Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Saturday, April 6th, 2019
If the long winter has left you with a bad case of cabin fever, there is good news—Spring has arrived! Finally, the days are getting longer, and the temperatures are becoming consistently warmer. Now is a great time to break free from the long winter’s gloom. It is also the perfect time to try a new hobby or activity that allows you to enjoy more time outdoors. Perhaps, you are considering buying a motorcycle so that you can explore the countryside and feel the wind in your face. If learning to ride a motorcycle is on your bucket list, you may curious to know if it is as risky as some say it is.
Facts
To determine the riskiness of riding a motorcycle, it is important to compare it with another activity. For example, driving a car. Driving a car is one of the most dangerous things most of us do daily, yet we all still do it without batting an eyelash. So a better question to ask is how much more dangerous is riding a motorcycle than a car? To answer that question, we need to examine the facts:
- Fact #1 – Motorcycles are less stable than cars. One of the benefits of riding in a passenger vehicle is having four wheels in contact with the pavement. On a motorcycle, when the rider needs to swerve to avoid another vehicle or brake hard, the cycle can wobble or become unstable.
- Fact #2 – Motorcycles offer riders less protection. When you are riding in a car, you are protected by a metal shell and a windshield. You also have protections inside the car such as seat belts and airbags. Motorcycles offer their rides very little in terms of protection. Most bikes do not have airbags, and they do not offer seat belts. Less protection means that a minor fender in terms of a car accident could be deadly when the same accident involves a motorcycle.
- Fact #3 – Motorcycles, due to their smaller size, are less visible to drivers than other passenger vehicles. Motorcycles are more likely to be hit because drivers do not see them or not until it is too late.
Bottom Line
After reviewing the facts, it is easy to clear to see that riding a motorcycle is much riskier than driving a car. In fact, according to data collected by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute) per mile traveled, motorcycle deaths were 28 times that of car accident deaths. However, for some prospective riders, that is part of the appeal. The good news is that are ways to be safer and decrease one’s chance of being in an accident. The following tips can help keep riders safe:
- Always wear a helmet. Helmets are 37% effective at preventing death and 67% effective at preventing brain injuries.
- Wear protective gear. If you are involved in an accident, you want something covering your body’s largest organ—i.e., your skin—to keep in front being left on the asphalt.
- Always assume drivers cannot see you, even if you are not in their blind spots.
- Never rely on drivers to follow the rules of the road.
- Never ride under the influence.
- Just because you know how to drive a car does not mean you know anything about riding a motorcycle. Experienced riders are better at with dealing with the unexpected. New riders to practice, practice driving at night, balancing, and reacting to other vehicles. Large empty lots are great places to hone your skills.
The bottom line is if you want to become a rider, be a smart rider.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, the seasoned Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our experienced team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Trust our team of Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys to help you as they have helped countless motorcycle injury victims around the area, in both Kansas and Missouri. To schedule a consultation with one of our skilled injury attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.
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Monday, February 8th, 2016
Road rage is more than one driver becoming irritated with another driver. It is an extremely dangerous and potentially deadly reaction to another driver’s perceived “bad driving.” According to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation that examined more than 10,000 road rage cases over a period of seven years, road rage resulted in more than 200 murders and at least 12,600 injury cases. To prevent yourself from being involved in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, obey these basic driving rules:
Do not “play the game”: Just because another driver seems to be egging you on, does not mean you have to take the bait. As the old saying goes “it takes two to tango.” So if a driver begins to engage in aggressive driving behaviors, it is important not to reciprocate or engage in any behavior that looks like you are becoming angry or upset. The best defense against an aggressive driver is to simply refuse to play his or her game. Instead, give the driver space by increasing the distance between you and her. Also avoid making eye contact with the other driver. If at any time you become frightened for your safety, use your phone to contact police or drive to a public and well-lit place. Never get out of your vehicle.
Do not offend: While you cannot make every driver happy, you can avoid making them angry. In fact there are certain driving behaviors that are likely to offend and irritate 99.99 percent of drivers. This list includes:
- Tailgating: No one likes to look in their rearview mirror only to see another vehicle inches away from his or her rear bumper. Tailgating is not only a pet peeve of most drivers, it is also quite dangerous. Be smart and allow a safe following distance between you and the car in front of you.
- Driving slow in the left lane. Regardless if you are driving the speed limit, if you are in the left lane and another driver approaches quickly, as a courtesy you should move over and let the other vehicle pass.
- Cutting another driver off: If you need to merge, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. The incorrect way is to fail to signal and not leave enough space between your vehicle’s rear end and the front end of the car that you are merging in front of. Cutting off another driver is a sure fire way to offend. By the same token, if another driver cuts you off be courteous. Rather than get upset and honk your horn, simply give the other driver some space.
- Rude gestures: While it may seem like a great idea to tell another driver that he or she is “number one” because he or she committed a driving sin, think again. Rude gestures are a quick way to anger another driver. Even seemingly harmless gestures like shaking your head or throwing your hands up in frustration can be taken as aggressive behavior by another driver.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in an auto accident the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our team of seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will work hard to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injured victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can work for you, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we look forward to providing injury victims with exceptional legal services.
Tags: Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys
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Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
If you are considering long-term care for either yourself or a loved one, you may be wondering how you will pay for such care and if you qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is a program funded both by individual States and the Federal government. The program in part, can help low income seniors pay for healthcare services, including nursing home costs. Unfortunately like any large government program, the rules regarding who is eligible for benefits can be quite complicated and very confusing. Often seniors and their caregivers wrongly rely on misinformation from friends and relatives about Medicaid qualifications, rather than seek professional advice from a seasoned elder law attorney. The following are just a handful of the most common myths out there regarding Medicaid:
Myth #1: I have to get rid of all my property and belongings to qualify for Medicaid.
One of the most common myths is that a person needs to be penniless to qualify for Medicaid. This is not true. Medicaid allows an applicant, and his or her spouse, to retain certain so called “exempt” property. Assets such as a vehicle, household furnishings, and burial plots, are just a few examples of property that is usually considered exempt. An applicant may also be able to retain his or her home in certain circumstances. Again, the rules are complex and that is why it is critical to consult first with an experienced elder law attorney before getting rid of any of any property.
Myth #2: I will not qualify for Medicaid if I give away any or all of my assets or have given away assets in the last 5 years.
Medicaid has very specific and complex rules about when and under what circumstances an applicant can give away assets and still qualify for benefits. While it is true that Medicaid has the power to look back up to 5 years for asset transfers, not all asset transfers will be penalized. The key is knowing which transfers can be made, by when and to whom. The best way to determine this is to talk with a veteran elder law attorney so that you can plan wisely.
Myth #3: I will qualify for Medicaid if all of my assets are in my spouse’s name.
The truth is that when a person who is married applies for Medicaid, the agency will examine the assets of both spouses, not just the assets of the applicant spouse. The agency will look at all assets, including retirement assets and assets that are held by the applicant jointly (with a spouse or child) and in the spouse’s name alone. Therefore, a simple transfer to a spouse will not make a person Medicaid eligible.
Myth #4: If I am already at a nursing home, it is too late to qualify for Medicaid.
While it is always better to start Medicaid planning earlier rather than later, it is rarely too late to start. If a person is already living at a nursing home, it is still possible with proper planning to protect his or her remaining assets.
If you are worried about not being able to afford proper nursing home care for your loved one or that he or she will not qualify for Medicaid, you need to speak with an experienced Kansas or Missouri Elder Law Attorney. Our Kansas and Missouri Elder Law Attorneys will explain your options under applicable state and federal laws and answer your questions about Medicaid asset planning. The experienced Elder Law Attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless clients in both Kansas and Missouri, plan for long-term care. Our compassionate team of attorneys are skilled at helping clients protect their assets and receive the care that they need. To schedule an initial consultation, please contact us today at (816) 472-4673.
Tags: Kansas and Missouri Elder Law Attorneys
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Boating is a very popular activity for many Americans, especially since we are currently enjoying the Summer sun, and enduring the heat. Whether it is cruising around a river, lake, or a reservoir area boating can be seen all over. However, did you know that boating accidents not only can occur in the blink of an eye, but also are actually fairly common? Boating accidents are not only very serious, but usually result in an individual being seriously injured, and even killed depending on the severity of the accident. Yet, how do boating accidents actually occur, and what can you expect when dealing with one?
Understanding Boating Accidents
Usually the main cause of boating accidents today is that of simply not paying attention. Many people do not consider boating to truly requiring an individual to operate a vehicle, since the vehicle itself is in the water. When this type of thinking comes to play individuals become very reckless, and do not give enough attention to their surroundings, as they should. Also, many individual boat while under the influence and participate in operating a boat, or vehicle in the water while being intoxicated, or under the influence of other drugs.
What You Can Expect
Yet, what actually can happen when either in individual, a group of friends, or even a family encounters a boating accident? When an individual becomes involved in a boating accident they face a few different results whether it is that of being injured, or killed. Some injuries that you can easily encounter when being the victim of a boating accident include, but are not limited to:
- Drowning
- Brain injury
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Head injuries
- Amputation of limbs
- Internal organ damage
- Death
While you can easily become injured as a result of a boating accident one can also assume that any boating vehicle involved with the accident can be severely damaged, as well as other aspects of boating including docks, homes, and other boats.
When you or a loved one has been injured, or killed as a result of a boating accident do not hesitate in contacting an experienced, and dedicated personal injury attorney immediately. By contacting a personal injury attorney your rights, your case, and your life will be fought for accordingly with your best interests in mind.
We listen to our clients and follow through on our commitments. We will give you the quality service and personal attention that you deserve. From our offices in Kansas City, we help clients from throughout the region, including St. Joseph, Independence, Lees Summit, Columbia, Warrensburg, Overland Park, Olathe, Atchison, Lawrence, Topeka, and many more Kansas and Missouri communities. For primary startup and general information our offices are located at 1718 WALNUT, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64108, or we can be reached locally through phone at (816) 472-HOPE (4673), fax at (816) 472-5464, or our TOLL FREE number at (877) 535-1163
Tags: Kansas City Auto Accident lawyer
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