Posts by John Hartwell Cocke
Bad Brakes Can Cause Truck Accidents
Sharing the road with these big rigs can be a frightening experience. The size and sound of an 18-wheeler approaching on its own is overwhelming. But what if you knew that the truck next to you had bad brakes? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) did its first truck crash causation study in the…
Read MoreThe Long-Term Effects of Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
The birth of a baby is supposed to be a magical, happy time for a family, but medical errors during labor and delivery can turn this beautiful experience into a nightmare for new parents and their families. Birth injuries, incurred during or at the time of birth, are traumatic and costly and have long term…
Read MoreKeeping Tow Truck Drivers Safe in Mississippi
When on the road, whether it be in a vehicle or as a pedestrian, you are put in very high danger. Although roads today are built with enhanced safety features such as warning signs, speed limit signs, and traffic lights, if drivers fail to follow these traffic regulations, vehicle accidents are going to continue to…
Read MoreMerkel & Cocke, P.A. Congratulates Partners for Being Selected for 2023 Best Lawyers®
Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is proud to have four of its partners recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2023 in America. Every year, the Best Lawyers list recognizes leading attorneys in particular regions and practices, based on peer reviews. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal…
Read MoreAn Update to the NCAP’s 5 Star Safety Ratings – 40 Years in the Making
Despite a pandemic that reduced travel, 36,680 lives were lost on American roads in 2020. The first half of 2021 saw an 18% increase in fatalities on the road. According to AP News, this is the highest increase in fatalities recorded since 1975 when the government started keeping statistics on traffic related deaths. This AP…
Read MoreFlorida Surgeon Faces 350 Lawsuits from Patients Injured During Surgery
A Jacksonville, Florida orthopedic surgeon who retired in 2020 is facing 350 lawsuits, with more to come, from patients claiming he caused them injuries, complications, and in one case, loss of life. The lawsuits, also filed against his clinic and place of employment, allege Dr. Richard David Heekin displayed signs of a progressive neurological disorder,…
Read MoreHelp for Mississippi Veterans Who Were Stationed at Camp Lejeune
With the recent signing of the “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act,” or PACT Act, into law, veterans who are living with chronic and/or disabling medical conditions related to burn pit exposure can finally get the help they need. Contained within the PACT Act is the Camp Lejeune Justice…
Read MoreAll About Sideswipe Accidents
Have you ever noticed a car with dents and scrapes on the side? The first thought that may pop into your mind after seeing that type of damage is, “What type of accident did that person get into?” Most likely, that person was involved in a sideswipe accident. A sideswipe accident is exactly what it…
Read MoreDo Traffic Safety Campaigns Work?
Have you ever come across a traffic sign that grabs your attention as you’re driving? It may be one of those blinking traffic signs that warn you in a creative way not to drink and drive or to remember to use your seat belt. As great as that sign is at entertaining you or making…
Read MoreMillions of Ford Vehicles Recalled Due Mechanical Issues
Can you imagine taking all safety precautions while you’re driving and finding out that you were most in danger by parking your vehicle? What if your car was in danger of still moving, even when you have put it in park? Millions of Ford owners are living it. For the past several years, Ford has…
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