According the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) website there are several advantages to using roundabouts at intersections that have high crash rates or where more than two roads come together. A National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) study reports that intersections changed to roundabouts show a 39 percent decrease in all crashes and an 89 percent decrease in fatal crashes.

Roundabouts can handle high levels of traffic without the delays of stop signs and stop lights. The tight curves of a roundabout slow traffic which makes everything flow more smoothly not to mention the fact that slower traffic can be a benefit for pedestrians.

MNDOT’s website also has some tips for driving in a roundabout:

1. When approaching a roundabout, slow down and get in the appropriate lane.
2. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. They have the right of way.
3. When entering a roundabout, yield to vehicles already in the circle. Enter the traffic flow when it is safe.
4. Continue through the roundabout until you reach your exit. Do not stop, pass vehicles or change lanes in a roundabout.
5. If an emergency vehicle approaches, exit immediately and then pull over and stop. Do not stop in the roundabout.
6. When exiting the roundabout, signal your turn and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

In Eagan, MN, where Bennerotte & Associates is located, there is a roundabout that I drive through a few times a week. In my opinion it does make traffic flow better and avoids a four-way stop and having to figure out whose turn it is to go next. I do think, however, that a roundabout can be confusing for some drivers which may lead to minor vehicle crashes.

If you are in a car crash at a roundabout and have questions about whether or not you may be entitled to compensation for damage to your car or if you are injured, contact an experienced car accident attorney at Bennerotte & Associates. We will listen to the facts of your case and let you know if you will be able to recover any money for damages or injury.

The law firm of Bennerotte & Associates in Eagan, Minnesota has wrongful death attorneys with many years of experience. Bennerotte & Associates offers free initial consultations to discuss the merits of a wrongful death case and will be strong advocates to make sure that the family of a deceased person is fairly compensated for the death of a loved one caused by someone else’s negligence in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

To get the information for the study researchers monitored stop lights and intersections to count the number of drivers who were focusing more on their phones than on the traffic around them. The researchers found that 1% of motorists were focusing on their phones. While historically texting and driving was more prevalent amongst younger drivers the study found that older drivers are now texting more.

The study also discovered that many drivers are willing to answer a call and even text while driving but those same drivers stated that they would feel very unsafe as a passenger if the driver was talking on the phone or texting.

In Minnesota drivers under 18 aren’t allowed to be on the phone at all while driving but since the state made texting and driving illegal in 2008 troopers have issued more than 900 tickets and about as many warnings. It is also illegal for all drivers in Minnesota to text while driving.

If you have been injured in a crash in which the driver was texting or otherwise distracted you may have a right to compensation for your injuries. You could be entitled to payment of your crash related medical bills and lost wages if you miss work. Contact the office of Bennerotte & Associates, PA, a comprehensive Minnesota personal injury law firm. One of our car accident attorneys will meet with you at your convenience to answer any questions you may have and will be able to tell you if you have a good personal injury case.

Max’s condition worsened and he went into a coma. After a month, his family chose to take him off life support and he died.

The family filed a lawsuit against the hospital and last June the hospital was found to be negligent. The hospital continues to maintain that Max died of a new and unrelated stroke 12 days after his fall. The jury in that case found that the fall was the cause of death and awarded the family of Max DeVries $225,000.00 in damages.

A person who alleges negligent medical malpractice must prove four elements: (1) a duty of care was owed by the physician; (2) the physician violated the applicable standard of care; (3) the person suffered a compensable injury; and (4) the injury was caused in fact and proximately caused by the substandard conduct. The burden of proving these elements is on the plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

If you or someone you know thinks they may have a wrongful death, medical malpractice or negligence claim, contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Bennerotte & Associates for a free initial consultation. We will carefully review your negligence claim and help you through this often times difficult process.

• Wear the proper footwear with non-slip soles on icy or snowy days.
• Walk slowly and slide your feet on icy, snowy or wet walkways and avoid turning sharply.
• Hold onto a railing when using outdoor stairways.
• Be especially careful when carrying packages, materials, etc.
• Wipe your feet when entering a building so that your wet footwear won’t cause you to slip on indoor flooring.
• If you do slip and start to fall, bending your elbows and knees and using your legs or arms to absorb the fall may limit your injuries. Or if it seems more appropriate, roll into the fall.

There are certain situations in which a claim for injuries in a slip and fall accident can be claimed. The one thing to remember is that in order for you to make a claim, the property owner must have been negligent in some way. You may not have a very good claim if you slipped and fell on ice or snow during a blizzard but a property owner does have some duty of care to make sure that sidewalks and walkways are maintained to avoid slippery spots.

If you have slipped and fallen on ice, or otherwise, contact the slip and fall attorneys at Bennerotte & Associates to find out if you have a claim. If you have a claim our firm can help you get compensated for your injuries.

If you or someone you know is involved in a winter car crash due to someone else’s inattentiveness contact Bennerotte & Associates. Our personal injury attorneys have a great deal of experience representing clients and getting them the compensation they deserve for their injuries and damaged property.

When we buy a product at a store we trust that the makers of the product have made it safe to use and of safe materials. Sometimes, however, that’s not the case. Because the products we use and the food we consume everyday touch many hands along the way they can become unsafe and cause injury, sickness and even death.

There are many state and federal laws that protect consumers and allow an injured person to sue for compensation in the form of reimbursement of medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Product liability cases require experienced attorneys with knowledge of product liability laws. Contact Bennerotte & Associates and one of our experienced lawyers will investigate the details and who is responsible for your injury.

The state report says that three facility workers failed to remove a rope from a resident’s neck or render immediate medical assistance after discovering a suicide last December and that about a month later another resident committed suicide even after a family member informed employees that the patient was suicidal.

The facility operator is appealing the revocation.

The families of the deceased patients may have a wrongful death or medical malpractice lawsuit.  The wrongful death law firm of Bennerotte & Associates handles these types of cases.  If you or someone you know thinks they may have a wrongful death or medical malpractice claim please contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Bennerotte & Associates for a free initial consultation.

The police investigation is ongoing.

Obviously this is much more than a dog bite case and much more serious. However, dog bites that aren’t fatal can still cause serious injury and trauma. Minnesota statutes are very clear about dog owner’s liability when it comes to dog bites and you may have a case against the owner of the dog if you have been bitten. Contact the dog bite lawyers at Bennerotte & Associates right away for a free initial consultation. They will help investigate your case and determine insurance coverage.

Police officers found the boy at the scene of the accident. He was driving a class II ATV pulling a horse trailer. The trailer rolled over causing the ATV to jackknife and tip over. The boy’s identity has not been released.

With some hunting seasons already open and others just around the corner ATV use is in full force. ATV accidents can cause serious injury, and as seen by the above story, even death.  Sometimes ATV accidents are caused by a negligent driver. If you have been injured in an ATV accident due to a negligent driver you may have the right to compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering. To find out more, contact the ATV accident lawyers at Bennerotte & Associates. The team of personal injury lawyers has the experience and expertise that you need in order to fully investigate your case and get fair value for everything you went through as a result of another person’s negligence.