Personal Injury Law Blogs

Is It Crucial to Pay Tax?

There are many who believe that they can easily avoid taxes and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will hardly notice such activities. Many of them have a question does it really make any difference if they fail to pay taxes? It certainly makes a major difference and the worst will happen when the IRS will learn about it.

According to a tax attorney the government considered non-payment of taxes as stealing and you may have to face severe penalties for that. Depending on the status of your tax, penalties will be different

  • Failure to file tax
  • Avoiding taxes completely
  • Penalties for not paying taxes on time

Penalty for not filing tax-return on time

There is no doubt that penalty for late filing will be the simplest one to deal with. IRS affixed 5% penalty per month for late submission, though the maximum penalty that can be tacked is 25%. If you have not filed your tax return for some reason even after that grace period; seek IRS assistance for extending that time period.

In accordance with a tax attorney you will have to fill a form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This will offer you another 6 months to work on your tax return. You may file form 2868 for further extension and if you do not ask for extension the 5% penalty will be accumulating.

However, requesting an extension is not the way to defer your tax payment for sometime as you have to settle at least 90% of all your tax dues within a limited span of time or face a monthly penalty of 0.5%.

Penalty for failure to pay taxes

If you fail to settle your tax burden even after several months, the fee increases by 1% per month. If this happens for longer period or repeatedly, the IRS will arbitrate by letting you file for a loan or mortgage your assets. They may resort to more severe methods like they can levy bank loans or garnish wage in order to recover your due taxes. You can learn more about equity loans on this website and get control of your finances.

You may consult with IRS officials for assistance regarding payment of taxes. They may suggest installment plans or Offers in Compromise. However, contact with a tax fraud lawyer if you have to speak with IRS officials. The lawyer will consult with these agents and work out a suitable plan for you.

If all these efforts of IRS fail, they will file for criminal and civil charges against the person. Thus, it is always better to take IRS assistance and work out a suitable payment mode with their assistance when the situation is still under control.

How to Know if You’ve Been a Victim of Medical Negligence

Medical negligence is an umbrella term for any occasion when you have received below standard medical care or treatment. This could be anything from false diagnosis to incorrect medication. Medical negligence can be the cause of severe physical illness or emotional distress. In the worst cases possible it can cause fatality. Medical negligence can be committed by all healthcare professionals, including doctors, surgeons, nurses and therapists. This blog will outline some of the most common scenarios of medical negligence, and what to do if you think this may have happened to you or a family member.

Incorrect Diagnosis

When a medical professional diagnoses you with a condition you do not actually have, this can cause significant issues. Firstly, if they begin treatment for this issue, you are then receiving treatment for a condition you do not have, and this could have painful side effects and affect or worsen the condition you actually do have. If this treatment includes surgery, this could cause significant pain and recovery time, potentially causing you to miss work or significant events. Mental stress can also be a factor here, as if you are falsely diagnosed with a very serious illness (eg. cancer), this can cause a lot of emotional distress to you and your loved ones which would be completely unnecessary, since you may be misdiagnosed with lung cancer and others, if this happen to you a Lung Cancer Attorney could be essential to help you in a case like this.

Delayed Diagnosis

A delayed diagnosis is another common type of medical negligence case. If a medical professional does not diagnose your condition soon enough, this could cause the condition to worse. Sometimes the condition can advance so it then becomes untreatable, before the medical professional makes the correct diagnosis. In a case of delayed diagnosis, sometimes it can literally be a matter of life and death, so it is very important the diagnosis is made on time.

A&E

It’s not just surgeons or diagnostic doctors who can commit medical negligence. You could also have experienced it in an Accident and Emergency environment. Occasionally a person in A&E for an injury or illness could have been wrongly sent home. If you were told to go home when you really needed instant medical attention and treatment or to be monitored this is a form of medical negligence.  

Incorrect Medication

When diagnosed with an illness it is obviously very important to be given the correct medication to treat the causes and symptoms. On rare occasions, it is possible for a hospital pharmacist to dispense the incorrect medication. This could be the wrong pills in a bottle, or the wrong bottle completely. Incorrect medication is a very serious thing as not only is your illness not being treated, but this medication you don’t actually need could be harming you or worsening your already existing condition

Defective Products

The products used to treat you in hospital play a big role in your recovery. If the products used in surgery for example are defective, this could worsen your illness or prolong your recovery time. Also, if a medical professional uses these products incorrectly or inappropriately it could have the same effect. It’s very important that the medical or surgical tools used during your treatment are in full working use and implemented correctly.

Poor Hygiene

Obviously, it goes without saying that hospitals and places of medical care should have impeccable cleanliness and hygiene. However, this isn’t always the case and it is possible some facilities have poor standards of hygiene. If you are being treated at one of these facilities, you could develop an infection or there could be complication in your surgery. Examples of this include unsterilized medical tools, or improper disposal of medical waste.

Why should you speak to a solicitor?

If any of these scenarios are sounding familiar to you, it is possible that you have experienced medical negligence at the hands of a medical professional. The best thing to do in this case is to speak to a solicitor so they can advise you on how best to proceed going forward. If you wanted to pursue a personal injury claim, a solicitor could help you navigate it to ensure a financial compensation.

What can Beecham Peacock do to help?

The team of expert personal injury lawyers at Beecham Peacock have a wealth of experience in dealing with cases involving medical negligence. We have been helping people with medical negligence cases for many years, so we have a huge amount of experience and expertise available to assist you in making your claim.

Can you make a personal injury claim?

One of your options Beecham Peacock might suggest after experiencing medical negligence is to make a personal injury compensation claim. If your health or the health of a loved one has suffered then money obviously can’t fix that, but Beecham Peacock are aware of the financial hit people and families can experience after suffering from medical negligence. If you have had a prolonged illness or disability as a result of medical negligence, this may have affected your ability to work. Obviously, this will create a huge financial impact on your lifestyle, and Beecham Peacock can help you claim that money back, as you shouldn’t have to lose out financially because of something that wasn’t your fault.

What’s the next step?

If you think you’ve experienced medical negligence, your next step should be to see a solicitor at Beecham Peacock to discuss your options. If you are busy, or have mobility issues and struggle to get out and about, Beecham Peacock have an online enquiry system which allows you to outline your issue in an online message to the professionals and someone will get back to you to recommend your next step and potentially book an appointment to see a solicitor. Head to their website to get in touch with a professional who will help advise you.

How to Get Your Personal Injury (or Other Type of) Legal Career Started ― Tips on Getting Hired

If your mind is set on becoming a personal injury attorney , you’ll want to start building the brand of your practice as soon as you can. One way of going about this process is getting as much experience as you can under your belt. Whether it is in personal injury, litigation, corporate or real estate, having a good brand is essential in your success in your chosen personal injury attorney practice area. However, you won’t get much traction as far as experience goes if you can’t get someone or some firm to hire your services. So, what can you do to get people to notice and hire you?

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While fresh personal injury lawyers graduates are usually brimming with idealism and enthusiasm, inactivity and the lack of opportunities can wear down these positive qualities easily. Along with building your brand, therefore, put in the extra effort to keep a positive outlook as you work on getting yourself hired. This way, you’ll become more efficient and effective as you follow and apply the following tips on getting hired.

Send Out as Many Applications as Possible

You’ll be surprised how this simple job hunting tip applies effectively to law practice as much as it does for other types of profession. Regardless of the legal practice area that you want to jump into, approaching it just as you would any other competitive job market goes a long way in getting your legal career started. Sending out applications to job openings that you come across increases your chances of receiving job offers. This is also a good way to at least, get the opportunity to fly in the radar of a personal injury law firm.

As with any highly competitive job market, you wouldn’t want to pass up on opportunities that come along. You can’t be picky and hold back in the misguided hope that your dream lifestyle job will find its way to you. By sending out applications en masse, you are swinging the law of averages in your favor. Remember, it is better to start working to level up your experience than end up miserably working in an unrelated industry.

Be Ready to Move

According to a personal injury attorney if you are aiming to practice in California, it will be a good idea not to confine yourself to only a number of cities. Send out applications everywhere in the state with the mindset that you might get the opportunity to practice in a location that you did not expect. Even if you got your degree from a less popular or lower tier law school, you’ll increase your marketability if you took steps to broaden your geography.

Just like the previous tip, you cannot afford to be too picky when it comes to location. While there will be snobs who would rather go jobless than work in an obscure city, you will be better off staying sharp and active while racking up the experience at the same time. Once the offers start rolling in, you’ll even have the luxury of selecting a job that comes closest to your expectations.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

The most important step for you to take in this regard is to review socialbusiness networking accounts thoroughly. Make sure to scrub off any content that you deem will be detrimental to your chances of landing a job and to your career as a lawyer. You should do this even before you start sending out resumes. Imagine your would-be employer seeing a picture of you passed out and half-naked at a fraternity or sorority party. If the picture holds such sentimental importance to you, it will be best that you put such pictures in private mode. In the same vein, should you see any of your past posts that others may deem as sexist, dogmatist, boorish or insensitive, delete them.After making sure that you have your existing social media accounts in order, you are ready to use them to your advantage. Overhaul the look of your accounts to appear suitable for someone in the legal practice. Start sharing content that is relevant to the profession and your target clientele.

For instance, if you’re set on becoming a California attorney, you can create a graphic-based, simplified explanation about a provision for personal injury lawyer If it is share-worthy enough, you’ll get free advertisement by adding your contact details in the graphic. You can also use your accounts to offer occasional pro bono work that will help build your brand even more.

Build Your Network

While this may sound like a cliche, you will find this tip in many job-hunting articles simply because it works. Putting in the extra work in expanding your professional contacts and networks also increases your chances of gaining referrals. Reach out to law firms, legal departments and even staffing agencies that might show interest in your services.

It will also be immensely helpful if you are more visible and active in your community. You can offer to take part community events that offer free legal advice, be present in chapter meetings, attend seminars and rub elbows with personalities who also work in the field to gain a better feel of the legal practice in the area. If you are lucky, you may also get some leads about possible job openings.

Stay Positive

Be conscious of maintaining your enthusiasm as you put in the extra effort to land a job. Allow your positive outlook and enthusiasm to become evident in the way you compose your resume, establish contacts and expand your network. Displaying enthusiasm and positivity will help you make a better impression on people who can be instrumental in helping you getting your legal career started. It will also be easier for them to remember you if you made a good and lasting impression.

Keeping yourself busy also helps in staying positive, especially during periods where job offers come in trickles or do not come at all. Apart from building your network and offering pro bono consultation ― both of which should keep you busy ― you can also seek out a legal professional who is gracious enough to let you shadow him or her. This will not only allow you to get a better feel of the practice, but it also allows you to establish even more connections. Alternatively, you can also try to advance your education by getting a Master of Law degree, preferably in your area of expertise. Having an advanced degree will surely add to your marketability.

Work Related Stress: How Lawyers Can Help You Combat a Real Issue

Work related stress is an issue that can often be brushed under the rug or ignored. Unfortunately this can exacerbate the issue, as stress can continue to build until it eventually leads to severe mental illness. Also, emotional issues can often begin to manifest physically, and cause physical injury or illness. These situations are better off handles as soon as possible to avoid further damage done. Beecham and Peacock can offer you help with your work related stress, and advice on how to move forward with the situation.

What is work related stress?

Work related stress is feelings of anxiety or tension that arise from an uncomfortable or distressing work place environment. This stress can result from feeling like you are being over worked or too much is being asked from you in your role, or from another member of staff making your day to day life in the office unpleasant by bullying or harassing you. As well as making their working life unpleasant, work related stress can eventually take over a person’s home life as well, as they spend all of their time outside of work worrying about going back.

Why don’t people take work related stress seriously?

It can be easy for people who have never experienced it to brush off the notion of work place bullying, as they believe it’s only an issue for children on the playground. However, as Beecham and Peacock deal with cases such as this every day, they can tell you the issue is real and incredibly stressful. Indeed, the Health & Safety Executive notes that over 11 million days are lost at work a year because of stress at work.

Adults can be bullies too and this trait can often manifest in workplace environments, whether it’s a superior behaving poorly towards a junior, or fellow colleagues in a team conspiring against another colleague. Often work related stress can only be made worse by making the victim feel as though they are imagining the bullying, or that they simply need to ‘toughen up’.

By trying to diminish the victim’s feelings, the perpetrator is only furthering the problematic behaviour, and the victim feels less and less like doing something to make a change.

Why should you deal with it now?

An uncomfortable or hostile work environment is troubling at the best of time, but it can be especially hard to deal with in the Winter months. This is because often in Winter, a lot of people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and similar mental and emotional issues. If mental and emotional stability is already at a low for a lot of people, a severe stressor at work can make this worse. While it can be hard in the Winter months to be motivated to make a change, a new year is the perfect time to take the next step in battling your work place stressors. It’s important to start off a new year with a healthy state of mind, and a comfortable and pleasant office environment can benefit you massively.

Why should you speak to a solicitor?

So, what can you do if this scenario is happening to you? If all of this sounds familiar, then it’s possible you’re experiencing work place bullying or work related stress. A lot of people feel such anxiety at the thought of returning to their place of work every day, they opt just to leave. This can often seem like the easy option, to avoid confrontation and remove yourself from the situation. However, this is not always the best course of action, not to mention that it is unfair and unjust to the victim. Also, if the reason for leaving is work place bullying, the perpetrator is never brought to justice, and will continue his or her behaviour with another member of staff, even the victim’s replacement.

What can Beecham and Peacock do to help?

Beecham and Peacock here to offer an alternative to handing in your notice at your place of work. It is usually encouraged for the victim to speak to another member of staff or a line manager. It can be daunting to take these issues to your fellow colleagues and superiors, especially if you are the only one experiencing it. Beecham and Peacock can provide a no obligation confidential meeting with one of our expert team, to hear about your situation and run through the choices of action you have. The expert personal injury team are very experienced in these situations and can handle them with tact and discretion. It’s understandable that this can be an upsetting or sensitive issue so they can help you discuss it in a friendly environment with no sense of intimidation.

Can you make a personal injury claim?

One of the choices that Beecham and Peacock may offer, depending on your situation, is to make a claim for compensation. Money can’t help with the emotional stress of a tense work place, but it can help cover any costs induced. It’s possible the victim may have taken time off work to avoid stress and anxiety but has not been paid for those days not in work. A victim shouldn’t have to lose out on money because of a situation they feel they can not control.

What’s the next step?

Take the initiative to speak to someone at Beecham and Peacock who can help you get the treatment and possibly compensation you deserve. Work place stress is a very real issue and victims shouldn’t feel like they have to suffer in silence. Head to Beecham and Peacock’s website for more information on their services. They also have an online enquiry system which allows you to submit a few details about your situation and someone from their friendly and professional team will get back to you with the appropriate response.

How Were You Hurt? Understanding the Different Types of Personal Injury Claims

Based on personal injury claims laws in the US and generally.

There are a lot of different ways you might end up getting hurt, and not all of them are physical. It’s important that you understand the different kinds of claims and cases available to you – and the different types of claims that could be directed at you, as well.

Note that personal injury claims can also be categorized based on the type of injury – though for the purposes of this piece, we’re going to focus on cause.

Negligence vs. Strict Liability

Before we get into specifics, according to the best personal injury attorney it’s important to understand that each type of injury claim tends to fall into one of three broad categories. The first, negligence, asserts that a defendant’s inaction caused injury to the plaintiff. The second, strict liability, says that the person was responsible for preventing injury, and failed in that responsibility – this holds true even if no negligence is evident.

The third type will be discussed in greater depth later in the piece, and concerns cases where a defendant intentionally causes harm to a claimant. A personal injury lawyer should be able to provide specific details with your individual case.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

According to a personal injury attorney the most common personal injury case in the United States, motor vehicle accidents are only subject to a personal injury claim when there’s clear evidence of negligence on the part of the defendant. Note that some states have a “No Fault” clause in place which require drivers to collect from their own insurers instead of filing a claim in court. Texas is not among them, but your state might be – when in doubt, check with a personal injury attorney.

Motorcycle accidents are a unique subclass of vehicular accidents, with higher magnitudes of injury and greater difficulty in determining liability.

Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases tend to be among the most complicated claims handled by personal injury attorney services. First, each state has its own set of laws pertaining to a physician’s duty of care and level of liability. Second, determining the difference between legitimate negligence and simply a bad patient outcome can be difficult – in some cases, no matter what a physician does, they are unable to help their patient.

Moreover, determining who specifically is liable can be a challenge as well – it’s not always the doctor, in some cases other hospital staff or even entire institutions can be held responsible. Slip and fall cases are predicated on the assumption that a property owner has a legal duty to keep their property free of hazards such as snow, ice, and debris (to name just a few). Whether or not an owner is liable for an injury on their property is a matter of much contention, and as with the other claims, varies by state. In Texas, for example, filing a claim either with a property owner’s insurer or as a lawsuit must be done within two years with the help of a personal injury lawyer.

According to a great personal injury attorney if you are found to bear more than 50% of the blame for your injury, you cannot receive compensation for it.

Workplace-Related

Workplace accidents and injuries are generally handled by worker’s compensation. When you are injured in the workplace, you must immediately notify your employer so that they can file a claim and help you recover your medical bills. If the injury puts you out of commission for a particularly long time, you can also file for disability payments, since personal injuries can happen often in a place we spend so much time at. People who are seeking relief from a personal injury in Bel Air will find comfort in the compassionate Physical therapy on lien offered by Dynamic Physical Therapy. Physician’s order not required and same-day initial appointments available. Click here to learn more about their clinics.

The exception here is if your injury occurred due to unsafe working conditions – if, for example, your employer knowingly instructed you to use cleaning chemicals without proper safety equipment. In this case, you will want to report the incident to the Texas Department of Insurance’s Safety Violations Hotline. You may also need to contact a workers compensation attorney if your worker’s compensation claim is challenged by your employer.

Product/Purchase Related

If a product does not work as intended to the extent that it causes you some form of injury, you have the right to make a product liability claim. Generally, these are class-action lawsuits, as was the case with Ford/Firestone several years ago. It is, after all, highly likely that a product which caused you serious injury is defective, and has injured others.

According to a personal injury lawyer, in this injury case, you don’t need to prove that the company was negligent. Instead, you simply need to demonstrate that the defective product was responsible for your injury.

Defamation of Character

Not all injuries are physical, and libel or slander can be just as harmful to your well-being as a serious fall, albeit in a different way. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand precisely what these two terms mean, and misapply them when seeking recompense. Defamation only occurs when the statements a defendant has made are demonstrably untrue, and those statements have noticeably impacted the plaintiff’s reputation.

If, for example, a customer was cursed out by an employee at a restaurant and mentioned that in an online review, that is not defamation.

Texas law also distinguishes defamation further, with a division between public and private figures. If you are a public figure pursuing a defamation case, you’ve a harder road ahead. You need to not only prove the statements damaged your character, but also that there was actual malice between them – that is, they were intended to harm your reputation, and made with full knowledge that they were false.

In the case of private figures – those with no involvement in the public eye whatsoever – it is enough to simply prove that a statement was made without verifying whether it was true or false.

Animal-Related

The owners of a pet – no matter what kind of pet it happens to be – are responsible for all damages that pet causes to others. Now, given that animals like fish, birds, and cats are relatively unlikely to cause serious injury to another individual, animal-related cases most often surface with negligent dog owners. Texas is what is known as a “one bite rule” state.

What that means is that if you are injured by an animal, you need to prove that either the animal’s owner knew the animal had bitten someone or acted aggressively in the past, or that the owner was negligent in preventing the bite from occurring. It is important to note that this rule does not apply to trespassers. If someone is seriously injured by a dog while trespassing on another person’s property, it is unlikely the owner will be found liable.

Intentional Injury

Last but not least are physical injuries that are directly and maliciously caused. Known as intentional torts and including things like assault and battery, these almost always result in a criminal case against the perpetrator. However, in Texas it is also possible to file a civil suit against an attacker to seek recompense for medical expenses, property damage, lost time at work, or all of the above.

Where these cases get complicated is that you’ll be suing the offender directly. Their insurance company won’t be paying – they’ll usually have to compensate you out of pocket. This means that for most intentional torts, it is difficult to justify a lawsuit.

This is only further compounded by the fact that damages are often difficult to prove except in the most severe circumstances.

Stake Your Claim

There are many different kinds of personal injury claims; it is best to contact a personal injury attorney for guidance. It’s important that you understand what kind of claims you can stake – and what claims you should. Because knowing the different courses of action available to you ensures you’re that much closer to receiving proper compensation for your hurt.  

Ryan B. Bormaster is the managing attorney at Bormaster Law. The law firm practices in a number of areas but specializes in 18 Wheeler Accidents, Accidents with Commercial Vehicles such as Work Trucks and Catastrophic Injuries of all kinds. 

Benefitting from a Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney

Most people are truly sorry when they have been convicted of doing something wrong. As long as they have not been convicted of this act in the past, there is a good chance that the judge will take it easy on them and give them a fine and even some community service. Of course, if this is something that you have been convicted of doing and you are a repeat offender, the judge is not going to be so lenient. This is the reason why you are going to need a criminal defense attorney on your side.

If you had to stand up for yourself in court, you would never survive. A criminal defense lawyer will be able to explain to the judge why you should be given a second chance. If the judge does recommend that you spend time in jail, your lawyer will usually be able to get your jail time reduced. There is no reason why you should not have someone to represent you when you have broken the law. In extreme cases you may even need a Massachusetts receiving stolen property attorney that can help shed some light on your misfortune.

You may be under the impression that you do not have enough money to pay for a lawyer. In situations such as this, you may be allowed to make payments to your lawyer. You also may be able to find a lawyer who will not charge you any money unless you win the case. This is going to benefit you tremendously.

If you have been arrested for possession of drugs, drinking and driving, breaking a restraining order, or even robbery, you need a criminal defense lawyer on your side. There is obviously no time to waste. Before you know it, you are going to be standing up in front of the judge trying to explain to him why he should not throw the book at you. This can be very frustrating because spending time in jail can not only be scary, it can also be very inconvenient. Keep this in mind when you are considering not hiring a lawyer.

Do not waste your time attempting to defend yourself and instead find a Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer. After all, you never know whether or not you have a strong case until you are willing to sit down and discuss matters. There is a good chance that you have a strong case. And if you’re living in a different area such as Las Vegas, then consider getting help from this criminal defense attorney in nevada.

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Gary Hall likes to write – a lot. In fact, he’s mentioned it before. His tastes range from beekeeping to classical piano. He finds himself moonlighting as a writer for several companies, including http://www.elliotsavitzlaw.com/ – something he enjoys almost as much as honey. Almost.

Delays in Whiplash Reform and Future Effects on Cyclists

In 2017, the UK government announced a sweeping reform focused on whiplash and personal injury guidelines to help combat unnecessary and costly compensation claims. Under the Civil Liability Bill, changes to compensation claims after a road traffic incident were to take place. In effect, the threshold for small claims court would increase from £1,000 up to £5,000, making it more difficult for individuals to recoup legal costs and claim an exorbitant amount for soft tissue injuries. While the reform is presented under a guise of good intentions, several believe it has downsides that impact a significant portion of non-motorist road users.

Cyclists represent millions of total road users each year, with more than 700,000 adults opting to use their bicycle as a means of transportation every day. With the influx of cyclists and motorists on the roadways, it is not surprising that road traffic accidents have been on a steady incline for the past several years. The unfortunate reality is that cyclists take the brunt of the damage when colliding with a vehicle, mainly due to the fact they have no protection surrounding them. However, despite the dangers cyclists face, the whiplash reform bill takes none of their unique positions as a road user into account. The proposed bill has now been delayed until 2020, which has given cyclists and advocates of vulnerable road users an opportunity to speak out.

Why the Delay

The most recent announcement relating to the whiplash reform proposal mentioned a two-year delay to its implementation. Moving from October 2018 to April 2020, the Ministry of Justice cited a need for extensive testing for users to ensure the bill would truly be beneficial. The claims process may now include an online portal which requires design and implementation that cannot feasibly be met by the fall of 2018. Additionally, the government wants to have the ability to measure the impact of the change in claims processing on a grand scale – something it cannot accomplish without additional time and resources. The idea is that the pushback will allow for a fairer system overall, but some are skeptical.

Many speculate the reason behind the pushback was the vast amount of scrutiny the Civil Liability Bill took on when originally proposed. Instead of breaking up road users into relevant categories for the purpose of compensation claims after road traffic accidents, everyone was lumped in together. In taking this approach, there is a sense of concern over how cyclists will fare after accidents that take place due to no fault of their own. If you got involved in an unfortunate event, you can put your trust in licensed professionals such as lawbrokr.

Cyclists and Vulnerable Road Users Unfairly Targeted

A group of cycle claims specialists in the UK explains the potential harm done to cyclists and other vulnerable road users should the reform move forward as proposed. Cyclists rarely experience whiplash as a result of a road traffic accident. Instead, they often have broken bones, head trauma, and extensive damage to their bike. Given the minimal number of whiplash cases in cyclist accidents, the new reform unfairly targets cyclists.

Additionally, cyclists are not likely to meet the new small claims court limit for compensation. An estimated 70% of cyclists do not have a claim that exceeds £5,000, meaning under the new reform, they will be forced to utilise the small claims court process instead of a civil court with legal representation. If they do retain legal counsel, the costs associated with representation is not included in their claim. Cyclists are then required to cover these expenses out of pocket, or go without. Because of the unique positioning of cyclists and their differentiators from motorists, the whiplash reform bill does nothing more than penalise them in the long run.

Potential Cost Reduction for Motorists

In a recent review of the whiplash reform, the government cited a potential reduction in costs for motorists as it relates to insurance premiums. Whiplash claims that are unfounded, according to government leaders, costs other road users more than £1 billion each year. Increasing the limit on small claims court thresholds for these claims means there will be fewer cases, and ultimately, less financial burden on big insurance companies. The idea is that with this reform, motorists will reap the cost savings through a trickle-down effect from a reduction in insurance company settlement costs, to the tune of £35 per year.

The cost savings that has the potential to reach individual motorists is a drop in the bucket for many. However, cyclists and other vulnerable road users stand to lose exponentially more in the process. With the recently announced delay in rolling out the reform, many hope speaking out against the unfair policies against cyclists can be rectified in time.

Image credit: Tejvan Pettinger via Flickr / Creative Commons Licence

Qualities To Look For In A Lawyer

When you’re in need of an attorney you want to have confidence that the person you choose is going to not only be qualified to do the job you hire them for but also that they’ll be sensitive to your case. Not all lawyers are the same, and this is why it’s so important to take the time to seek out the right fit for you.

There are a few certain qualities in particular that you should look for when on the hunt for the right representation. Take your time and do your homework so that you feel comfortable and certain with yourself regarding your final selection. Need nationwide expert witness services with pedigrees from the best schools?

Knowledgeable in Their Area of Expertise

One quality you want to look for in your lawyer is that they have the proper education and background for the type of case you’re presenting to them. For example, you’d want an individual who specializes in personal injury law and car crashes in Atlanta specifically, if that’s where your incident occurred. You also want to make sure the professional has positive reviews and experience dealing with these types of events, if you get injured then you want to make sure that the personal injury attorney you hire has great reviews. 

Personable

It’s also important that your lawyer is personable and easy to work with and doesn’t belittle you or make you feel uncomfortable. Visit each potential candidate and speak with them so you can get to know them as a person versus simply your lawyer. You’ll likely be able to tell fairly quickly if the individual you’re meeting with is friendly and someone who you can see yourself dealing with for an extended period of time.

Strong Communication Skills

Your lawyer should also have strong communication skills and not cause you more confusion when working with them. It’s not only critical that they know how to talk to you properly, but also to others including the judge and any other parties who are involved. Evaluate their verbal as well as their written abilities and confirm they’re able to meet your standards in this area. Notice their overall tone and if you think they’re able to clearly get their point across without becoming frustrated.

Responsive & Conducts Proper Follow up

What you don’t need is to hire a lawyer and then find out they tend to disappear on you for weeks at a time and don’t return your phone calls. Read reviews in detail and see if the person you’re considering is reputable, responsive and follows up in a timely manner. Pay attention to how quickly they get back to you when you’re initially reaching out and trying to collect more information. If you get a bad feeling, then it may be time to move on to your next possible option.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to find a good lawyer, so don’t panic if you’re having trouble initially. Use these tips to assist you in pinpointing the qualities you want in your attorney and then work hard to find someone who meets your requirements. If you need help, you can find the best lawyers in Atlanta with TrustDALE. Keep in mind that it’s worth a little hard work up front to find the right answer for you.

For many years now, James Benson has specialized in management consultancy, who also practices law. He is renowned for his knowledge in the field. James focuses on real estate, and so if you have any questions on the matter, he’s your go-to man for the job. James is upfront, will respond to you ASAP, and is easily contactable.

Ways To Keep Yourself Safe On The Road

Driving is a common mode of transportation that most people choose as a way to help get them around town on a regular basis. Unfortunately, accidents do happen so safety should be a top concern when you’re out on the roads.

The last situation you want is to put you or your loved ones in harm’s way while driving. Set a few measures in place and you won’t have to worry about much as you attempt to get yourself from one place to the next. Know that the precautions you take up front could save your life or that of someone else’s.

Buckle up

There’s no excuse for getting into a car and not buckling up immediately before you depart and hit the road. It’s not only your job as the driver to make sure you have your seatbelt on, but you should also confirm that everyone you’re driving with is buckled up too. You’ll not only be helping yourself out should you get into a crash, but you can also receive a ticket if a cop spots you without your seatbelt on.

Eliminate Distractions

It’s in your best interest to put your phone away while you’re driving on the road to keep you and your passengers safe. Remind yourself that your text or phone call can wait until you’re safely pulled over and stopped. In addition, turn the music down, make sure your mirrors are properly aligned and try not to let other people’s talking or movements grab your attention. Being tired can also be distracting so make sure you’re well-rested before you get behind the wheel.

Maintain A Reliable Vehicle

It’s your responsibility as a driver on the road to maintain and upkeep your vehicle so that it’s safe to be operating. Be sure to go in and get your regular maintenance requirements taken care of and confirm with a mechanic that there aren’t any major issues you should be concerned about before getting back on the road. While these updates can be expensive, it’s worth it if making certain fixes will prevent you from encountering any unfortunate situations. If you do end up in an unfortunate accident, you can seek legal help as well as auto body services.

Have A Plan

Keep yourself safe on the road by having a plan in place should you become stranded or have an accident. If someone hits you then first check to see if anyone’s injured, call the police and exchange information with the other driver. Also, have a number handy for someone such as car accident lawyer Jim Bendell and get in touch with this person so they can guide you regarding next steps you should be taking. As the victim, you have rights and need to know what these are before proceeding.

Conclusion

Safety should always be top of mind when you’re driving on the road because there’s a lot happening that’s not in your control. However, pay attention to what you do have the power to change and take action to keep yourself safe on the road. Take advantage of these suggestions and you’ll be in good hands the next time you drive off to your next destination. You should also check the weather before you head out since driving while it is hailing could be dangerous and could even mean needing an auto hail damage repair.

Tips For A Better Road Trip Experience

Road trips are fun, but they also come with a lot of responsibility on your part as the driver. The good news is that it’s possible to have a better road trip experience the next time around with a little effort on your end.

What you should avoid is hitting the road and not having a good idea of where you’re going or failing to pack the right supplies. You’ll have a much more enjoyable experience overall if you’re prepared ahead of time and aren’t rushing around at the last minute. Most importantly, you want everyone to feel safe and ultimately have a smooth ride.

Have A Plan

While you don’t have to know every detail about where you’re going or what you’re doing next, you should at least have a little plan in place for what to expect. Map out the best route you want to take to avoid traffic so you can get to your destination at a decent hour. Book your hotel in advance if you’ll be staying anywhere along the way and pinpoint a few areas where you might want stop and get out to take pictures and stretch your legs.

Drive with Caution & Avoid Road Rage

It’s a wise idea to avoid having road rage at all costs and not get into it with other drivers who are acting out of character as well. Remain calm in this type of situation and try your best to distance yourself from any cars that are causing you frustration. What you don’t want to do is engage with someone who’s driving recklessly and end up in an even worse circumstance.

Be Prepared to Handle Incidents

Unfortunately, being on the road for an extended period of time puts you at a higher risk for facing an accident. Not only make sure everyone is okay if you are in a car crash but have a good lawyer’s number handy who handles auto accidents and can offer up sound advice about how to proceed in your situation. You may also want to have information on deck for someone you can call if you need immediate roadside assistance.

Make Sure You’re Well-Rested

You’ll have a better road trip experience when you’re good about getting plenty of sleep before and throughout your journey. It’s your job as the driver to make sure you’re well-rested and notify the other drivers in the car when you’re in need of a break. You may even want to think about stopping and staying overnight someplace along the way if you aren’t able to make it through the night. Roll down the windows or drink caffeine should you need a little boost as you drive.

Conclusion

The more road trips you do the easier they get, but know that there’s always room for improvement. Take advantage of these tips to help you create a better experience for yourself going forward. Relax, have fun and remember to take plenty of pictures of all the beautiful terrain you encounter.