Although a recent report indicates motorcycle fatalities are on the decline, motorists still need to be reminded that they share the road with their two-wheeled neighbors on the road. I think the drop in motorcycle deaths likely reflects that motorcycle riders are paying more attention to safety by taking training courses, driving sober and wearing helmets and other protective gear – but other drivers have responsibility as well.
The fact is that many motorcycle accidents, injuries and deaths are caused by the car or truck driver failing to see the motorcycle or reacting too slowly to the motorcycle’s presence. So, we have to stay vigilant in raising drivers’ awareness of motorcycles. I founded the Lexington personal injury law firm, Frank Jenkins Law Office, in order to represent motorcycle accident and other vehicle accident victims in Fayette County and throughout Kentucky.
And although the report is “good news”, motorcycle safety advocates should not get overly excited about the report issued this week by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which found that the nation’s motorcycle fatalities have fallen for the second straight year after 11 straight years of increases. The report analyzed preliminary data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and found that motorcycle fatalities for the full year nationwide are expected to be 4,376 or fewer, a decrease of at least 2 percent from the 4,465 fatalities of 2009.
In Kentucky, motorcycle deaths dropped to 66 in the first nine months of 2010, or 12 fewer than 2009. Which is great news. However, the decline in motorcycle fatalities is short of the 16 percent drop in 2009, and according to the report, the rate of deadly motorcycle wrecks was actually higher in the second half of 2010 than in the first part of the year. So even though the report is encouraging, we still have to be cautious about the numbers. To me, this report indicates that we’re making strides in motorcycle safety – but we can do better.
Motorcycle Awareness Month in May is the perfect time to inform the public about the need to be more aware of motorcycles. It’s also a time to remind motorcycle riders that they deserve to be compensated for their injuries when they are harmed by a motorist who has negligently or recklessly failed to respect their presence on the road.
Following too closely, turning ahead of the motorcyclist and running the bike off the road are examples of accidents caused by other vehicle drivers. Because motorcycles are significantly outweighed by cars and trucks, and because motorcyclists generally lack protection – even when wearing a helmet – a motorcycle accident can be tragic.
That’s why our law firm is committed to securing compensation for motorcyclists and their families when they are the victims of another’s carelessness.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Facebook Problem
Currently, there are over 500 million active Facebook accounts across the globe. Of the 206 million people in the United States who use the internet, it is estimated that over 71 percent of them are using Facebook. What you may not know, though, is that if you are an active Facebook user and have recently filed a personal injury lawsuit, you could end up jeopardizing your claim. You can be sure that the opposing attorneys will do everything they can to minimize your claim or refute it entirely, and they sometimes find a treasure trove of information on social media sites like Facebook to make their job easier. For example, if you are claiming an injury in your lawsuit that hinders your ability to move around or perform daily tasks, it’s probably not a good idea to post photos on your page of you playing football or dancing at a club after the date your accident occurred. Your Facebook friend list presents another golden opportunity for investigators as it can help them stumble upon damaging information about you that was posted by your buddies on their pages. Many people mistakenly believe that privacy settings on Facebook will prohibit opposing attorneys from accessing their pages, but the defense can ask the judge to required written authorization from you for access to your Facebook account. Even if that request is denied and your privacy settings only allow your Facebook friends to see your page, you still may run into problems. A creative investigator for the opposing counsel could trick you into being “friends”, leaving your Facebook account open to scrutiny. For plaintiffs in the midst of a personal injury lawsuit, it is highly recommended that using Facebook be strictly avoided until after the case is over.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
New Kentucky Texting ban is not strong enough
As enforcement of Kentucky’s new anti-texting law begins this month, I believe we need to eliminate all forms of distracted driving. Although I'm glad that Kentucky law enforcement officers can now ticket drivers for texting, I wish the police could crack down on other forms of distracted driving. I believe the texting ban is a move in the right direction, but I don't think it's far enough.
To make our roads safer, we need to prohibit drivers of all ages from using any type of electronic device while behind the wheel. Whether it’s texting, talking on a cell phone or trying to punch an address into a GPS system, it’s distracting, dangerous and reckless – and I believe we need to put an end to it.
The new Kentucky law signed by Governor Steve Beshear in April and took effect in July. Starting January 1, Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement officers can now enforce the law by issuing citations, with the penalties being $25 on a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. Prior to the start of the year, officers could only give out warnings.
The law prohibits drivers of all ages from sending or reading text messages while a vehicle is in motion unless it is an emergency situation. The law also bans the use of cell phones by all drivers under age 18 and prohibits them from entering information into a GPS device while the car is in motion.
However, the law still allows drivers over age 18 to read and enter telephone numbers and names into a cell phone while they are driving. They can also still use GPS systems.
Trying to text a message while you’re flying down the road in your car is the epitome of reckless driving, but dialing a number, talking on your cell phone or looking up an address on your GPS isn’t very different, in my opinion. The bottom line is that we shouldn’t sanction any type of activity that takes drivers’ minds off the road.
To make our roads safer, we need to prohibit drivers of all ages from using any type of electronic device while behind the wheel. Whether it’s texting, talking on a cell phone or trying to punch an address into a GPS system, it’s distracting, dangerous and reckless – and I believe we need to put an end to it.
The new Kentucky law signed by Governor Steve Beshear in April and took effect in July. Starting January 1, Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement officers can now enforce the law by issuing citations, with the penalties being $25 on a first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense. Prior to the start of the year, officers could only give out warnings.
The law prohibits drivers of all ages from sending or reading text messages while a vehicle is in motion unless it is an emergency situation. The law also bans the use of cell phones by all drivers under age 18 and prohibits them from entering information into a GPS device while the car is in motion.
However, the law still allows drivers over age 18 to read and enter telephone numbers and names into a cell phone while they are driving. They can also still use GPS systems.
Trying to text a message while you’re flying down the road in your car is the epitome of reckless driving, but dialing a number, talking on your cell phone or looking up an address on your GPS isn’t very different, in my opinion. The bottom line is that we shouldn’t sanction any type of activity that takes drivers’ minds off the road.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Is your employer stealing your wages?
We ran a story about this back in August, but since then we have received additional reports of corporate wrong-doing. With the economy in recession, businesses are struggling to survive. Uunfortunately, some companies are boosting their profits illegally by ripping off their workers.
EXAMPLE: One chain of retail stores has been forcing its hourly workers to “clock out” for lunch, but then forces them to work through their lunch hour! So each worker has that hour’s work stolen from them, each and every day. That kind of money adds up!
This practice is highly illegal and wrong! Several workers from this company told us about this unfair scam, and so now we are pursuing a lawsuit against the company, to try and get all of those workers’ wages back.
There are many other forms of “wage theft” going on out there today. We urge you fight back, if this abuse is happening to you. If you or someone you know is having their wages stolen—by this method, or through some other scam--Give us a call!
We’ll talk to you for free, and tell you honestly if we think you have a case. And as always with the Frank Jenkins Law Office, if you choose to hire us, you will owe us nothing until we win or settle your case.
EXAMPLE: One chain of retail stores has been forcing its hourly workers to “clock out” for lunch, but then forces them to work through their lunch hour! So each worker has that hour’s work stolen from them, each and every day. That kind of money adds up!
This practice is highly illegal and wrong! Several workers from this company told us about this unfair scam, and so now we are pursuing a lawsuit against the company, to try and get all of those workers’ wages back.
There are many other forms of “wage theft” going on out there today. We urge you fight back, if this abuse is happening to you. If you or someone you know is having their wages stolen—by this method, or through some other scam--Give us a call!
We’ll talk to you for free, and tell you honestly if we think you have a case. And as always with the Frank Jenkins Law Office, if you choose to hire us, you will owe us nothing until we win or settle your case.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Problems from a Hip Replacement?
Many people who have had hip replacement surgery were told that the procedure would last them a good 10 to 15 years. Unfortunately, for some people that has not turned out to be true.
Hip replacement parts are “medical devices”, and they are manufactured by various companies. Recently, numerous reports indicate that some hip replacement products are defective and are causing people severe and often permanent problems, after their surgery.
If you have had a hip replacement surgery, and you have had severe problems from it, including severe pain; breakage; or repeat surgery to remove defective or broken parts, then you may have a claim against the manufacturer.
Many people who have had hip replacement surgery were told that the procedure would last them a good 10 to 15 years. Unfortunately, for some people that has not turned out to be true.
Hip replacement parts are “medical devices”, and they are manufactured by various companies. Recently, numerous reports indicate that some hip replacement products are defective and are causing people severe and often permanent problems, after their surgery.
If you have had a hip replacement surgery, and you have had severe problems from it, including severe pain; breakage; or repeat surgery to remove defective or broken parts, then you may have a claim against the manufacturer.
CHECK and SEE if your hip replacement surgery involved parts made by any of the following manufacturers:
· Zimmer Durom Cup hip implant
· Johnson & Johnson DePuy ASR hip replacement
· Biomet hip replacement
· Stryker hip replacement
If any of these companies provided your hip replacement parts, you may have a
claim for money damages.
But you need to CALL US, and find out. We will talk to you about your case for
FREE. Then, as always, you will not owe us any fee whatsoever, until we win or settle your case. Call today. In Lexington: (859) 389-9344 or from anywhere in Kentucky: 1-800- 227-9732 (We are accepting these cases from anywhere in Kentucky.)
· Zimmer Durom Cup hip implant
· Johnson & Johnson DePuy ASR hip replacement
· Biomet hip replacement
· Stryker hip replacement
If any of these companies provided your hip replacement parts, you may have a
claim for money damages.
But you need to CALL US, and find out. We will talk to you about your case for
FREE. Then, as always, you will not owe us any fee whatsoever, until we win or settle your case. Call today. In Lexington: (859) 389-9344 or from anywhere in Kentucky: 1-800- 227-9732 (We are accepting these cases from anywhere in Kentucky.)
Monday, October 4, 2010
FREE book about KY Workers Compensation!
I've written a new book to help people who have been injured on the job. My goal is help people navigate the "dangerous waters" of the Kentucky Workers Compensation system. You can request your copy for FREE through my website at www.frankjenkinslaw.com
Getting hurt on the job is a terrible experience, and when you combine that with the possibility of losing your job, it can get really scary, really fast. That's why I wrote 8 Mistakes that can Destroy your Workers Compensation Claim, and how to avoid making them.
Don't be taken advantage of by the workers comp insurance company. Keep in mind that they are NOT on your side, they are on the company's side!
My book is packed with tips and information that can help you when you've been hurt on the job. Then after reading the book, if you have questions about your case, fee free to call us. We'll talk to you for free about your case, with no arm-twisting or pressure. In the Lexington area, call 859-389-9344. Or Toll Free from anywhere in Kentucky to 1-800 WORKERS (967-5377)
We look forward to hearing from you.
Getting hurt on the job is a terrible experience, and when you combine that with the possibility of losing your job, it can get really scary, really fast. That's why I wrote 8 Mistakes that can Destroy your Workers Compensation Claim, and how to avoid making them.
Don't be taken advantage of by the workers comp insurance company. Keep in mind that they are NOT on your side, they are on the company's side!
My book is packed with tips and information that can help you when you've been hurt on the job. Then after reading the book, if you have questions about your case, fee free to call us. We'll talk to you for free about your case, with no arm-twisting or pressure. In the Lexington area, call 859-389-9344. Or Toll Free from anywhere in Kentucky to 1-800 WORKERS (967-5377)
We look forward to hearing from you.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Worst Insurance Company in America
A report listing the 10 worst insurance companies was recently compiled, based upon claim denials, premium increases, and refusing coverage to those who need it most. And guess who made the top of the list?
Allstate. That's right, The good hands people! Were found to be the very worst when it comes to putting profits over policyholders.
At a time when the economy is in a shambles, and unemployment still hovers around 10%, insurance industry profits are skyrocketing!
And one of the main ways the insurance industry makes $30 Billion in yearly profits is by denying, delaying, and unfairly defending against legitimate claims. Claims for injury made by people just like you and me.
Allstate is the worst, but they're not the only bad apple. If you would like the list of the 10 Worst Insurance Companies in America, just shoot me an email and I'll send it to you. Email me at fmj@frankjenkinslaw.com
Allstate. That's right, The good hands people! Were found to be the very worst when it comes to putting profits over policyholders.
At a time when the economy is in a shambles, and unemployment still hovers around 10%, insurance industry profits are skyrocketing!
And one of the main ways the insurance industry makes $30 Billion in yearly profits is by denying, delaying, and unfairly defending against legitimate claims. Claims for injury made by people just like you and me.
Allstate is the worst, but they're not the only bad apple. If you would like the list of the 10 Worst Insurance Companies in America, just shoot me an email and I'll send it to you. Email me at fmj@frankjenkinslaw.com
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