While COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives, it has not stopped us from living them.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/16/2020 -- While COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives, it has not stopped us from living them.

Life goes on. This includes the legal system. While the courts have been affected, personal injury cases are still occurring. There are still traffic accidents, slip and falls, and other injuries for which others should be held accountable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 30 million people are injured each year to the point of needing medical attention. While certainly not all of these will require the assistance of a personal injury lawyer, many will. In fact, some will lead to large claims and significant judgments or settlements.

If you have recently been injured, potentially due to the negligence of others, Wall Huntington remains available to discuss and pursue your case.

Prompt legal assistance and medical attention are critical in a personal injury case. This helps document the direct connection to any injuries as resulting from a specific incident. Even if an accident or injury only appears to have resulted in aches or soreness, medical attention should be sought quickly. Many such aches, pains, and soreness are a sign that something more severe has occurred. These may impact the quality of your life for years to come.

Larry Wall and Tina Huntington have seen it all in over 50 years of combined experience pursuing personal injury cases.

They understand that each case is unique and each deserves personal care and attention. They know that even through periods like the COVID-19 pandemic, life moves forward. It shouldn't stop us from seeking justice and pursuing what is right.

If you think you may have a personal injury case, we invite you to contact personal injury attorneys Wall and Huntington. We offer a variety of socially distant options to discuss your case. From medical malpractice and hospital injuries to car accidents and slip and falls, choose the right lawyers at the right time. 

Today, those are lawyers Wall Huntington. Contact us to get started on your claim.

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In late May 2019, a motor vehicle struck two children in Rose Hill.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/16/2020 -- Around the time of the crash, the kids had been playing in a drainage ditch off the road. According to an ABC News report, the collision occurred just after 5 p.m. on a Friday. Witnesses reported that multiple children were in the area at the time of the collision. Police and emergency responders rushed to the scene of the accident. A northbound motorist struck two of the children who attempted to cross the street on foot. Emergency responders rushed both kids to a nearby hospital.

One of those children, an eight-year-old boy, suffered a broken pelvis.

An eleven-year-old child sustained a traumatic brain injury in the collision. Healthcare providers placed the eleven-year-old in a medically induced coma. When the eleven-year-old reached the hospital, physicians listed him in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle did not suffer injuries in the crash.

Pediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a significant problem, and they occur frequently as a result of car accidents.

The Brain Injury Association of Kansas & Greater KC reports that 5.3 million Americans currently have disabilities caused by TBIs. Car accidents, including pedestrian collisions like the recent accident in Rose Hill, frequently result in head trauma. The severity of a TBI can vary significantly depending upon many factors. Young people can be particularly susceptible to debilitating traumatic brain injuries in automobile collisions. As the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association explains, brain injuries impact kids differently than they impact adults. Given that children's brains are still developing, pediatric TBIs can have long-lasting effects.

According to Wichita personal injury attorney Larry Wall, it is extremely important to hold negligent drivers accountable in these situations.

As Wall explained, "motorists have a duty of care to other drivers, as well as to pedestrians." Accordingly, "families of car accident victims should consider filing a claim against the responsible driver." While pedestrians can be negligent themselves, Wall clarified that many pedestrian collisions occur because of driver error.

While police indicated that they did not arrest the driver in the Rose Hill crash, the case remains under investigation. Distracted driving, aggressive driving, and intoxicated driving often result in serious car crashes. When a driver is not paying attention or following the rules of the road, that driver can injure a pedestrian. It is important to understand pedestrians' rights in Wichita and to hold negligent drivers responsible when collisions occur.

Since 1985 we have recovered over $40 million dollars for our clients. We take tough cases and win. We work as a team. You get two dedicated lawyers for the cost of one.

Contact Wall Huntington, personal injury attorneys, today.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Anxiety and distraction due to the coronavirus can increase personal injury risks. Use caution to prevent accidents on the road, in parking lots, and in grocery stores.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/02/2020 -- The Kansas Department of Health held a press conference held March 25, 2020 to address the coronavirus pandemic. To date, there are more than 482 cases of COVID-19 throughout the state. To prevent community spread, the Governor has issued a 'stay-at-home' order. Essential service workers and those venturing out to replenish supplies are urged to maintain social distancing guidelines. Naturally, the current situation has residents of Wichita on edge. As a result, there is a greater risk of accidents resulting in potentially serious personal injuries.

Anxiety, Distraction Increase Accident Risks

 News reports are constantly being updated with the latest coronavirus facts and statistics. A March 25 WIBW News 13 report states that efforts to 'flatten the curve' have caused nearly 30,000 people in Kansas to file for unemployment. With families home and huddled in place, one of the few outtings left are trips to the local grocery store.

"Fears regarding the coronavirus and the ramifications of social distancing have left people in a heightened state of anxiety," says Wichita personal injury attorney Larry Wall of the Wall Huntington Law Firm. "As a result, they are more likely to be distracted or panic in certain situations. This makes accidents more likely to happen." In addition to increasing the risk of personal injuries, getting the medical care needed after an accident could expose you to the coronavirus.

Reducing Your Personal Injury Risks

During this difficult time, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce personal injury risks. Attorney Wall advises the following:

- Be alert when driving. Being distracted increases the likelihood of making dangerous driving errors. Be cautious when crossing intersections and avoid drivers who are speeding or engaged in other reckless behaviors.

- Use caution in parking lots. "Parking lot accidents may appear minor but can result in serious personal injuries," says Wall. Watch for pedestrians and people pulling in or out of spaces.

- Be mindful in stores. Grocery stores workers are taxed and many places are having trouble keeping up with the public's demands. Cluttered aisles, spills, and wet floors increase slip and fall accident risks.

Wall urges victims to notify law enforcement or store security immediately and to seek medical care if an accident does happen. "Not doing so could jeopardize your health and your rights in a personal injury claim."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A hit and run accident recently claimed the life of a local man. Those who commit these crimes hope to evade responsibility, but they can generally be caught and held accountable in a claim.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/04/2020 -- A recent hit and run accident downtown Wichita tragically claimed the life of a 22-year-old local man. According to a January 15, 2020 report by KWCH 12 News, the motorcycle he was driving stalled on East Kellogg Drive shortly before 7:00 p.m. on a recent Sunday evening. As he was pulled over to the side of the road, he was struck by another vehicle. The driver and passengers in the car immediately got out and fled the scene.

Hit and Run Accidents Wreak Havoc on Roads
Hit and run accidents are an unfortunately common problem in our area. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), close to 7,000 of these types of crashes occur each year. They cause other motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians to suffer serious and potentially life-threatening personal injuries. They also leave them to face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses and other costs on their own.

Under Kansas state laws, motorists are required to pull over in the event of crashes and collisions resulting in injuries or property damages. There are serious penalties for failing to comply with these laws, yet hit and run accidents still occur on a regular basis. "Hit and run is a serious crime, which people commit for a variety of reasons," says Wichita personal injury attorney Larry Wall of the Wall Huntington Law Firm. "In some cases, they simply panic or do not have the appropriate insurance or valid vehicle registration. In others, they may have been under the influence and hoping to avoid a DUI or wanted by the police on other charges."

Holding Hit and Run Drivers Responsible

While drivers may flee the scene in the hopes of evading, they can generally be caught and held accountable for their actions. "By talking to witnesses and obtaining video footage from nearby security or traffic cameras, we can generally get a good description of the vehicle and the suspects involved," says Wall. "Working with law enforcement, we put out notices in the community and among local repair shops, asking people to come forward with information." Once drivers are located, they face criminal charges. They also face legal liability for the damages victims and their family members suffer.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

An early snowfall in Wichita wreaked havoc on the roads and resulted in dozens of car accidents.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/06/2020 -- An October 31, 2019 news report by The Wichita Eagle claims that snowfall that occurred the previous evening and through the morning of Halloween set records in terms of both accumulation and freezing temperatures. During the severe weather, the city was forced to put its Emergency Accident Reporting Plan (EARP) in place. To be sure, 43 separate incidents involving car crashes and collisions were reported over a 12 hour period.

Weather Wreaks Havoc for Drivers, Increases Car Accident Risks

An early snowfall that began at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 resulted in an accumulation of .04 inches of snow. While this may seem like a relatively minor amount, it broke a 114 year record and caused dozens of drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes. "Even a minor dusting of snow or wet conditions can make roads dangerously slick," says Wichita personal injury attorney Larry Wall of the Wall Huntington Law Firm. "When driving on highways and in heavy traffic, bad weather makes it harder for drivers to see or maintain control of their vehicles, increasing car accident risks."

Snow and Wet Roads Have Major Impacts on Drivers

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), wet and wintry weather is a factor in more than 20 percent of the estimated six million car accidents that occur each year. Snow, ice, and rainy conditions reduce tire traction, make it more difficult to see, and increase the likelihood of traffic congestion.

Adjusting your own driving behavior during adverse weather is crucial to protecting the safety of you and your passengers. "Snow, ice, or rain on the roads makes it harder to respond to unexpected events or sudden changes in traffic flow," says Wall. "Reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, going too fast for conditions, being distracted, or driving under the influence, significantly increases your risks."

When adverse weather makes the roads dangerous, it is ultimately the driver's responsibility to respond appropriately. Wall states, "Even if the weather is partly responsible for a car accident, the other driver involved can be held liable for your injuries if their own actions were in any way to blame."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

In a landmark ruling, the Kansas Supreme Court says that the state cannot cap noneconomic damage awards in personal injury and medical malpractice lawsuits.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/09/2019 -- Since the mid-1980s Kansas has had a statutory cap on noneconomic damages. Under state law, juries have been restricted in the amount of pain and suffering damages that they can award to plaintiffs in any given case. No longer. In Hilburn v. Enerpipe Ltd., the Kansas Supreme Court struck down the decades old law as a violation of the Kansas Constitution.

Truck Accident Victims Awarded Full Pain and Suffering Damages

The plaintiff in the underlying case — Diana Hilburn — was severely injured in a commercial truck accident that occurred in 2010. Upon hearing her case, a Kansas jury awarded her $335,000 in financial compensation — including for $301,509.14 for pain and suffering (noneconomic damages). This is important because, at the time the case was heard, Kansas law capped noneconomic damages at $250,000. As such, Ms. Hilburn's award was immediately reduced by $51,509.14. She appealed the reduction and was denied. Eventually, her case made it all the way to the Kansas Supreme Court — which has now reinstated the original jury award.

Kansas Constitution: Right of Jury Trial is Fundamental

Writing for the Court's majority, Justice Carol Beier noted that the right to a jury trial is fundamental in Kansas. Under the Bill of Rights contained within the Kansas Constitution, the right of a jury trial shall be "inviolate". Justice Beier found that the pain and suffering damages cap has the effect of substituting the wisdom of the jury for the overly broad limitations set by state policymakers. As such, it cannot be allowed to stand. Notably, the dissent was penned by Justice Marla Luckert — who wrote that the court should have followed its 2012 decision and upheld the statutory cap on noneconomic damages.

A Game Changer for Injured Patients

While this decision is important for all plaintiffs in Kansas, it is a game changer for victims of medical malpractice. As described by the Wichita, KS medical malpractice attorneys at Wall Huntington, "The importance of this decision cannot be overstated. The Kansas Supreme Court has affirmed that injured victims have the right to seek financial compensation for the complete value of their damages — including for their pain and suffering. Many medical malpractice victims suffer noneconomic damages that are far in excess of the previous statutory limits."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

According to a statement released by the Kansas Highway Patrol, three people were killed and one other person was injured in a fiery crash in Sedgewick, just northeast of Wichita.

Witchita, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/28/2019 -- The tragic collision occurred when a commercial freightliner travelling northbound on Greenwich Road and a Ford Fusion going westbound on K-254 both entered the same intersection. Kansas State Route 254 and Greenwich Road are perpendicular, intersecting with each other at a right angle.

A Kansas State Patrol officer who responded to the scene of the crash indicated to reporters that the collision happened right in the middle of the intersection. When the vehicles collided, both the commercial truck and the Ford Fusion went off the side of the road, landing in a ditch and igniting in a terrible fire.

Many community members have raised concerns about this particular intersection in the past. The tragic accident has brought some of those complaints back to light. A local resident told reporters from KWCH 12 that something needs to change because this is a "flawed road".

Drivers travelling northbound or southbound on Greenwich Road are required to stop and yield to the traffic on K-254. Unfortunately, many of them misjudge the speed of the vehicles that are coming in either the eastbound or westbound direction.

As explained by the Wichita, KS car accident lawyers at the Wall Huntington Law Firm, "All drivers, especially commercial drivers, have a legal duty to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. Among other things, this includes following all traffic safety regulations and yielding to oncoming cars when not in the right-of-way. At the same time, and though it is less common, government entities and private companies may also sometimes bear liability for an accident that was caused, at least in part, by negligent roadway design."

While it is unclear if this intersection meets any legal definition of "unsafe", many local residents want changes. There have been many questions raised about roadway safety all across the country. According to one estimate from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), bad road designs may contribute to as many as half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States. The ARTBA notes that roadway hazards come in a wide range of different forms — including everything from overly narrow bridges to lack of sufficient warning signs to mark safety hazards.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm