Accidents Come in All Different Sizes and Shapes
Not all accidents are the same, and neither are the injuries that result. Many people suffer injuries in ways they might never expect—and it’s only natural they may not know where to turn or what to do next. With so many ads and websites of law firms claiming they have extensive personal injury experience, it can be difficult to know whom to trust.
It is critical to make sure your personal injury law firm has experience in your particular type of accident and injury case. When you are searching for legal representation, you want a lawyer who knows how to handle your type of accident case. While every accident case requires a showing of negligence on the part of another person (usually the other driver), different types of evidence are used to prove these legal elements, depending upon the accident type.
At the firm of Stewart J. Guss, our cases run the gamut when it comes to accidents and resulting injuries. We help people after fender-benders and also after 18-wheeler trucking accidents cause catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. Each case deserves a unique approach, and you can depend on our legal team to handle your claim with skill and care. The Fort Worth personal injury attorneys at our firm know how to handle many different types of accident cases. Some of the accident cases we frequently handle include:
Car accidents
When Fort Worth motor vehicle drivers ignore the rules of the road and strike other vehicles or pedestrians, they are responsible for their actions, as well as for all the injuries and other unfortunate consequences that result. Some of these accidents can permanently damage a person’s life in a matter of seconds! You don’t have to be in a collision with an 80,000-pound truck to suffer serious injuries, however. Crashes involving only passenger vehicles can cause extensive damage and injuries, as well. Car accidents injure millions of people per year in the United States, and injuries are possible no matter what type of crash occurs. Whether you are in a single-vehicle crash, a rear-end collision, a head-on collision, or if your car rolls over, the potential exists for life-changing injuries. Many accidents happen due to negligent drivers, including distracted drivers, drunk drivers, drivers who violate traffic rules, and road ragers, among others.
Commercial truck accidents
Large semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other big rigs are some of the most dangerous vehicles on our roads, and they often leave a wake of destruction if they crash. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), accidents involved nearly half a million commercial vehicles in only one year in the U.S. This includes tractor-trailers, buses, tanker trucks, and similar vehicles. Because such trucks dwarf other cars and even SUVs, the damage and injuries stemming from a collision can be devastating. Many parties may be involved in this type of claim, including a truck driver, trucking company, or other third parties. These claims can be highly technical, so you need a skilled truck accident law firm on your side, especially in complex cases like hit and run or phantom vehicle accidents, drugged and drunk driving accidents, and distracted driving accidents.
Bicycle accidents
Similar to motorcyclists, bicycle riders have little to no protection in the event of an accident. Cycling is good for your body, your wallet, and the environment—but never forget that cycling is also an inherently dangerous activity. Riding a bike on a road or near traffic often results in collisions with cars, drivers running you off the road, dooring accidents, and more. Drivers should “share the road” with cyclists, though they often become impatient if a bicycle is moving slower than they want to be moving. Distracted drivers commonly miss seeing a bicyclist and may crash into them while making turns or passing. Even if a bicyclist survives a crash, their injuries will usually be extensive.
Motorcycle accidents
Negligent drivers also pose a serious threat to people who choose to ride a motorcycle. Motorcycles are extremely popular in Texas, and people ride for recreation or even for their primary form of transportation. Despite the thrill of riding a motorcycle, everything can change in a second if a crash occurs. Motorcyclists do not have the metal frames, seatbelts, or airbags that cars have, and their bodies are vulnerable to direct impact from another vehicle or with the ground. Many motorcyclists suffer disabling injuries if they crash, even if they wear all recommended safety gear. A helmet cannot always protect you from a brain injury and does nothing to protect the rest of your body. For this reason, motorcycle accident claims often involve multiple severe injuries.
Slips, trips, and falls
Injuries happen even when there are no motor vehicles or traffic involved. You can be doing your weekly grocery shopping—feeling completely safe from harm—when you suddenly slip on a wet substance and fall to the floor. Slip and falls can happen in many locations and due to a variety of hazards that a business should have addressed. These accidents can also cause shockingly serious injuries, including concussions, broken bones, soft tissue injuries, broken hips, and more. Other premises liability accidents include falls down stairs, elevator and escalator accidents, and swimming pool accidents.
Construction accidents
The Fort Worth area contains many dangerous jobs, and we need people willing to do these jobs for the good of the city and state. Some jobs that come with inherent risks include construction work, gas or oilfield work, emergency response teams, utility work, and more. If an accident happens on the job, there are different ways that you can receive the compensation you need to cover your bills. Our law firm can evaluate your case and determine whether any third parties were negligent, as well as map out the best course of action in your situation.
Pedestrian accidents
We are all pedestrians at some point—often, on a daily basis. Whether you walk down the street or to your car in a parking lot, a car may suddenly crash into you. Pedestrians have even less protection than bicyclists or motorcyclists since almost no one wears a helmet when they walk! This completely exposes pedestrians to a collision with a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds. It should be no surprise that crashes commonly leave pedestrians facing lasting injuries that may require years of treatment. Multiple injuries also often occur in a single pedestrian crash, and the losses can be astounding.
Defective drugs
Large pharmaceutical companies should have the best interests of the public in mind. However, their priority is clear—profits, profits, profits. This means that they can rush certain drugs onto the market without properly identifying the harmful risks or side effects to users. In addition, once companies discover such side effects and injuries to patients, they do not necessarily pull a drug from the shelves if it is popular enough. When a company causes harm to consumers by selling dangerous drugs or other products, that company should be accountable for any injuries and losses that result.
Nursing home injuries
As more and more people move into nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the instances of nursing home injuries also increase. Some nursing home injuries occur due to dangerous conditions in the facility, such as wet floors, lack of handrails, or inadequate security. Other injuries happen due to neglect by the staff, including failure to provide proper medical care or medication, nutrition, or otherwise care for a resident’s needs. Finally, some residents become victims of deliberate nursing home abuse, whether they suffer physical assaults, emotional torture, or sexual abuse. Any of these injuries is unacceptable, and an injured nursing home resident deserves justice for their unnecessary suffering.
Premises liability
Property owners and managers—especially those who invite the public to their properties to conduct business—have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe for their invited guests. When they fail to do so, and injuries result, victims can hold the negligent parties responsible.
When our attorneys represent you in your personal injury case, you can be sure that you are in good hands. Our experienced Fort Worth, personal injury attorneys are just as experienced at the negotiating table as we are in the Texas courtroom. We know the best skills and strategies to use against the insurance company to make them pay you full and fair compensation.
