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6 Steps to Take After Getting in Lyft Accident

Lyft Accident Lawyer

The last thing that you expect after getting into a Lyft vehicle is to get into an accident. Getting in a car accident can be a terrifying experience, but when you are using a service like Lyft it can be even more disorienting. If you get into an accident, it is important to understand exactly what you need to do so that you can protect your rights and gather what you need to file a claim. 

Call 911

As soon as you are able to, call 911 and wait for first responders to arrive. They will inform you of what to do while you wait. Stay at the scene and tend to any other injured victims if you are able to. Police may not be able to arrive at your location, but wait for the ambulance to arrive and follow their instructions from there. 

Get Medical Attention

Once the paramedics arrive, they will ask you if you want to receive medical attention and go to the hospital. You should always say yes because you will not know how injured you are unless you are treated by professionals. You may not notice the extent of your injuries due to shock. Seeing a doctor as soon as you can is also important because it will support your personal injury claim. 

Get Contact and Insurance Information

As a lyft accident lawyer to provide exceptional legal service and advice to clients, will tell you that you need to obtain important information like name, phone number, vehicle make and model, and insurance information. You will need to provide this to a lawyer so that they can have the information that they need to contact the parties involved and proceed with your case. If the parties do not want to give you their information you need to inform the lawyer that they were uncooperative. 

Take Photos and Video

While you are at the scene, if you are in good condition, you should take photos and record video evidence of all the damage. You should not forget details such as the interior of the vehicle, skid marks, damaged signs, and other important details that can help a lawyer build your case. 

Inform Lyft 

Call Lyft and report the accident to them. Give all of the key information and provide a detailed account of what you experienced. Let them know who your driver was and every party involved. Follow their instructions about other steps that you need to take while they process the accident report. 

Notify Insurance Company

Let your insurance company know that you were in a rideshare accident. They will tell you what to do and how your insurance policy applies. You can also ask your rideshare driver for assistance and they can provide you with information to notify the company. 

Getting into a Lyft accident can be a scary and traumatizing experience, but there is affordable and high-quality legal help available. Contact an experienced  Lyft accident lawyer now if you need timely legal assistance. 

Is A DUI Going To Mess Up My License?

Driving under the influence or DUI’s can cause a lot of issues and they affect every segment of our society. One question DUI lawyers deal with is this question of what will a driving while impaired charge do to my license? Impaired driving has a lot of collateral consequences, they can be extremely expensive, they can result in you taking alcohol classes, they can lead to jail and prison time, a DUI can cost you enrollment in certain schools and even take your job away. But what does a DUI or DWI do to your license? Learn more below according to our friends at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law.

DUI Lawyer

Most impaired driving charges will revoke your license for 30 days from the date you were charged. Meaning from the day you were pulled over, you may have done a breathalyzer roadside, they call this a PBT or portable breath test, they may have had you do standardized field sobriety tests sometimes referred to as SFST’s. These tests can include things such as standing on one leg to check your balance and to see if you sway your arms or put your foot down. They can include the walk and turn test to see if your foot touched the back of your other heel for so many paces down, then have you turn the correct way, and then walk back. And typically for a DUI case, they’re looking at the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test. This test is where they’re looking for an involuntary jerking of your eyes, referred to as a nystagmus. If you have alcohol in your system the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration will say you have alcohol in your system. If there’s an up and down shaking, sometimes referred to as a vertical nystagmus then they’ll say you have drugs in your system. All of these tests help law enforcement develop probable cause to arrest you for DUI. Probable Cause is a reasonable articulable suspicion that a crime has been committed and that crime has been committed by you.

DWI Lawyer

After you’ve been charged with impaired driving, this will generally revoke your license for 30 days. After this initial period of revocation due to impaired driving, you should be able to get your license back. After you’ve received your license back you will continue to have it until your case is resolved. If you’re found not guilty, this means you’re free to go without any further restriction, however, if you’re convicted, this means you’re found guilty and your license is then revoked for at least a year and could be for a lot longer depending on several factors affecting DUI’s.

Impaired Driving Lawyer

We understand full well the importance of protecting your record from having a DUI charge and also just how important it is to have a license. DUI’s  are very involved that’s why you need to speak with a top rated DUI lawyer. They write the book on DUI’s and they can help you, a loved one or a friend with any issues that may arise with an impaired driving charge.

Top 5 Reasons To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney

Below are the top 5 reasons to hire a personal injury attorney for your car accident case. Aside from the experience a car accident lawyer possesses, there are many other benefits to obtaining counsel after an accident.

  1. The first reason to hire a personal injury attorney after an accident is that they may get you a bigger recovery.

A study done by the Insurance Research Counsel (IRC) found that accident victims who hired an attorney recovered 40% more money for their accident than people who were not represented. This is a substantial difference in numbers that should not be taken lightly. This shows that insurance companies are not taking unrepresented people seriously after an accident.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer who is willing to fight until the end is important. Ensure that your personal injury attorney has had experience in negotiating with insurance companies so that you don’t leave money on the table.

  1. The second reason to hire a personal injury attorney is that they know how to collect necessary evidence.

A personal injury attorney knows what is necessary to build a strong case against the defendant or insurance company. First, an experienced attorney will start by collecting information from the client. A detailed checklist or intake form should be provided to the attorney so that the attorney knows the details of the case. With that information, the attorney can then use it to find other evidence necessary to get you a recovery. For example, if there is a liability dispute in your case, a personal injury attorney will be able to find video evidence, gather witness testimony, and collect pictures of the accident scene to prove you were not liable for the accident.

The attorney will also collect the crash report, medical records, medical bills, and other evidence to establish your injuries. Creating a trail of evidence will create a stronger case against the defendant or insurance company.

  1. The third reason to retain a personal injury attorney is that they can send you to the right places to get treatment. 

An experienced personal injury attorney should have many connections in the community to ensure that you receive the best possible treatment. Everyone knows that medical treatment is expensive. For that reason, a well-connected attorney can help manage that expense. Specifically, the attorney can provide certain treatment facilities a Letter of Protection so that you can be treated without paying for the cost upfront. Instead, the treatment facility will be able to treat a patient on a lien that comes out of the settlement proceeds.

  1. The fourth reason to retain a personal injury attorney is that they are capable of filing a lawsuit. 

Handling a personal injury claim by yourself can be daunting. Aside from the intimidation factor, insurance companies know if you file a lawsuit pro se, there is a chance you make a mistake or do not know how to do it. Getting an experienced personal injury attorney involved puts pressure on the insurance company to settle your claim for a reasonable value or get sued. Insurance companies understand that if an experienced attorney feels that the settlement offer is not reasonable, they will file a lawsuit.

  1. The last reason to hire a personal injury lawyer is that they are on your team throughout the entire process. 

Once you hire an attorney to handle your case, you can rest assured that you are in great hands. Once you find an experienced attorney, they will do everything in their power to ensure that your case is handled with care and that you are fairly compensated. You will not have to wonder whether you are collecting the necessary evidence or saying something incorrect to the insurance company. An experienced attorney has gone down all of the paths and knows what it takes to move a case forward.

Above are the top 5 reasons to hire a personal injury attorney. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.

Spotting The Signs Of Elder Abuse In Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Elder abuse doesn’t just happen out in the world — it can happen right under your nose, even in nursing homes. Although some people think that abuse only takes place in isolated cases, it actually happens much more often than you might think. Unfortunately, it’s an issue that isn’t given the attention it deserves; many patients are afraid to speak up about what’s happening to them, and there aren’t enough people who check on them and make sure they’re safe, which is why you might need a nursing home abuse lawyer. Our friends at Disparti Law Group have put together some signs to help you recognize elder abuse.

Changes in Activity Level

Pay attention to changes in your loved one’s usual activity level. If you notice a sudden drop-off or a sharp decline, it could be a sign that something is going on. If you notice any increased apathy or physical lethargy, there may be an underlying medical reason or it could be that they are feeling depressed due to elder abuse. Either way, take note. If this continues for a few days, make sure to call their doctor. A change in appetite is also cause for concern and can indicate illness or depression as well as abuse. Watch out for rapid mood swings from calm and happy to crying spells and outbursts quickly followed by periods of serenity

Appearing Nervous

A nervous appearance is one of the signs that your loved one may be at risk for abuse. In nursing homes, your loved one’s condition may make them appear jittery or nervous, especially if they’re entering a new living situation. According to an investigation, residents are often medicated with anti-anxiety drugs to make them easier to manage. If your loved one seems overly nervous, it could be their medication playing tricks on them. It’s also important to know that dementia can sometimes cause unusual behavior. These symptoms aren’t necessarily abuse related; however, it’s still worth raising awareness among staff members if you see such changes in behavior.

Unexplained Injuries

Any unexplained injuries require immediate attention and possible legal action. The most common signs of abuse are unexplained bruises, bed sores, unexplained broken bones, or untreated injuries. If you see any of these injuries on your loved one during a visit to a nursing home, ask questions about them and look for answers that make sense. Any concerning information should be brought to your attorney’s attention as soon as possible so that they can begin investigating whether abuse is taking place at that facility.

Missing Clothing or Valuables

Are any clothing or valuables missing from your loved one’s room? This could be a sign that they’re losing their sense of autonomy. If you notice several items missing, there may be an issue with a staff member. You should report any suspicious behavior to your loved one’s doctor and his or her administrator.  If you believe this is happening because your loved one can’t afford to buy new clothes on their own, discuss this concern with the social worker on staff. They might offer help.

In the meantime, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer today for help with your elderly loved one that may be showing signs of abuse.

When a Personal Injury Lawyer is Needed

Personal injury situations and the suffering that an individual goes through all depend on various factors. Examples include the impact of the incident, the broken bones, whether the person gets a concussion, and more.  More importantly, an example of a personal injury that someone could get is an individual slipping on ice and getting a concussion. Another example could be work-related and someone having their shoulder dislocated, due to poor safety measures to work, when it comes to business.  When this happens, a personal injury lawyer can assist people in getting the compensation they need for their suffering.

How a personal injury lawyer can help

What a personal injury lawyer can assist with is working through compensation factors, as well as assessing not just physical trauma, but also mental trauma that can come with a personal injury. To give an example of trauma, a car accident, which is classified as a personal injury, can cause a person to feel guilt over someone they loved being injured in the car with them, trauma, and fear overriding a car again due to the suddenness and severity of the crash.  Moreover, an assessment of these factors by a personal injury lawyer also leads to questions such as when and where the accident took place, the damage and suffering that was caused, and more.  These focus on how the injury happened, whether the business has a history of these accidents happening and safety measures set in place, etc. The questions aid in refining the personal injury case, since such cases are not black and white.

Personal Injury Lawyer work

What makes a personal injury law firm so effective is that when it comes to their model, there is a strong approach in relation to how the work is completed and escalated over time.  In other words, a good personal injury law firm continues to expand in such a way that they focus on multiple types of personal injuries at once. This helps cases to be assessed with an in-depth approach.

3 Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury law covers an incredibly wide spectrum of topics. It is always important to contact a personal injury lawyer, as soon as you think that you may have a case. Your lawyer will be able to look at the details surrounding your case to determine if it will be worth pursuing. Even if what happened is not included in this article, you may still be able to get compensation for your expenses. A personal injury case can be anything that involves the negligent actions of another party. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

One of the most common types of personal injury cases is slip and falls. This is likely because they can happen anywhere at any time. The injured party does need to prove that there was some kind of negligence involved and it was not merely gravity or the victim’s own clumsiness that caused the fall. For example, if the place that the fall occurred had a slippery surface or some kind of hazard that physically caused the fall, this could be the proof you need for a case. 

Car and Truck Accidents

Many people drive every single day, whether it is to run errands, go to work, or drive family members around to obligations. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and people can leave with injuries ranging from incredibly mild to severe. It is always important to hold the at fault party responsible for their actions. Sometimes, this is through an insurance settlement, but other times a person needs to go to court to get fair compensation. You should always consult with a personal injury lawyer before deciding how to best pursue the compensation you deserve. 

Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs are amazing pets. They can be a liability, though. If a dog bites someone else and the other person was not threatening the animal or owner, the victim may be able to get compensation. It will all depend on where the accident occurred and whether the victim was provoking the dog in any way. The severity of a dog bite injury often depends on how big the dog is and where the victim is bitten. No matter what, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. 

Contact a Lawyer Immediately

You should always reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you realize that you may have a case. A lawyer will be able to look at the details surrounding your case, figure out the best argument to use in court, and will make sure you do not miss the statute of limitations for filing. 

5 Common Mistakes In a Personal Injury Case

It’s important to be aware of the common mistakes in an injury case. While you may have a strong case, there are some things you can do to ruin your chances of winning.

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, it’s important to understand the common mistakes that can hinder your injury case. While you may have a valid claim, there are some things that you can do on your own that will harm your chances of a successful outcome. It’s important to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer like Therman Law Offices, LTD after an accident as soon as possible so that you don’t unknowingly cause damage to your own claim.

Here are 5 common mistakes made in an injury case:

  1. Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were injured due to the negligence of another person or company, it is best to hire an attorney as soon after the accident as possible. A personal injury lawyer like Therman Law Offices, LTD will be able to guide you through the process and tell you what information is best left out of any statements or documents provided during the course of the investigation or trial. Your lawyer will also handle all communications with insurance companies so that they cannot take advantage of you by getting you to make statements or sign documents that will damage your case. Your lawyer will also know how much compensation is reasonable for

  1. Don’t Lie to Your Personal Injury Lawyer

Some clients lie to their personal injury lawyers about their injuries or how their accident occurred. They do this because they are afraid that the personal injury lawyer will not want to accept the case if they tell him the truth. If a client lies to his personal injury lawyer and the personal injury lawyer accepts the case, this is a problem for both parties if the truth comes out later. If it comes out later, it may cause the jury to not trust anything you have to say and harm your credibility.

  1. Don’t Delay Seeking Medical Attention

You need to seek medical attention after an accident immediately and continue with treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). There are many reasons why you need to seek medical attention immediately after an accident occurs and continue with treatment until you are completely healed.

  1. Signing documents from the insurance company without having them reviewed by a personal injury lawyer

Insurance companies are not in business to pay claims; they want to minimize their payout on the claim. The adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, but he or she is not your friend and does not have your best interests in mind.

Before signing any document from the insurance company, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about its contents and whether it might hurt your claim down the road. Many times we see clients who sign documents that limit their rights without realizing what they were signing.

  1. Don’t Wait Too Long To Call A Personal Injury Lawyer

An injured victim needs time to recover from their injuries before suing the responsible party. As your personal injury lawyer, the Therman Law Offices, LTD will handle all aspects of your case so that there is no added stress on top of how things are already. With the Therman Law Offices, LTD’s support, you can focus on regaining your health instead of worrying about anything else. We will fight for your rights while providing compassionate care throughout this challenging process.

Get Help When Insurance Agents Refuse to Settle

Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident, you may be experiencing various emotions in addition to the physical pain of your injuries. This can be a difficult time for your as you try to navigate the different medical appointments you have and determine whether you would like to file a personal injury claim. Unless your injuries are very severe after a car accident, it can be hard to tell if filing an injury claim is the right move. You may be wondering if it is simply too much hassle and whether you will even need the help of a lawyer. The truth is, it is never a waste of your time or effort to reach out to a personal injury lawyer you can trust to discuss your claim and determine whether you have what is necessary for a personal injury claim.

Trouble With Insurance Companies

By far, one of the worst aspects of filing a personal injury claim after a car accident is dealing with the insurance company that will be involved in your claim. Insurance agents are all too happy to get you on the phone talking about the accident and discussing your injuries. If you are new to filing a personal injury claim, you should understand that they do this to get you to reveal as much information as possible, not so they can empathize and help you with your claim.

What To Do When Insurance Companies Refuse to Settle Claims

Many people are surprised to find that insurance companies will get on the phone with you, check in to see how you’re doing, then flat out refuse your claim. A car accident lawyer knows that when it comes to being helpful, that is not an insurance agent’s job. Instead, their job is simply to make sure their insurance company spends as little as possible on your claim, whether it is refusing your claim or giving you a lowball offer. If you are not working with a lawyer, you may think this is the end of the road. After all, the insurance company gets the final say, right? Wrong. You have every right to argue against their decision, but this could be much easier with the help of a lawyer.

You may find that the insurance company tries to delay the claims process (often done to encourage you to give up) or that they may try to intimidate you. One of the best things you can do is work with a lawyer you can rely on who will be more than happy to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

If you are interested in seeing how a lawyer can help you with your claim, reach out to a local law firm today.

What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?

Personal Injury Attorney

When an emergency arises, you might turn every which way to find compensation. You can’t always predict the disasters that are going to happen in your life, but you can protect yourself with proper insurance. If you recently experienced a tragic incident, you might wonder if homeowner’s insurance will help to cover the costs. The following are some types of coverage your homeowner’s policy might cover.

Contact a personal injury attorney today to advise you on the types of coverage a homeowner’s insurance policy provides.

Personal Property

One of the neat things about personal property coverage is your property is covered regardless of where the damage is sustained. Many times, it is damaged in or around your home, but not always. For example, if “personal property” in your policy includes your bicycle and you are hit by a car while in another town, your homeowner’s insurance coverage could pay for you to get your bike repaired or replaced. If “personal property” in your policy includes jewelry and yours is stolen from your hotel room while on vacation, coverage could pay for a replacement.

Dwellings

Dwelling coverage is what helps you financially recover if your home needs a repair or rebuild. Whether you experience a fire or another disaster included in your homeowner’s insurance policy, it will cover repairs or replacement of the cabinets, plumbing, foundation, deck, flooring, utilities and more. If you have a detached garage or shed, those could be included as well under “other structures.”

Additional Expenses

If you can’t live in your home for a time while it is being repaired, loss of use coverage steps in to cover the additional living expenses you’ll incur. This includes temporary residency costs such as rent and utilities. Most policies will only cover these expenses for the shortest time it would take someone to reasonably rebuild or repair a home. If your home gets destroyed beyond repair and you choose to relocate altogether, you would typically receive payments until the time you move into your new residence.

Liability

When someone is injured on your property, liability coverage is essential. Perhaps your dog bit someone who was visiting one of your children. Maybe a crack in your sidewalk made an elderly neighbor trip and fall. In any of these cases, you could be sued and taken to court. With proper insurance coverage, you might be able to avoid the lawsuit.

Contact a Lawyer Today

Regardless of the situation you have found yourself in, there are many tragedies that homeowner’s insurance covers. Contact a lawyer today to learn whether your particular situation qualifies for compensation.

Hit And Run Accident

Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are incredibly ugly events. You’re heading home or heading somewhere that you need to  and someone collides with you with their car. The experience is traumatic and you suffer a few injuries; the first and only thing on your mind is that you get justice for what has occurred to you. But instead of staying at the scene the other driver whose car for some reason still works drives away. Instead of facing the music, the other driver decided to be a coward and flee the scene, making getting justice for your injury much more difficult. After all, how can you sue a person when you have none of their information to give to a car accident lawyer or officer?

This is called a hit-and-run any event in which someone crashes into you with their vehicle and drives away before any exchange of information or before the police arrives. This incredibly unfair action often results from the other driver anticipating very severe consequences from having to see another police officer in the state that he/she is in (being in a car accident)  So they flee instead hoping to god that they don’t get caught.

There are the minor consequences of just being in a collision which are mostly paid for by your insurance resulting with a hike in your monthly premiums and assuming that you were following the rules and driving in a manner that your state laws demand, there won’t be much more than that. However, hit and run consequences are far more severe. A hit and run is classified as a felony meaning that if charged, you could spend up to a year in jail, face heavy fines, or both. Along with that, it’s an automatic driver’s license suspension.

But given that hitting someone and running away is an incredibly cruel act sometimes this just isn’t enough. Victims can ask for compensatory damages which are made to pay for losses like medical bills, time away from work, property damage, and pain and suffering. Even more, they can ask for punitive damages, which are thrown on just for the purpose of punishing the defendant  for irresponsible and “outrageous” behavior.

If you’re the victim of any kind of accident make sure you get the make, color, and model of the car. While surveillance footage (if captured) can provide this information, you can’t always expect there to be an outside source to identify the car and it’s better to take matters into your own hands. That way in the event of a hit and run, you’ll surely have the other driver’s car info and you’ll be sure to catch them.

Thanks to Andrew R. Lynch for their expertise on hit-and-run car accidents.