Personal Injury Law Blogs

Illinois Nursing Homes May Be Unfit To Manage COVID-19

With its lethal effects on the elderly and those with immune deficiencies, COVID-19 poses a special threat to nursing homes nationwide. Illinois nursing homes and temporary rehab clinics are now tasked with caring for the infected while also containing the coronavirus pandemic. This is no doubt a monumental task for any state. 

However, an analysis by The Chicago Tribune may concern families as to whether Illinois, a state already infamous for its inadequate elderly care, can manage the 80,000 living in nursing homes.

The Study

The Tribune, who released their findings on March 19, studied federal inspection data on infection control for facilities certified by Medicare and Medicare. They found that since 2016, 89 percent of Illinois homes — 642 of 732 — have been cited at least twice for violating infection control regulations. According to The Tribune, Illinois is the third-worst state in the nation for nursing home infection. 

In the Chicago area specifically, The Tribune found 77 facilities with three or more citations. Nine of those had more than five citations. The lowest rated facility, Aperion Care Forest Park, had seven.

These citations are given if inspectors see the facilities fail to manage the basic hygiene and cleaning requirements for assisting the elderly, such as a failure to use gloves, clean a mop bucket, wear an N95 mask or wash hands between patient visits. Now, with the COVID-19 death toll rising above 200 in Illinois, nursing homes must bolster their care to ensure their patients’ safety.

How to Know if a Nursing Home is Properly Containing the Virus

On March 20, the Illinois Department of Public Health released its “COVID19 Control Measures for Long Term Care,” which outlined the procedures nursing homes should adopt in order to avoid an outbreak. Though this document is subject to change, it recommends all residents be screened every eight hours.

Once an infected patient is identified, the following measures should be addressed:

  • The patient’s vitals and pulse oximetry be checked every four hours
  • The patient be given a private room or a room with another symptomatic/positive patient
  • Consider that staff caring for positive or symptomatic patients do not care for negative or asymptomatic patients
  • Positive or symptomatic patients be given a surgical mask and encouraged to wear at all times

If your nursing home, or the nursing home of a loved one, does not adequately follow these isolation procedures, it could mean the staff is ill-equipped to maintain the outbreak. 

Illinois Nursing Home’s Struggling with COVID-19

Just as The Tribune’s research suggests, several nursing homes in Illinois have failed to manage their pandemic control. One nursing home in the west suburban Carol Stream, a village in DuPage County, has seen 51 confirmed cases. Seven of those residents have died from the virus.

At the Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center, employee Terralyn Baugh said she had been feeling sick for several days before she got tested for coronavirus. She received a positive diagnosis, and as of April 1, at least two elderly patients had died from COVID-19. 

Waiving Away your Right to Sue: The Enforceability of Waivers

Bogoroch & Associates LLP strongly believes that victims of Personal Injury are entitled to access to justice. This new post is based on law in Ontario, Canada and generally.

With warmer weather finally on the horizon, Ontarians are enthusiastically heading outdoors to enjoy recreational activities such as rock-climbing, treetop rope courses, and skydiving simulators. Many of us will hardly reflect on the effect of signing a waiver before getting in line to enjoy these activities.

A recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision has made it more difficult for victims injured while partaking in activities like these to obtain compensation. The Court of Appeal upheld the use of waivers by commercial occupiers, including ski resorts, to avoid or mitigate liability, and held that plaintiffs could not rely on the Consumer Protection Act to override valid waivers under the Occupiers’ Liability Act.

This decision related to two appeals that involved similar issues concerning the interaction and conflict of the Occupiers’ Liability Act, RSO 1990, c. O.2 (“OLA”) and the Consumer Protection Act, 2002, SO 2002, c. 30, Sched. A (“CPA”).

The plaintiff in the first action, David Schnarr, purchased a season ski pass to Blue Mountain Resorts, and executed a waiver that waived any claims against the ski area operator and others, and released them from liability for any damages that he may suffer. Mr. Schnarr then allegedly collided with a piece of debris while skiing on the premises. In the Rule 21 motion decision, Schnarr v. Blue Mountain Resorts Limited, 2017 ONSC 114, Tzimas J. held that there was no conflict between the OLA and the C.P.A. Tzimas J. held that Mr. Schnarr could advance two causes of action: one for negligence, which would be subject to the waiver, and one for breach of warranty, which would not be subject to the release as the release was void under sections 9(3) and (4) of the CPA Blue Mountain appealed the decision.

The plaintiff in the second action, Elizabeth Woodhouse, purchased a lift ticket, equipment rental and a ski lesson at Snow Valley and executed a waiver. Ms. Woodhouse was then allegedly injured while using a tow rope on the premises. In Rule 22 case motion decision Woodhouse v Snow Valley, 2017 ONSC 222, McCarthy J. held that section 9 of the CPA voided the waiver and that these sections superseded the OLA provisions. However, McCarthy J. held that a court could have a void waiver bound a consumer under section 93(2) of the CPA. Ms. Woodhouse appealed the decision concerning the applicability of section 93(2) and Snow Valley cross-appealed concerning the application of section 9.

The main legal issue on appeal was whether sections 7(1) and 9 of the CPA overrides or otherwise impacts section 3 of the OLA. Section 7(1) of the CPA expressly prohibits the use of waivers:

7(1) The substantive and procedural rights given under this Act apply despite any agreement or waiver to the contrary.

9(1) The supplier is deemed to warrant that the services supplied under a consumer agreement are of reasonably acceptable quality.

(3) Any term or acknowledgment, whether part of the consumer agreement or not, that purports to negate or vary any implied condition or warranty under the Sale of Goods Act or any deemed condition or warranty under this Act is void.

(4) If a term or acknowledgment referenced in subsection (3) is a term of the agreement, it is severable from the agreement. It shall not be evidence of circumstances showing an intent that the deemed or implied warranty or condition does not apply.

Conversely, sections 3 and 4 of the OLA permits the use of waivers:

3(1) An occupier of premises owes a duty to take such care. In all the case circumstances, it is reasonable to see that persons entering the premises and the property brought on the premises by those persons are reasonably safe while on the premises.

(2) The duty of care provided for in subsection (1) applies whether the danger is caused by the premises’ condition or by an activity carried on the premises.

(3) The duty of care provided for in subsection (1) applies except in so far as the occupier of premises is free to and does restrict, modify, or exclude the occupier’s duty.

4(1) The duty of care provided for in subsection 3(1) does not apply in respect of risks willingly assumed by the person who enters on the premises. Still, in that case, the occupier owes a duty to the person to not create a danger with the deliberate intent of doing harm or damage to the person or their property and not act with reckless disregard of the presence of the person or his or her property.

As Nordheimer J.A. stated, “what the OLA permits, the CPA prohibits” (para. 43). It was held that there was an apparent conflict between the provisions.

Turning to the issue of how the conflict should be resolved, the Court of Appeal held that the OLA should take precedence for the following reasons:

  1. section 9(1) of the OLA sets out a “class of things” that may have higher liability or standard of care, including innkeepers, common carriers, and bailees. The Court held that while the list was not exhaustive, the items are of a different class than the consumer transactions considered under the CPA.
  2. The OLA was intended to be an exhaustive legislative scheme that replaced the common law concerning occupiers’ liability, and the CPA should not be interpreted to infringe on that scheme.
  3. The OLA deals specifically with waivers of liability, whereas the CPA generally applies to all consumer transactions. The specific provisions of the OLA override the general conditions of the CPA; and
  4. it would be absurd to conclude “that the Legislature went through the exercise of amending the OLA to clarify the liability of occupiers, and to encourage them to open their property for use by members of the public, all to have it rendered of no force or effect because of the existence of the CPA” (para 68).

Ms. Woodhouse’s claim raised the specific issue of whether section 93(2) of the CPA could be used to hold a consumer to a waiver of liability, even if section 9(3) of the CPA voided the release. The Court of Appeal dismissed the defendant’s argument that the Court could hold a consumer to a waiver of liability, even if the waiver were void under section 9(3), stating:

The purpose behinds. 93(2) is to avoid situations where a consumer, who has received the benefit of a consumer agreement, attempts to retain those benefits without performing his or her side of the agreement because of a technical breach of the CPA Section 93(2) is not intended to permit the Court to hold a consumer to a consumer agreement that violates one of the basic tenets of the CPA, especially when the provision is void. (para 77)

The Court of Appeal held that the Blue Mountain waiver bound Mr. Schnarr and Ms. Woodhouse was bound by the release in her lift ticket and the Snow Valley waiver, regardless of whether their claims were in tort or for breach of warranty.

Suppose you have been injured in a skiing accident or during another recreational activity. In that case, the personal injury lawyers at Bogoroch & Associates LLP can help you understand your legal rights and the impact of any waivers you signed.

 

The search is on for the UK’s brightest legal talent

Talented and passionate budding lawyers are being invited to put themselves forward for the chance to be named as the country’s brightest Future Legal Mind.

The Future Legal Mind Award is a law essay competition which is now in its sixth year. Past winners of the competition, which is run by National Accident Helpline, have gone on to enjoy success in the legal industry, with several becoming barristers and solicitors.

University of Buckingham student Charley-Anne Gordon was named winner of the Future Legal Mind Award 2019. She said: “Winning the competition has given me a boost to finish my degree and take another step towards my career goal of becoming a legal academic.

“I’d encourage anyone who is passionate about pursuing a legal career to enter Future Legal Mind 2020. Writing the competition essay gave me a chance to express my passion for law and the areas which interest me most, and to show my skills and knowledge.”

The Future Legal Mind Award is open to current law students – both undergraduate and postgraduate – and to legal trainees, including apprentices, who are within the first two years of their law career.

The winner of Future Legal Mind 2020 will receive a prize package including £2,000 and a mentoring session with one of National Accident Helpline’s experienced in-house lawyers.

To enter, entrants must write an essay response to the competition question, which can be found at www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/future-legal-mind

Judges will review the essays and choose a shortlist of 10 entrants, who will be asked to create a smartphone video explaining why they should be named the winner. Judges will then review the videos and essays to choose their Future Legal Mind 2020.

Tom Fitzgerald, Managing Director of National Accident Helpline, said: “Every year we are more and more impressed by the quality of the entries we receive from the lawyers of tomorrow who are studying or working all over the UK. If you are in the need of hiring an attorney you are just one click away.

“We are very proud of the achievements of our six Future Legal Mind winners to date and we’re looking forward to finding the country’s brightest legal talent of 2020.”

Entries for Future Legal Mind 2020 must be submitted by midnight on Friday 28th February.

uk-brightest-legal-mind-national-accident-helpline
The six winners of Future Legal Mind to date – top (l-r) Charley-Anne Gordon (2019), Gbemisola Obolo (2018), Hana Kapadia (2017), and bottom (l-r) Tom Phillips (2016), Amy Loughery (undergraduate winner – 2015) and Lukas Hamilton Eddy (postgraduate winner – 2015)

3 Hard Truths & Tips About Lawsuit Loans That Attorneys Must Know

Many personal injury victims find it hard to resume their daily activities. They may also face financial constraints until their case is settled in court. If this happens, many personal injury attorneys assist their clients in getting lawsuit loans. These are provided by settlement funding companies. Of course, if you end up seeking help from the wrong company, your client’s troubles will only increase and potentially leave them unhappy with their settlement check.

Let’s take a look at some facts about settlement funding companies and how you can help your client pick the right one.

Examine the Cost Structure

The first thing you need to determine is how much a lawsuit cash advance will cost your client. Take a look at the type of interests and the annual percentage rate before your client signs the dotted line. Unfortunately, as you know – some clients may be uninformed or uneducated on calculating interest. You will also have to calculate the estimated amount of time it will take for the case to be settled. This will help you determine the approximate cost of the lawsuit loan to the client. You can compare this cost with the settlement you expect to receive and advise your client accordingly. If you feel that the cost outweighs the benefits, you can see if the client has any other options.

Obviously, as most lawyers know – there are ethics issues if you lend directly to your clients.

Besides checking for the interest rate you can also screen potential companies for other advance services, if you are really worried for your client. The majority of the cost is typically interest, however; some companies creatively pile on fees. It is preferable your client works with a company that does not charge an application fee unless the interest is extremely low (or a small doc fee).

Look for Flexibility – Competitive Rates

Some settlement funding companies have a rigid policy structure. These can be difficult to work with. They may also provide your client with an excessive amount of funding that can create problems in the future. Make sure you avoid such lawsuit loan sharks. They will not work in the best interests of your clients and will try to maximize their profits. Interest rates vary drastically, and several website’s online are acting as middle men ultimately increasing the rate for the client. There are many lawsuit loan companies, such as Mayfield that will offer smaller personal injury lawsuit advances up front and the client can get additional advances at little extra cost. They also fund in house, and do enough in business they can keep their rates fair.

Get All the Necessary Details – Some Companies Aren’t Fair

The client must choose a settlement funding company that is willing to provide them with all the details of their funding process. For instance, some settlement funding companies will not share important information about the lawsuit cash advance. This can be a problem if the repayment timetable ends up being too unreasonable. Your client should never go with a company that has a time table in the first place, because this is likely a legal issue for that company. For example, if your client is required to pay off a significant portion of the loan within 6 months of settlement, then this may throw their financial plans in disarray. Getting clarity about such aspects of lawsuit loans can help your client in the future.

Let’s Sum It Up

As a personal injury attorney, you need to make sure that your client gets financial help from the right settlement funding company. You must choose a company that is transparent and flexible about their lawsuit loan structures. Make sure to evaluate the cost of the lawsuit cash advance. You must also advise your client against borrowing more money than they need.

If you are interested in promoting your litigation finance company, contact Dataflurry Law Firm Marketing.  They can help increase your search rankings online and drive new pre-settlement funding and lawsuit loan clients to your law firm.  https://www.dataflurry.com

What Are Occupational Chest Conditions?

Work related or ‘occupational’ chest conditions are diseases that develop as a result of exposure to certain irritants in the workplace. These conditions are more likely to develop in some occupations than others, such as factory work or a garage. They can worsen over time if they are not immediately diagnosed and treated, so it’s important to visit your doctor if you begin to experience problems with your chest. They can also be exacerbated if you have existing chest or breathing problems, or if you are a smoker.

These conditions are usually caused by work environments where you are exposed to dangerous chemicals or certain types of dust. Common industries where people experience work related chest conditions are flour, wood, chemical, paint, rubber and plastics. These materials can all omit dust or substances that can be harmful to the lungs. Over months or years of working in these environments, these substances can have a gradual effect on the respiratory system and eventually cause a disease in the lungs.

There are several different occupational chest conditions that you could develop in your workplace. Below we have listed a few examples, how they can develop, and how to look out for the symptoms.

Asthma

Asthma is swelling of the breathing tubes, and it can lead to chest problems. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing and a tight chest. Some people have asthma from a young age but around one in ten cases of adult onset asthma are caused by the person’s workplace or occupation. Work related asthma is more likely to develop if you already suffer from allergies and can cause the asthma to re-trigger over the course of your time working in that environment.

Emphysema

Emphysema is damage to the breathing tubes and air sacs in the lungs. The main symptom is shortness of breath during strenuous activity or exercise. Over time as the condition worsens, this can increase to shortness of breath whilst standing still or sitting or lying down. Emphysema can be caused by a workplace environment where you would breathe fumes from harmful chemicals, or dust from grain or wood products.

Chronic Bronchitis

Together with Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis forms Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a very serious lung disease. Chronic Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes. It usually manifests as a wheezy cough, but symptoms can also include headaches and tiredness. Prolonged exposure to strong acids like ammonia or chlorine is one of the main causes of Chronic Bronchitis.

Rhinitis

Rhinitis has symptoms very similar to that of the common cold: sneezing or an itchy or runny nose. It can present as a reaction to an allergen, but it can also be because of exposure to irritants. Rhinitis can be a difficult condition to diagnose, as it can often present very similarly to hay fever. So, it’s important if you work with irritants to be aware of its symptoms and possible causes.

Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is caused by inhaling mould, and is also sometimes known as ‘farmer’s lung’. Exposure to a fungus can cause an abscess to grow in the lung cavity and cause very serious health problems. It is usually more common if you already have one of the above chest conditions, as the lungs and respiratory system would already be weakened. It’s very important to keep an eye out for the symptoms of aspergillosis (cough, wheezing and high temperature) as it can develop quite severely and occasionally requires surgery to treat it.

Why should you speak to a solicitor?

If any of these conditions sound familiar to you, and you work in an environment with irritants, it could be that you have a work related chest condition. It’s important that you speak to a solicitor to advise you how to go about speaking to your employers in an appropriate manner. A solicitor would be able to help you navigate a personal injury claim to make sure you get back any financial compensation you deserve.

What can Beecham Peacock do to help?

Beecham Peacock have a team of expert personal injury lawyers with years of experience in dealing with cases involving work related chest conditions. Beecham Peacock are based in the North East – an area which has a strong presence of heavy industry. People who work in heavy industry are the most likely people to develop occupational chest conditions, so Beecham Peacock are well-versed in helping to fight for these claims.

Can you make a personal injury claim?

If you speak to Beecham Peacock about your work related chest condition, one of the things they might suggest is to make a personal injury compensation claim. Obviously money can’t give you back your health, but financial compensation can make up for any monetary losses that might have occurred because of your condition. If your condition has worsened to the point where you’ve had to miss work, you may have been made to take unpaid sick days. Also, any prescriptions you may have had to collect, including inhalers, could have incurred a significant cost.  You shouldn’t have to take a financial hit for a condition that has been caused by your work place, therefore was out of your control.

What’s the next step?

If you think you may have a work related chest condition, your next step should be to see a doctor and have your diagnosis confirmed. Once you have a diagnosis your next move should be to see a solicitor to discuss your options. If you’re short on spare time, Beecham Peacock have an online enquiry system so you can briefly outline your issue, and someone will get back to you with more information and to potentially make an appointment to see a lawyer.

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Cover?

Processing your work comp claims will be easier and more convenient if you hired an experienced workers compensation lawyer to help you handle matters. This will even be more important immediately after you were badly injured in a work-related accident or have fallen seriously ill because of poor work conditions. The workers’ comp lawyer will take care of processing your claims while you focus on recovering from your injury or illness.

It is important to know that insurance companies are not making money when they are paying out work comp claims. No matter what their advertisements may claim, they’ll try to cut their losses by keeping coverage payments at a minimum. Because insurance companies will have their lawyers help them in this regard, being represented by your own lawyer will level the playing field and will help ensure that you’ll receive the benefits that you deserve. Here’s a rundown of what do workers’ compensation benefits cover.

Medical Expenses

Your employers have to take all the practical means to keep your workplace safe for their employees. The working conditions must be in such a way that the possibility of injuries and illnesses are remote. However, accidents happen despite the safety measures and employers are usually responsible for covering the injured employee’s immediate medical treatment. The employee’s insurance should cover emergency room visits, ambulance rides and any other medical expenses.

Wage Replacement

If you can’t work for a span of time because of the injuries that you sustained, workers’ compensation benefits entitles you to receive at least a portion of your lost wages as you recover. Depending on your company’s workers’ comp policy, you may get a certain percentage of your missed wages or a fixed payout.

Therapy and Rehabilitation

The extent of your injury may require more treatments after the initial treatment. Your injury may be so severe that you’ll require further corrective surgeries or undergo physical rehabilitation. Workers’ compensation also covers the cost of ongoing care in case you require it.

Death Benefits

If the workplace accident is fatal, the workers’ comp can pay for the costs needed for the employee’s funeral. This will somehow let the family of the employee mourn of the loss of their loved one without having to worry about paying for funeral home expenses. Workers’ compensation usually includes benefits for the employee’s dependents in the form of support payments.

Employer’s Liability Coverage

Your company’s insurance policy can also serve to protect it, as well. If you decide to file a lawsuit against your employer, his insurance coverage will help pay for his legal representation, litigation fees, judgments and even the settlement payout for you.

It is important to note that not all workers’ comp policies are the same and state requirements for coverage varies. The list of the workers’ comp benefits above should serve as your guide when researching the kind of coverage that your home state requires from your employer.

Keep in mind that your state also has a deadline for reporting injuries and for filing a workers’ compensation claim. It’s wise to scout for a seasoned work comp lawyer even before your need for one arises. This will be especially important if you work in a high-risk industry.

Easy Steps in Filing for Bankruptcy at Anaheim

This post regarding bankruptcy law in CA is a slight departure from our usual personal injury ones, but it’s worth noting that if you have a personal injury claim, it may be protected even when going through bankruptcy proceedings through exemption (for which it’s worth checking out this post here)

If you think you know a lot about the whole idea and privileges that a person can have when it comes to dealing with financial problems, especially debts, then you may now move on to the next step – filing for bankruptcy (at Anaheim).

Understanding bankruptcy procedures can be complicated, and seem like a daunting task at first. Fortunately, experts in bankruptcy law are more than willing to help and provide this service to anyone in need of it.

To get started and keep this summary short, we can find that according to the book of Christopher McAvoy, published in 2010, with a title, The Bankruptcy Book: The Truth About Ending Your Bill Problems And Getting Back The Good Credit You Deserve, he pointed out the following. Make sure to schedule a free Consultation with a los angeles bankruptcy lawyer to help with your finances.

That filing for bankruptcy is defined as:

“– Any type of bankruptcy whatsoever- immediately triggers an injunction contrary to the continuation of any activity done by any creditor against you or your assets; this is called the “automatic stay”, and it is a critical element of your bankruptcy case. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, that injunction extends to anyone else who is obligated to repay your debts.”

Additionally, he pointed out that if one may have an incumbent/present situation falling under the following listings:

  • Criminal proceedings;
  • Actions for an order of family support or the alteration of such order;
  • Arbitration proceedings;
  • Steps to amass support from assets that is not the assets of the survivor; and
  • Tax audits, demands by a taxing authority for you to file tax returns

“If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy and have any of these types of problems, it’s best to talk with your bankruptcy attorney before the case is filed about how to deal with the issues that will continue. There may be options to help you work with those individual creditors during your bankruptcy case, but you’ll never know unless you’re working with a fully informed lawyer.”

            With all of these facts or information he presented, one could be familiar or easily know about the process of filing for bankruptcy.

 They are the following:

  1. Collecting one’s documents. Meaning, you may want to secure the whereabouts and original copies of your financial transactions, as it will form a public record you may need and be presented in the Court (when required).
  2. Taking Credit Counselling. Well, aside from overcoming one’s debt problems or preventing one, you can also take advantage of your lawyer’s expertise in credit transactions and get credit counseling from him/her. If there may be other credit experts you can refer from, you may ask for their assistance, to let your lawyer deal actively with your dilemma.
  3. Complete the Bankruptcy Forms. It includes 23 separate forms you need to comply with roughly 70 pages. This is important for records-keeping of your documents or your filing for bankruptcy.
  4. Get your filing fee. In every transaction, make sure that you are capable of paying-off the services and filing fees, if unable to do so, it can be negotiated through other means. And the last one, for this article, before we end,
  5. Print your bankruptcy forms and bring them to court. These documents must be handed to the court, following the prescribed requirement of printing and compiling them, which can be done by doing a Brief Printing .

If you think you need more details regarding filing for bankruptcy, you may want to check out our best Anaheim Bankruptcy Attorneys around. You can also check out this website that has the full details on Filing for Bankruptcy at Anaheim.

How to Handle a Truck Accident

How to Handle a Truck Accident

Big rig companies plying Central California routes likely have Fresno truck accident lawyer services on retainers since accidents involving their super-sized vehicles likely end up being a complex case. Others who drive private vehicles but are also regularly using the same routes should look to experienced big rig accident attorneys first for representation should they ever find themselves involved in a truck accident. Statistics show that nearly half-a-million car accidents occur in the state of California in 2017, with over 3,000 being fatal. And the number increases every year. It will be prudent, therefore, to be prepared for such incidents if you are a regular Central California commuter.

More than just your regular fender bender, according to a car accident attorney truck accidents can be a very scary and traumatic experience. While big rig drivers receive special training and certifications to operate a huge vehicle, they are still prone to making errors. On the other hand, car drivers can also be negligent and make lapses in judgment when driving around big rigs. So what should you do if you find yourself involved in a truck accident?

1.  Check If You’re Injured

You may get shaken up after getting involved in a road accident with a big rig, but if you are able to stay oriented, check yourself for injuries. See if you can move your limbs properly and check yourself in the mirror to see if you are cut or are bleeding anywhere. Remember that you may not feel any immediate pain as you adrenaline will be coursing through your body. If you have passengers, check on them as well. If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road for the safety of other travelers, make sure to call an auto accident attorney right after the accident .

If you are too injured to move, stay still and ask bystanders for help. From this point on, this article assumes that you are still physically capable of completing the tasks outlined in the next steps. 

2.  Stay at the Scene

Remember not to leave the scene of the accident as doing so constitutes hit-and-run in some states. Take out the emergency car kit and set it at the prescribed distance from your vehicle to warn other drivers of the accident. Set up road flares if driving conditions requires them to make the scene more visible for other drivers.

3.  Call 911

Move a safe distance away from your damaged vehicle and call 911. Wait for emergency services. Allow emergency medical responders to check if you sustained any injuries that you may not be aware of. Calling 911 will also dispatch police officers on the scene who will document the accident and gather eyewitness accounts. The information that they gather will be vital to the case, you should also call a truck accident attorney to get the legal help you need.

4.  Gather Information

If you are able to, take pictures and photos of the scene and the surrounding areas immediately after the accident to receive better accident injury advice. Pay special attention to the damage to the vehicles involved, skid marks, landmarks and any other visual elements that will help paint a clearer picture of what happened and what triggered the accident.

 5.  Exchange Information

Another important step that you should take is to exchange important information with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. Make sure to exchange each other’s full name and contact details, insurance information, driver’s license number of the truck driver and contact details of the big rig company’s owner/operator.



As mentioned earlier, big rig companies likely have lawyers on retainers for situations such as vehicular accidents. This is why you should also seek out the help of a personal injury attorney to give yourself a fighting chance when filing claims for damage to property and for injuries that you suffered in the incident.

The first and most important thing to remember if you are involved in a car accident is to remain calm while talking to the personal injury lawyer . Once you are able to make sense of what happened to you, follow the steps outlined above.

What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident

What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident

If you drive often around Central California, it might do you well to have a number of a Fresno auto accident lawyer saved on your contacts just in case. According to a local car accident lawyer, nearly half-a-million auto accidents occurred in California in 2017, with over 270,000 injuries recorded. This number increased by around 3% during the first few months of 2018. If the trend continues for the next few years, your chances of being involved in a fender bender increases as well. A fender bender is one thing, but a serious vehicle collision is a whole different ball game where you may suffer injuries or inflict the same upon another. Fatalities are also an unfortunate possibility in major car collisions. In many cases traffic lawyers are contacted due to the severity of the accidents.

Chances are that you haven’t given much thought on what you should do in case you find yourself right in the middle of an auto accident like contacting an auto injury lawyer . Below are some of the more important steps to take if ever you are in a car accident.

1.   Are You Injured?

Regardless of the severity of the accident, always remember to check yourself for injuries, here are the most common types of personal injuries. With adrenaline coursing through your body, there’s a chance that you might not feel any pain initially so make sure to check if you can breathe normally, don’t feel any broken limbs and are not bleeding from any part of your body. If you do find any injuries, make sure to get professional assistance from a personal injury lawyer.

2.  How About Your Passengers?

Check on the condition of your passengers. If you are too injured to move and help your passengers, ask bystanders for help.

3.  Move Away From Your Vehicle

If you can still drive your car, move it to the side of the road. However, if the car is too damaged or unsafe to drive, leave it and if possible, turn on the hazard lights to warn other drivers. You and your passengers should get out of the vehicle and move a safe distance away from the car and traffic.

 4.  Call 911

It might surprise you to know that some in some states, calling 911 if you are involved in a vehicular accident is a legal requirement. Whether the law compels you or not, however, calling 911 is important. Responding officers will also document the incident and make a report, apart from making sure that anyone injured from accident receive proper care. The report that the officers will file about the accident will be vital when you file a claim.

5.  Wait for the Emergency Personnel to Arrive

As you wait for officers and emergency personnel to arrive, turn on the hazard lights of your vehicle if can. Take out your emergency car kit and even your road flares to warn other vehicles about the accident as you reach your lawyer from Leppard Law in Florida.

 6.  Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Exchange the following information with the other driver, if possible.

  • Name and contact details
  • Insurance information
  • Driver’s license

According to an auto accident attorney, you can also make a note of the other vehicle’s license plate number, color, type and model. Take pictures and videos of the scene to have your own documentation the accident.

 7.  Call Your Personal Injury Lawyer

Tell your personal injury lawyer about the incident and follow any instructions that he might have for you. This becomes important if you are still feeling a bit distressed or are shaken up; car accident law is very detailed and it is best if a professional car accident attorney handles it.

Note that your insurance company may not have your best interests at heart which is why independent legal advice from a accident attorney can be helpful – this guide from Rosengard Law Group explains this point in more detail.


While it may be difficult to do so, the first and most important thing to remember if you are involved in a car accident is to remain calm while talking to the las vegas car accident lawyer. Once you are able to make sense of what happened to you, follow the steps outlined above.

Interested In Investing In Real Estate? Buyers Tips To Obtain Property Below Market Value..

When you are looking to make a great investment on your real estate, you should consider doing some repair and remodel work. Youll have a rapid return on investment, thanks to a little elbow grease. In some cases, the increase in property value is greater than the amount of money that you invested into the work.

If you’re interested in investing in real estate, its best to consult with a professional estate law services. at https://www.williampitt.com/search/real-estate-sales/greenwich-ct/, these professionals have access to more research and other useful information that you may not be able to get directly. According to this real estate law firm most brokers have useful tools such as specialized software that can search and sort through MLS listings. Although searching the MLS database is something you can do without any assistance, a realtors tools can help you refine and narrow your search, making the process far more efficient and far less time-consuming while enabling you to unearth wonderful homes and fantastic deals that may otherwise have remained buried.

According to a real estate lawyer buying insurance for your new home should be the first thing you do after purchasing the property, even before you move your family and belongings in. You dont want to put this off because thats usually when bad things tend to happen, and you dont want to have to pay for something out of pocket that insurance would have covered.

If you’re thinking about buying a villa for sale in Sotogrande Spain, you should take into account what may happen in your future. You may be child free now, but sometimes people change their minds. So a look at the local schools can’t hurt.

Most people buying a home are not aware that buying a home is so complex. Remember this advice whenever you are buying property.

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