Personal Injury Law Blogs

Why Technology Works in the Courtroom

Courtrooms are now more technology-driven than ever before. While crimes and cases remain the same, courtrooms are now equipped with computer screens, audio, visual, and digital tools. According to ChicagoLawyerMagazine, 90% of jurors are better equipped to understand evidence when presentation software is used.

Consider the following reasons why technology is a critical part of trial presentation:

  • We rely on technology. Today, almost everyone receives their information in digital format, and that includes the jury. Technology sometimes makes possible what could not be accomplished in its absence. Much evidence now begins as computer data. Search and seizure of computers is no longer news; it’s customary and often essential to a case. With so many new developments, the nature of trial evidence is being pushed in the direction of electronic presentations. Lawyers prefer cases with software presentation because it enhances their persuasive abilities.
  • Technology is faster. Technology can substantially speed up the length of a case. Jurors, no matter their age, see technology as an effective use of their time. Judges prefer it because it is a more efficient delivery than traditional approaches. It helps control proceedings, set time limits, and decide matters.
  • Juror attention is refocused on the evidence. High tech trials are predominantly visual. Juries who are now more tech savvy than ever before are also prone to believe what they see. In high technology trials, the visual display of information is emphasized, which is often the evidence. Jurors direct their attention to the evidence itself, and attorneys find that they have to respond to jurors’ misconceptions less and less. The psychological effects from visual evidence are often substantial.

As our population becomes more and more computer literate, the nature of trials is shifting toward technology. For more information on the best technology tools to utilize in the courtroom, contact Trial Technologies today at 215-963-9798.

Injured in a DUI Accident: How Do I File A Claim?

Involvement in a car accident is always a serious event. Involvement in a car accident when one of the drivers was drunk can be even worse. Accidents that occur when a driver of one of the cars is under the influence usually involve more severe damage and injuries.If you have been injured in a car accident that involved a driver who was charged with a DUI, you can make a claim for compensation for your injuries and damages. Under your state law, you may be entitled to collect for damages to your car, medical expenses, lost earnings, future medical care, and in some states pain and suffering.

How to File a Claim

To make a successful claim for compensation when you have been involved in an accident, you need to:

1. Hire An Accident Attorney. The first step will definitely have to be hiring dui attorney services. Make sure that your attorney has all the information about the accident that you have collected, and make sure that you let them know that the other driver was arrested for DUI or their current status.

The attorney will inform you on what steps to take next and what to be ready for as it comes along. Follow all of the recommendations provided by your dui attorney. Sometimes this may include not providing the insurance company with any type of statement before you speak to your attorney about the questions and the appropriate responses.

You can also browse some of the websites for DUI lawyers as they list the penalties that can be assessed to an individual who is charged with a DUI. This will give you an idea of the type of compensation that you may be entitled to. A local Internet search such as “Pennsylvania DUI lawyer” will yield a list of many experienced attorneys’ websites.

2. Keep Records Of The Event. It is easy to assume that you have already filed a police report at the scene of the accident and were given medical care. The next thing that you must have, and as soon as possible, is a written account of everything that you remember about the event. This record will be very useful when you are speaking to your attorney about the event. Do not give this record to the insurance company; it is for your benefit only.

3. Take Pictures. Take pictures where the accident occurred, take pictures of your car and other property damage, and take pictures of your injuries. All of these will help when you are presenting your claim to the insurance company. If at all possible, take the pictures at the time of the accident. If your injuries are too severe, return to the scene as soon as you can.

4. Follow Medical Care Directions. Make sure that you follow through on all of your medical care. Do not miss follow up appointments and attend all physical therapy sessions that your doctor recommends. The insurance company must see that you are actively trying to recover from your injuries. If they feel that you are not interested in recovery, they will deny your claim.

4. Follow Proper procedure. Let’s say that instead you are the party responsible for the accident, and have been arrested driving while under the influence. The first thing to do is to be cooperative and remorseful. Hire bail bonds services that can help you get out of jail so you can get everything together for the trial ahead with arrest bail bonds. Be on your best behavior and consult any questions you might have so that you follow due process to the letter.

Your attorney will be able to explain to you what damages you can make a claim for under the laws of your state. At your initial consultation they will be able to explain everything that you should expect during the case, and how you should respond to any thing that may arise. Additionally, your attorney may be able to provide you with information about victim advocacy groups in your area that specialize in helping victims of DUI accidents.

Valerie Stout Cyrus is a freelance writer who frequently researches legal issues involving personal injury. She found that Steven E. Kellis, Pennsylvania DUI lawyer, is knowledgeable in the field of DUI on both the prosecuting and defense side.

Negligent Care of Children

Placing your child into daycare and trusting the people there to care for them can be one of the most difficult decisions a parent will make. It is often common to see a child start daycare by the age of 6 weeks. Finding a daycare you can trust can take weeks or months. It is important to know what to look for to make sure you are selecting a daycare that will not abuse your child in any way. Unfortunately, abuse does occur and it can leave a child in a dire situation. What are your rights as a parent to combat the abuse and how can you stop it from happening again?

How to Identify Abuse

While most people think of physical abuse as the common term for child abuse, there are several other forms of abuse. Before you send a child to daycare it is essential to meet with all of the people that will be caring for your child. Find out what their background is and make sure you feel comfortable leaving your child with them. Each day talk to your child about their experience to make sure they are not being abused. Negligent care often shows up in poor hygiene such as the caregiver not changing a child’s diaper all day, failing to feed them, or ignoring their medical needs. A neglected child can appear expressionless, show fatigue, and hoard food at home. Emotional abuse will cause a child to become withdrawn, fear caregivers or parents, and exhibit passive or aggressive behavior. The child may become detached and apathetic in nature. Physical abuse will show up in the form of noticeable bruises, burns, and cuts. The child will become apprehensive, seek excessive attention and affection, adopt a frozen stare, and become very passive or very aggressive.

Lastly, sexual abuse is another serious thing to watch out for. The signs of sexual abuse include pain, bleeding, itching, and bruising around the genitals. The child may have difficulty walking and sitting, fear being separated from adults, and lack involvement with peers. The child may also avoid certain people, frequently touch his/her genitals, and reenact the abuse with dolls.

What to Do

It is hard enough to come to the realization that your child may have been abused, but you need to understand what steps you can take to protect your child. Each state has childcare licensing procedures a daycare must meet. You must follow the state guidelines for reporting abuse. Do not take your child back to the daycare. You do not need to have proof of neglect when you want to report abuse to the state. Instead, report the abuse to your local CPS caseworkers; they can investigate for you. Reports of abuse will be followed up by the CPS and law enforcement if necessary. Take your child to the doctor to have them examined and get them into support groups and therapy to assist with emotional damage related to the incident. This is essential if your child has suffered from physical and sexual abuse as it is challenging for children to understand what happened. You can meet with an attorney to press charges especially if you do have significant evidence showing abuse. Trust your instincts when it comes to abuse. Speak to your child often to make sure they are not being abused by their daycare providers.

Byline: Alex Gormley writes on personal injury issues, from abuse to accidents at work.  He is a freelance law and political blogger.

Wrongful Death Suit: What Kind of Evidence Must Be Proven to Win?

The world would be wonderful if everyone was so coordinated and dutiful that no serious injuries ever occurred. Unfortunately, since there are around 37.9 million emergency room admissions related to injuries every year, this is nothing more than a pipe dream. These injuries can be disheartening enough, but when they result in death, the incident becomes especially detrimental.
 

Sadly, these tragedies lead to more than just heartbreak for the victim’s loved ones; they can also cause financial ruin. This is why it’s so essential to be able to prove fault in a wrongful death situation.

Common Injuries resulting in Wrongful Death

There are a myriad of accidents that can result in serious injuries to those involved. In addition, just about any type of accident can lead to a wrongful death. There are accidents, though, that can be especially disastrous.

  • Auto Accidents: The damage related to auto accidents can range from minor dents in a fender to potentially several fatalities. Because of the inherent danger of being out on the road, automobile accidents are a huge contributing factor to cases of wrongful death.
  • Medical Malpractice: Medical malpractice is a potentially devastating mistake that sometimes occurs within the confines of a doctor’s office. The Institute of Medicine found that there are 98,000 cases of preventable death every year caused by medical malpractice, so the threat of fatal medical mistakes is very real.
  • Aviation Accidents: Luckily, aviation accidents are few and far between. It’s consistently been stated that driving a vehicle is more dangerous than flying in a plane. When a crash does occur, however, they’re usually detrimental and can result in hundreds of wrongful deaths.

Proving Wrongful Death

The process of proving fault in a wrongful death suit sounds simple, but it can actually turn into a nightmare if not done properly. In reality, individuals must show that a defendant’s negligence directly caused, either in whole or part, the death of a loved one. It must also be shown that this death had a negative effect on the family, but this part isn’t so hard to convince a jury of. It’s the proving of negligence that can be difficult.

Proving negligence will vary depending on the specific case at hand. In an auto accident, for instance, it may be as simple as showing that the defendant got a speeding ticket and that that specific negligent act led to an accident. Any piece of evidence that proves that a defendant caused a death through acting in a neglectful manner is usually enough to prove wrongful death.

Steps to take after a Wrongful Death

It’s important to get funeral arrangements handled after one of these unfortunate tragedies. Sadly, there’s also a bit of legal maneuvering that must be done. It’s essential for a victim’s loved ones to find a local wrongful death attorney to help them, and this is true for several reasons. A local attorney to where the accident occurred will be knowledgeable about all local and state laws in regards to the case. For example, if the accident occurred on a trip to NYC but the person who passed away is from New Jersey, it would be advised to hire an experienced NY wrongful death attorney.

These legal professionals will know exactly what type of evidence is needed in a certain case to prove negligence. With their legal expertise, attorneys can use this evidence to help recover often significant damages from a neglectful individual who brought an abrupt end to a beautiful life.

Those who have experienced a death within their family have an abundance of hard choices laid out before them. The road ahead will always be difficult, but if another person’s negligence led to a loved one’s death, it’s likely that an individual will be able to recover compensation for their loss. While no amount of money can ease the grief associated with losing a loved one, the additional financial resources can go a long way towards getting one’s life back on track.

Researcher Lisa Coleman shares the importance that evidence plays in a wrongful death suit, and the importance of retaining a local experienced attorney to handle such a case. She recently researched online at http://www.perecman.com/wrongful-death/ how the Perecman Firm, PLLC, is experienced in representing a wrongful death claim for a client who has lost a loved one in an accident within the state of New York.

No-Fault Law When an Accident Occurs: How does this Affect an Injury Claim?

Many individuals in the United States are able to rest comfortably knowing that they’ll be compensated by another person’s insurance if that individual causes them to be involved in an auto accident. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in some states. States that have “no-fault” laws actually make it difficult for injured victims to recover fair compensation, but luckily, there are sometimes ways to get around these laws.

What are No-Fault Laws?

No-fault laws exist in a minority of U.S. states, but those who live in those states are bound by them. These statutes basically say that a person’s own personal auto insurer will cover the normal special damages that they incur during a car accident. This typically includes medical bills and property damage. The laws also restrict the instances in which an individual can actually seek out damages against another driver.

While no-fault laws mean that a person won’t have to go through the trouble of a lawsuit to be reimbursed for medical bills and property damage, these statutes do still present a few problems. General damages, such as pain and suffering, aren’t paid by a policyholder’s insurance company. Because of this, individuals in no-fault states may end up with less reimbursement than they would in other states.

Are Lawsuits ever Allowed?

Fortunately, there are often instances where an individual in a no-fault state can still bring forth a lawsuit against a negligent driver. As mentioned, general damages aren’t typically covered under no-fault policies, but an injured driver can often still bring forth lawsuits to recover these types of damages. There are still limits on this ability, though; some states, for instance, require medical bills to reach a certain threshold before a suit can be brought forth.

Other states, such as New York, allow civil suits if a person’s injury is considered serious enough. This often means suffering a permanent disability, disfigurement or death. In a tragic 2009 accident in New York, for instance, a driver was on the wrong side of the road and collided head on with another vehicle. The families of the three men killed in the accident could likely bring forth a lawsuit against the negligent driver’s estate due to the seriousness of their injuries. Retaining a NY auto accident attorney for this case would be vital.

What to do after an Accident

It’s important to contact police immediately after being involved in an accident in a no-fault state. This is because, even in these states, negligence must be proven if a civil suit is allowed. After doing this and seeking medical attention, the injured party should immediately find an attorney to help them build a case.

The reason that attorneys are so essential in no-fault states is because of the thresholds that must often be met to allow a civil suit. Attorneys in these states know the legal landscape, and they can help prove that an injury meets the standards to warrant a lawsuit. Additionally, they can help with claims involving other general damages, including pain and suffering, and thus help ensure that their client is fairly compensated.

No-fault laws are meant to ease the burden of civil torts on a state’s judicial system, but this is sometimes done at the detriment of an individual’s right to recover compensation. Luckily, a person who has an experienced attorney at their side will stand a good chance of recovering both the typical damages provided in no-fault states and additional damages that they are likely entitled to. While no-fault states make it more difficult to be fairly compensated, they don’t make it impossible.

Lisa Coleman shares what no-fault law is and how it can affect a person’s injury claim, and how a local and experienced auto accident attorney can legally help. She recently viewed online how the Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., an experienced NY auto accident attorney group, is equipped to counsel and represent a client who has been involved in a serious accident within the NYC area, including head-on collisions.

Football Helmets Continue to Be a Concern with Product Liability

It seems as if football is under the microscope every year with new discoveries about the effects of concussions and the ever-changing rules about tackling and where a player can hit another player. This pressure mounts on football equipment manufacturers, the players and the families of young players, as parents weigh the risks and concerns of such a physical sport.

Warning Labels:

Some equipment manufacturers have become rather explicit with their warning labels, especially Schutt Sports, which has taken some flack for their blunt label that reads, “No helmet system can protect you from serious brain and/or neck injuries including paralysis or death. To avoid these risks, do not engage in the sport of football.”

Schutt Sports’ chief executive, Robert Erb, backs the label by saying, “The simplest thing we can do is remind people that the game has inherent risks. It’s an ethical, moral and legal issue. People need to know these things.”

The Legal Dilemma:

Manufacturers, like Schutt Sports, have succumbed to putting these labels on helmets because of rising scrutiny of equipment companies. With lawsuits mounted against companies, coaches and leagues, Schutt Sports and others decided it was better to tell the honest truth than to beat around the bush.

Riddell, the largest manufacturer of helmets, had this to say in regards to the situation— “We feel strongly that the information, education and warning materials that accompany Riddell helmets are clear, concise and comprehensive.”

These companies are telling their consumers that the game of football isn’t a cakewalk and shouldn’t be considered a low-contact sport. Instead, it should be considered seriously and the injuries surrounding the sport should be evaluated before a player decides to step on the field.

In Erb’s words, “This is not to provoke fear or controversy. It was to tell you to look both ways when you cross the street, not ‘don’t cross the street.’ ”

Basically, manufacturers are presenting the facts, however explicit they prefer, so they aren’t being questioned when lawsuits continue to mount.

Product Liability and Defective Products:

But when is the manufacturer responsible? While the manufacturer may walk away from lawsuits with explicit labels, they do not walk away when helmets are defective or manufactured with faulty parts. This is still grounds for a product liability lawsuit, and a lawsuit that could be tremendous if a kid gets seriously injured.

In such a case, personal injury lawyers need to get involved and families should seek the counsel of a lawyer. Manufacturers are not removed from defective products that they let leave their warehouses.

Product liability is another issue when the manufacturer disregards faulty products. But for now, manufacturers seem to be covered with their blunt labeling.

Evidence of Your Personal Injury

Okay, so you got into a personal injury accident, and now you want to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who negligently caused your injuries. Well, you’ve found, picked, and named your defendant, but how are you going to prove that he or she negligently caused your accident and personal injury?

You’re not going to prove that unless you have evidence.

Evidence generally comes in two forms: direct and circumstantial. Both can be used to prove a defendant’s negligence. The hard part is finding and gathering evidence of your personal injury. But, not to worry.

Here’s how.

Evidence of Your Personal Injury

  • A Police Report — A police report is definitely evidence of your personal injury accident, and if you get into a personal injury accident while on the road, then you are likely to have a police report available for your use. hearsay, meaning it can’t be used in a trial before a judge, but it can be used in alternative dispute resolution procedures:

  • Medical records — Medical records are definitely necessary to show that you actually suffered injuries as a result of your accident. So, although you might not want to take that trip to the doctor, it’s a good idea to do so, and to do so before you get better.

  • Personal Notes — You can also take personal notes and share them with your personal injury lawyer during your free consultation. This will help him or her find the strengths and weaknesses of your personal injury case, determining where you need more evidence to prove the defendant negligently caused your injuries and figuring out how to get that evidence.

  • Pictures — Pictures also make for evidence of your personal injury. Did you slip and fall at a grocery store? Take a picture of the spill or have someone else take a picture of it for you. This can later show the size and extent of the spill, as well as indicate how long it had been left there, all of which are important aspects of proving a defendant’s negligence caused your personal injuries.

  • Video — Well, you forgot or just weren’t able to take a picture. However, a camera might have caught everything on tape.

Jennifer Machie writes for Colley & Colley, LLP.

The 5 Key Members of a Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Team

The settlement funding from successful personal injury litigation should cover the cost of the rehabilitation process, but what types of therapy are required after a spinal cord injury? Read on to find out.

The road to recovery after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is a long and arduous one.

When a person’s abilities to move and function become so suddenly and severely diminished, it is of paramount importance to find a way to improve their condition as much as possible. This is so that they can live their life with the optimum level of function and experience each day with the least amount of disruption.

It is for this reason that a spinally injured person undertakes a rehabilitation program. However, a great level of strength and determination is required from the injured person in order to achieve discernible results.

The injured person does not make this journey alone. In the majority of cases, their rehabilitation program is funded by a successful spinal injury claim, and requires a multi-disciplinary team of experts to provide separate specialist therapies, whilst all working together.

A good serious injury lawyer will facilitate such resources required for rehabilitation, and will be able to appoint a highly qualified case manager. Together, they will use the settlement funding (personal injury compensation) to put in place the best possible private care team.

The exact number of therapists differs from case to case. However, some of the main key members of a spinal cord injury rehabilitation team are as follows (also check out this page from CFG Law outlining different types of spinal injury and possible steps forward – https://www.cfglaw.co.uk/spinal-cord-injury-claims ) :-

Physiatrist

The team will be organised and led by a physiatrist; a fully qualified doctor and medical professional who is either a DO i.e. a doctor of osteopathic medicine, or an MD – a doctor of medicine.

Physiatrists take a holistic view of their patient and their condition, assessing all aspects in order to be able to fully co-ordinate and organise a complete and comprehensive rehabilitation regime for them.

In a role that focuses on their patient’s musculoskeletal system, physiatrists pay particular attention to the injured person’s lost ability to move, as well as their reduced – or perhaps completely – lost body functions.

As physiatrists do not perform surgery on their patients, various therapies are identified and accommodated in a manageable routine that helps the patient to restore as much function as possible, and reduces any levels of pain that they may be experiencing.

Due to the fact that every spinal cord injury is different, rehabilitation programs differ from person to person and from injury to injury. As time progresses, the physiatrist periodically monitors their patient’s improvements – or their decline, unfortunate as it may be – and adjusts the rehabilitation regime accordingly.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist (also sometimes referred to as a physical therapist) is not to be confused with a physiatrist. Whereas a physiatrist is a fully qualified doctor, a physiotherapist can prescribe neither surgical procedures nor medicinal remedies, and is trained in kinesiology (the science of human movement) in order to provide therapy via exercise.

Physiotherapy is one of the most important therapies a spinally injured person undertakes on their road to recovery. The physiotherapist works with the patient to provide expert professional assistance that helps to strengthen vital muscle groups and improve their motor skills.

However, the importance of this type of therapy goes beyond the treatment room, as physiotherapy is an inclusive therapy; the physiotherapists work to teach the patient and their family exercises that can be undertaken at home. It is a communal therapy, also beneficial on a psychological level as its continuous inclusivity promotes the best level of recovery possible.

Whilst initially, the physiotherapist’s work has the potential to be painful for the patient, the aim is to improve their functionality so that pain is reduced to more manageable levels, or in the best case scenarios, where there was formally pain, it is now completely removed.

If the patient has experienced an incomplete spinal injury i.e. where the spinal cord is not completely severed and function remains in the extremities, particularly the legs, then the physiotherapist may incorporate treadmill training and gait training as part of the rehabilitation program.

A physiotherapist who specialises in SCIs also helps the patient with any secondary conditions that may arise as a result of their injury. For example, they may provide bladder management advice as well as coping strategies for potentially life threatening conditions such as autonomic dysreflexia.

Occupational therapist

The role of an occupational therapist is to promote the skills that help the SCI patient with daily living with their new condition. It is a focus on the day to day activities that allow someone who has suffered from a severely debilitating spinal injury to live as independently as possible.

For example, the occupational therapist will help the patient to ‘re-learn’, or adapt the ways in which they are able to complete many of the tasks that most people take for granted. This usually includes personal hygiene tasks such as washing and bathing, brushing teeth and so forth; a particularly useful skillset for those with diminished hand and arm function.

The work of an occupational therapists extends to feeding and drinking; dressing; coordination and balance; as well as the teaching of how to use any necessary adaptations and equipment that the spinally injured person may now need. Promotion of good posture is of paramount importance, especially for those who make considerable use of wheelchairs.

Occupational therapists also provide assistance with equipment that helps the spinally injured person to communicate. This is particularly useful for those with diminished speech capabilities after suffering from tetraplegia.

All these skills are the bedrock of functionality, and the aim of the occupational therapist is to help the patient to be able to complete as many of their day to day tasks.

Psychologist/Mental health therapist

Given the incredibly debilitating effects of SCIs and their resulting reduced function, mental health therapy can very often be a vital part of an injured person’s rehabilitation.

Depression is quite common, so a therapist is very often on hand to try to help people through this difficult period.

A common form of psychotherapy that is used is called cognitive behavior therapy. It is a ‘talking therapy’ where the therapist engages with the patient about all aspects of their lives; be it their feelings about themselves, others or their environment.

The therapist also discusses the effect that these feelings have on their actions, and in turn the effect that their actions then have on their feelings.

Social workers

Once the injured person has left the acute care of the hospital and is back at home, social workers are on hand to provide any ongoing assistance for such immediate needs as arranging for the implementation of adaptations and equipment in the home, as well as identifying community resources or pushing for improvements of amenities for local SCI people.

A social worker may also provide the counselling services required by the patient, and act as a liaison between some members of the medical staff and the injured person’s family.

Stricter sentencing could see dangerous dog owners face life in prison

New penalties for owners of dogs in England and Wales who kill or injure a person are being considered by the government.

The current maximum prison sentence for allowing a dog that kills or injures someone to be dangerously out of control is two years, but under new proposals owners could face life in prison.

Sixteen people have been killed by dogs in the past eight years and the government is seriously considering stiffer punishments.

The most recent and high profile case of Jade Anderson, who was killed in March by four dogs when she was at a friend’s house in Greater Manchester, has lead to calls for more to be done. Police have no plans to prosecute anyone in relation to her death, saying there is no evidence a crime has been committed under the current laws that are in place.

The last time a government took action on this area was when the Dangerous Dogs Act was passed in 1991 and then amended in 1997. But this only covers attacks by dogs in public places and private areas where animals are prohibited from being, such as a neighbour’s garden or a public park.

The proposed sentences have been criticised by the RSPCA, who say the measures are not the solution and think more should be done to prevent attacks in the first place.

“Unless you solve this problem of people not being able to control their dogs properly then I still think you’re going to see a rise in dog attacks and dog biting,” said head of public affairs David Bowles.

“What the government has proposed is only having a notice after the dog has committed the offence,” he added.

The government consultation on the issue of dog attacks will run throughout August and the process will be used to inform recommendations.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord de Mauley said: “Dog attacks are terrifying and we need harsh penalties to punish those who allow their dog to injure people while out of control.

“We’re already toughening up laws to ensure that anyone who owns a dangerous dog can be brought to justice, regardless of where a dog attack takes place.

“It’s crucial that the laws we have in place act as a deterrent to stop such horrific incidents.”

One group who will be pleased that further legislation is being planned are postal workers. Representatives of postal, utility and delivery staff have long argued for laws to be extended to cover attacks in dog owners’ homes; which they currently do not.

It’s thought that 23,000 postmen and women have suffered from dog bites and attacks in the last five years, with as many as 70% of these attacks taking place on private property.

Dave Joyce, the union’s health and safety officer, said: “This consultation is very welcome and hopefully indicates the government is serious about tackling the problem of irresponsible dog ownership.

“We want to see tougher sentencing, better enforcement and greater consistency in sentencing.”

This article was written by writer and blogger Matthew Crist on behalf of minnesota personal injury law firm – TSR Injury Law.

 

4 Things Not To Do After Getting into A Car Accident

The aftermath of a car accident can be very confusing and even scary, but it is essential that you avoid making certain mistakes. After all, the actions that you take after the accident occurs can have a big impact on your ability to file a lawsuit, and you could even get into legal trouble if you fail to take the proper steps. Therefore, no matter what your first inclination is, you should always take a step back for a moment to carefully think through all of your options before you end up making a major mistake.

1. Never Leave the Scene
If you leave the scene of an accident without contacting the police or at least exchanging information with the other driver, you could be arrested for a hit-and-run. Unfortunately, regardless of whether or not you were the driver who caused the accident, this will lead to several legal complications. In fact, some states take such a harsh stand against hit-and-run drivers that you could automatically lose your license for several months. Therefore, you must always remain on the scene after an accident until the proper authorities have been notified.

2. Never Sign without Legal Counsel

 
Car accident attorneys, like those at Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, suggest that it’s a really bad idea to sign a waiver or any other documentation without speaking to legal counsel unless you are absolutely certain that you know what you are doing. After all, if you sign a waiver that stipulates that you are giving up your legal right to sue the other driver, then you will have to take care of all of the costs that are associated with medical treatment and the damage to your vehicle.

3. Never Agree to Not Call the Police

 
It is important to call the police unless you are in a minor fender bender that does not cause damage to your vehicle. Many insurance companies will not cover your claim if you fail to get a police report, so you have to contact the police unless you are willing to pay for everything yourself. It is especially vital to get the police involved if you have any reason to suspect that the other driver is intoxicated. After all, if you agree to let them go and they end up seriously hurting or killing another person, you will have to deal with guilt for the rest of your life. It is even possible that you could get into legal trouble for failing to provide the police with information that could have gotten a drunk driver off of the road.

4. Never Refuse Needed Medical Attention

 
If an ambulance appears on the scene, it is important to let an EMT examine you. Many people who are injured during a car accident are unaware at first because they have so much adrenaline flowing through their body, but an EMT should be able to determine if you are truly okay or if you need additional medical assistance.

As long as you keep these important pointers in mind, it should be easy to properly respond to an accident. It is also a good idea to contact an attorney if you were injured in the accident. Either way, you need to make sure that you respond to the event in a way that will not have a negative impact on your legal rights.


Anthony Joseph is a freelance writer and editor. Legal representation from attorneys like those found at Steinger, Iscoe & Greene can make the difference between a horrible accident and an accident fully recovered from, and seeking just compensation after a vehicle accident is best done with the help of competent, experienced, and passionate legal advocates. Their professional and compassionate practices will help put you at ease throughout the necessary, post accident, recovery period.