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If you or a loved one has experienced a serious bodily injury or wrongful death due to any type of motor vehicle accident, please allow the experienced attorneys at Murphy & Pressentin to help. We understand you need to focus your energies on recovering physically and emotionally from your losses.

While you focus on recovery, our experienced professionals will investigate your accident, your injuries, your financial losses and the applicable insurance coverage's. Our professional staff will gather and compile the important documentation needed to prove your case, including - accident reconstruction analysis; scene and injury photo's; police reports and witness interviews; wage loss and economic analysis; life care plans; medical records; and medical expert permanency reports.

Proper documentation of your case is critical, as it allows us to prepare your case with an eye towards trial, recognizing this documentation will enable us to negotiate the highest settlement on your behalf, out-of-court, with the insurance company. By retaining us as soon as possible after the accident, we will be able to exercise more control over your documentation and this often translates to higher settlements in less time.

We will help you secure the financial compensation you deserve to pay for your accident-related losses, replace lost wages, and secure the financial future for you and your family from the liable insurance carriers.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin today to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Hire an experienced lawyer:

Murphy & Pressentin has helped thousands of injured people and their families. We are experienced at gathering professional documentation to prove your case, including - accident reconstruction analysis; scene and injury photo's; police reports and witness interviews; wage loss and economic analysis; life care plans; medical records; and medical expert permanency reports. It is critical that your documentation be prepared and organized properly, so the insurance company is motivated to settle your case for the highest amount possible, and, if settlement is unsuccessful, we are prepared to take your case to trial. By hiring us to help you as soon as is possible after your accident, we will be able to gather the necessary documentation and exercise control over it's preparation, both of which will help translate to a higher settlement on your behalf. We will focus on your case so you may focus on recovering from your injuries, or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).

Motorcycles can be an amazing and fun way to experience the road. However there are dangers associated with riding them.

Motorcycle accidents happen; it's a fact of life. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that nearly 4,800 people died and 87,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2006. While we certainly hope that you never experience one, it's clear that knowing what to do and what not to do, after an accident occurs is important to every biker.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, we understand that you need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let our experienced professionals focus on your case. We understand the rules and regulations that govern motorcycle accidents and know how to get the proper documentation that will be critical to the success of your case.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin today to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts if you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Or better yet, hire a lawyer and have them take the pictures for you.


• Hire an experienced lawyer. Murphy & Pressentin is experienced at getting professional quality documentation for your case including photos, witness interviews and police reports. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information. By letting us get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).

Don'ts

• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.


• Don't be in a rush to fix your bike until you can document the damage. Don't forget that you're entitled to compensation for a lot of things. A motorcyclist is entitled to a new helmet every time they whack that helmet on the ground. It doesn't matter if there's only a scratch on it. A person needs a new helmet because the integrity of the helmet has been compromised.

When bicycles get into accidents with cares, it's scary. According to the the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 698 bicyclists died in 2007 and over 90% of bicyclists killed on US roads die in crashes with motor vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, we understand that you need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin focus on your case. We're experienced at getting professional quality documentation for your case including photos, police reports, eyewitness testimony and other important evidence that will be extremely important to the success of your case.

Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts if you or a loved one has been hit by a motor vehicle while riding a bicycle:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. If you are able, it's important that you wait for police to arrive at the accident scene so that they can take and file a police report – even if you think you are not injured.
  
  Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Ask for the name of the automobile driver, as well as his or her address, phone number, driver's license number, vehicle license number, and insurance information. In addition, try to get the contact information for everyone who witnessed the accident. If you are injured and are unable to do this yourself, ask a bystander to do this for you.

Hire an experienced lawyer. Murphy & Pressentin is experienced at getting professional quality documentation for your case including photos, witness interviews and police reports. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information. By letting us get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).

• Preserve Evidence. Leave your bike and other damaged property in the same state as after the accident – don't attempt to fix anything or have anything inspected. Don't wash your clothing. And don't send your bike, helmet, or any other equipment to any one other than your attorney.

Don'ts

• Don't try to negotiate with the driver. Many drivers initially apologize and accept blame, only to later deny their negligence or even deny they were present at the accident. Instead, wait for police to arrive so they can document everything in the police report. They may also ticket the driver, which may be useful in settling the case with the insurance company.


• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.


• Don't be in a rush to fix your bike until you can document the damage. Don't forget that you're entitled to compensation for a lot of things. A motorcyclist is entitled to a new helmet every time they whack that helmet on the ground. It doesn't matter if there's only a scratch on it. A person needs a new helmet because the integrity of the helmet has been compromised.

Accidents involving semi-trucks can be especially disastrous for motorists due to the enormous difference in mass and frame stiffness between semi-trucks and passenger cars. Every year, over 5,000 car drivers and passengers are killed in accidents involving trucks and over 500 truck drivers receive fatal injuries. Some have estimated that over 10 % of all fatal accidents involve 18-wheelers.

Due to their size, crashes involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks also often involve more than one other vehicle.

Big rigs may weigh more than 80,000 pounds and be up to 75 feet long. This creates distinct issues in lawsuits. For example, a 40-ton 18-wheeler driving 10 miles over the speed limit will take an additional 100 feet to stop than a passenger vehicle.

Another unique quality of accidents involving large trucks is the fact that they roll easily. In fact, a rig can be rolled at speeds as low as 5 mph. In addition, drivers often have reduced visibility in “no-zones” – places that cars may not be visible to drivers.

Sometimes, accidents with big rigs happen because of unsafe driving, loads that are too big or heavy, substandard equipment, dangerous tires and other unsafe practices.

Driver fatigue is a serious issue when it comes to roadway safety. The U.S. Department has implemented rules regulating how many hours a driver can be on the road before going off-duty. Short-haul drivers – those that return to their dispatch after each duty and are then released from duty – have exceptions to these rules.

Some drivers may ignore these rules under pressure to deliver loads and serious accidents can result when drivers fall asleep at the wheel.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a semi-truck accident, we understand that you need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin focus on your case.

Our team is skilled at analyzing and reconstructing truck accidents. We are familiar with the unique issues at hand as well as the federal regulations and commercial insurance issues that are involved. And, we are experienced in successfully resolving claims against big rig drivers and the companies that hire them, and getting you the justice you deserve.

Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a semi-truck:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. If you are able, it's important that you wait for police to arrive at the accident scene so that they can take and file a police report – even if you think you are not injured.
  
  Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Ask for the name of the automobile driver, as well as his or her address, phone number, driver's license number, vehicle license number, and insurance information. In addition, try to get the contact information for everyone who witnessed the accident. If you are injured and are unable to do this yourself, ask a bystander to do this for you.

Hire an experienced lawyer. Murphy & Pressentin is experienced at getting professional quality documentation for your case including photos, witness interviews and police reports. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information. By letting us get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).

Don'ts

• Don't try to negotiate with the driver. Many drivers initially apologize and accept blame, only to later deny their negligence or even deny they were present at the accident. Instead, wait for police to arrive so they can document everything in the police report. They may also ticket the driver, which may be useful in settling the case with the insurance company.


• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.

Every year, there are an enormous number of automobile crashes that occur. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007 alone, there were over 6 million police-reported traffic crashes, in which 41,059 people were killed and more than 2.5 million people were injured.

If you are injured in an auto accident, insurance adjusters are likely to contact you and encourage financial settlement. Yet there is a very important principle to keep in mind:

Insurance companies of other drivers do not have your best interest in mind!

You should meet with us before you agree to a financial settlement. Signing a settlement agreement can bar you from future action if your injury becomes worse or new complications arise. Our auto accident lawyers will see that your rights are protected now and in the future.

Unfortunately, auto accidents do occur, and in many cases people are injured or killed. If you or a loved one has experienced this, we understand your need to focus on recovery and/or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin handle the sometimes complex legal issues surrounding motor vehicle accidents. We're experienced at getting the critical documentation for your case including photos, police reports, eyewitness testimonies and other important evidence that is critical to the success of your case.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts if you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. Collect the names and addresses of the drivers, passengers and registered owners. Collect. Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Or better yet, hire a lawyer and have them take the pictures for you.


• Hire an experienced lawyer. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information.
  
  By letting the professionals at Murphy & Pressentin get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).


• Note any injuries. It is wise to visit your doctor as soon as possible after your accident, if you were not taken immediately to the emergency room for evaluation.


• Note the names of the police officers or highway patrol officers that responded to the accident. It is important for your lawyer to be able to contact these people as soon as possible after your accident.

Don'ts

• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.


• Don't be in a rush to have your car fixed until you can document the damage. You may be able to have the other person's insurance company pay for damages to your car. Before you have it fixed, make sure that you've talked with an attorney who handles auto accident cases to find out the best way and time to proceed.

Pedestrians

Accidents that involve automobiles and pedestrians are scary but not uncommon. According to statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 60,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents in 2006 alone. Hitting a pedestrian at speed of over 30 miles per hour often results in serious injuries and death, yet a driver can severely disable a pedestrian in a crash where the driver is traveling only 10 miles per hour.

Injured pedestrians are usually covered under their health and disability insurance policies, or worker's compensation coverage, if the accident occurs on the job. They may be covered under one or more auto insurance policies. However, this is not always the case.

An injured pedestrian can usually file a claim against the driver's or vehicle owner's auto liability insurance policy. Almost all states require that vehicle owners and drivers carry liability insurance to cover personal injuries to third parties and damage to third parties' property. Recoveries are dependent on whose fault the accident was and various state statutes.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian, we understand that you need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin focus on your case. We understand the legal issues at hand and are skilled at analyzing and reconstructing these types of accidents. We are experienced at collecting the right documentation surrounding your accident, which is critical to the success of your case.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Boating is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and activities like fishing, water sports, leisure and travel. Like operating any vehicle, boating requires attentive, responsible drivers who follow the laws of the waterways and pay attention to. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen and sometimes crashes do occur, resulting in damage to property, injuries and sometimes the loss of life.

In fact, boating accidents affect thousands of people every year in the U.S. with the majority of boating accidents caused by carelessness, operator inattention, excessive speed and operator inexperience. IN 2005, accidents like these amounted to almost $39 million in property damages and around 3,500 injuries.

Recreational boat crashes are governed by a number of city, county and/or state laws. If these laws are not followed, there may be criminal charges, and the people who were injured may be entitled to sue for damages. Boat owners also need to be careful about allowing other people to drive their boat. No matter who is driving, if the boat is in an accident, the boat owner may be liable for the damages.

In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident that caused an injury or death, we understand your need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

Let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin represent focus on your case during your recovery. We understand the regulations, laws and unique characteristics of boating accidents and know how to get the proper documentation that is critical to the success of your case.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts if you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. Collect the names and addresses of the drivers, passengers and registered owners. Collect. Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Or better yet, hire a lawyer and have them take the pictures for you.


• Hire an experienced lawyer. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information.
  
  By letting the professionals at Murphy & Pressentin get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).


• Note the names of the police officers or highway patrol officers that responded to the accident. It is important for your lawyer to be able to contact these people as soon as possible after your accident.


• See your doctor. Often times, an injury from a boat crash can be underestimated. You may feel fine now, but some injuries, particularly neck and back injuries, can become quite painful and debilitating in the long term.

Don'ts

• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.


• Don't talk to anybody about your case except your doctor, your insurance company, your lawyer, and law enforcement officials. These people must be informed about the circumstances of your crash and have your best interest in mind.


• Don’t wait to speak with a lawyer and a doctor. Find an experienced boating accident lawyer as soon as possible after your boating accident. Also, visit your doctor as soon as possible to assess any injuries you may have suffered.


• Don't sign any release forms. We can't emphasize this enough. If you do not fully understand what the papers are about, do not put your name on them. Once you settle your case, you won't be able to get anything else.

Jet skis are powerful vehicles that can travel at speeds over 40 mph, sometimes in high traffic areas on the water. Nearly 42% of all injury boat accidents involve a personal watercraft. Unfortunately, injuries coming from jet-ski accidents tend to be more severe because jet ski riders are more exposed than if they were in a boat.

Yet, the biggest problem with personal watercraft is people striking other people in the water, either another craft or a swimmer. Operators of all types of boats and jet skis traveling at high rates of speed must always be very careful and extra vigilant to spot people in the water. The craft may inadvertently travel into a designated swimming area, or a swimmer may wander outside the area. Since you can’t break the vessel, tragedy can easily occur when the operator is inattentive.

The consequences of careless personal watercraft operators can be serious, especially for young people. In any given year, about 20 percent of all personal watercraft injuries in the U.S. are to youth under the age of 18.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a personal watercraft, we understand your need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin focus on your case. We understand the regulations that cover personal watercrafts. And, our team is experienced at getting professional quality documentation for your case including photos, police reports, eyewitness testimony and other important evidence that will be extremely important to the success of your case.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that involved a personal watercraft:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. Collect the names and addresses of the drivers, passengers and registered owners. Collect. Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Or better yet, hire a lawyer and have them take the pictures for you.


• Hire an experienced lawyer. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information.
  
  By letting the professionals at Murphy & Pressentin get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).


• Note the names of the police officers or highway patrol officers that responded to the accident. It is important for your lawyer to be able to contact these people as soon as possible after your accident.


• See your doctor. Often times, an injury from a boat crash can be underestimated. You may feel fine now, but some injuries, particularly neck and back injuries, can become quite painful and debilitating in the long term.

Don'ts

• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.


• Don't talk to anybody about your case except your doctor, your insurance company, your lawyer, and law enforcement officials. These people must be informed about the circumstances of your crash and have your best interest in mind.


• Don’t wait to speak with a lawyer and a doctor. Find an experienced watercraft accident lawyer as soon as possible after your watercraft accident. Also, visit your doctor as soon as possible to assess any injuries you may have suffered.


• Don't sign any release forms. We can't emphasize this enough. If you do not fully understand what the papers are about, do not put your name on them. Once you settle your case, you won't be able to get anything else.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are either three or four-wheeled motorized vehicles used in recreational and work related activities. ATVs are often used for off-roading or natural riding conditions. In many ways, these vehicles are ideal for recreation, rescue efforts, and quick, easy transportation in off-road areas.

Unfortunately however, over 6,000 fatalities occurred from injuries associated with ATVs in the last two decades, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In 2001, 467 people were killed in ATV accidents. In 2002, 113,900 people went to the emergency room with ATV-related injuries, and tragically, the CPSC estimates that at least 30% of all the people involved in ATV accidents are children.

Many ATVs can go as fast as 55 mph and can weigh as heavy as a quarter ton. Heavier, stronger and faster ATVs are causing a dramatic rise in ATV accidents. While safe and responsible operation of ATVs is possible and many practice these techniques, deaths and injuries continue to rise, especially in children and young people who ride ATVs recreationally.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a personal watercraft, we understand your need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin focus on your case. We understand the regulations and unique characteristics of ATVs and know how to get quality documentation for these types of cases. Properly acquired photos, police reports, eyewitness testimonies and other important pieces of evidence are extremely important to the success of your case.

Contact Murphy & Pressentin to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.

Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving an ATV:

Do's:

• Document, document, document. Collect the names and addresses of the drivers, passengers and registered owners. Collect. Take pictures of your injuries, the bike, the accident scene and other vehicles. Or better yet, hire a lawyer and have them take the pictures for you.


• Hire an experienced lawyer. It is absolutely critical that documentation is done the right way so that if or when you walk into a courtroom you have the best possible information.
  
  By letting the professionals at Murphy & Pressentin get this documentation for you as soon as possible after your accident, you will be more likely to get a settlement later. We will focus on your case so that you are able to focus on recovery or grieving over the loss of your loved one(s).

Don'ts

• Don't be in a hurry to talk to the other side's insurance company. There's no reason for you to be in a rush to tell your story. You should speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer before speaking with any insurance company.


• Don’t wait to speak with a lawyer and a doctor. Find an experienced ATV accident lawyer as soon as possible after your ATV accident.


• Don't sign any release forms. We can't emphasize this enough. If you do not fully understand what the papers are about, do not put your name on them. Once you settle your case, you won't be able to get anything else.

Though infrequent, airplane accidents are bound to happen due to the number of commercial and personal aircraft flown every day. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air travel is expected to double over the next 20 years. As air traffic increases, so does the risk that passengers will be involved in an aviation accident.

Generally, air traffic is considered to be a safe means of transportation, but when accidents do occur they often result in fatalities. Smaller, less serious accidents involving private aircraft are more frequent than people may realize, because many of these incidents go unreported in the media.

When an airplane accident does occur, the first priority is to investigate the cause of the accident. Some common causes of airplane accidents include:

Pilot error
Inclement weather
Engine failure
Mid-air collisions
Negligent maintenance
Instrument failure
Icing
Faulty equipment
FAA regulations violations
Structural or design problems
Air traffic controller error
Negligence of flight service station employees
Negligence in a third party’s selection of a carrier
Improper loading of cargo
Defective onboard equipment
Fuel tank explosions

Unlike other types of vehicle accidents, airplane accidents are governed by unique negligence laws. These laws include state, federal, and often international laws. The Federal Aviation Administration governs the manufacture and maintenance of aircraft. However, aircraft safety may be also governed by general state or federal negligence law.

Because aviation law is so complex, it’s crucial that you contact an attorney experienced in airplane accident law to help assess your claim.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving an aircraft, we understand your need to focus on recovery or mourning your loss.

While you do this, let the experienced professionals at Murphy & Pressentin focus on your case. We understand the regulations, laws and unique characteristics of aircraft accidents and know how to get the right documentation for your case which is critical to getting you a settlement

Contact Murphy & Pressentin to discuss your case and to schedule an initial consultation.