What does uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance cover?
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance covers your injuries, your passengers’ injuries, and damage to your vehicle if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough or has no auto insurance coverage.
If you’re hit by a driver with no insurance…

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) may pay medical bills for both you and your passengers.
• Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) may pay for damage to your vehicle.

If you’re hit by a driver with not enough insurance…

• Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIMBI) may pay medical bills for both you and your passengers in excess of the at-fault coverage.
• Underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD) may pay for damage to your vehicle in excess of the at-fault coverage.

The link below is the Ohio Revised Code section on this topic:
https://casetext.com/statute/ohio-revi…t-coverage

If you present an uninsured or underinsured claim to your insurance company, your insurance rates will not increase.  The accident was not your fault, and you are paying for this coverage.  Your insurance company has a contractual obligation to provide coverage for you.

Have questions about this topic, please feel free to call Howard Skolnick directly on his cell phone at (216) 376-0645.

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Read More: New Distracted Driving Law Leads to Significant Decrease in Traffic Crashes

Read more: Phones Down

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As a result, many victims hesitate to seek legal representation due to concerns about the cost. However, law firms allow car accident victims to access legal representation without paying attorney fees upfront. At the Skolnick Weiser Law Firm, LLC, we work on a contingency basis to help individuals seek justice and compensation. We ensure we don’t add financial stress to an already challenging situation until we achieve a successful resolution.

Attorney Fee Structures for Car Accident Cases

If you decide to seek legal representation after an accident, it’s crucial to understand the standard personal injury attorney fee structure. In Cleveland, most attorney fees for motor vehicle accidents are based on a contingency fee arrangement. This means that you don’t have to pay your attorney upfront. Instead, the attorney’s fees are contingent upon the outcome of your case.

The contingency fee percentage can vary depending on the stage of your case. Here are the typical fee structures you can expect:

Pre-Lawsuit Settlement

If your car accident claim is settled before a lawsuit is filed, we usually charge a fee of 33 1/3% of the gross proceeds. This means that if your case results in a settlement with $100,000 of compensation, your attorney will receive 331/3% 100,000 of that amount as their fee.

After Filing a Lawsuit

If your case progresses to the point where a lawsuit is filed, the attorney’s fee often increases to 40% of the gross proceeds. This higher percentage reflects the additional work and potential risks associated with litigating the case in court.

It’s important to note that these percentages are negotiable to some extent. Therefore, you may discuss the fee arrangement with your attorney before proceeding with your case.

Client Responsibility for Expenses

In addition to attorney fees, Ohio law requires that clients reimburse the attorney for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the case preparation. These expenses come out of the final settlement. These expenses may include:

• Court filing fees
• Fees for expert witnesses
• Court reporter fees
• The cost of obtaining police reports
• Gathering medical records fees
• Any other expenditure directly associated with building the case

However, some lawyers have a different approach to their fees. You may find that your auto accident attorney charges:

• An hourly fee
• Retainer fee
• Flat fee
• Hybrid fee

Your attorney will provide a detailed breakdown of these expenses and obtain your consent before incurring them. Our legal team will try to be as transparent as possible so that you understand the financial aspects of your case fully.

Contact Skolnick Weiser Law Firm, LLC, Today

Though legal fees may sound intimidating when coupled with car accident injuries and losses, they really don’t need to be a source of worry. At Skolnick Weiser Law Firm, LLC, we work on a contingency fee basis. As a result, you can retain our skilled legal team with no up-front cost and no financial risk to you. Contact us today for a free case review.

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What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers, no matter what you call them, are more prominent than most other vehicles on the road. This makes them inherently more dangerous. Their extreme size and weight make them more likely to cause accidents and more likely to lead to severe damage and suffering if an accident occurs. Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Driver inexperience
• Driver distraction
• Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Improperly loaded trucks
• Speeding or going too fast for road/weather conditions
• Poor truck maintenance
• Lack of proper training and experience
• Brake problems
• Unfamiliarity with the roadways

These are no excuses or valid reasons for an accident to happen. The fact is that in most truck accidents, there are simple steps that could have prevented the accident. The driver could have gotten more rest and abided by federal standards for the hourly limits on driving a big rig; they could have slowed down on a snowy or icy road; the trucking company could have provided them with better training, or the truck could have been maintained better. Your Ohio truck accident lawyer can help determine the cause of your accident and what parties are liable for your damages.

Who is Liable for Commercial Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents can be one of the more complex types of personal injury cases when determining fault. Once your Ohio truck accident attorney has a better understanding of what might have caused your accident, they can begin to piece together who might be liable. In some accidents, it will be a single entity, or there may be several responsible parties. Possible entities that could be liable for your damages and named as a defendant in your lawsuit by your truck accident lawyer in Ohio include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The owner of the tuck
• The workers who loaded the truck
• The manufacturers of the truck or its parts
• Cargo loaders or their employers
• Municipalities responsible for road conditions, lights, or signage

Suppose there is evidence that more than one entity is liable for your injuries, or the court finds multiple responsible parties. In that case, your truck accident lawyer in Ohio can ensure they will each be liable for your damages. Generally, each party is assigned a percentage of damages they are liable for. They must pay you that percentage of your total award or settlement.

Turn to a Seasoned Commercial Ohio Truck Accident Attorney

Your unfortunate involvement in a truck accident can cause many problems in several areas of your life. You may not be able to pay your medical bills, struggle to return to work to pay your daily living expenses, be unable to enjoy the hobbies and activities you once did, and even your relationships can be affected. You need the help of a law firm that understands what it is like to be in your shoes and navigate life moving forward. The Skolnick Weiser Law Firm is that firm. Contact us at 216-545-9951 or online today to schedule a no-obligation case consultation.

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Keep your eyes open

Experienced motorcyclists know they must survey far more than the stretch of road in front of them to ensure a safe ride. Motorcycle safety requires constant vigilance in monitoring mirrors, blind spots, intersections and other vehicles, whether they are close by or far in the distance. The sooner you see a hazard, the more time you have to react and avoid it.

Know the laws where you’re driving

Motorcycle laws vary from state to state and county to county. If you are visiting another locale, you can enhance your safety by learning the laws there. A helpful website called driving-tests.org allows you to access driving tests from other states so you can brush up on the laws no matter where in the U.S. you are traveling.

Keep your ride in top shape

Motorcycle maintenance is something you have control over and is one of the most important factors in keeping you and others safe on the road. Check your brakes, belts, tires, fluids and other important parts before hitting the road. While a passenger vehicle can usually sustain a blown tire or broken belt without major concern, the margin for error is far slimmer regarding a motorcycle.

Protect your rights off the road

If you were injured by a careless driver, you have already been wronged once on the road. Do not compound the injury by failing to protect your legal and financial rights off the road. Discuss your claim with a personal injury attorney who has experience handling motorcycle accident claims.

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If you routinely ride a motorcycle, you have probably had more than one close call where a driver did not see you. Of course, if a driver cannot see you, he or she may not be able to avoid causing a serious collision. Here are four ways to increase your visibility to other drivers when you are riding your bike:

1. Buy a brightly colored motorcycle 

When purchasing your bike, you must keep your safety in mind. While they have a cool look to them, gray and black motorcycles are not necessarily easy to see. Therefore, try to ride a brightly colored motorcycle. Choosing a white, red or yellow bike may increase your visibility by as much as 50%.

2. Install some reflective tape 

Your stock motorcycle likely has some reflectors on its front and rear fairings. You can improve these reflectors, though. Install some reflective tape around your motorcycle. Clear reflective tape is available if you do not want to ruin the overall look of your machine.

3. Wear a high-visibility helmet and other gear 

Construction crews often wear high-visibility vests, T-shirts and hardhats for a good reason: Bright gear keeps workers safe. The same is true with a high-visibility helmet, jacket and other riding gear. If you make yourself bright, you increase the chances other motorists can see you.

4. Avoid blind spots 

All motorists should turn their heads to check blind spots before changing lanes. Of course, this does not always occur. Therefore, to protect yourself, you should try to avoid blind spots altogether. If you must enter a driver’s blind spot, you should also exit it as quickly as possible.

While riding a motorcycle is usually more dangerous than driving a car, you can improve your chances of staying safe by increasing your visibility. With effort and some defensive riding, there is less need to worry about sustaining a serious injury in a motorcycle wreck.

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If you sustain a serious injury in a motorcycle accident, you must act quickly to pursue compensation for your injuries. After all, for most personal injury cases, Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations. A better strategy, though, is to avoid a motorcycle accident altogether. With the right riding gear, you increase your odds of staying safe on your bike. Here are five pieces of motorcycle gear you should wear every time you ride:

1. A helmet 

Even though Ohio does not require adult riders to wear a helmet, a safety-rated helmet is probably the best piece of protective gear you can own. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing rider deaths. They are also more than 65 percent effective in reducing traumatic brain injuries. 

2. A jacket 

Road rash is a serious injury. If you take a spill on your bike, your skin may never be the same again. To protect the sensitive parts of your body from road rash, invest in a high-quality jacket. Fortunately, you likely do not have to overheat to stay safe on your machine. Because modern jackets come in a variety of materials and designs, you can choose the one that is the most comfortable for you. 

3. Pants 

Because of road rash, riding in shorts is never a good idea. Instead, always wear pants when you ride your bike. For extra protection, purchase a pair of reinforced jeans. 

4. Boots 

When you ride your motorcycle, you use your feet to accelerate, brake and shift. If you wear shoes that do not have adequate tread, you may not be able to keep control of your bike. Because weather conditions frequently change in Ohio, you should always wear a pair of boots that has enough tread to grip your bike’s wet pedals. Good boots also protect your feet, toes, ankles and calves during a crash. 

5. Gloves 

You do not only control your bike with your feet, but you also use your hands. When you wear a pair of modern riding gloves, you keep your hands warm during inclement weather. You also improve your grip. 

These five types of motorcycle protective gear are essential for most riders to stay safe on Ohio’s roadways. Depending on your riding style, you may also want to wear protective eyewear, body armor or a full riding suit. Remember, recovering from a motorcycle accident can be stressful, expensive and time-consuming. With the right gear, you minimize your chances of sustaining a serious injury.

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Some parts of the year are worse for motorcycle riders than others. Spring is one of those times. Here are three reasons spring can be a dangerous time for motorcyclists: 

1. Motorists get used to bike-free roadways 

During summer months, motorists usually expect to see motorcycle riders on highways, streets, roads and bridges in the Buckeye State. Unfortunately, though, after Ohio’s long winters, many drivers get used to bike-free roadways. Still, motorcycles are a fraction of the size of cars, trucks, SUVs and 18-wheelers. Therefore, you should always allow some extra space between your bike and cars. By riding defensively, you increase your odds of avoiding a collision until motorists remember to look twice. 

2. Weather conditions change rapidly 

Springtime weather in Ohio can be unpredictable. You may see sunny skies turn to rain or snow in just a couple hours. If you do not have the right gear for changing weather conditions, you may not be able to keep control of your motorcycle. Accordingly, until summer arrives, you must always check the forecast before you leave your garage. If a sudden storm appears, park your bike somewhere safe until weather conditions return to normal. 

3. Bikes have mechanical problems 

If you park your motorcycle during cold winter months, it may not be ready to go when temperatures climb. That is, mechanical problems may become more severe when you are not riding your bike. Therefore, before you hit the open road, you must fully inspect and service your motorcycle. Doing so may be your best strategy for avoiding a slide, collision or crash.

By understanding why motorcycle accidents occur during spring months, you can better plan for staying safe on your bike. With a bit of diligence, you can likely decrease your odds of having a motorcycle wreck.

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Believe it or not, these weigh stations perform an important role in keeping you and others safe out there on the roads. Their purpose goes far beyond making sure that the semitrucks observe the appropriate limits on their loads.

Part of a weigh station’s major duties is checking each of the 2.3 million trucks that pass through them each year for major safety violations. While a load that’s too heavy can cause serious problems, that’s far from the only thing officials are guarding against.

Here are some of the things that officials have caught — thanks to weigh station checks:

• Flat tires
• Broken air springs
• Broken leaf springs
• Deflated air suspension
• Broken frames

Nationally, 20.42 percent of the trucks that pass through a weigh station fail their inspection. At that point, the trucks are placed out of service and not permitted to continue until they’ve been repaired.

However, inspectors don’t just take a look at the trucks that go their stations — they also check out the drivers. A total of 4.93 truck drivers are stopped from continuing on their way for a number of different reasons. Often, that means that they fail the checks done on their licenses or qualifications or seem impaired due to fatigue or some other reason.

Weigh stations are often seen as a mystery to most drivers — and an inconvenience to reliable truckers. Now you know, however, that they play an important role in keeping the highways safe for everyone.

If you’ve been the victim of an accident with a big rig, rest assured that the trucking company will have attorneys working on their side. Make sure that you do the same in order to protect your own interests.

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Over the last 30 years, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended at least 10 times that large vehicles be equipped with technology that could significantly reduce the number of front-end collisions large trucks are involved in — something that often happens when drivers get distracted and tired.

The NHTSA has pretty much ignored the recommendations entirely until recently. Through a spokesperson, the agency recently stated that it had looked into some automatic emergency braking (AEB) technology between 2013 and 2016. It’s now doing field operation studies it expects to have completed within the next two years.

Meanwhile, accidents with big rigs keep happening and motorists in passenger vehicles keep dying or ending up with life-changing injuries. The grim reality is that motorists are less safe out there on the nation’s highways today than they were a decade ago — and it’s likely to get worse. Consumers increasingly shop from home, so that means there are more trucks on the road carrying freight just about everywhere you go.

When an 80,000-pound truck smashes into a 3,000-pound sedan, the passenger vehicle doesn’t stand a chance. In 2017 alone, 4,102 people died in accidents with large trucks. The overwhelming majority of deaths occurred to the occupants of the passenger vehicles, with only 17 percent of the dead being the truckers themselves.

If your loved one was killed in a truck accident, you may decide to consult with an attorney about seeking compensation. Your family deserves to have future security and it may take an attorney’s help to make the insurance companies play fair.

The post Why isn’t a federal agency doing more to stop truck accidents? appeared first on Personal Injury Lawyer Cleveland | Car Accident Attorney.