What Injuries Could I Be Facing If I Fall or Trip While Hiking?

tampa fl injury law firm

tampa fl injury law firmWhile hiking can be a fun activity, it can also lead to serious injuries. Time after time, these injuries could have been prevented if not for the negligence of others. If you love to hike but have been injured doing so, here are some common injuries and how slip and fall accident lawyers in Tampa can be of assistance.

Broken Bones
When hikers get hurt, broken bones are very common. Whether it is a broken arm, leg, ankle, or foot from slipping and falling, these injuries can take months to heal. In many situations, injuries such as these are caused by the failure to properly post warning signs for hikers telling them of the difficulty of certain trails, or the hazards they may face ahead. If this happened to you, contact the Tampa FL injury law firm of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore.

Lacerations
Since many hiking trails have jagged rocks, severe lacerations on legs, arms, and faces are very common injuries. In many cases, hiking guides who are supposed to be helping hikers stay safe on the trails fail to take into account the potential danger of a certain trail, especially if they are in charge of helping those who may be new to hiking.

Head Injuries
In the most severe instances, injured hikers can sustain concussions or traumatic brain injuries from striking their head against rocks or ledges. Unfortunately, since these hikers may be miles from medical help, the results can often be tragic. If you or a loved one suffered severe head injuries while hiking, contact slip and fall accident lawyers in Tampa to discuss your case.

Rather than let the negligence of inexperienced hiking guides or park administrators keep you from getting the financial compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, schedule an immediate consultation with the Tampa FL injury law firm of Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore.

tampa fl personal injury lawyers

tampa fl personal injury lawyersThere are many different types of accidents that cause injuries and deaths. They might involve motor vehicles, a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall, negligent security, nursing home negligence or even falling merchandise in a big box warehouse store. Though these accidents can vary widely in type and manner, many of them have at least one thing in common: the person or entity that caused the accident has liability insurance.

How Insurance Companies Make Money
Insurance companies make money by charging premiums and banking the money that those premiums bring in. Then, they invest that money to make even more money. When claims arise, they do whatever they can to minimize their losses and keep the company’s bottom line healthy.

Don’t Give Up Control of Your Claim
Insurance companies aren’t in the business of giving money away. If you were injured as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else, his or her insurer is going to start setting up its defense to your claim right away by trying to control your claim. That’s why you want to contact the Tampa FL personal injury lawyers at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore right away after being injured in an accident. The accident law firm in Tampa will take control of your case for you.

The Statement and Medical Authorization
Always remember that the opposing insurance company in your case has its own best interests in mind after a claim arises. It will likely want a recorded statement from you along with an authorization that will allow it to obtain all of your medical records. In many cases, the company’s main intent is to use your own words and medical history against you in the future. Florida law doesn’t require you to give that statement or authorization, so politely refuse to give them.

Rather than helping the opposing insurer build its defense against you, give control of your case to our accident law firm in Tampa. Contact the Tampa FL personal injury lawyers at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore right away after being injured in any accident to arrange for a free consultation and care review. With our objective of maximizing any proceeds that you might receive by settlement or an award, we look out for your best interests.

tampa boating accident lawyers

tampa boating accident lawyersBoating is one of the most common forms of recreation in Tampa, Florida. It is especially popular during the summer. If you have been invited to go boating with friends, you should be mindful of your personal safety. It is the responsibility of the boat owner to keep his or her passengers safe as well. There is a temptation among some boat owners to combine alcohol and recklessness with boating, and this can lead to tragic consequences.

If you have been injured in a boating accident that owes to the carelessness, recklessness, or negligence of another, then you should consider taking legal action. Tampa boating accident lawyers can help you.

Common Boating Injuries

Boats are powerful waterborne vehicles equipped with advanced machinery and electrical systems and devices of various kinds. A collision, grounding, or other boating accident can compromise the integrity of the boat in ways that put people in danger. Here are some of the most common types of boating injuries:

1. Drowning

This of course is the most lethal consequence of a boating accident. Even if everyone on a boat can swim, a collision can cause the kind of brain trauma that makes it impossible to tread water and get to safety. If someone is unconscious before being thrown overboard by a collision, then they are likely to drown.

2. Brain injury

This can occur in two ways. It can result from oxygen deprivation when an individual is submerged underwater for an extended period of time. It can also come as a result of being thrown against a bulkhead or piece of heavy machinery during a boat-related collision.

3. Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord can be compressed when a boat bounces violently up and down owing to its encounter with waves or the wake of another vessel.

4. Lacerations

Cuts, bruises, bumps, and deep scratches can occur when a person is thrown across the boat because of a crash or a sudden turn.

 

How a Personal Injury Law Firm in Tampa FL Can Help

If you have been injured in a boating accident, you should contact a personal injury law firm in Tampa FL as soon as you can. Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore heads a team of Tampa boating accident lawyers who possess the judgment and experience to get you justice. You should contact Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore to discuss your legal options.

heavy rainful

heavy rainfulHeavy rainfall presents a challenge to drivers. Rain that is persistent and forceful can reduce visibility, impede your ability to control your vehicle, and cause other difficulties. If you must get on the road, you should drive to survive. You should be conscious of deteriorating conditions and keep your focus on the vehicles around you.

Risks of Driving in Heavy Rain
These are some of the inherent dangers that come with heavy rain:

-Slippery road surfaces
-Flooding
-Loose debris
-Slippery mud
-Hydroplaning

You should be especially wary of hydroplaning. Heavy rain will leave a considerable amount of water on the road. If you drive your car too fast, the wheels can go above the water. At that point, you will no longer be in control of your vehicle because the treads of your wheels will not be in contact with the surface of the road. This makes it impossible to steer or maintain traction.

Driving Tips
To avoid an accident during a heavy rainstorm, you should take the following actions, where appropriate:

-Slow down
-Stay tuned to the latest emergency information
-Leave early enough to avoid rushing
-Do not use cruise control
-Avoid standing water and puddles
-Stay in the center of the lane while driving
-In an especially hard downpour, pull off to the side of the road if you have lost all visibility

How an Injury Law Firm in Tampa Can Help If You Have an Accident

You may try to avoid an accident but get into one anyway. If you are injured in the course of the accident, your first priority is to get well. You should also contact an injury law firm in Tampa. If the accident is the result of reckless driving by the other person, then their insurance company should compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, where allowable.

Tampa FL accident attorneys help accident victims get the justice and compensation they deserve. Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore leads a team of Tampa Fl accident attorneys who can provide you with the advice you need. If you have been in an accident, you should contact Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore to figure out your options.