Category: Personal Injuries
How to Shield Yourself from Common Personal Injury Suits
April 28, 2016 | Adriel B. VillarrealIf you are in a car accident and feel you may be at fault, you may find yourself facing a personal injury lawsuit. What can you do to shield yourself from common personal injury suits and protect your financial interests? Here are some steps to take to protect you from legal repercussions in the wake of an accident. Exchange Information Immediately– When you are in a car accident, the first thing you should do is stop and exchange insurance and license information with the other driver or drivers. It is a criminal offense in every state to leave the scene of an accident, and can be used against you in a civil case as evidence of negligence. Never admit fault– Do not admit liability and try not to apologize for the accident, as this can be seen as claiming responsibility. Just ask if everyone is OK and don’t try to explain what happened. Take pictures– Regardless of who is at fault, you should take pictures of the accident scene and vehicle damage. Take close-up pictures and long range pictures, as well as photos of any skid marks, stop signs or traffic lights. If you believe road conditions or partially-obscured signs or traffic signals may have taken part in causing the accident, take photos…
Read More5 Things to Look For in a Personal Injury Lawyer
April 18, 2016 | Adriel B. VillarrealIf you have been injured in an accident, or if someone is suing you for personal injury, choosing the right attorney to represent you is one of the most important decisions you can make. Here are some important things to consider when choosing your personal injury lawyer: Experience– Not only should you look for an attorney who has been practicing law for many years, but you should also make sure her area of expertise includes personal injury lawsuits. Even a good lawyer won’t be of much help if their practice focuses mainly on business law or drafting wills. Ethics– If a potential attorney wishes to charge you for an initial consultation to discuss whether he would take your case, he may not be an ethical lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations so you don’t have to come out of pocket before signing the retainer agreement. Trust– Your personal injury attorney should be someone you feel is trustworthy, who will be dedicated to your best interests during the course of the case. A personal injury lawyer in a large firm may try to pass your case off to a junior attorney or fellow associate after you have established a rapport. Make sure your attorney will have sole responsibility for your case,…
Read MoreWhat to Do If You’re Hit on a Bicycle
December 23, 2015 | Adriel B. VillarrealWhen bikes collide with vehicles, the result can be disastrous – and oftentimes, fatal. If you’re hit while riding your bicycle, it’s important to remain calm. The actions you take immediately following the accident may impact your financial recovery for damage to your bike and injuries. Follow these steps if you’re hit on a bicycle. Get Medical Attention First and foremost, get medical attention if you’re seriously injured. Your health should be your top priority, and getting medical care as soon as possible is the only way to be sure you have documentation of your injuries. Contact the Police The second most important step is to contact the police, and make sure that you wait for them to arrive at the scene. File a police report even if you don’t think you’re injured. In many cases, cyclists don’t even realize they’re injured until several hours after the accident occurs. Injuries that appear to be minor at first can progress into serious – sometimes permanent – injuries. Also, remember that if you leave the scene before the police arrive, you may not be able to identify the at-fault driver. Don’t try to negotiate with the driver or accept any blame. Just wait for police to arrive, so the accident can be documented properly…
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