Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident that wasn’t my Fault?

Published on: 21 February 2019 Last Updated on: 08 August 2019
Car Accident

Experiencing a car accident can be a traumatic and highly emotional experience no matter who has caused the collision. Even if an accident is clearly not your fault it is always a good idea to hire an attorney if you experience any personal damages. An attorney will be familiar with the particulars of state laws and will know how to read a police report with an eye for detail. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers who want to make sure they pay as little as possible. A good attorney will get you the money that you deserve.

Self-Representation vs Professional Representation:

Laws regarding personal injury are extremely complete. California is a tort state and insurance companies will fight to keep every penny that the law will allow. They will hire private investigators to watch your every move to insure that you cannot do the activities that you say you cannot perform. They employ actuaries and legal teams who are devoted to cheating you out of your damages. Chances are, you do not have the legal know-how to combat such sophisticated opponents. Even an attorney who is not specifically trained in personal injury lawyers would have a hard time with the research required to build a solid case. It is best to get an attorney who specializes in personal injury law.

Tort Reform in California:

Although it has a reputation for its liberal politics, California does adhere to The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act, which has been around since 1975. It has been modified slightly over the years, but most of it held up even when challenged by the Supreme Court. It was designed to reduce the cost of insurance, but studies have shown that the law does not work and only cheats people out of the damages they are owed.

DUI Laws in California:

California ranks squarely in the middle of the country in terms of the harshness of its DUI laws. The punishment for drivers in criminal court includes fines, classes and license suspension. If you are the victim of an accident, you deserve more than the paltry restitution a criminal court judge or jury will award; you deserve a tort which covers all expenses related to your case.

What to look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fresno:

There are a lot of attorneys in California and picking a personal injury attorney in Fresno can be challenging. Make sure to pick one who will be dedicated to your case. There are a few characteristics of any good attorney.

Courtroom Experience:

Although Personal injury attorneys rarely go to court, it doesn’t hurt to have a lawyer who has a quick wit when arguing and has no problem speaking in front of people.

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Bail Bonds

Bail Bonds: What You Should Know

Paying bail bonds are not as simple as it seems. Knowing and having the right understanding of how these work, how it is determined, what the payment methods are, and other important issues are very important for anybody who is facing an arrest or who has an arrested loved one. There are several questions asked online to shed light and find out what bail bonds are all about which you may also have, click here to find out the answers. What is Bail? It is a term to describe the release of a person arrested for a criminal offense before the end of the criminal case. It can involve - but not every time - the defendant paying money to a court; this is not a punishment. It ensures the court that the defendant returns to the court now and then while the case is ongoing. It ensures the court that the defendant does not fail to go to court without having to keep him in custody all the time. Bails are significant in both ends – the arrested and the authorities. It ensures that people, no matter if they have a case at court, are free and, also, it avoids having to jam-pack jails with offenders, while have not been convicted yet. With it, offenders can be released almost in any stage of the criminal justice process, either immediately after arrest or while the case is ongoing and the court has not issued a sentence yet. This means that if someone gets arrested, three possible scenarios can come to place: he is arrested and released without charge; he is arrested, charged, and released on bail; or he is arrested, charged and is held in custody until the verdict of the case comes out. Schedule of Bails This is a list of the amount of money applied to individual crimes and can be paid in terms of bails. State laws determine the amount appropriated for a crime, and they decide whether the arrested individual be released without posting any bond at all or if the individual is allowed to post any or not; or if allowed to post bail, should it be posted (and individual is released with it) after booking or should they wait for a hearing. If the state laws allow for immediate release after the appropriate amount is paid, the defendant can post this immediately and release will follow. But if the state law requires a hearing, the defendant will not be able to pay immediately after booking and be released, instead, he will have to wait for the hearing to ensure before anything else. Hearings During a hearing, the court would determine the amount applicably. 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Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident that wasn't My Fault?

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divorce

5 Things To Consider Before A Divorce

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Medical Malpractice

What You Need to Know About Medical Malpractice

There is a certain standard of care expected when a medical professional is tending to your ailments – but what happens when that standard is not met or completely strayed from, resulting in further personal injury or harm? Medical malpractice is often cited as one of the top causes of death in the United States and is also a situation that can be nuanced and require much work to garner a positive outcome for those who are victim to it. Knowing what this term entails and how it applies to your situation – as well as enlisting professional help – may make the journey easier. Many people make the mistake of going at it alone. In other words, they feel that getting to the bottom of a medical malpractice lawsuit can be a simple DIY exercise. Not quite. If you are not working with top legal experts that have extensive experience in taking million-dollar medical institutions to court, you are not going to get the compensation you are looking for. Make sure to work with the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. if you are looking for a trained and qualified attorney that can help you with your medical negligence case. What is medical malpractice, and have I been a victim of it? The basic definition of medical malpractice is when a medical or health care professional deviates from the professional standards of care, thus providing inadequate care for the patient. Standard of care is a legal term seen as the proper amount of care given among similarly qualified practitioners under the same or similar circumstances. Breach of this care must be proven in medical malpractice and can be seen in various forms such as: Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose Errors in prescribing drugs Misreading of lab results Intentional harm Injuries resulting from negligence Lack of follow-up care What should you do when you suspect you may have a case? An important part of filing a medical malpractice claim is gathering evidence in order to prove the medical professional’s breach of standard care was the direct cause of your injuries. This evidence can come in the form of witness testimony, establishing the doctor-patient relationship, proof of damages caused by the injury, and proof of how the practitioner’s actions were the cause of harm. Request medical records from your provider, begin to keep notes on your health and any incidents or outcomes related to your injury and contact an established medical malpractice lawyer to help navigate things. Understanding your case and how to move forward The process of medical malpractice can be complex, so you’ll want a professional on your side. A lawyer who specializes in this can review all aspects of your case to determine if it’s actionable and take the proper steps to ensure all paperwork and evidence are readily available to file a claim within your state’s statutes of limitation. Each state handles and defines medical malpractice differently, so having someone who is well-versed in it on your side is an advantage. When the breach of standard care occurs and is documented, you can file for damages such as medical expenses, pain, and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of wages, to name a few. A lawyer will help determine the best course of action for you. According to a 2020 Journal of the American Medical Association study, approximately 2% of those suffering from medical malpractice file claims for compensation- and even fewer receive the compensation they deserve. Understanding the why and the how of medical malpractice is the first step to healing and setting things right when you’ve been wronged. Don't forget to go through our exclusive discussion on medical malpractice problems in Miami. Read Also: Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Cases Tips To Choose The Best Lawyer In Your Country How Cutting Edge Technology is Helping Dubai Improve its Healthcare Services

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