For example, if victims don’t immediately see doctors, insurance company lawyers often later argue that their injuries are exaggerated. Liability (legal responsibility) disputes…
Unintentional falls, usually falls in nursing homes or other for-profit establishments, are one of the leading causes of injury-related death in the Palmetto State. Even if these victims survive, falls usually cause serious injuries that, in one way or another, are permanent. For example, if Tom falls and breaks his leg, the bone may…
Caregivers have a moral and ethical duty to prevent child injuries. Landowners, vehicle operators, and other third parties have a legal duty to prevent such injuries. The legal duty of care is based on the story of the Good Samaritan. Just like this man went out of his way to help an injured traveler,…
Few details were available about an apparent domestic violence-related shooting that killed one person and seriously injured another one. According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department discovered a man and a woman shot Thursday evening. Firefighters were initially called to an apartment building at the 1300 block of North Brickyard…
Brain injuries are among the most serious and most mysterious car crash injuries, which the tragic story of Allman Brothers bass player Berry Oakley clearly shows. In November 1972, Oakley was in a serious motorcycle crash. Although he was thrown off his bike and landed on his head, Oakley refused medical treatment at the…
Every year, car accidents kill or seriously injure millions of Americans. Many of these serious injuries are catastrophic (life-threatening). Such injuries typically mean extended hospital stays, multiple surgical procedures, and extended physical therapy. The medical bills add up quickly in these situations, and the pain and suffering is almost unbearable, for victims as well…
Slip and falls are one of the leading causes of nursing home admissions. Furthermore, over 60 percent of nursing home residents fall at least once during their stays. So, in a nutshell, falls put many older adults in nursing homes, and falls keep these individuals in nursing homes much longer. Nursing home overcrowding causes…
In short, pedestrian accident victims should expect long delays and high medical bills. We’ll discuss the long delay below. First, let’s examine the high medical bills. During vehicle collisions, vehicle occupants are protected by multiple safety and restraining layers. Pedestrians are protected by the clothes on their backs and pretty much nothing else. Therefore,…