Personal Injury Law Blogs

Top Places To Visit In New York State

The state of New York has several well-known landmarks, and whether you are a resident or coming from out-of-town, it is easy to find a hot spot for your next vacation. Each of the cities on the following list has a lot of unique features that tourists will love. In fact, some of the areas even experience a big influx of new residents each year based on the fact that so many visitors fall in love with the entire experience.

Four Great Places to Take a Vacation in New York State

1) Syracuse – If you are looking for the comfort of a small city with the perks of a large city, then Syracuse is the perfect option for you next long weekend. The city includes a zoo, four museums and multiple theaters to ensure that you stay entertained during your visit. The natural beauty of the area is stunning, but make sure that you keep your eye on the road while you are driving throughout the city. After all, the distractions that will be lining the road could make it very easy for a driver who is unfamiliar with the area to get into a car accident. If you were to get in an accident, you should consult with a Cortland personal injury lawyer, which is just a short ways from Syracuse. To truly enjoy the area, you should take a leisurely stroll once your vehicle is safely parked.

2) New York City – No list of hot spots in New York would be complete without a mention of New York City, and whether you love or hate big cities, there is something magical about this area that causes millions of people to visit it each year from around the world. Nowhere else in the state can you find such a diverse mixture of culture, sports, shopping and dining opportunities, and no one who visits the city will ever forget about the experience.

3) Niagara Falls – The U.S. side of this well-known attraction offers more than just one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world. Visitors will be able to enjoy a diverse selection of museums, several parks and water sports, historical buildings, multiple theaters and the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride. As long as you have a passport, you can also head over to the Canadian side of the falls for a day to explore additional tourist attractions such as two year-round haunted houses.

4) Buffalo – Most tourists who want to see Niagara Falls stay in the city of Buffalo. This town features a long list of fun annual events, including the Taste of Buffalo, the National Garden Festival, the National Buffalo Wing Festival and the Elmwood Festival of the Arts. Tourists will also have access to a wide range of cultural opportunities year-round, and architecture buffs will fall in love with the beautifully designed and adorned buildings that fill the city’s streets.

Whether you are driving or walking, there is always a chance that you will end up in an accident when you are on vacation. In order to avoid this problem, make sure that you pay close attention while you are driving, and do not forget to constantly check your surroundings while you are on foot. After all, if you trip on the sidewalk or get hit by a car, you might have to spend the rest of your vacation in the hospital.

Anthony Joseph is a freelance author who writes about various safety issues that impact us all, and is contributing this article for the purpose of bringing attention to the great places of New York. A Cortland personal injury lawyer is going to have the knowledge and experience to be able to win your case. Bottar Leone is a nationally recognized New York state firm with many years of experience.

The Societal Problem of Frivolous Litigation

Frivolous lawsuits impact society as a negative reality of contemporary times. Frivolous lawsuits are claims with no merit that are filed for the specific purpose of obtaining a judgment. There has been a lot of discussion about how best to address this issue that forces innocent defendants into the court system for no good reason. Other unfavorable consequences include driving prices of products and services up, clogging the court system, forcing insurance rates higher, rewarding unscrupulous attorneys and plaintiffs, and impeding the quality of medical care.

Certain areas of law are more prone to attract frivolous lawsuits. Medical malpractice is criticized for the number of unnecessary legal actions pursued. Medical doctors constantly complain about the cost of medical malpractice insurance, with some leaving the profession as a result.

While medical malpractice represents one major concern, frivolous lawsuits abound in all specialty areas. There are direct and indirect costs associated with this problem.

Direct Costs

Obvious direct costs incurred in these unnecessary lawsuits include both human and capital expenditures. Investigation and filing costs start the process. Then there are legal defense costs that need to be added to the total. Complex cases can cost defendants hundreds of thousands of dollars, even when there is no legitimate basis for the case to go to court.

Indirect Costs

While the direct costs of frivolous litigation are substantial, the indirect costs are even more troubling. Inflated pricing is one of the indirect costs associated with operating a business in a highly litigious business climate. Whether business management keeps a lawyer on retainer or has an in-house legal staff, companies are paying attorneys to keep them out of court, or worse, to defend them when necessary. As is true with variable costs, they get added to the cost of doing business. These costs are then passed along to the customer via higher product and service pricing.

Another soft cost worthy of discussion is that an overloaded court system delays the processing of lawsuits filed by plaintiffs with a legitimate complaint. Recognizing this, attorneys often try to stay out of court in favor of an expedient resolution. Even plaintiffs that want to get their day in court will often drop a charge because they don’t have the patience or money to deal with the court system. Unfortunately, criminals and people intent on getting away with breaking the law also realize the shortcomings of the system and how likely it is they will get away with their actions.

Insurance costs rise across the board to cover court awards. All consumers pay for frivolous lawsuits designed to extort money from sometimes-innocent victims. And medical malpractice and business insurance keep rising to cover these costs.

Solutions to the Problem

There are several obvious recommendations for deterring attorneys and plaintiffs from filing frivolous cases. Imposing penalties against attorneys or plaintiffs found to be guilty of unnecessary litigation is one suggestion for curbing these lawsuits. The fines would have to be significant to make an impact on greedy attorneys intent on exploiting the system for gain.

Another suggestion is to implement a point system, essentially keeping score of each attorney’s number of frivolous lawsuits. If attorneys with too many points had to answer to the Bar, possibly losing their license, then frivolous lawsuits would probably become a thing of the past. Rewarding overly aggressive attorneys with fees by settling cases out of court only encourages this bad behavior.

The court system is full of lawsuits unworthy of attention. Currently, the law requires that attorneys conduct an investigation to determine if there is any basis for filing a lawsuit. Unfortunately, this preventive measure has not kept frivolous lawsuits from overwhelming the courts.

Byline

Brian Spiro writes on Personal Injury, Intellectual Property, Banking, Financial Regulation, International Business, Contracts and other related topics.

When Medicines Kill You (Instead of Helping You)

All of us take different kinds of medicines for different purposes. Some take food supplements and multivitamins, while some take maintenance medicines for their high blood pressure, heart problems, lung problems and others. We trust our doctors and take whatever medicine they give us, since we know that they have our best interests in mind. However, there have been several lawsuits filed against pharmaceutical companies for selling faulty or destructive medicines.

Drug Recall

Some examples of medicines that were found to have severe side effects and has been recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration were Avandia (a medicine for diabetes), Mirena (contraceptive), Accutane (a drug for the skin), Actos (a drug for diabetes) and Crestos (a drug to prevent heart diseases), among others. These drugs were proven effective, but they also cause some severe side effects.

Avandia, for example, was linked to heart attacks and heart failures that were experienced by its users. Mirena, which is a device used by many women, caused serious problems as it moved from its original position in the uterus to other parts of the female body. Acutane was successful in reducing cystic acne but caused fetal death. Actos was linked to bladder cancer and Crestor was found to cause memory loss and Type 2 diabetes.

There are several lawsuits against the companies that made these drugs, and the number increased immediately after FDA recalled these drugs from the market. The patients who used these drugs were advised by their doctors to stop using these products, but unfortunately for those who already suffered from the side effects, the only thing that they can do is to file for a personal injury lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies.

In these cases, it is a bit difficult to protect yourself from faulty medicine, especially since your doctor prescribed the medicines for you.

Things You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Faulty Medicine

  • Immediately consult with your doctor if you think the medicine is not compatible with you. There are several drugs available in the market, and your doctor should know what’s best for you.
  • You should always be truthful when your doctor asks for your medical history and your allergies. These are essential information that your doctor should know so as to give you the right kind of medicine. If you fail to do so, and you experience some irregularities while taking the medicine that your doctor prescribed, it would solely be your fault and you can’t blame anyone for it.
  • It is also advisable not to disregard any pain or discomfort that you might feel while taking a specific medicine. People tend to disregard pain or discomfort, thinking that these shall pass, but they end up as symptoms of more serious problems, causing more pain in the future.
  • Never try to self-diagnose your illness, or some other people’s illness. If you are not a doctor, never prescribe anything to other people, even if you are prescribing or recommending over-the-counter products. A medicine may have a different effect on other people and you wouldn’t want to cause serious injuries.

If you are taking some medications, make sure to watch out for any side effects. Check yourself regularly to make sure that the medicines that you are taking are doing their job properly.

Marissa writes for Booth & Koskoff, a law firm in Southern California that specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

What Wikipedia Can’t Tell You About Wrongful Deaths

Wrongful death occur all too frequently in a variety of ways. Sadly, many of these deaths are preventable and are often caused by the negligence or the reckless behavior of trusted professionals, manufacturers, or individuals. Here are the ways in which wrongful deaths occur:

Medical Malpractice: Over 90% of malpractice suits in the United States are caused by negligent health care or reckless staff members. This includes administering improper amounts of medication and/or incorrect medication to patients; patient abuse; starvation and dehydration.

Automobile Accidents: US highways and surface streets are a huge threat to public safety as many motorists do not maintain their vehicles and ignore traffic safety signs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report over 40,000 deaths a year due to faulty brake systems, worn or improperly installed tires, reckless driving.

Product Liability: Is defined as a faulty and/or defective, tangible personal product. Poorly designed products, products made of harmful materials, functionality defects can cause serious injury and in some cases death. Manufacturers who fail to notify consumers of their harmful and defective products are liable for the damages caused. Items that are likely to cause injury and death are lighters, matches, computers, breast implants, blankets, cribs, and mattresses.

Workplace Accidents: The most common locations for workplace injuries that result in death are construction sites, manufacturing plants and mining locations. Fatal incidents or wrongful deaths usually occur in the event of a plant explosion, defective equipement, slip and fall accidents, and severe burns.

Special thanks to Fairfax Wrongful Death Law Firm, MacDowell & Associates, P.C.

For more information about wrongful death claims, medical malpractice suits, and defective products contact:

MacDowell & Associates, P.C.
4031 University Drive, Suite 500
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 591-1336

Cranes And Ropes And Falls, Oh My!

Cranes And Ropes And Falls, Oh My!

(U.S. Injury Law and generally) The construction industry is a common source of injuries. Relatively few older construction workers have not been injured at some point on the job. Most of these injuries are relatively minor; sliced fingers, sharp tools inadvertently stabbed into hands and thighs, and overly strained muscles from moving heavy materials are prevalent among workers. Ricocheting nails and cuts from errant screws are also common. Auditory impairment and tinnitus is frequently reported after decades of hearing concrete saws, jackhammers, and falling building materials. There are countless sources of minor injuries on construction sites everywhere. In some circumstances, injuries can result in serious injury or death.

Preventative measures taken by the employer and employees will help maintain site safety, low workers’ compensation premiums, and less need for employees to seek construction accident lawyers. Keeping a construction project on schedule is a major task; however, keeping employees protected and safe is important in keeping the job moving. Unfortunately, most construction projects are not without injuries because of the employer’s or employee’s failure to follow safety measures. The following are common construction site injuries:

Falls: Falls are the major source of fatal construction injuries and a common source of serious injuries. Workers often work in environments without safety guardrails and in elevated positions. In New York City, falls from scaffolding hanging adjacent to tall buildings causes a number of fatalities. However, many falls occur at much lower heights. A fall from a second story or the roof of a one-story building can be fatal in the right circumstances; even a fall that is not fatal can easily lead to a broken limb or ribs.

Falling Objects: Falling objects are another hazard on construction sites. Falling plates, tiles, roofing materials, and lumber can instantly kill someone without proper protective gear. Even if the results are not fatal, blunt force trauma to the head can result in long-term brain damage. Helmets are mandatory on most sites, but a relatively thin plastic helmet can only provide so much protection against heavy falling objects. Even an unusually strong helmet may simply distribute the force of the falling object onto the victim’s neck, which can cause other serious injuries including paralysis and nerve damage.

Heavy Equipment and Inattentiveness: High-visibility vests are another feature common on construction sites and for good reason. When operating a crane, front-end loader, or even a simple boom lift, it is imperative to know where all other workers in the area are at all times. Workers on foot who fail to provide heavy equipment operators with a reasonably wide berth can suffer serious injuries or death while heavy equipment operators who do not exercise reasonable caution in the performance of their duties can cause such damage. Failing to watch for a swinging arm or suddenly reversing piece of heavy equipment can have lethal results.

Assorted Long-Term Illnesses: Construction workers encounter carcinogens like asbestos on a regular basis. When working with hazardous materials, workers are supposed to take safety precautions. Particulate respirators or masks may be sufficient for most jobs, such as painting or cutting concrete, but some jobs will require protective suits with SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus). When safety precautions are taken, workers will rarely suffer injuries from exposure.

When safety precautions are not taken, workers will inhale potentially dangerous fumes or come into contact with hazardous chemicals. Some employers will not provide OSHA-mandated equipment, some employees will not understand the hazards that they face, and some employees simply choose not to wear certain protective equipment. When this occurs, employees can be at risk of cancer, respiratory illnesses, or skin problems.

Normally, liability for employers is limited to workers’ compensation coverage. Employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in all 50 states specifically in the event of a workplace injury. In the event of a construction accident that was not deliberately induced or caused by the victim’s gross negligence, the victim will be eligible to receive workers’ compensation payments from his or her employer. However, the construction industry routinely relies upon independent contractors for many smaller projects both as workers and as employers. As a result, many injured parties will be ineligible for such benefits.

When a victim is injured and unable to work as a result of another party’s reckless conduct and is ineligible for workers’ compensation coverage, the victim should consider filing a lawsuit. An experienced tort lawyer can represent the plaintiff in his or her claim for negligence against the reckless party. The reckless party’s employer, if any, will be vicariously liable for the actions of its employees if the reckless act was carried out while the employee was acting within the course and scope of his employment. The reckless party’s employer may have failed to screen employees or take corrective action after past incidents, thus making it liable for its own negligence. Anyone who was injured under such circumstances should consult an experienced personal injury attorney.

Kelly Dennie is a freelance writer and commercial realtor. The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., construction accident lawyers, are aware of negligent contractors, property owners or their agents with regards to handling client’s cases involving severe injuries. Steps must be taken within the law to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Workers’ compensation benefits may be the client’s only remedy. Therefore, every negligent party that is liable for the injury is responsible for paying appropriate compensation to the injured.

Victorville Bar Fight Results in Victim’s Death In Premises Liability Case

A man involved in a fight in the parking lot of a Victorville bar died from his injuries, according to ABC News.  San Bernardino sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene of a fight outside bar on Spring Valley Highway, where they found a 32-year-old man in serious condition from injuries sustained in a brawl.  The victim was airlifted to an area hospital but died of his injuries a short time later.

Police were able to locate a suspect after interviewing witnesses at the scene.  The 30-year-old man was located at a nearby home and booked on charges of murder.  The investigation continues into the circumstances of the fight.  Police are asking anyone with information about the fight to contact the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is an area of the law concerning the duties of the owners of property to provide for the safety of those who are on their premises.  In order for an owner to be liable under premises liability law, three factors must be present.

1)       The defendant must be the owner or have possession of the property.  Under this condition, a renter who has exclusive use of the property can be considered the owner for purposes of liability.

2)      The person who is injured must, in most states, be invited onto the property.  However, in California, the 1968 case of Rowland vs. Christian, 69 Cal. 2d. 108, abolished the significance of the terms “invitee” or “trespasser.”  In the past, a strong distinction was made between those who were invited onto a property and those who simply entered the property on their own.  Today, property owners must exercise a reasonable duty of care to anyone who comes on their property.

3)      The defendant must commit a wrongful act or be guilty of negligence.  In a place such as a restaurant, bar or store, the owner may be liable if someone else commits an unlawful act under the doctrine of “third party premises liability.”  This means that the owner can be liable for negligence if he or she does not take reasonable precautions to prevent dangerous activities on the property.

What Is Dram Shop Liability?

A special area of premises liability law is known as dram shop liability.  The old term “dram shop” meant a tavern or bar, and dram shop owners were required by common law to prevent injury to their patrons by controlling the flow of liquor.  Today, dram shop liability is applied to situations in which a restaurant or bar owner serves alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons.  If a bar owner continues to serve patrons who are drunk, the owner may be liable if the patrons cause an accident or injure someone in a fight.

Can I Recover Damages If I Am At Fault For A Fight?

What about the liability of the person who was involved in the fight?  In this case, it may be assumed that the victim was involved in an argument that led to a physical confrontation.  Assuming that he had a chance to walk away from the altercation, can the victim’s family pursue a claim under premises liability or dram shop liability law?

California allows the award of partial damages to someone who has been the victim of an injury in which he or she was partially liable.  This theory is known as comparative liability.

A personal injury attorney can explain the issues regarding comparative liability, premises liability and dram shop liability.

Hospital Debt: Know Your Rights

Dealing with an unexpected illness or injury can result in a large hospital bill that quickly becomes overwhelming and stressful as you try to focus on your health. Even for those lucky enough to have health insurance, a single night in the hospital will create a burdensome bill with a total reaching in the thousands. For those poor souls with a serious health complications that require multiple hospital stays and treatments, your medical expenses can quickly eat up your savings and leave you drowning in debt for years. In some cases, the hospital may come after you for nonpayment by using a collection agency or a filing a collections lawsuit.

During these trying times, you should know and understand your rights to help protect yourself and your assets from dirty tactics often used by debt collectors.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, bill collectors cannot harass you. Actions that can warrant a case under this act include:

Contacting you while at work
Contacting you before 8am or after 9am
Speak to your family, friends or coworkers about your hospital debt
Threaten you with harm or violence
Use obscene language
Publish your name and information on a list of people owning debt
Threaten you with a lawsuit when there is no intention of going through with it
Continue to contact you after receiving a letter informing their company to stop contacting you.
Threaten to have you arrested, seize your proper or garnish your wages

The debit collectors are required to send you a written validation notice explaining how much is owed and to whom the amount is owed to within five days after their initial contact.

Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices

This statutes helps guard individuals against bill collectors and medical providers intentionally deceiving your. Each state has an Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices statute to protect individuals from scams, abuse and fraud.

Truth in Lending Act

The federal Truth in Lending Act states that consumers have the right to know every detail of their payment plan including late fees or interest that may apply and what actions will be taken if you happen to miss a payment. Under this act you are provided with the above rights if:

A payment plan was set up to pay the debt with at least four payments
You were charged interest on your payments
The hospital gave you the option of deferring your debt
The hospital extends credit regularly

HIPAA and the Fair Credit Reporting Act

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — more commonly known as HIPAA — states that bill collectors, credit bureaus and medical providers must keep all medical information private. If you have discovered your medical information in your credit report or a second party, you might just have a case against them under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The best way to protect yourself against unjust tactics implemented by hospital debt collectors is to know all your rights. This includes the aforementioned federal protections as well as additional protections issued by your state. Remember that debt collection regulations and laws vary by state, and debt collectors and medical providers typically won’t inform the patient about the possible actions they can take to try to collect the debit.

Byline: Tyler recommends visiting kelcreditrepair.com if you ever find yourself under a pile of loans due to medical, education, or home-related expenses.

X Games Doctor Subject of Medical Malpractice Investigation

Dr. David Chao, the medical director for ESPN’s X Games, has been the subject of a gross negligence and medical malpractice investigation by the Medical Board of California. According to a report in the Aspen Daily News, Chao, a San Diego-based orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, has been a member of the X Games medical staff since 1997.

Chao was on the scene of a fatal snowmobile crash in which Caleb Moore was killed during the X Games at Buttermilk last month. He also serves as the head team physician for the San Diego Chargers NFL football team.

The medical malpractice investigation against Chao was initiated in July. The California medical board accused Chao of gross negligence on a hip surgery he performed in 2007, negligent acts in three additional surgeries and failure to maintain accurate medical records. The case has yet to go to a hearing. If found guilty, Chao faces permanent revocation of his medical license, up to a year’s suspension or probation.

Prior Medical Malpractice Allegations

According to the ESPN report, since 1998, there have been 23 charges of medical malpractice or negligence filed against Chao. In the past two years, Chao lost two medical malpractice civil lawsuits, which resulted in $7.4 million paid out to victims.

Also, last year, Chao was publicly reprimanded within the medical community for failing to disclose that he had been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in 2007. In the fiscal year 2012, the California medical board revoked 18 medical licenses out of 185 court cases that accused doctors of negligence.

The Issue of Medical Negligence

Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is harmed by a doctor or some other medical professional who fails to perform his or her medical duties in a competent manner. In order to prove that medical negligence occurred, a plaintiff must be able to show that a doctor-patient relationship existed, that the doctor was negligent and that the doctor’s negligence caused his or her injuries.

Victims of medical negligence can seek compensation for damages such as physical pain, emotional distress, additional medical bills, lost wages and lost earning capacity. Anyone who has been injured as the result of a medical professional’s negligence would be well advised to contact an experienced California medical malpractice attorney or personal injury attorney who will fight for patients’ rights and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their significant losses.

Picking up the Pieces after an Auto Accident

Many people fail to prepare themselves for auto accidents because they simply believe that they’re not likely to be involved in one. Even people who have been injured in car accidents previously think that they won’t experience another simply because they don’t believe that their luck can be that rotten. Unfortunately, insurance statistics show that the average person has to file a motor vehicle insurance claim once every 19 years. This makes it imperative for everyone to fully understand how to get back on their feet if they are involved in a car accident that leaves them seriously injured. Dealing with Injuries

One of the most important aspects of getting back on one’s feet after a car accident is healing from any injuries. Even if a person doesn’t think that they’ve sustained serious injuries, they should visit a medical professional. A whiplash injury, for instance, can simply feel like a little pain in the neck. Left untreated, however, whiplash can lead to serious physical and even emotional issues in the future.

It’s important to fully follow a doctor’s instructions after sustaining an injury. If the doctor says it’s not safe to return to work, then a person shouldn’t take the risk. If they tell a person to stay off their feet, that person shouldn’t be out walking their dog or grocery shopping. Not heeding the advice of medical professionals has landed many people back in the hospital with even more serious injuries than they initially sustained in their car accident.

Getting Legal Protection

Getting legal representation has almost turned into a necessity in this day and age. This is true regardless of the exact circumstances surrounding an accident. A person who is injured by a negligent driver, for instance, will definitely need an attorney if they hope to recover fair compensation. Legal professionals, from West Palm Beach car accident attorneys to San Francisco traffic lawyers, will agree that the other driver’s insurance company is in the business of making money, and they do this most successfully by offering low settlements. Having representation will likely not only increase a settlement offer; it will also expedite the entire court proceedings.

Of course, other drivers’ insurance agencies aren’t the only ones in the business of making money; this is every company and institution. So even in the case of a hit-and-run, it’s a good idea for a person to seek legal advice to make sure that their own insurance company and the legal process is treating them fairly.

It’s important to never forget, however, that sometimes, we ourselves are listed as the negligent driver in a police report. If there was ever a good time to get an attorney, this would be it. Only legal professionals fully understand all of the nuances of local laws and the court system and how they affect a person accused of causing a wreck.

Coping with Possible Emotional Issues

There’s no getting around it: vehicular crashes are oftentimes emotionally detrimental. Some people have been known to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car crash. This is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and many completely normal people seek out the help of counselors in order to get over these emotional issues.

One of the biggest things that helps a person recover emotionally is talking about the incident. This is why speaking with a counselor or therapist can be so beneficial. Luckily, the legal professionals previously mentioned may be able to secure compensation to cover counseling sessions. Even if a person feels unaffected emotionally, they should practice getting mobile and driving around a few days before they’re actually slated to return to work or school. Some people don’t realize the traumatic emotional effect that a crash has had on them until they’re back behind the wheel, so it’s good for a person to go back through their routine before it becomes an essential part of their day again.

Recovering from a motor vehicle crash can be a long and arduous process. This is true whether or not a person was injured due to the crash and regardless of whether or not they were at fault for the incident. Some people have it much harder than others because of different degrees of loss or serious injury. Luckily, there are several tried and true methods of getting back on one’s feet after these incidents. It’s definitely not an easy journey, but it’s without a doubt a journey worth taking.

Freelance author Molly Pearce is also a big, city motorist familiar with the tragedy an auto accident can bring into the family dynamic. One group of West Palm Beach car accident attorneys, Steinger, Iscoe & Greene, does not offer services to big businesses or insurance companies; their 150 staff members work to serve everyday people who’ve been injured in accidents through no fault of their own. Since 1997, they have aided over 18,000 injury victims in South Florida.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Will Assist Accident Victims

When you have been injured in an accident, getting the help you need is imperative to your recovery and your ability to regain as normal a life as possible. However, in the immediate aftermath, you and your family may be confused and frightened;unsure of what to do. Often you will be required to fill out numerous, complicated forms for insurance companies and make decisions that may end up limiting your ability to access all the care and financial resources you really need, both for your immediate and your future needs. That is why it is important to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following an accident.

A personal injury lawyer is an attorney who specializes in assisting accident victims. He or she will make sure that all your legal rights are protected; you get the medical care you need to recover and make sure that you are rightly compensated for your losses. Your personal injury lawyer will also assist your family in finding the resources they need to deal with the trauma they may have suffered. Alternatively, they assist you and your family in getting the funds needed to take care for you upon your release from a medical facility.

While you can hire an attorney at any point, the sooner you bring a skilled personal injury lawyer onto your case, the sooner he or she can intervene on your behalf with insurance companies and take steps to ensure that your current and future legal rights are not limited. Any attorney will be able to offer you basic advice, but a lawyer who specializes in personal injury litigation will be able to assess your unique circumstances and provide guidance that is distinctive to you. He will have a deeper knowledge of the resources available to you, as well as being aware of the challenges that may lie ahead. He is far more likely to know in detail the laws pertaining to the rights of accident victims in your area and how to navigate the legal system that will have jurisdiction over your case.

Experience is also an important factor to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer. Ideally, you would like a lawyer you has handled not only a number of accident cases but specifically cases involving the type of accident of which you are a victim. Experience brings with it not only the knowledge of case law and available resources but also empathy and the ability to understand the difficulties you are facing. He or she will know what information you need, even if you don’t yet realize it, and they know whom to turn to for assistance to ensure that no aspect of your case is overlooked, such as a case manager, occupation therapist, physiotherapists and social workers.

Being injured in an accident can be frightening, leaving you and your family facing an uncertain future. Hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer will ensure that your legal rights are protected, and you receive the care you need for recovery and rehabilitation now and for long-term health issues in the future. Your lawyer will fight the insurance companies and others involved in your case to make sure that your medical bills are paid and that you are fairly compensated for the losses you and your family have sustained. They will advocate for you throughout the process, doing all that they can to see ensure that you are able to come as close as possible to resuming the life you had prior to the accident.

Author Bio

Steve Jackson has years of experience dealing with tort law in Toronto, and he is constantly blogging about new case outcomes and court decisions. He can help you find the best slip and fall lawyers in Toronto and recommends you get in contact with Neinstein & Associates to help you with your case.