18-Wheeler Accidents Are Far More Dangerous

18-wheeler trucks are far more dangerous than smaller vehicles on the road. Drivers of commuter vehicles who are involved in an accident with heavy trucks are likely to suffer severe, debilitating injuries, including spinal cord, brain or death. The devastation that you can experience as a result of being involved in an 18-wheeler accident can be immense. It is important to be aware of the most common cause of 18-wheeler accident in order to have the best chance at avoiding becoming involved in a dangerous situation. 

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, some of the most common factors are:

•     Speeding
•     Distracted Driving
•     Drunk Driving
•     Traveling too fast for the road conditions
•     Unfamiliarity with roadway
•     Truck Driver Fatigue

Many of those factors are attributed to negligent and unsafe behavior on the part of the driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the trucks or their parts, and/or the party responsible for maintaining the truck.  Unfortunately there is little that you can to do to avoid a reckless or careless truck driver. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) which governs interstate trucking operations.  The primary mission of the FMCSA is to prevent commercial motor vehicle related injuries and fatalities. For more information regarding the FMCSA please visit their website at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

The FMCSR has extensive regulations regarding the following areas; more are listed on their website:

• Driver fatigue
• Operation of trucks
• Equipment standards
• Maintenance standards
• Minimum insurance requirements for commercial motor vehicles

Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of the above regulations and are prepared to fight the insurance company’s well experienced and aggressive lawyers regarding 18-wheeler accidents. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer.

Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C  handles all types of motor vehicle accidents including motorcycle accidents, boating accident, truck accidents and auto accidents. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol. 

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Were you seriously hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault?  Is the insurance company pressuring you to accept a settlement? Are you injured and worried about not being able to work and pay your bills? Is your employer threatening to stop your workers’ compensation benefits? Are you disabled and can’t work but were denied Social Security disability benefits?

If you answered yes to any of the above statements, you may wonder if you have a case. Another common question is: Do I need a lawyer?

Dealing with paperwork, insurance claims, the government and the legal system is best left to the experts. You could try to handle everything on your own but you’re likely to make mistakes and cheat yourself out of the money you deserve.

Hopkins Barvie Hopkins has helped many people with the following types of cases:

·          Injuries and Accidents

·          Workers’ Compensation

·          Social Security Disability

Insurance companies urge you to trust them and claim they will protect you. When you’re injured in an accident, they won’t be your friends. That’s yet another reason why you may need a lawyer.

In fact, a report from the blog of CNN’s Anderson Cooper uncovered a practice used by insurance companies called The Three Ds.

Insurance companies will:

·          Delay handling your injury claim

·          Deny you were hurt in the accident

·          Defend their decision in lengthy court battles

Put simply, that’s one of the ways that insurance companies save money - by offering you less than you deserve.

In order to protect yourself and your claim, follow these tips:

1. No matter what type of case you might have, don’t sign any papers until you talk to a law firm and learn your rights.
2. Never allow an insurance company to record you “for accuracy purposes.” They’ll use it against you later.
3. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 for a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer. Every person deserves to know his or her rights and there’s no obligation to use our services.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we help you find the answers. With more than 65 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need. 

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Mississippi Social Security Disability Claims

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we represent people who suffer from mental or physical disability, or any combination of the two. We will assist you with all the necessary forms and petitions to receive the benefits you need.

If you have worked long enough and have a medical condition that prevents or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death Social Security pays disability benefits to you and certain members of your family. The work requirement is waived for applicants who can prove that they became disabled at or before the age of 22. If you have been disabled and are age 22 or younger you may be eligible for what is considered a “child’s” benefit.

In the state of Mississippi there are more than 7 percent of nearly two million residents that receive monthly disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Every year more people apply for Social Security Disability benefits and many of these applicants receive a denial of their initial disability application.

In order to obtain the benefits you may be rightfully entitled to, you must undergo a disability appeal process. Request for Reconsideration is the first stage of the appeal process. If you are denied your reconsideration request then you must obtain a disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge to receive disability benefits. In order to obtain the benefits you may be rightfully entitled to, you must undergo a disability appeal process. We can assist you with this process.

Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members with their Mississippi Social Security Disability claims. We work with you in the preparation of your disability claim and help you gather the medical evidence necessary to support your claim for disability benefits. If your application for disability benefits is still denied, we help you navigate the complicated disability appeal process. We also ensure that the judge has and understands all the details he or she needs in order to make a fair and informed decision.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                 

Distracted Driving Is A Growing Problem

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert the vehicle driver’s attention away from driving which can cause accidents and unfortunately, sometimes loss of life. A distraction while driving can be visual, manual or cognitive. A few examples are texting, reading, talking on the phone, eating, an uncaged or unharnessed pet and putting on makeup while you are driving. All distractions endanger the driver and compromise the safety of the passenger(s) and bystander(s) and those in other vehicles.

In the state of Mississippi there are currently three primary laws regarding distractions while driving. A primary law means that an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place. The three laws are as follows:

1. Ban on all cell phones use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers
2. Ban on texting for bus drivers.
3. Ban on texting for novice drivers. Mississippi defines novice drivers as drivers with a learner’s permit or provisional license.

Distracted driving is a growing problem and is responsible for many injuries and deaths that could otherwise be prevented. According to the website www.distraction.gov in 2012, alone 3,328 were killed in distracted driving crashes. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver; this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011.

We urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted driving. To practice safe driving habits and to speak out if the driver in your vehicle is distracted. The life you save could be yours.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a distracted driver you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Premises Liability Injury?

Premises liability law covers claims that result where an injury was caused by some type of unsafe or defective condition on someone's property. They can take place at private residences, commercial property or commercial buildings. Some of the more common places where there are cases involving premises liability are in casinos and large retail stores including grocery, discount and malls due to the large volume of people that enter their places of business.

If you have sustained a personal injury due to the property owner’s negligence or recklessness, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries. This may include compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and loss of earning capacity. If a loved one has died due to premise liability you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.

Among the top reasons people file premises liability claims are:

• Falling Object
• Trip and falls
• Slip and fall either inside or outside of the building
• Fires
• Dog Bites
• Inadequate fencing of swimming pools
• Failed maintenance – loose guardrails, collapsed ceiling, hole in the floor, dangerous sidewalks or other hazardous conditions.
• Crime committed on the business owner’s property against the employee or customer 

The insurance company for the property where the accident occurred may try to quickly contact anyone injured as a result of the accident and attempt to settle any claims before the injured person has consulted an attorney. If you or a loved one are involved in a premises liability or other accident we strongly recommend that you do not talk to the insurance company for the property owner before you consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Depend on Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. to quickly and thoroughly investigate your claim and move your case toward a successful resolution, be it through a favorable settlement or verdict. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced premises liability attorney today.

With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.  To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Tips To Remember After An Accident

With spring on the horizon, we felt it would be an appropriate time to send a reminder of things to do should you or a loved one be involved in an auto accident. The actions that occur in the moments immediately following the accident could have a tremendous impact in the outcome of your accident claim.

Assess Injuries
First and foremost, the health and safety of yourself and others takes precedence. Take a moment to assess the injuries of those involved. Realize that some injuries may take days or weeks before they are noticeable.

Move Yourself and Others to Safety
Once you have assessed the situation, move everyone to safety out of traffic. If cars are drivable, they should be moved to the side of the road. If they are not mobile, mark them as disable as best as possible using flares or hazard lights and remove all people from the disabled vehicles. If there are serious injuries, do not move the injured persons unless you are trained to do so or if they are in danger. Moving an injured person could cause additional injury.

Contact Authorities
Local authorities should then be contacted about the accident, especially if there are injuries involved. If there are no injuries, depending upon the location of the accident, this step may be skipped due to local laws.

Exchange Information
Obtain the insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate number for every vehicle involved from the other driver or drivers involved in the accident.

Take Photos of the Scene
 Nearly all cell phones have cameras on them, use it to help document the accident scene. Be sure to take pictures of the vehicles involved as well as things like sight lines, skid marks, wet pavement, debris field and even the drivers themselves. This will help paint the picture of how the accident may have occurred.

Seek Medical Attention
Many brain and spine injury symptom develop in the days and weeks after an accident. You should seek medical attention even if you do not believe you have been injured. 

Do Not Talk to Insurance Companies
It is possible a representative from an insurance company will arrive to help expedite the claims process. If an insurance rep shows up do not talk to them, even if they are form your insurance provider. The police will take statements from those involved and make it official record. Making multiple statements may create conflicting information that could be used against you.

Contact an Attorney
After you or a loved one is involved in an accident, consider hiring an attorney. This is especially if you have been injured or have been offered a settlement by and insurance company.

If you are in need of legal counsel due to an automobile accident, contact the team at Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins, PLLC. Our team has the skills and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve!

The Yellow Dog Project

Have you seen someone walking a dog with a yellow ribbon lately? If so, they may be part of the Yellow Dog Project, which is a global movement for owners of dogs that need extra space. The yellow ribbon works as a signal to others to ask before coming near and to use caution when approaching these dogs.

These dogs are not necessarily aggressive dogs but often may be dogs that have issues of fear, have not had sufficient training, mastered obedience or are in training for work or service or other reasons.  The wearing of the yellow ribbon may be temporary but whatever the reason it is not an excuse. Keep in mind that if you have an aggressive dog you must seek proper training from a qualified professional.

By wearing the yellow ribbon you are identifying that your dog has space issues, that they may be in training for these issues and you are taking responsibility for your dog’s actions. As this is a relativity new project many people are not aware of it so you cannot assume you can let your guard down once you put a yellow ribbon on your dog.

The Yellow Dog Project may prevent injuries by reminding people to approach with caution it does not prevent owners from legal consequences if their dog bites or harms you. As a dog owner you are encouraged to find a local positive reinforcement trainer and to look for programs to help you with your dog.

Mississippi follows the “One Bite Rule,” which is a bit of a misnomer. It implies that every dog gets one "free" bite (free for its owner) and from then on the owner is on notice that the dog is dangerous. It is true that if a dog bites someone, its owner is on notice that the dog is dangerous. Less serious behavior, is also enough to put an owner on notice. For example, if a dog growls or snaps at people, the owner should know that the dog may injure someone and if the dog does hurt someone, the owner will be liable, even for the first bite.

If you have been a victim due to a dog bite or attack you should contact an experience personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                   

Liability Insurance for your Auto or Truck

We know that every driver is required to carry liability insurance for their auto or truck. We also know that like most companies insurance companies are concerned with the bottom line. From time to time there can be vehicle accidents that are not the fault of a driver, but rather are caused by something that no one in the accident could have controlled. An insurance company may try to avoid paying on legitimate claims, or try to settle for less than the cost to the consumer. 

For example, in an accident in which neither driver did anything wrong, each insurance company may claim that their customer was not responsible. And, therefore they have no liability to pay for the damage. If you have been involved in an auto accident and the insurance company is refusing to pay or paying too little on a legitimate claim, contact an attorney at Hopkins, Barvie & Hopkins to discuss your options. 

Remember that while the main reason you carry liability insurance is to prevent accidents from causing you financial hardship, if your insurance company either does not pay or pays less than you need, they make more profit. At Hopkins, Barvie & Hopkins, we have the experience you need to resolve insurance disputes fairly, so that you get the compensation you deserve. 

For more information and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact Hopkins, Barvie & Hopkins at 228-864-2200.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we help you find the answers. With more than 65 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Or, email us, like us on facebook or follow us on Linkedin. Just click below.

Bad Faith and Insurance Disputes

Are you frustrated with you insurance company over a claim dispute? Have you filed a claim and now your relationship has become adversarial? If you have been treated unfairly you may be a victim of bad faith.

Bad Faith is generally used as a legal term regarding a cause of action against an insurance company that has denied the payment of a properly submitted insurance claim for no debatable reason. If you are insured by an insurance company they owe you a duty of fair dealing and good faith.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, we have experience handling all types of bad faith insurance claims, which may include the following:

• Refusing to pay for property damage claiming your coverage expired or that the damage is not covered by your policy;
• For medical treatment including denying coverage for a pre-existing condition;
• For storm damage, including  fire and hurricane claims;
• Delaying investigation or payment of a claim;
• Paying only partial benefits for a claim;
• The insurance company denying a life insurance policy. 

We have working knowledge of the issues insured's face with the following:  

• Accidental Death Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Car Insurance Claims
• Disability Insurance Claims
• Health Insurance Claims
• Homeowner’s Insurance Claims
• Life Insurance Claims
• Worker’s Compensation Claims 

If you have been a victim of an insurance company contact us today for a free no-obligation legal consultation. Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C  handles all types of bad faith claims. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer. 

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.