Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents - Latest Comments

A comment on Negligence, failing to yield, other driver and passenger deaths. Who's at fault?

Mike Bryant — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:38:19 GMT

All very good advice, they need to call and get experienced and helpful representation. Early investigation is so very important to determine what exactly happened.

A comment on That center line is there for a reason.

Mike Bryant — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:48:20 GMT

Very good list of all of the causes. But, for many people that wait or trust in the insurance companies, they may have even less a chance of finding out. Early and experienced investigations can make such a difference. Steve, it great to see how you can help.

A comment on How do I know what my case is worth?

Steve Lombardi — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 09:56:37 GMT

Mike, I got a call last week asking basically what their case is worth. Everyone wants a simple formula and there isn't one. Many people believe saving the lawyer fees will net them more. Or avoiding the litigation process will be a better investment. In my 30 years of experience that couldn't be farther from the truth. Even paying a legal fee 99% of those injured will net more; it may take longer but doing it right can save a person from having to pay for a surgery that should have been covered in the claim. Live and learn I guess.

A comment on How do I know what my case is worth?

Mike Bryant — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:55:43 GMT

You are so correct in the basic idea that the answer really involves a lot of questions. The difference in hiring an experienced lawyer, is that they will ask the questions and know what to do with the answers. Great advice.

A comment on Trailer Safety Isn't an Option

Ron Melancon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:32:30 GMT

Dear Mr. Lombardi... maybe the headline should be..Trailer Safety Isn't an Option...yes it is because it will cost a profit.

USA today was almost ready to do a story on More ... but on Saturday I met my Congressman Eric Cantor and told him of the success of our organization... well on MONDAY... the reporter from USA Today was told to kill the story.

I guess my Congressman took action to protect the Utility Trailer industry.. also the reporter told me ... that he needs to have a big accident in order to run the story....

Here is what happened.. look at her quote... should you have to say this..

"My first thought was, I'm dead," Nickas said.

Runaway trailer causes accident on Skyway
By GREG WELTER - Staff Writer
Posted: 10/23/2009 12:00:00 AM PDT

Click photo to enlarge
City of Chico fire engineer Zach Plottel checks an accident on the Skyway Thursday in which a...

CHICO -- A trailer loaded with sand came loose from a pickup eastbound on the Skyway Thursday morning, then flew across the median and collided head-on with a vehicle coming the other way.

Chico resident Sue Nickas, 61, suffered minor injuries. She was released after treatment from Enloe Medical Center.

Nickas said she had just finished playing golf at Tuscan Ridge and was headed back to Chico.

As she passed Honey Run Road, Nickas said she suddenly saw a trailer bounding through the median and coming straight at her, fast.

"My first thought was, I'm dead," Nickas said.

The tongue end of the trailer slammed into the front of Nickas' Nissan Altima, bringing it to an almost instant stop.

A woman driving behind Nickas, Liz Reichow of Paradise, said the accident looked like something out of a movie, with the trailer appearing out of nowhere.

Nickas recalled seeing sand from the trailer pouring over her car.

She said her air bag deployed, and believes most of the superficial injuries to her arms and chest were caused by that.

The driver of the truck who lost the trailer turned around and drove back to the crash scene. The man, not immediately identified by police, said he had no idea how the trailer had come loose.

Police said a safety chain between the vehicle and the trailer may have broken.

"At the hospital, police told me they couldn't even find the hitch to the trailer," Nickas said.

A comment on Stop, Look and Listen – Hear that train a coming!

Mike Bryant — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:23:16 GMT

It will be interesting to see if investigation gets to the bottom of what happened.

A comment on Stop, look and listen - Good advice even in rural Iowa

Mike Bryant — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:19:10 GMT

The "running around the arms" defense is always what they say. The RR just got hammered in Minnesota because that wasn't true, despite their using the same story here. These cases really need investigation and experience representation. Keep up the good work with the great advice Steve.

A comment on Trailer Safety Isn't an Option

Ron Melancon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:31:24 GMT

Mr. Lombardy... the people always say that lawyers are the bad people...The way I look at it .. yes we have bad people in every profession.

Without Good Lawyers... we would have cars that explode when hit in the rear.. baby cribs that have slats that are too wide... we would have defective car seats... and so on.

In the case at hand what will the family of Stites get?

This person who chose to tow a trailer with NO SAFETY CHAINS will be charged with "Failure To Secure a load" he will get a fine of under $100.00 and nothing else.

Now the family can bring action...on the civil side. It is my hope the family decides to join our effort to prevent this from happening...

Here are some of the voices..from....

This person should not have died this way....it is simply not right.... It is the mission of our organization to stand up and prevent this type of accident....

October 16, 2009
DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE....

Did God need another angel?
Or someone he knew would always care?
Did God need another angel?
Or someone he knew would always be there?

Did God need another angel?
Or someone to help the children cross the street?
Did God need another angel?
Or someone to be there and watch over me?

Did God need another angel?
Or someone to wait at the pearly gates?
Did God need another angel?
Or someone who loves and never hates?

Yes, God needed another angel.
Someone he can always see.
Yes, God needed another angel.
But why did he have to take you away from me.

I guess sometimes we will never know the answers to the questions we want to ask. All I know is that I miss you and I love you very much. You taught me about the little things in life and it's those little things that mean the most. I love you sweetie..

Jennifer
~
Jennifer Long,

A comment on Trailer Safety Isn't an Option

Ron Melancon — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:22:15 GMT

The head line Trailer Safety Isn't an Option...

Please note that since an attempt to mandate a Federal Standard since 1972 was defeated our Government has done nothing to address these Utility Trailers.

I will make a statement to get everybody's attention.

The next time you're out and about take notice of the countless numbers of trailers being hauled daily on our roadways. Look closely and you'll see that many are improperly attached to the tow vehicle, don't have working lights, safety chains and are unacceptably maintained. Then ask yourself, why am I riding behind or next to this person trying to kill or injury me or my family?

We have two issues here that needs to be addressed...

Utility Trailers over 3,000 GVWR and Utility Trailers just one pound under 3,000 GVWR.

Please note we DO NOT HAVE any standards in place for any trailer just one pound under 3,000 GVWR. In fact we have 8 states that do not even require SAFETY CHAINS.

24 States do not even address how to tow in the DMV manuals.

Trailers over 3,000 pounds at least in Virginia need to have breaks and if it has breaks it must be inspected every year... yet the Virginia State Police are not enforcing this law and we have a failure rate of over 40%.

Here is a comment from a Trooper..

I'm just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your passion involving these trailers. On a weekly basis I issue summons to operators of these types of vehicles to include dead inspections, no state inspections, no break away brake cable, no safety chains and other related violations. I make an effort to check every 2 axle trailer I pass during my routine patrol duties when I have free time. Some of us do take these matters very seriously. I have even spoken to the assistant manager at my local Home Depot reference them complying with state law and inspecting their rental trailers. I've noticed that some of them now have inspections and I will be checking them again soon, this time while on duty for a bigger impact. On a daily basis I look at the vehicle belonging to the young woman that was killed with her 8 month old child in the vehicle by an unsecured, poorly loaded 2 axle trailer. The vehicle is in the impound lot at our division headquarters. This keeps me motivated to enforce these laws, thanks for all your efforts.

So yes.... Safety is an non existent because the U Haul company along with Carry ON trailers.. and the Utility Trailer Industry with their VOLUNTARY REGULATIONS has created this mess.

Carry ON trailers and U Haul fought our "Reflector Tape Law" in Virginia because it cost them $8.00 to comply they almost won.

We need help.... Please... Can somebody support our Organization... they (The Utility Trailer Industry) are simply outspending us!

A comment on Trailer Safety Isn't an Option

Mike Bryant — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:35:33 GMT

One of those incidents that a little early safety would have saved the day. Minnesota has a oddity that has come up in some unintended legislative language that has now put the coverage on the trailer in doubt. This is despite truckers paying for the coverage. The last session almost fixed it, hopefully this year that will be done.