MOTOR VEHICLE:
This is an area of law handled by many attorneys, but handled at a high level of knowledge and skill by only the qualified few. The issues of tort option, coverage elections and rejections, development and presentation of damages and understanding of the science of accident reconstruction require specialized knowledge and experience.
Mr. Zimmerman has attended seminars and studied the science of accident reconstruction with the help of experts, permitting him to discover and present the key facts with a high level of sophistication. Calling upon the assistance of experts in the field, he is able to overcome challenges to liability. Skilled investigators interview all witnesses and inspect and photographs all accident scenes, driver’s views and involved vehicles. Investigating police officers are interviewed whenever required. Traffic signal sequencing records, deceleration charts, vehicle data recorders, area video feeds and all other resources are tapped to find the truth. Mapping and diagraming accident locations assists in both investigation and presentation of how and why the accident occurred.
Mr. Zimmerman has a proven track record of working through the morass of insurance forms and documents to obtain all coverages due his clients, putting the insurance companies to the proof when they try to deny coverages to their insureds and others.
Mr. Zimmerman does not look at automobile accidents as routine matters. His detailed approach and close attention to details pays dividends to his clients.
Motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians:
These cases often involve the ability of a motorist to see and react to the presence of a small object in his view, such as a motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian. Mr. Zimmerman makes use of the special circumstances of each such accident to show how the motorist had time to see, appreciate and react to such a situation, before causing an accident. Lighting conditions, light sources, span and reach or headlights, color and reflective cues, auditory cues, respective rates of movement and time in view, are just some of the factors he takes into consideration to demonstrate the avoid ability of these types of accidents.
Tractor-trailers and trucks; buses and commercial trasnport vans:
These accidents involve unique issues of passing clearances, sight-lines and stopping distances, weight load limits and many other issues unique to commercial transport and trucking, as well as issues of ownership and control of the drivers, the cabs or tractors and the trailers. Many times there are multiple parties with different degrees of involvement. Mr. Zimmerman takes care to sort out the correct parties and has the skill, experience and support to determine where the failures occurred.
INJURIES ON PREMISES:
Cases involving falls from trips or slips on property are much more complex than many other attorneys understand, giving rise to verdicts for defendants or cases dismissed before trial in more than 85% of all cases in the greater Philadelphia court systems. These poor results come out of the need for the claimant’s attorney to have a sophisticated understanding of both the law and the science behind fall downs. Many lack this understanding, and their clients pay the price.
Ice and snow:
Pennsylvania requires a showing of “hills and ridges” for generalized icy conditions to permit a recovery. Mr. Zimmerman has the knowledge to understand and present climatological data, ground conditions, topography, drainage and run-off, pooling and other key factors to overcome the difficult legal standard. He knows the legal requirements and he knows how to meet them.
Bad sidewalks; holes and depressions in the ground surface; slippery floors; water, grease or other material on a floor:
Mr. Zimmerman had studied the sciences of co-efficiency of friction, gait analysis, floor surfaces, stairway design and construction, condensation, water accumulation and discharge, the science of observation and many other factors in order to prevail on cases involving slippery floors, dangerous stairways, defective decks and walkways. He has knowledge of pothole development, street surface construction, filling and sealing of excavations, and many other areas, to benefit his clients.
Municipal cases:
Cases brought against a city, township, borough, county, state or Federal government have unique notice requirements, time limitations, hurdles and rules of proceeding. Mr. Zimmerman has successfully navigated the maze of legal requirements to bringing such claims and has obtained recoveries from almost all local governmental entities. These cases have involved operation of governmental vehicles, dangerous conditions of public property, buildings, streets and utilities, and many other areas. These cases are different from general liability cases and require the knowledge of the “ins and outs” that Mr. Zimmerman possesses.
Mr. Zimmerman brings a high level of knowledge and sophistication to all premises cases, which has enabled him to overcome countless legal challenges and to prevail on behalf of his clients in countless recoveries.
NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT:
Nothing is sadder than an a parent, spouse or other elderly loved one suffering avoidable injury or death from poor or inadequate care in a nursing home, rehabilitation facility or even hospital. These cases include preventable falls, bed sores, physical abuse, malnutrition, dehydration, medication errors, burns, preventable infections, elopement [wandering off] and even assaults.
Mr. Zimmerman has made this area of law an area of particular urgency, and has invested the times to learn all aspects of fall prevention, skin and wound care, elder care and health issues, as well as knowing how to find the evidence often hidden deep within medical records. He has obtained several recoveries in the most difficult of cases, where the victim is deceased or unable to tell what happened. He is dedicated to bringing justice for the weakest and most vulnerable members of our community.
WORK ACCIDENTS:
While Pennsylvania requires injured workers to bring claims for medical treatment and lost wages under the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act, the limitation in bringing a claim applies only to claims against the employer or fellow employees. Many accidents occur due to the negligence of other parties, such as outside contractors, machine manufacturers, maintenance companies, management companies and non-employees. Condition of the work place or the work site are often the responsibility of companies or individuals outside of the employer-employee relationship. Those claims can be brought for recoveries over and above what Workers Compensation pays.
Mr. Zimmerman is skilled in evaluating your work place accident to determine all responsibly parties. He is equipped to not only handle your Workers Compensation claim, but any other valid claims you may have not even considered. A consultation is always free.
Mr. Zimmerman has successfully handled many work site safety cases, dangerous machinery or equipment cases and many other work related cases, taking recoveries beyond the Workers Compensation Act’s limited benefits. He understands factories, construction sites, industrial and commercial areas. When you are involved in a work place accident, let him evaluate your case for you. Vital additional compensation may be available.
LIQUOR CASES:
Pennsylvania has the Dramshop Act, which prohibits service of alcohol by a bar or liquor store to a visibly intoxicated individual or a minor and hold the server responsible for harm caused by such intoxication. These cases take a special expertise in all the facets of liquor service, training, metabilization of alcohol, degrees and signs of intoxication and alcohol impairment, and many other factors. These cases involve vehicular accidents, assaults, falls and other effects on behavior under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Zimmerman has studied all aspects of these cases and has successfully obtained recoveries in many such cases against the responsible bar, restaurant or host. He had prevailed in legal challenges to these cases on several occasions, based on his knowledge of the law and marshaling of the supportive evidence.
