Avoid These Three Actions After a Car Accident

Automobile accidents are not an uncommon occurrence in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are one of the top causes of death. 

Furthermore, statistics show that there are approximately six million vehicular wrecks each year. If you ever find yourself involved in one, there are certain things you should never do.

1. Leave

Don’t drive away from the scene of the accident! This is usually illegal as well as unsmart and may cost you in the future if you have to find an accident lawyer Columbia MD, and go to court.

2. Confess

Avoid incriminating yourself regardless of whether you are at fault or not. This does not mean you should lie about what happened; honesty is the best policy. However, it is not good to outright admit fault as your insurer may try to use it as grounds to deny your claim. 

3. Forget

There are certain things you need to do in the wake of a car accident that you should not forget. Do not neglect to document the scene of the accident; photographic evidence, the other driver’s information (phone number and insurance details) and written testimonies are important for filing insurance claims. Remember to inform the proper authorities, a.k.a., the police. According to Maryland law, if there is death, injury or property damage resulting from the accident, you must notify the police. Even if the accident does not involve these, it is still a good policy to call them. The police will also document the incident and their report may benefit you later when you are dealing with your indemnifier or if you end up in court. 

A wreck can be a shocking and traumatizing experience, and it can be difficult to know what to do. It is important to keep these things in mind though as doing so may reduce hassle in the long run. 

Some Reasons Why Hiring a Medical Malpractice Attorney is Crucial When Pursuing a Claim

People often do not know the importance of lawyers till they require one. Once you find yourself in the legal system or requiring settlement for a severe injury, you realize that hiring an experienced legal attorney can significantly make a difference in your personal life.

There are several benefits of hiring a lawyer after you have suffered harm due to the negligence of a healthcare professional. The following are some reasons why hiring a medical malpractice attorney is crucial when pursuing a claim.

• Dealing with insurers: Among the most challenging aspects of a medical malpractice claim is dealing with insurance companies. Most people are often not sure if they are under an obligation to speak to insurers or what they need to say when corresponding with a representative. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can deal with most of the correspondence and advice you on what you should or should not say to insurers.
• Handling the paperwork: If you have ever perused legal documents, you most likely know how complex legal terminologies can be. In medical malpractice claims, there is an apparently never-ending flow of paperwork that you require to prepare, review and respond to. Experienced lawyers know the legal jargon to use, the timing for filing a medical malpractice claim, and the best way to respond to other parties.
• Knowing the claim value: Without some form of reference, you could enter into the negotiation process with unreasonable expectations. Most lawyers have gone through this process severally and have the expertise to determine the compensation that adequately represents your requirements and enhances the chances of succeeding in your claim.
• Negotiating the best possible settlement: In addition to knowing what a claim is worth, attorneys are also skilled in negotiation. In many cases, an attorney’s reputation precedes them, which enhances their ability to negotiate a favorable settlement for their client. Attorneys won’t be intimidated by a healthcare provider’s legal team, and they’ll know how to build a strategy that will be effective in a negotiation.
• Arguing your case in court. In most health malpractice claims, the victim’s case often ends before a jury or a judge. The success of your claim depends on your ability to argue the case. A good medical malpractice attorney knows how to design a claim that captures their client’s needs to a judge and follows the judge’s expected standards.
• Helping you avoid mistakes. When you do not know the claim filing process, you are more likely to make errors. When handling a medical malpractice claim that has the potential to assist you in paying medical expenses and securing lost wages, the mistakes can be costly for your case. Learning through your own experience is not an ideal option for a victim that requires compensation for severe medical malpractice injuries.
• Hastens the process. An experienced malpractice lawyer appreciates that time is usually of the essence for their clients. A reasonable attorney will always prioritize keeping a case going so that their client obtains a result within the appropriate time frame.
• Sparing your time. The processes followed in filing a claim can be highly time-consuming. If you’ve never done it before, you also must factor in the amount of time you’ll spend researching each required step. By hiring an attorney to do the work, you’ll free yourself up to focus on your recovery and go about your daily life.
• Creating network. When you engage a lawyer, you also enlist the assistance of their network of connections. Whether it is consulting professionals in an area that reinforces your case or finding a health expert to address your condition, a lawyer knows persons that can assist you in recovering and enhancing the chances of succeeding in your case.

Never Do These 3 Things After a Car Accident

Most people do the right things after a car accident: check for injuries, pull off the road if it’s safe, exchange insurance information, and render or receive first aid. Sometimes, however, emotions get the better of people, and things happen that don’t bode well with the law or insurance companies. Never do these three things after a car accident, or even a car accident attorney Seattle-based may not be able to help you.

Hesitate to Call the Police

An accident happened, and you’ll need a chance to have it recorded and tell them your version of events. The insurance company may require a formal police report to process any claims for damage to your body. Some people hesitate to involve the police because they don’t want to feel like a trouble maker or be worried about being blamed for the accident. You should always contact the police and request a report be made.

They Wait Too Long to See the Doctor

Depending on a person’s financial situation, they may avoid getting medical treatment. They might worry about the cost or their insurance coverage, or maybe they have to get home to relieve the sitter. Not seeking medical attention is a mistake, even if it is just going to the nearest urgent care facility. You’ll need a record of the damages for your insurance company and for an attorney who can work with you to help you get the medical bills paid.

Get Irrate with Other Drivers or First Responders

Sometimes a car accident is a stressor that pops a larger stress bubble. In these cases, a person flies into a rampage and attempts to berate or bully the other driver, other people involved in the accident, or even medical responders or law enforcement. Never do this, as it’s going to get documented in the reports, and this could cause the insurance company to want to avoid paying out for your claims altogether. It may also harm any future litigation you might endure because of the crash.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

It is important to understand that accidents can happen when you get behind your car’s wheel. And this article is purely to educate people, not to scare them. It helps you understand the dangers you could face on roads and help you understand how to exercise caution. Exercising caution requires you to have the right information to help you protect yourself better when on the road. 

Some Car Accident Statistics

To help you better understand the threats you face on the roads every day, here are some road accident statistics for you. You already know that car accidents happen, but how often are they? Although vehicles are increasingly safer because of better and more advanced safety features, they are still vulnerable to accidents. Speed remains the biggest cause of these accidents, and therefore, not letting your guard down might be the best way to stay safe. 

Statistics from the  Insurance Information Institute show that in 2019, 36,096 people perished in car crashes. That was a notable decrease in fatalities from the previous year, 2018, but the numbers are still alarmingly high, surpassing the 36,000 mark. The last year when the fatalities from road accidents did not pass the 36,000 mark was in 2015. 

What are the Common Causes of Road Accidents?

With advancements in technology, cars keep getting more advanced and increasingly safer. Besides, in an attempt to increase safety, more laws keep being implemented. But accidents keep happening regardless of all these efforts to keep people safe while on the road. Do you wonder why that happens?

The truth is, several factors contribute to the occurrence of road accidents. At times, factors beyond people’s control end up being the main cause of auto accidents. Other times, neglecting set laws and precautions lead to these accidents. Some of the common causes of auto accidents are listed below.

Distracted Driving

When you take your first driving lesson, the basic thing your instructor tells you is always to keep your eyes on the road. It is a very simple instruction, but one that many drivers often overlook. 

Many things can get a driver distracted when they are behind the wheel of the vehicle. One major distractor these days is mobile phones. When driving, a simple notification sound is bound to get most drivers distracted. They want to check their smartphones to see what the new message is about. And that simple thing takes away the attention of most drivers. 

Often you might have gotten away with phone usage while driving, but that’s not always the case. At times, one late reaction might land you in trouble. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you keep your smartphone away while driving to minimize the chances of getting into an auto accident. 

Other habits that often distract people when on the road include eating, wearing and fixing clothes, hair, or makeup, and listening to loud music. You can avoid them if you want to stay safe on the road. 

Car Related Issues

The vehicle itself might be the cause of an accident. Poor maintenance practices such as not fixing brakes, car lights, and tires might lead to an accident. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you regularly check your vehicle’s condition to ascertain that everything is functioning properly. 

Environmental Hazards

Your environment might be a reason why you find yourself in an accident. Issues like bad weather, bad roads, and wildlife or animals on the road might lead to auto accidents. It is important to ensure that you read road signs in unfamiliar areas. Besides, you might want to check the weather forecast before heading out to unfamiliar areas to ensure that you do not get blindsided by bad weather.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of any drug or substance often leads to road accidents. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other illicit drugs get people in trouble due to their impact on proper judgment. It is important to be alert when on the road. That means that you should not drive while under the influence of any drug or substance. 

Final Thoughts

Road safety is not a guarantee for anyone. Accidents happen, and people get injured. Hopefully, you’ll get the luck and successfully evade such misfortunes. But there could be times you find yourself in an accident, and you might require the services of an accident lawyer. 

Types of Maritime Injuries and Laws

Considering the unpredictable and hazardous working conditions both on the shore side and at sea, it is not surprising that sea travelers risk injury. However, such an expectation does not excuse the negligence of the employer from contributing to an injury. If you suffer from injuries on the docks, in a port, on a vessel, or while doing other maritime activities, you deserve to receive the justice and compensation that you deserve by filing a maritime injury claim. This guide highlights the critical aspects you need to know regarding maritime injuries and claims.

Types of maritime accidents

Slip and fall

Vessels have decks that can result in serious slip and fall accidents due to cluttered or uneven floors.

Fishing injuries

Lack of proper safety gear or dangerous equipment can lead to injuries.

Falling overboard

One might fall overboard due to fishing or loading cargo, leading to drowning or hypothermia.

Enclosed spaces

Tight workspaces can lead to contributing to injuries. For instance, toxic injuries can lead to poisoning, and in places with limited oxygen levels, the risks of asphyxia can increase.

Types of maritime injuries

• Eye injuries– Impairment or loss of vision can make it challenging for one to resume working.
• Burns– Burns can result in physical disfigurement and emotional scars
• Amputations– In some cases, injuries can lead to the loss of a limb.
• Back injuries– Back injuries vary from herniated disks to strains
• Acoustic trauma– Injuries can lead to long-term hearing damage
• Brain injuries- Head injuries include cognitive, hemorrhaging, and concussions.

Maritime Laws

Maintenance and care

When seafarers suffer from injuries, they have the right to receive maintenance and cure benefits despite when or how the accident happened, provided they were working. In this case, maintenance covers the living experiences of the seafarer during recovery, including taxes, food, utilities, and mortgage. Other expenses such as insurance, repairs, gas, internet, and cable television bills are not covered. In contrast, the cure benefits include medical costs associated with the injuries suffered, including traveling to medical appointments, special medical equipment required, rehabilitation, examinations, medications, and doctor visits.

Jones Act

Seafarers who want to receive a settlement under the Jones Act should prove that they suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence. In particular, an employer can be held liable under the Jones Act for the following reasons:

• Failure to offer proper safety gear and equipment
• Co-worker assault
• Spills including grease and oil on the deck of a vessel
• Failing to ensure that equipment works correctly and up to date
• Failure to install hazard and warning signs around dangerous places
• Overworking of the staff resulting in fatigue

Under Jones Act, you can receive a settlement for damages such as loss of earning capacity, lost wages, disfigurement, suffering, pain, medical expenses, and lost wages.

Longshore Act

Maritime law recognizes a worker’s compensation program famously regarded as Harbor Worker’s Compensation or Longshore. It offers compensation to employees who suffered injuries while they worked in navigable waters, including decks and piers, repairing ships, and loading or unloading cargo. Most importantly, the Longshore Act covers workers employed to perform maritime duties, including ship mechanics, shipbreakers, harbor workers, and longshore workers.

However, the Act excludes employees who receive state benefits, including recreational vessel workers, small vessels, retail, and office workers. Under the Longshore Act, maritime workers have rights such as:

• The first option of choosing a physician of their choice
• A provision for the employer to pay for permanent or temporary disability and loss of organs and limbs to compensate for the loss of earning capacity
• If the victim dies, the widow or widower is entitled to approximately 50 payments
• Injured employees can receive 66 percent of their weekly salary until they recover

You need to know that if you work in maritime areas, you have the right to receive compensation if you suffer from injuries. However, if you think your rights are violated and require assistance, you can consult a professional maritime lawyer at Naylor Law. In the meantime, you should report an injury (severe or minor) to your employer, seek immediate medical attention and fill in the required paperwork. That can help in establishing credible proof of your injury if one violates your rights. 

What Does a Car Accident Do?

In the scenario that you experience an automobile accident, you may spend a lot on medical bills and car repairs. You may also suffer from lost stability and wages. Such expenses should not be from your finances due to an accident that is not a result of your fault. You ought to get accident compensation as a victim. As a result, you may be required to file a compensation claim against the liable party to cater for the injuries and damages caused. Below are the roles performed by car accident attorneys:

Helps in filing for accident settlement claims

 An Antelope Valley car accident attorney handles the legal processes resulting from a car accident. Making errors when providing the required documents may cost you a huge sum of money when getting the compensation you are entitled to. The attorney assesses the claim before submitting it. A car accident lawyer evaluates the physical injuries and car damage to determine the intended damage or foul play. The legal professional compiles and prepares the important legal credentials to submit for the accident claim to be processed.

Handles the insurance firms 

The majority of insurance firms may take advantage when dealing with a person who knows little or no information about the applicable laws. Such companies may cover only one part of the claim: car damages or medical bills, rather than both. The insurance agents are skilled at convincing clients to agree to less compensation and, in some cases, may not give the accident victim anything. An expert in personal injury lawyers understands how to handle claim settlement procedures. Having handled several similar cases, an experienced lawyer makes sure you get the right amount of compensation. A car accident lawyer saves you effort and time.

Represents clients in court

After an accident, you may be required to undertake a court process. You may need the services of a car accident lawyer to represent you in the court process. The lawyer ensures that you get maximum compensation. The main role of the lawyer is to ensure that the ruling is made in your favor. The lawyer will check the auto and medical expenses to ensure you are paid what you deserve.

As an accused after a car accident, you also need the services of a personal injury lawyer. In terms of the representation of an accused, the lawyer attempts to get the lowest penalty. The legal professional will establish facts that favor reducing the amount used to compensate the accident victim. The car accident legal expert ensures that you do not incur expenses you are not liable for. In many cars accident cases, the car accident lawyers attempt to settle the case outside the courtroom.

Why should you hire a car accident lawyer?

A car accident is not planned for; hence it can be overwhelming when it occurs. To reduce stress when dealing with a car accident, you should consider seeking an attorney. Lawyers will assist you when filing a claim against the driver at fault and prepare a lawsuit to recover from the civil damages suffered. The attorney negotiates on your behalf to make sure you earn the compensation you are comfortable with.

A lawyer helps you understand your rights regarding the accident case. It is beneficial to work with a car accident attorney as the professionals know how to maneuver the legal procedure to ensure you are protected accordingly.

The procedure to seek compensation, also referred to as a personal injury claim or settlement, is lengthy and tedious. Undertaking the process on your own may result in getting only a portion of what you deserve. Working with a car accident attorney enables you to get advice and help sail through the process.

3 Warning Signs You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

When you’re hit by someone else driving carelessly or recklessly, it can be a life-changing experience for you and your family members. An insurance company will work very hard to make you feel like you’re overreacting to the situation if you even think about having legal counsel look at the situation as they process your claim. 

Here are three warning signs that indicate you should consider hiring a car accident attorney.

Someone from the insurance company says things that indicate they are unfamiliar with traffic and weather patterns in your local area

For example, if you live in the Southwest, a torrential downpour might make the roads highly slick as it brings up the accumulated oil from busy or typically heavy traffic, causing an increase in risk. Someone not from the area may not understand that. Thankfully, local attorneys understand these things. For example, a Denver car accident lawyer will understand snow patterns, ice slicks, and which roads are more subjected to accidents during which points of the year. If someone from the insurance company isn’t familiar with your local area, they will be more likely to dismiss critical aspects of your claim.

You have a severe injury

A severe injury leaves you with doctor or hospital bills, time off work you didn’t plan for, and interruption to getting back to your normal daily activities. It upends your life and places strain upon your family and your finances.

Your doctor can’t figure out what’s wrong.

How will your life be changed if the doctors can’t pinpoint what’s causing your medical issues? What happens if those medical issues only started happening because of a car accident? How can you expect to continue your life in this way (let alone pay your bills) when you can’t function at 100% anymore? No one asks to be in a car accident, and no one asks to have their lives changed potentially forever.

Conclusion

If the accident wasn’t your fault, you deserve to be compensated. Working with a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer helps you gather the evidence you need to help support your claims. You shouldn’t have to move forward without having some or all the financial burden removed.

If you feel like something is just “off” or missing from your recovery process or if you’re having difficulty working with the insurance company, don’t hesitate to look for a car accident lawyer. Many good ones exist throughout the country.

The Aftermath of a Car Accident: Worse than the Accident

You were driving down the highway when you had to brake suddenly. As this happened, a car came out of nowhere and slammed into you from behind. There wasn’t any time for you to react, and there was nowhere to go. You spun and felt the impact. Your car skidded for more than 30 feet. You suffered multiple injuries requiring a hospital stay.

Personal Injuries Suffered from Vehicular Accidents

If you have ever driven anywhere before, then you know that accidents happen every day–sometimes without warning! Denver is no exception. In all cases, some type of personal injury is present. You’re left with soft-tissue damage and scrapes at a minimum. In worst-case scenarios, there is death or permanent disabilities.

Personal Injuries Require Ongoing Care

It’s been three weeks since your accident happened, and you’re still in pain every day when something touches your neck or back. Dressing takes you forever to avoid irritating the remaining and partially healed gashes. Your doctor says multiple visits are necessary during your healing process. The stress mounts as you think about the bills, your angry boss because you’re missing more work, and the increased medical costs. How will you compensate for being out of work, getting behind on your bills, racking up high medical costs?

The other party’s insurance company will have already contacted you to try and get you to accept a settlement for your injuries. Still, you don’t have enough information about the accident, and this is all overwhelming. You need an experienced Denver personal injury lawyer to help ensure that everything goes smoothly when settling your claim.

What Does Denver Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Denver personal injury lawyers work on cases involving accidents or other incidents that cause serious harm, loss of work, and loss of physical abilities. Denver personal injury lawyers deal with insurance companies, the courts, and provide representation for clients in Denver. A qualified and trustworthy Denver personal injury lawyer will be your advocate when dealing with disputes involving health care providers and confusion or stall tactics put forth by an insurance company. They gather evidence from multiple sources on your behalf, fill out forms for you, and do all these things without admitting fault for the accident.

Their job is to help you resolve the legal aspect of this matter so that you don’t have to be left holding the bag for medical bills, lost wages, and other things impacting you and your family because of these injuries. Ideally, the best time to speak with a Denver personal injury lawyer is after you’ve received initial medical care for your accident and before you file a claim with your insurance company.

Contact a Trusted Denver Personal Injury Lawyer

Don’t wait to contact a qualified Denver personal injury lawyer, as some personal injury claim types have time period expirations on how long you can wait before you can file. Insurance companies have different time limits for beginning a claim, and you don’t want to miss either deadline. Contact a qualified and trusted Denver personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. You don’t have to deal with this process alone.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

You’re sitting at stop light, and suddenly your car lurches forward. You’ve been hit. Even if the accident is a small fender bender, there are certain steps you need to take to ensure that the recovery process goes smoothly.

1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

The first priority after an accident is getting everyone to safety. Try to pull over to the side of the road and get out of the flow of traffic. If this is not possible, exit the vehicle safely. Call for medical assistance even if you and your passengers seem okay, as many injuries may not be obvious at first glance.

2. Call the Police

Even if the damage to your car is minimal, it’s still a good idea to have a police report on file, especially if you need to file an insurance claim to be compensated for damages. The person who caused the accident may want to keep a report from being filed, but this is not in your best interest. 

3. Document Everything

A police report is a good start, but it’s smart not to rely on another person’s account of what happened. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and get copies of the report as well as the contact and insurance information of the other driver.

4. Hire an Attorney

If there is significant damage to your car or if you or your passengers were injured, you need to hire an auto accident attorney in Columbia MD. The other driver’s insurance agent may offer you less than you deserve or try to convince you to have your insurance cover the damages. Having an advocate in your corner who is well-versed in these types of negotiations is definitely a plus.

Getting into a car wreck is already an inconvenience. Following these tips can help you prevent this interruption to your day from becoming a larger ordeal than it needs to be.

What are Bail Bonds?

In the US criminal system, bail is a set amount deposit that is made to a court to ensure that a defendant will show up for future court proceedings. 

The amount of bail that is required to release a defendant awaiting trial is set by a court judge and is dependent upon the severity of the crime and the potential risk of releasing the defendant into the community, as well as whether or not the accused poses a flight risk. A judge may also choose to refuse to offer bail, meaning the defendant must remain in jail while awaiting trial. For minor crimes, a judge may also release the defendant on his own recognizance. In this case, there is no bail, and the accused is released on condition he agrees to the court’s orders.

Because many defendants are unable to pay the high cost of bail in cash, bail bonds Scranton PA are often used in lieu of cash bail.

A bail bond is a type of surety bond that is issued by a bail bondsman in lieu of the full bail amount. Bail bondsmen charge a fee, generally 10% of the total bail amount, to issue the bond. The defendant pays the fee and then insures the rest of the bail with collateral, such as a home or piece of property.

When a defendant is out on bail, he or she is expected to show up for scheduled hearings. If the defendant does not appear as ordered, bail is revoked. The defendant’s total bail fee will be remanded to the court and a warrant issued for the defendant’s arrest.

In general, the bail bondsman retains the 10% of bail amount paid to him as his fee for services and for having incurred the risk of the bond. However, the property that was put up as collateral insurance (such as a home, vehicle or property) is returned to the defendant.