Failure to treat or diagnose, happens when a doctor or other medical professional negligently  overlooks, underestimates, or ignores symptoms of a serious illness that results in wrongful death or disability of the patient. In these cases, there are often warning signs of serious illness or injury but no further treatment, tests or imaging are ordered by the provider. The delayed or absent care will directly result in a terminal or chronic condition that prematurely ends or significantly lowers the quality of life of the patient. Damages may also include medical bills to correct delayed care, lost wages, and emotional and physical pain or suffering.  

Attorneys obtain justice for their clients by proving the following:

1. The provider in question fell below the standard of care for their medical specialty. 
2. Significant damage resulted, and was the direct result of the provider’s failure to treat or diagnose a condition. 

Those who experience malpractice and their loved ones may rightfully feel confused, angry, betrayed or even helpless. After all, medical professionals on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic provided countless Americans care, guidance, and support during unprecedented times. Since the majority of doctors save lives, it is incredibly tragic when medical negligence results in severe illness or worse.  

Signs you may have a failure to treat or diagnose case.

Any doctor, nurse, or dentist could be liable for malpractice, even those affiliated with Veterans Affairs (VA) institutions. Medical malpractice cases may be insidious, or sneaky as the average person does not, and should not be expected to, know or anticipate the specifics of their standard of care. If you are presently dealing with a suspected wrongful death or chronic disability in relation to a medical professional, there is a good chance their negligence started earlier on in the patient-doctor relationship.  

The patient may have the feeling that their visits are too short, with a lack of further questions or screening measures. Those experiencing malpractice may go many visits without a diagnosis or test results but continue to experience worsening symptoms. Only after the patient switches practitioners, or succumbs to their condition, may they or their loved ones understand the extent of the health complaint. You may compare and contrast the practitioners’ care and wonder if the health issue could have been dealt with sooner, prior to the occurrence of severe bodily harm or death.  

An unfortunate example of this type of malpractice, handled by the Collier and Collier legal team involved a client who opened a malpractice case after her husband, A., died of a major stroke. In this case, the patient, A. was rushed to a VA hospital with stroke-like symptoms. Experts later verified that these symptoms were tell-tale stroke signs involving neurovascular impairment. Providers responsible for A’s care failed to administer a potentially life saving medication to help reverse the most dangerous effects of the stroke. The standard of care held that this drug must be administered within just a couple hours of symptoms to significantly decrease chances of death. In this case, because the providers in charge failed to treat the major stroke, A. experienced a premature death.  

Ways to protect yourself and help obtain the justice you deserve.  

The only way to know for sure if you are experiencing failure to treat malpractice is to consult an experienced attorney. The attorneys who handle medical malpractice cases are generally called personal injury lawyers. These attorneys will generally (but not always) work on contingency fees. 

A contingency fee means your lawyer receives a percentage of your final settlement instead of a flat rate or hourly payment. The exact percentage varies based on several considerations. For example, the contingency fee amount can change based on location, the attorney’s office, and whether your case ends up in court. 

In Virginia, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice case is generally 2 years. While this may seem like a long time, you should strongly consider starting your legal journey sooner than later, as many pieces of information and personal history are required to help your attorney work as effectively as possible. Your attorney will also need time to send medical records to an expert in the appropriate standard of care. Records take time to obtain, as you may be waiting on offices or hospitals to act accordingly.  

If your case seems meritable, you will need to discuss the extent of the health complaint further, detailing every office visited and what protocols, tests and discussions (or lack thereof) you or a loved one have been subjected to by your providers. You may be feeling particularly vulnerable during the legal process, sharing intimate medical information with your attorney. It is incredibly important to be honest and thorough with your attorney so they do not miss any vital details.  

Only hire the most detailed, empathetic, and thorough firm to handle this sensitive matter. The right attorney for you will leave no stone unturned and only enlist the help of the most knowledgeable medical experts. If you feel as though your current disability or a loved one’s death may have been the direct result of a provider’s failure to treat, do not hesitate to schedule an in-depth consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, in your city or state.  

Attorney Boyd Collier and his diligent team are ready to handle your failure to treat concerns. If you feel as though something may have gone wrong during your healthcare journey, try contacting our legal team at Info@CollierandCollier.com or call the offices at 804-364-5200. 

In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in crashes, making them 29x more likely to die in a crash than those in a passenger car. Although motorcycles can be fun to ride, they are much less visible to other drivers and are more dangerous in the event of a car accident. Still, there are ways that you can reduce your chances of getting into an accident when motorcycle riding.

What Are the Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

There are many different types of motorcycle accidents that can happen while you are riding a motorcycle. Whether they are the fault of the motorcyclist or the other driver, learning more about these types of accidents can help you avoid them. One of the most common types of accidents is caused by cars turning left in front of a motorcycle. This can be avoided by looking for indicators that a car is about to turn in front of you.

Another common type of motorcycle accident happens when a car merges into your lane. The driver may not be paying attention, or you may be in their blind spot, which makes it difficult for motor vehicle drivers to see motorcyclists on the road. Make sure you never drive in a vehicle’s blind spot! Lane splitting is another common type of motorcycle accident. This happens when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of traffic that are stopped or slowing down. Because they are so close to other drivers and drivers don’t anticipate being passed, it often results in an accident.

Finally, motorcyclists should be aware of corner turning accidents. If you are taking a corner and hit a patch of debris, your bike may lose traction and can cause you to wipe out. Slowing down around sharp turns can prevent these types of accidents.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

While many accidents don’t have any real cause, there are many things that can cause motorcycle accidents. Learning about these causes can help you avoid them. One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents is speeding and reckless driving. Whether a motorcyclist or another driver is driving too aggressively, it is easy to lose control. Alcohol use is another cause of motorcycle accidents and often results in fatalities. Just as you should never drive intoxicated in any other vehicle, you should never drive intoxicated on a motorcycle.

Lastly, hazardous road conditions can make it dangerous to go motorcycle riding. Whether there is uneven pavement, loose gravel, or inclement weather causing these poor road conditions, they often result in accidents. This is because motorcycles are smaller and are not as stable as other vehicles on the road, so road hazards are exacerbated on a motorcycle.

Are Most Motorcycle Accidents Caused By the Rider or Another Factor?

It can be difficult to determine what party is most often at fault for a motorcycle. Because there are many different causes and types of motorcycle crashes, no two accidents will ever be the same. However, it is often thought that inexperienced riders and drivers are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.

As a motorcycle rider, it is essential that you have dozens of hours in training. You may want to take a motorcycle safety course, as these riding courses can help you learn how to operate your motorcycle correctly, to learn how to respond to different situations and gauge road conditions.

As a driver of another vehicle, you need to look out for smaller vehicles on the road. Always check your blind spot before changing lanes and be aware of your surroundings while driving.

What Are the Best Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders?

There are many tips for motorcycle safety and how to avoid accidents. These tips will keep you safe on the road and can help you prevent many accidents. Here are some of the top safety tips to follow as a motorcycle rider.

1. Make Yourself Visible

First, you need to make it easy for other vehicles to see you. Because motorcycles aren’t as visible as other vehicles on the road, you need to do what you can to stand out. For example, you should always stay out of a car’s blind spot. You should also consider buying brightly colored safety gear to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

2. Practice Safe Driving Habits

Next, you should always practice safe driving habits. You should always go the speed limit, even if it is tempting to go faster on the freeway. Going the speed limit can greatly reduce your chances of getting in an accident and will improve your reaction time if something unexpected happens. You must also obey all traffic rules. This includes using your signals, stopping at stop signs, and paying attention to stop lights.

3. Be a Defensive Driver

Motorcycle defensive driving is another necessary safety tip to follow as a motorcyclist.

If there is a car in front of you, you should always be prepared for the driver’s next move. Whether they slow down quickly or change lanes without signaling, you can watch their driving habits to be prepared. You should also always stay a safe distance away from other vehicles. Tailgating will make it difficult to stop in an emergency. Having enough space will give you a good escape route if there is an emergency on the road.

4. Wear the Right Gear

Even the most experienced motorcyclists can get into a motorcycle accident. When you are riding a motorcycle, you are not responsible for the cars around you and they may make mistakes that cause an accident. Wearing the right motorcycle gear will provide you with additional protection that may end up saving your life in the event of an accident.

5. Always Check the Weather

Sometimes, a motorcycle accident is not the fault of the rider or another driver. Poor weather conditions can easily compromise your safety while you are riding, so it is important that you always check the weather before going on a ride. Be aware of weather conditions like rain, ice, and snow that can lower your traction and worsen road visibility.

What Is the Best Safety Gear for Motorcycle Riders?

Having the right motorcycle safety gear is essential for preventing motorcycle injuries in an accident. Even experienced riders need to invest in safety gear, as other factors may result in a crash. First and foremost, you need to invest in a high-quality, approved helmet. There are a few different types of helmets, including a full helmet, a 3/4 helmet, and a 1/2 helmet. All of these are great options for motorcycle riders, but a full helmet will provide the most protection.

Next, you need a motorcycle jacket. This is necessary no matter how warm it is outside. Not only will they protect you from debris and bugs while you are riding, but they will also protect you from road rash in the event of a crash. Similarly, you must always wear motorcycle riding pants. Lastly, you should wear proper riding boots to protect your feet in the event of an accident.

What to Do if You Are in a Motorcycle Accident

If you are in a motorcycle accident, the first thing you must do is get yourself to safety. If you can get out of the road, you will be less likely to get injured again. Then, you must call 9-1-1 and get medical attention for your injuries. Some injuries may not be immediately transparent, so getting a medical evaluation can help you identify the seriousness of your injuries.

If you are planning to file a personal injury claim after your motorcycle accident, you should also speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer and your insurance company. This way, you can get legal help and gather important evidence for your case before it is too late.

Were You in a Motorcycle Accident? We Can Help

Motorcycle accidents are dangerous and often fatal. Still, there are many things that motorcyclists can do to prevent a motorcycle accident and stay safe on the road. Learning more about each of these factors can help you stay safe while driving! If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, you may need to get legal help. Collier & Collier specializes in personal injury cases and motorcycle accidents and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact our legal experts today for a free case consultation!

More than six million car accidents take place on America’s roads every year. These can result in huge amounts of damage to property and serious injuries.However, even if you are lucky enough to walk away from a car accident unscathed, it can still have a huge impact on your life. Because of this, you may be entitled to valuable compensation for the damage that it has caused. This is where a personal injury attorney can help. Putting together a personal injury claim with the help of a law firm won’t immediately repair the damage. Nevertheless, it can provide valuable financial support while you recover from your car accident. Want to know if you could make a personal injury claim even if you didn’t require medical treatment after your accident? Then you’re in the right place. Read on to find out everything you need to know about making a claim for your auto accident damages from expert personal injury lawyers.

Do I Still Have a Case IfI AmNot Injured in an Auto Accident?

The short answer isyes, you do. In fact, you can make a claim for a whole range of damages associated with auto accidents. Let’s take a closer look at these.

What Are the Other Damages Associated With a Personal Injury Claim?

Injuries resulting in medical expenses are easy to claim and can be linked back to a car accident quickly. However, you can also claim damages for:

• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Loss of earnings
• Other financial losses caused by your accident
• Wrongful death of a loved one or loss of companionship

If you still aren’t sure whether or not you should make a claimexperiencedpersonal injury lawyerswill be able to provide a free case review. So, seek out their guidance and advice about your accident.

How Do You Build a Case For Your Damages After a Car Accident With Support From a Personal Injury Attorney?

If you want tofile a claim for after an accident, there are three things you will need to prove.

Firstly, you need to demonstrate that you have been harmed. This means that you need evidence to show the impactof the damages on your life. You also need to demonstrate that your car accident caused the damages in your personal injury claim. You then need to prove that the party named in your personal injury lawsuit is at fault. This demonstrates that their actions directly contributed to the accident and the damage you suffered.Finally, you need to demonstrate thatwithout the liable party, you would not have suffered. To support your claim you will need to provide:

• Detailed evidence about the circumstances of your car accident
• Testimony and evidence to show the impact of its damage
• An experienced law firm can help you to build a strong case and secure a decent settlement for your damages.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the different types of damages that you can claim after a car accident and how this works.

Making a Claim For Emotional Distress

After a car crash, you may experience significant emotional and psychological distress. This may mean that you:

• Feel anxious and nervous
• Are fearful about driving again
• Feel angry and frustrated
• Havedifficulty sleeping
• Struggle to focus on work
• Experience angry outbursts
• Have involuntary flashbacks to the accident itself

In some cases, car accident survivors will develop post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.This canmake it difficult for you to focus on work and other daily tasks. It can also impact your personal relationships.

How Do You Prove Emotional Distress After an Accident?

You and yourpersonal injury attorney will need to present evidence to show how your emotional distress has damaged your life. This might include:

• Getting evidence from your doctor if you have received medical treatment for depression or anxiety
• Collecting testimony from your friends and family about your emotional wellbeing
• Demonstrating activities that you have disengaged with, such as socializing, since your accident
• This can all help to build a picture ofthe emotional impact of your car crash to support your personal injury claim.

Making a Claim For Property Damages

Car crash property damagealmost always affects the vehicles involved, but it can also impact homes, gardens, and other property in the vicinity. For example, if someone drives into your wall during a car accident, you can make a claim for this damage.

How Do You Prove That a Car Accident Damaged Your Property?

For a property damage claim you need to:

• Present the condition that your property was in before and after the accident
• Show the accident causing this damage
• If you have repaired any of the property damage, you can also present the receipts for this. This will help you calculate how much to ask for in your settlement.

Making a Claim For Loss of Earnings After an Accident

Injuries resulting in loss of earnings are common in car crash cases. However, if you are in shock after your accident or are unable to drive, you may also have to take time off work.

In that case, you can also make a claim for your lostwages with help from your law firm.

How Do You Prove That a Car Accident Contributed to Your Loss of Earnings?

To claim forlost wages,you need to calculate exactly how much you lost after your accident. You will also need to prove that this was a direct result of your accident.This might, for example, be recorded in the company log when you were signed off work. Doctors’ notes for medical attention or recovery can also be useful when it comes to making claims for your lost wages.

Making a Claim For Additional Financial Losses After an Accident

An auto accident might result in other financial losses on top of your lost wages, medical bills, and property damage. For example, you may have had to cancel plans or a vacation after your accident.

How Do You Prove That a Car Accident Caused Your Financial Losses?

To make a claim for financial losses, such as canceled vacations, you need to prove that your cancellation was a direct result of your accident. This should be for a viable reason.

For example, if you were planning to drive across the country but your car was damaged, this can be included in your claim against the fault party. Alternatively, you can claim for cancellations relating to emotional distress.It is worth noting that these claims are easy to dispute. So, get a free consultation of your financial loss before you include it in your case.

Making a Claim for Loss of Companionship or Death After a Car Accident

More than 38,000 people die in auto accidents across the United States each year. If someone is responsible for causing an accident that killed your loved one you can make a wrongful death claim against them.These claims acknowledge that:

• Without the accident your loved one would still be alive today
• At least one party was responsible for causing the accident
• The loss of your loved one has had a profound emotional impact on your life
• Financial compensation can provide security for you and your loved ones while you grieve.

How Do You Prove That a Car Accident Caused the Death of a Loved One?

Wrongful death claimsafter an auto accident mainly center around identifying who was to blame for an accident. This might be one of the other drivers. Poor road maintenance, such as a lack of signage or road markings, can also contribute to car accidents. In that case, you could also bring a claim against the highway maintenance company responsible for the roads in the area.You will also need to use medical reports to prove that your loved one’s car accident injuries directly resulted in their death.

How to Find Out If You Have a Viable Personal Injury Case

Hopefully, this article will have helped to figure out whether you have a viable personal injury case for your damages. A personal injury attorneycan review your case for free to help you to decide whether to make a claim. They can also help you to build a case for your claim if you decide to proceed with it. It might be tempting to use your insurance adjusters to make a personal injury claim after an accident. However, some insurance adjusters will only payout on certain types of damages. This also usually relies on you having exactly the right insurance coverage.Making a claim through your own insurance will damage your no-claims bonus and drive up your insurance premiums. So, if you think someone was liable for your accident, then it is better to build a lawsuit against them.

Get Help With Your Damage Claim From an Experienced Law Firm Today

As you can see, medical treatment and injuries are not the only things that you can make a claim for after a car accident. In fact, there are plenty of ways that an accident could impact your life that make you entitled to personal injury compensation. A brilliant personal injury attorney will be able to help with this. If you have been in a car accident in the last three years,organize a free case review with Collier and Collier today to find out more.The experts at our law firm will be happy to help you make a claim for personal injury compensation!

When the average car suddenly meets an 18-wheeler weighing as much as 80,000 pounds and traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour, enormous damage and injury are inevitable. Due to their enormous size and weight, semi-trucks can cause dangerous accidents, resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

As a responsible motorist, there are a few things you can do to help prevent a tragic accident.

1. Stay Out of Blind Spots: Tractor-trailers have huge blinds spots “ meaning you can see them, but they cannot see you. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recommends a simple way to tell if you are in a blind spot: if you cannot see the driver in their side mirror, they most likely cannot see you. This includes leaving a large following distance behind a truck. As you can see below, the area immediately behind a truck is one of its many blind spots.

   

2. Dont Cut Off a Truck: If youre looking for a chance to change lanes, and you see a space just in front of a truck, stay OUT of its way! Trucks leave large following distances because it takes them longer to slow down. Leaving this space is essential to not rear-ending the car in front of them.
3. Pay Extra Attention When Passing: We understand how frustrating it can be to be stuck behind a slow-moving truck. Remember that when you pass, you should maintain a consistent speed, and always pass on the left side. The right side of the truck has a much larger blind spot, making an accident much more likely.
4. Signal your Intent: You should always use your turn signals, but it is extra important to do so when changing lanes near a truck. Truck drivers rely on these signals to understand what is happening on the road.
5. Watch Their Signals: When you see a truck with its turn signal on, slow down and let the truck change lanes. Trying to speed up to ˜beat the truck is an easy way to get yourself caught in a blind spot. Trucks that are turning will need extra time and space to do so. Trucks will swing right for a left turn and left for a right turn. Never drive between a turning truck and the side of the road.
6. Be Accommodating on Hills: The Virginia DMV recommends accommodating trucks with your speed when driving on inclines. When driving down a hill with a truck behind you, you can speed up slightly when it is safe to do so. The truck or bus driver may be trying to slow down safely without losing the momentum needed to climb the next hill at a reasonable speed. Speeding up may allow you to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck.
7. Keep Steady During Inclement Weather: When approaching a truck, you may notice they can sometimes create turbulence in the air to the sides. This effect can be worse when the roads are slick “ keep a steady grip on your steering wheel, and turn on your wipers, when driving near a tractor-trailer.
8. Drive with Your Headlights On: In Virginia, it is the law to have your headlights on if your windshield wipers are in use. This is because rain, sleet, and snow reduce your visibility. Some drivers choose to drive with their headlights on at all times, helping to increase general visibility. This can be particularly helpful when driving near a truck, since they may see your headlights before they see you.

Truck accident cases are complex, and determining fault requires fast action and proper resources. Many factors must be assessed to determine all responsible parties. Drivers may be contracted to a company, vehicles are often leased, and its often difficult to tell who is responsible. As soon as you contact the tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Collier & Collier, our investigators can quickly go to the scene of your accident and begin research immediately.

Contact us at 804-364-5200 for a free consultation to discuss your case. Let us put our resources to work for YOU.

For more information regarding large truck safety, visit the Virginia DMVs website.

Springtime weather is often the first excuse all year to get outside, get walking, and be active! This includes dogs and dogwalkers and owners. And while you may want to jog up and pet a friendly-looking dog right away, you should know that this may lead to a bite or serious injury. Because we can’t know exactly what our furry friends are thinking before we approach, its important to practice some caution when approaching canines. Here are some tips to help you prevent dog bites this spring:

Do:

• Always ask if it is okay to pet someone elses dog before reaching out to pet the dog.
• When approached by an unfamiliar dog, remain motionless (be still like a tree).
• If a dog knocks you over, curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck.
• Immediately let an adult know about any stray dogs or dogs that are behaving strangely.

Dont:

• Dont approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Dont run from a dog.
• Dont panic or make loud noises.
• Dont disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Dont pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• Dont encourage your dog to play aggressively.
• Dont let small children play with a dog unsupervised.

What to do if an unfamiliar dog approaches you and you do not want to interact with it:

• Stop! Stay still and be calm.
• Do not panic or make loud noises.
• Avoid direct eye contact with the dog.
• Say No or Go Home in a firm, deep voice.
• Stand with the side of your body facing the dog. Facing a dog directly can appear aggressive to the dog. Instead, keep your body turned partially or completely to the side.
• Slowly raise your hands to your neck, with your elbows in.
• Wait for the dog to pass or slowly back away.

If you are attacked by a dog and call animal control, tell the animal control official everything you know about the dog, including his owners name and the address where they live. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control official what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether youve seen him before and in which direction he went.

The Richmond, Virginia personal injury lawyers of Collier & Collier, P.C. will take the right action to make sure you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled. You may be entitled to payment for medical costs, property damage, lost wages, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, physical pain, and emotional suffering. You can call Collier & Collier P.C. at 877.825.0543 for an experienced personal injury lawyer.