When visiting your Doctor, Be Your Best Advocate

Just saw a commercial sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality which is a federal government agency. The subject was the 10 questions that you should ask your health care provider, which I think is exceptional. Here are the questions:

The 10 Questions You Should Know

A simple question can help you feel better, let you take better care of yourself, or save your life. The questions below can get you started.

1.What is the test for?
2.How many times have you done this procedure?
3.When will I get the results?
4.Why do I need this treatment?
5.Are there any alternatives?
6.What are the possible complications?
7.Which hospital is best for my needs?
8.How do you spell the name of that drug?
9.Are there any side effects?
10.Will this medicine interact with medicines that I’m already taking?

Research Your Nursing Home

If you or a loved one need nursing home care, a good place to start your research is memberofthefamily.net.  This website has researched over 16,000 Medicare certified nursing homes in the U.S.  They maintain a National Watch List for nursing homes with serious violations.  And they also maintain an Honor Roll for nursing homes that are doing a good job.  They provide a link to Medicare ratings and reports.  You can also go to our links page for more helpful sites to assist you in your research of nursing homes.

Decline in the Number of Jury Trials — Not a Good Thing . . . Really!!

In the July 27, 2011, issue of Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly, it was reported that there were 1,514 civil jury trials in Virginia in 2000, but only 592 in 2009.  These figures from the National Center for State Courts represent a decline of nearly 61 percent.  Virginia Supreme Court Justice Donald W. Lemons was quoted as saying, “You get disputes resolved outside the courtroom; you get disputes resolved inside the courtroom. But, if you lose the jury trial, the system dies and that’s not good.”  I am a trial lawyer by training and experience, and a litigator by heart.  If I represent you in a person injury case, I will see your case to the end.  I have tried many cases before juries with favorable outcomes.  Keep me in mind if you need a personal injury lawyer to serve your needs and to look out for you.  At Altizer & Altizer, we are here to provide personal care for your personal injury.  You can contact us at (540) 345-2000, toll free at (800) 310-5777, or on the web at altizerlaw.com.

Umbrella Policies — Important Benefits to the Plaintiff

 

 

 

A ruling from the bench in Henrico County, Virginia, allowed a man who was injured in an automobile crash to collect underinsured motorist coverage from his umbrella liability policy.  The Defendant’s liability insurance coverage was inadequate to compensate the Plaintiff for his injuries.  The Plaintiff had an automobile liability insurance policy and an umbrella liability policy.  Typically, umbrella liability policies do not provide coverage to the insured.  In this case, it was the specific wording of the umbrella policy that allowed the Plaintiff to tap into the coverage.  When you are injured in an automobile collision, your most important concern is to recover from your injury and get your life back to normal.  But insurance coverage issues can be very important in determining whether or not you receive adequate compensation for your personal injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.  The attorneys at Altizer & Altizer can assist you in sorting out the intricacies of insurance coverage for your auto accident claim.  Our offices are located in Roanoke, Virginia.  But we also serve clients in Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, Lynchburg, Covington, Harrisonburg, Rocky Mount, Martinsville, Botetourt County, Blacksburg, and all areas surrounding the Roanoke Valley.  Consult an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been injured in an automobile accident.  Call us at Altizer & Altizer at 540-345-2000 or toll free at 800-310-5777 or visit us at our website, www.AltizerLaw.com.

Safety Issues Regarding Large Trucks

Here are some interesting facts from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

 Do large trucks have high crash rates?

On average, drivers of large trucks travel many more miles than passenger vehicle drivers, and a high proportion of those miles are on interstates, which are the safest roads. In 2008, large trucks accounted for 4 percent of registered vehicles and 8 percent of miles traveled.¹ Per unit of travel, large trucks are involved in more fatal crashes than passenger vehicles — 1.7 crashes per 100 million miles traveled in 2008 for large trucks, compared with compared with 1.5 for passenger vehicles. Large trucks have a much lower rate per mile traveled of crashes resulting in nonfatal injuries or property damage only compared with passenger cars and light trucks.

Who dies in crashes involving large trucks?

In 2009, 3,163 people died in crashes involving large trucks. Fourteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 70 percent were passenger vehicle occupants, and 14 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. In fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck, 98 percent of the deaths were the occupants in the passenger vehicles. Large trucks were involved in 9 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths and 20 percent of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in multiple-vehicle crashes.

¹Federal Highway Administration. 2010. Highway statistics, 2008. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation.

Big Announcement for Altizer & Altizer ~ Terri Welch Luzynski has joined our Law Firm

We are so pleased to announce that Terri Welch Luzynski has joined the Altizer & Altizer law firm family.   Terri is an experienced personal injury and domestic relations lawyer.  She has lived in the Roanoke area since 2002 and also practiced law in Charlottesville for a number of years.  She is a Harvard Law School graduate.  Terri is smart, down to earth, and is dedicated to doing the very best for her clients.  That is why she is part of the Altizer Team.  We are honored and proud to  have her as part of our law firm.

Truck Safety — Where does Virginia Rank?

Trucksafety.org provided the results of 2009 truck crash deaths per 100,000 population.  North Dakota was at the top of the list with a “disastrous” 4.79 percent.  Virginia was ranked 32^nd in the number of deaths with 0.98 percent, which was considered “dangerous,” and was tied with the State of Florida.

ATV Wreck Statistics

ATVsafetynet.org quotes some staggering statistics regarding ATV’s and kids.  From 1982 to 2008, nearly one-third of the 9,633 ATV-related deaths were children under the age of 16.  Over one hundred children are seriously injured every day and approximately one dies every other day from an ATV-related crash.  Injuries to children from ATV accidents cost our society over two billion dollars annually in medical and economic costs.  Don’t allow children under the age of 16 to ride ATV’s.

Virginia Protects its Motorcyclists

With both the temperature and gas prices on the steady increase, you might notice a rise in the number of motorcyclists you encounter on the road.  You may find yourself with the urge to try out the feeling of freedom that comes from riding a motorcycle.  If this is true for you then likely your biggest concern before gearing up for the big ride is, what if I get injured while riding?  Here are a few things you should know.

The Commonwealth of Virginia protects motorcyclists by allowing riders who are injured by the negligent actions of another, to hold the party at fault responsible or liable for their injuries.  This means that if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident you may be able to receive compensation for your losses caused by the negligence of the responsible party.  Compensation for your injuries may include lost wages, pain and suffering, medical costs and expenses, punitive damages, economic losses, and lessened ability to enjoy life.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident or if you have any questions concerning Virginia law as it relates to motorcycles, please contact us, and talk to one of our outstanding attorneys like Bettina Altizer.  The Law Firm of Altizer & Altizer is located at 324 Washington Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016. We are honest, diligent, and competent Roanoke, Virginia lawyers proudly serving all of Southwest Virginia, including Roanoke, Salem, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Martinsville, Lynchburg, Lexington, Covington, and Clifton Forge and Botetourt County, Montgomery County, Giles County, Franklin County, Pulaski County, Floyd County, Bedford County and all surrounding communities.  Our Firm handles personal injury, medical malpractice, automobile accidents, civil cases, family law, and business law.

Here at Altizer & Altizer, we have been serving injured persons since 1974.  Our staff includes, among others, three Case Managers who together have a combined thirty years of experience with Altizer & Altizer.  Assisting clients who have been injured in automobile and motorcycle collisions is but one of the legal services that we provide.  If you are overwhelmed with the process of navigating the maze of your personal injury claim, please call us.  We can remove much of the stress and worry, which gives you the time and energy to recover from your injuries.  You can contact us at (540) 345-2000 or toll-free at (800) 310-5777.  One of our attorneys would be happy to speak with you.  We are your Personal Injury Legal Team.

Auto Wreck Can Change Your Life in a Split Second — But Help is On the Way

No one intends to be involved in an automobile wreck.  It happens in a split second, and it can be a frightening and stressful experience.  Fortunately, many of us have never been involved in an automobile collision.  But if you are, you will find that the process of dealing with various insurance company adjusters — one who handles your property damage claim, one who handles your medical payments claim, and one who handles your bodily injury claim – can be a confusing and time-consuming process.  Here at Altizer & Altizer, we have been serving injured persons since 1974.  Our staff includes, among others, three Case Managers who together have a combined thirty years of experience with Altizer & Altizer.  Assisting clients who have been injured in automobile collisions is but one of the legal services that we provide.  If you are overwhelmed with the process of navigating the maze of your personal injury claim, please call us.  We can remove much of the stress and worry, which gives you the time and energy to recover from your injuries.  You can contact us at (540) 345-2000 or toll-free at (800) 310-5777.  One of our attorneys would be happy to speak with you.  We are your Personal Injury Legal Team.