Truck Accidents May Take Years To Resolve.

Unlike passenger vehicle accidents, truck accidents can take years to resolve. That's why it is important to establish a relationship with a competent law firm that will continue fighting for you until it wins all the money you are entitled to recover to help ease your pain and suffering.

The Glassman Law Firm is experienced in dealing with shrewd corporations who will try to suppress and bury the average individual in an avalanche of legal paper in order to delay and obstruct your right to recover damages for your severe injuries. Our masterful attorneys use innovation and diligent investigative methods to ensure you aren't buried in litigation by a trucking company's legal team.

We will fight for you to expose:

-Intoxicated truck drivers;

-Truck drivers with impaired health;

-Untrained/unlicensed truck drivers;

-Unsafe truck equipment;

-Improper maintenance;

-Unsafe/poorly loaded trucks; and

-FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) violations, log book fabrications, and log book violations.

These are just a few of the factors that trucking companies will make extensive efforts to cover up and/or pass the blame to another party. Any party...perhaps you.

In many cases, trucking companies and the corporations that hire them have an investigator of their own on the scene—sometimes arriving before first responders. It really gives you an idea of the lengths to which they are willing to go to protect their own interests and damage yours.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, big-rig, commercial vehicle, or 18-wheeler, give us a call today. Time is of the essence. Truck companies are working right now to bury your case. Call us so we can uncover the truth.

Large Trucking Companies Only Have Their Driver’s Best Interests At Heart

Semi truck accidents are among the most disastrous motor vehicle accidents. Injuries from semi-trucks are often very serious because of the size and weight of the truck. Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injury, permanent disability or even death, causing a ripple effect of pain and suffering.

Drivers of large trucks and other vehicles involved in truck crashes are ten times more likely to be the cause of the crash than other factors, such as weather, road conditions and vehicle performance. The most commonly associated factors were driver related, such as illegal drug/alcohol use, traveling too fast for conditions, unfamiliarity with the roadway, inadequate surveillance, fatigue, improper equipment, and feeling under pressure from their employer as well as others on the road.

Because semi trucks are usually owned by large companies, often a sophisticated team of insurance adjusters or lawyers will quickly begin working on building a case against you —even if the accident was not your fault. Don't talk to these folks.Their interest is in protecting the trucking companies and truck drivers who hire them.

If you or someone you love has been injured or even killed in a Missouri semi truck accident and the accident was not your fault, you have certain rights to recover money for injuries, property damage, missed work, medical bills, pain and suffering and disability. But truck companies or their insurance adjusters or attorneys may try to get you to waive (give up) those rights.

Don’t say another word. Call us today for a competent attorney who understands semi truck laws in Missouri and will fight for you. Time is paramount. Contact us today.

Hire An Attorney With An Extensive Knowledge Of Trucking Rules And Regulations

The income of commercial truck drivers is often based on making deliveries under incredibly tight deadlines, with risk of losing pay if the deadline is not met. This makes the trucking industry one of the most competitive commercial industries in the United States. Regrettably, this culture leads to deadly driving tactics, such as driving fatigued. It is estimated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that operator fatigue plays a role in more than 40% of all tractor trailer accidents on our roads.

In an effort to eliminate drivers operating 40 ton commercial trucks while fatigued, the FMCSA requires that logbooks be filled out documenting hours of rest and sleep. Yet, drivers still regularly falsify these books with aid of trucking companies in order that shipments reach their destinations as quickly as possible. This puts the lives of everyone on the road at risk in order to maximize their profits.

Trucking companies who pressure their drivers to operate big rigs while sleep deprived (or who condone their drivers’ use of falsified logbooks that misrepresent their hours of rest and sleep) must be held responsible for this reckless disregard of public safety.

In recognition of this major risk to the safety and welfare of the driving public, the FMCSA enacted new Hours of Service Rules on 2/27/12. Compliance with these rules became mandatory on 7/1/13. Several of these rules impose penalties and form the basis of civil liability.

FMCSA's new Hours of Service final rule:

• Limits the maximum average work week for truck drivers to 70 hours (a decrease from the current maximum of 82 hours);

• Allows truck drivers who reach the maximum 70 hours of driving within a week to resume if they rest for 34 consecutive hours, including at least two nights when their body clock demands sleep the most (from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m.);

• Requires truck drivers to take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift; and

• Retains the current 11-hour daily driving limit and 14-hour work day.

The ongoing mayhem on our nation's highways will hopefully be reduced if the Department of Transportation can effectively enforce these new regulations that require necessary driver rest. We need to realize, however, that a lack of enforcement will only encourage large trucking companies to continue their reckless practices that favor profits over people.

Due to the catastrophic injuries and fatalities associated with large truck crashes, it is crucial that an attorney with an extensive knowledge of trucking rules and regulations is employed after a collision. Contact the Missouri Truck Accident Attorneys of The Glassman Law Firm at 314-446-6000 or at GlassmanLegal.com to ensure that your rights are protected.

Johnson & Johnson Reaches Settlement For Misleading Schizophrenia Drugs Practices

It was announced on November 4, 2013 that Johnson & Johnson is ordered to pay $2.2 billion a settlement involving the schizophrenia drugs Risperdal and Invega. This penalty is one of the largest health care related settlements in the country, says the Justice Department.

Arkansas was paid $1.2 billion in fines from Johnson & Johnson in 2011 for deceptive marketing and making false claims about the drug Risperdal. The FDA approved Risperdal to treat schizophrenia, however it was marketed to doctors and nursing homes as a treatment for elderly patients with dementia.

In addition to falsely marketing the drug, Johnson & Johnson was aware that patients on Risperdal were at an increased risk for developing diabetes, yet never publicly disclosed that information, according to the settlement. The drug was encouraged in nursing homes by way of paid pharmacists being sent to nursing homes to review patient records.

"Although consultant pharmacists purported to provide 'independent' recommendations based on their clinical judgment, J&J viewed the pharmacists as an 'extension of [J&J's] sales force,'" said the Justice Department. General Eric Holder said kickbacks and other incentives could have put the "health of some patients at risk."

The consequences of pharmaceutical and medical product negligence can result in catastrophic injuries, emotional and financial hardships for the victim and their family, and death. If you have sustained injury, or if a loved one was killed, as the result of negligence by a pharmaceutical or medical product company, you and your family may qualify for compensation. Contact the Defective Product Attorneys of The Glassman Law Firm at 314-446-6000 to discuss your legal rights and options.

When To Contact An Attorney Following A Traumatic Brain Injury

Approximately 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic brain (TBI) injury each year in the United States. Of that number, three out of four are considered a "mild" traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

According to the Mayo Clinic, mTBI symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
• No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented
• Memory or concentration problems
• Headache
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Mood changes or mood swings
• Feeling depressed or anxious
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual

The October 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (JAAOS) published an article discussing mild traumatic brain injuries and the accidents most responsible for them. JAAOS found that falls and motor vehicle accidents are to blame for most cases of minor traumatic brain injuries, and a common cause of bone and joint injuries. Lead study author Richard L. Uhl, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y. found that "Musculoskeletal injuries are often seen concurrently with some studies estimating that 50 percent of patients with orthopaedic injuries also sustain a mTBI."

This silent epidemic, as dubbed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is considered a major public health issue. Patients that suffer a mTBI and multisystem trauma are twice as likely to have persistent cognitive impairment, along with reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Patients with mTBI paired with lower extremity injuries are three times as likely to undergo behavioral and cognitive difficulties at a year post injury. Patients whose symptoms last more than three months are said to have post-concussion syndrome. This disorder can be linked with significant financial, social, and emotional challenges.

These symptoms are why it's imperative an attorney is contacted after an accident. If you or a loved one has suffered any type of traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of another party, contact the St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys of The Glassman Law Firm at 314-446-6000 or find them online at www.glassmanlegal.com. While your life my never be the same, the Glassman Law Firm will fight to get you the damages you are entitled to.

Walking While Intoxicated Is A Major Cause Of Pedestrian Deaths

Walking home after a few drinks may seem like a safer alternative to getting behind the wheel, however a new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that walking while intoxicated is a major cause of pedestrian deaths.

In 2011 alone, 35 percent of pedestrians killed had a BAC level above the legal limit for driving, which is .08 or higher. The largest age range of pedestrians killed is the 25-34 year old range, accounting for 50 percent of the alcohol related pedestrian fatalities. Overall, pedestrian deaths are up 3 percent from 2010.

In response to the increase in pedestrian deaths, the NHTSA has created the "Everyone Is A Pedestrian" campaign.

The following are safety tips for pedestrians from the NHTSA:

• Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. 
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. 
• If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. 
• Keep alert at all times; don't be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road. 
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible. This is where drivers expect pedestrians. 
Look for cars in all directions - including those turning left or right. 
• If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
• Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you to make sure you are seen.
• Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and judgment too.

The following are safety tips for drivers from the NHTSA:

• Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility. 
• Use extra caution when driving in hard- to-see conditions, such as nighttime or in bad weather. 
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. 
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too. 
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can't see.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
• Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where there are children present.
• Be extra cautious when backing up - pedestrians can move into your path.

Contact the St. Louis Personal Injury Attorneys of The Glassman Law Firm at 314-446-6000 if you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a pedestrian accident.

Missouri Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Safety is a priority for many bikers. Unfortunately, the NHTSA found that "per mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash." According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's latest data involving motorcycle accidents, 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 were injured in 2008. This is a 2% increase in fatalities from the previous year.

While you can't control other people's actions, there are steps you can take to begin your ride more safely. Maintaining your bike is extremely important. Be sure to check tire pressure, inspect the wheels, inspect the cables and hoses, test lights and turn signals (if any), check oil and fluid levels, and review the overall condition of the bike. If you don't feel safe riding it, leave it in the garage.

Personal safety is tremendously important as well. Always wear a helmet. The NHTSA found that helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to bikers. Be sure to wear clothing that offers some level of protection. Wearing bright colors or reflective materials can only add to your level of safety. Wearing full fingered gloves with a non-slip surface can help maintain grip and prevent abrasions to the hands in an accident. Wearing leather boots to protect your feet will give you an added level of protection.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact the Missouri Motorcycle Accident Attorneys of The Glassman Law Firm at 314-446-6000 or find them online at www.motorcycleaccidentattorneys.net.