Colorado Springs Personal Injury Lawyer

Colorado Teen Ticketed For Careless Driving After Hitting A Parked Vehicle

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:46:00 GMT

A Colorado Springs teen was ticketed for careless driving after he allegedly struck a parked vehicle that two men were working on, according to authorities.

The accident happened on Sunday afternoon on the 2800 block of Richmond Drive, near Constitution Ave. and Peterson Road.

The teen reportedly told authorities that his cell phone rang, but when he tried to pick it up, it fell. When he tried to grab the phone gain, he lost control of his vehicle and struck the parked car.

Both men, which were working on the car, were taken to the hospital with injuries that don’t appear to be life-threatening.

In December, a new Colorado law will prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from using their cell phones while driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

John Deere Recalls Compact Utility Tractors

Chrissie Cole — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:39:00 GMT

John Deere, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of John Deere Compact Utility Tractors.

According to a news release by the CPSC, "An incorrectly sized differential was installed in the tractor transaxle affecting the engagement of the differential lock and causing the tractor to turn to the left when braking. This causes the vehicle to veer left when the brake is applied, posing a risk of collision and injury to the operator and bystanders."

To this date, there have been no reports of injuries associated with the recalled tractors.

Tractors with model numbers 3032E and 3038E are included in the recall. View a list of model numbers and serial numbers included in the recall. The serial number plate is on the tractor frame above the front wheel.

Consumers should contact a John Deere dealer to schedule a free repair. In the meantime the tractors should not be used to avoid risk of injury.

Consumer Information: Contact Deere & Company at (800) 537-8233 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET or visit the company’s Web site at www.johndeere.com

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Two Car Collision Closes I-25 for Four Hours and Leaves One Critically Injured

Margaret Embry — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:22:39 GMT

On Saturday, July 25th in Colorado Springs, a two car collision on I-25 caused a part of the interstate to be closed for four hours, according to KOAA, NBC Channel 5. An investigation by the Colorado Springs police revealed that:

a station wagon was going southbound on the Interstate, when the driver lost control and crossed the center median striking a pickup truck going northbound, pulling an enclosed trailer.

An 18 year-old girl was the driver of the station wagon. There was also an 18 year-old female passenger in the car. A 62 year-old man was driving the truck involved in the accident. The passenger of the station wagon and the driver of the truck were taken to a nearby hospital, but had no serious injuries. The driver of the station wagon remains in critical condition.

The police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the accident. Charges will be determined upon completion of the investigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Margaret Embry

Colorado Springs Man Loses Control Of Vehicle, Drives Through Fences

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:48:00 GMT

A Colorado Springs man lost control of his pickup truck slamming through three fences before crashing into a garage full of cars.

Police believe the driver suffered a seizure while behind the wheel.

The truck accident happened on Damsel Drive off Stetson Hills Blvd, Sunday morning.

It appears the truck went off Stetson Hills and crashed through a fence - struck a swing set and then a tree.

There were three children in the truck at the time of the accident. No one was seriously injured in the crash, but the driver and his children were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

"His oldest son who is approximately 10 years old tried to reach to the front and grab the brake or steering wheel but was not able to, so this car was just veering off of trees and everything else until it came to rest," Sgt. Taylor with the Colorado Springs Police Department said.

The driver has been cited for careless driving. The investigation is ongoing. #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Man Crashes Car; Survives 12 Hours In Freezing Temps

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:41:00 GMT

James McLaughlin, 21, of Colorado Springs, will be spending the next few weeks in the hospital for multiple injuries, but he is happy to be alive after surviving 12 hours in freezing temperatures.

While driving down Gold Camp Road, McLaughlin's dog jumped in his lap, causing him to lose control fo the vehicle. McLaughlin's car went off a 300-foot cliff and landed 500 feet from the road.

"Then a tree hit the front of my car, causing it to go completely upside-down. Now that's where I blacked out," McLaughlin told KOAA-TV from his hospital bed at Penrose.

After being thrown through his windshield, McLaughlin eventually regained consciousness. It took McLaughlin more than 2 hours to drag himself 40 feet to his car using his arms.

While he did make it back to his car, he was unable to reach his cell phone.

Eagle Scout survival skills helped to save his life. He was able to locate his survival kit containing mittens, a hat and lighter which he used to start a fire and stay warm.

Finally, 12 hours later, hikers found him.

Dexter his dog, suffered minor injuries and is expected to be fine.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Colorado Teen in Need of Kidney Transplant

Darin Schanker — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:24:52 GMT

In the summer of 2007, Boulder teen Kelsey Crider was diagnosed with Medullary Cystic Kidney Disease during a routine pre-college medical exam.

Since then she has, due to medical complications, suffered from two failed transplants; one from her father and the other from a dear family friend. Kelsey now undergoes a four hour long blood cleansing dialysis treatment three days a week while she attends college in Boulder.

Now the Crider family is expanding their search to find a suitable kidney for Kelsey. Because of her complex immune system, her need for a new kidney is greater than ever and with the waiting list extending to several years, time is not on her side. The family and her doctors hope to find several potential donors, who are in good health, have blood type O and have the time and inclination to see the process through. There is no risk or cost involved at this point.

For those who have it in their heart to be tested, there is a donor coordinator from University of Colorado Hospital in Denver by members of their Kidney Transplant Teaml who will keep all information confidential. While it is preferable to be tested here, for those who do not reside in Colorado, arrangements can be made to be tested at a facility in or near their hometown.

A year after donating one of his kidneys to his daughter, Steve Crider is in perfect health and is open to answering any of your questions at 303-530-2929 or kidney4kp@hotmail.com.

To learn more about Kelsey’s story and challenges go to http://kidney4kp.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Darin Schanker

2008 Pikes Peak Challenge Supports Traumatic Brain Injury Victims in Colorado

Kyle Bachus — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:00:48 GMT

The alarm goes off at 3:30am and it’s time to get up for my 2^nd Pikes Peak Challenge hike. My wife & I are checking in for the hike at 4:20 and after a quick van ride to the trailhead we are off and hiking a few minutes before 5am..…in the dark, flashlights in hand, making our way up the switchbacks of the Barr Trail above Manitou Springs. Ahead of us is 13 miles and 7400 feet of elevation gain to the summit of Pikes Peak. As we look above and below us, we can see a steady stream of flashlights from the 450 participants who are making trek this year. Sunrise comes around 6:30 and we get our first glimpse of the summit which is still about 10 miles away…but we are feeling good and energized. Our goal is to finish in 6 hours, but we haven’t hit the thinner air above timberline yet.

The Pikes Peak Challenge is an annual fundraiser to raise awareness of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) both in the areas of prevention & victim assistance & recovery. This year’s hike took on a special meaning for me personally as in my new job with Bachus & Schanker I have been exposed to cases where our clients have endured a TBI because of the fault of others. My wife Kathy & I feel very fortunate that we have the health and ability to make this hike and can support those people who have had this opportunity taken away from them either by accident or by someone else’s negligent actions.

Back to the hike….We’ve made to the A-frame (at timberline) in 3 ½ hours….we still have 3 miles to go and less than 3000 feet up to go; the view of the summit is still a daunting sight…but we are feeling great. We take a quick break to down a quick energy bar and continue the trek upwards. The next 2 miles go a bit slower, our pulse is quicker, and breaths are deeper but we are making good progress. The final mile is up the “16 Golden Stairs” which are actually 16 very steep switchbacks up the east face of the summit. At last we hear cheering from the top and see a TBI survivor coming part way down to meet us, he shakes our hands, and thanks us for our support. It’s actually the sight and sound of them at the summit that is our encouragement to ignore the burn in our legs & lungs to make the final steps up the hill. Finally at the top, more people greet us with hugs, medals, smiles, and sincere thanks for our accomplishment and support. We’ve made it 5 ½ hours beating our goal, but the accomplishments these people have made in their own recoveries from TBI’s make them the true heroes of the day…not us.

We can’t wait until next year so we can do this again! You can find more information on the hike at www.pikespeakchallenge.com

John Gleason

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Kyle Bachus

Baby Pacifiers Recalled Over Choking Hazard

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:14:38 GMT

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled pacifiers after learning they could pose a potential choking hazard. Parts of the pacifier may come off and a child could choke or swallow them.

The pacifiers are painted with slogans like "my mom rocks", "rock star", and "mute button", among others. They were sold nationwide at baby boutiques, Nordstroms, and online at www.ItsMyBinkyDot.com, from February 2006 and June 2008. The recalled pacifiers have "Japlo" imprinted on the front of the pacifier shield at the bottom.

There have been no reported injuries from the pacifiers. The recall involves 115,000 pacifiers. If you own one you should take it away from your child and return it for a free replacement. You may contact the company at (888) 689-9444 for more information.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Military Academy Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Shannon Weidemann — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:29:36 GMT

A wrongful death lawsuit brought against Missouri Military Academy has been settled out of court. The Academy will pay the parents of Alain Garcia $700,000 to settle the lawsuit. He was killed in a firing range accident in 2004.

According to the lawsuit, filed in May 2007, Garcia, a sophomore, was shot during Junior ROTC training when a freshman cadet adjusted his firing mat at an instructor’s request. When the student turned to fix his mat, the butt of his .22 caliber M-12 rifle hit the ground, discharging a bullet that struck Garcia in the heart.

The rifle had a sensitive hair or “ghost” trigger with less than one pound of trigger pull, the complaint alleged.

The Academy is a private middle and high school with 280 students. The Academy and the victim's parents has no comment about the lawsuit and settlement.

Visit InjuryBoard's Help Center for more on information about filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Kroger Sued for Charleston Slip and Fall

Shannon Weidemann — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:55:00 GMT

A woman alleges she shopping at a Charleston Kroger store was injured after slipping and falling. The slip and fall happened in April. She has filed a lawsuit against the company.

She claims Kroger allowed a substance that was difficult to see remain on the floor, in an area where it was expected that customers would walk.

She seeks compensatory damages for her medical bills, pain and suffering, annoyance and inconvenience, lost wages and other damages.

The woman claims there was a clear substance on the floor that she did not see. It is unknown what the extent of her injuries were. The amount of compensation she is asking for is also unknown.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann