Accident victims who have suffered injuries, whether extensive or not, and choose to pursue a personal injury claim may need to hire an attorney to represent them. There are several reasons why hiring an attorney is necessary as opposed to being mandated. Insurance companies are known to be cunning and this means that they will deploy all of the legal firearms in their arsenal to make sure that injured victims do not get compensated or are made to agree to a lesser amount in compensation.

Hiring an attorney on the other hand increases the chances of getting a higher sum in compensation and also ensures that you get the legal help needed with filing the right document at the right time while you recuperate. If you are unsure as to whether you need a personal injury attorney in your corner for your accident injury claim, below are some of the factors to consider.

Have You Suffered A Serious Injury Or A Permanent Disability? 

If you have suffered a serious injury on account of another person’s negligence or you have been diagnosed with a permanent disability, hiring a personal injury lawyer is essential. Doing this will help you to articulate your case better, collect relevant evidence to prove liability, and also demand the right sum in compensation, especially considering your medical bills as well as lost wages and hardship you have endured.

You Aren’t Sure Who Is At Fault

In some accident cases, apportioning blame may be harder than expected. If you need help determining fault after a slip and fall accident, car accident, or other personal injury accidents, hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best line of action for you. Your personal injury lawyer may be able to determine the at-fault party merely by listening to your account of the events that led to the accident and injury. In some complex cases, the attorney may need to work with investigators to gather evidence that will help in determining who is at fault and the next line of action.

There Are Multiple Parties Involved 

Every accident case is not clear-cut. Some accident cases are more complex than others. If you have been involved in a multi-car accident or a truck accident, there may be more to the case than what you see on the surface. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will help you to navigate such a complex case like this better while also bringing the multiple at-fault parties to book.

The Insurance Company Is Proving Hard to Deal With 

Naturally, insurance companies want to make a profit by making sure that they reduce the amount of compensation payout to the barest minimum which can be zero. In some cases, the insurance company may deny the accident victim’s claim if they know that he or she is unrepresented. In other cases, the insurance company may offer an amount that is too low to cover the damages suffered by the victim. Whether your insurance claim has been denied or the insurance company appears to be frustrating the process, hiring a personal injury lawyer is a great idea for you.

One of the biggest concerns that clients have before first working with an attorney is how they will pay for their services. This is a legitimate concern because different lawyers accept payments in different ways. Some attorneys require their payment upfront, while others are willing to wait until the case is finalized and accept payment in the form of a contingency fee arrangement instead. Before you start looking for lawyers focused on car accident cases, take the time to learn about contingency fee arrangements and how you can use them in your favor to get excellent legal service without spending money upfront. 

What is a Contingency Fee Arrangement?

A contingency fee arrangement is a payment agreement between a lawyer and a client. In the agreement, the attorney provides legal services in exchange for a portion of the final recovery in the end. Different attorneys ask for a different recovery percentage, but the average is 30% of the total amount recovered from the case. Before you agree to go with a contingency fee arrangement, always get the total percentage in writing and compare that percentage to be sure you’re getting a good value. Some attorneys will charge much more than others, so it’s important to know what the going rate is for your case. 

Is a Contingency Fee Agreement the Right Option?

If you’re short on money, but you need legal help, a contingency fee agreement is a payment option worth pursuing. There are some challenges to using this type of payment option, though. It’s important to verify that the attorney will accept that form of payment. This isn’t always the case, so it’s important to verify before assuming that an attorney will work without payment upfront. It’s also important to consider whether a contingency fee arrangement is a good value for you. If you can afford to pay for legal help up front, and your case is likely to pay out a high amount of money, it’s often more affordable to pay a flat fee for legal help. Consider flat legal fees as well as contingency-based pricing agreements and then decide which is the best option for your needs. 

Why a Contingency Fee Arrangement isn’t Always Allowed

Attorneys normally only accept a contingency fee arrangement when they have a clear case with the potential to pay out a large amount of money. Injury cases are a good example of this. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or another type of accident, lawyers will be more likely to make a contingency fee arrangement for you. 

Once you understand the different fee structures offered by attorneys, it’s easier to decide the best way to pay for services and how you should proceed from there. If you have a complicated legal case that’s going to take time to build, and you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend for help initially, finding an attorney that’s willing to offer you a contingency fee agreement is likely the best option for you. Talk with local attorneys to learn more about your options, and use that information to help you decide where to go from there. 

Anybody can be in a financially difficult place. However, if you are dealing with a huge debt and you are unable to service it, you may start thinking of solutions to the problem at hand. One of the solutions to this problem is bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy is no easy feat and that is why you should speak to bankruptcy attorneys from Plymouth to weigh your options.

When you meet with a bankruptcy attorney, they will consider your financial situation and proceed to offer you the legal and financial advice that is needed to address the problem. If you have to file bankruptcy, your attorney will also be able to recommend which one is best for your particular situation.

As an individual or a small business owner who is in debt, you will have two major options, chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy, to choose from based on your current financial situation. To help you to understand what each of these options offers, below are some of the information that your bankruptcy attorney will offer to you.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

As a borrower who is in debt, chapter 7 bankruptcy will help you to discharge most of your debt. However, you may have to sell most of your significant, nonexempt properties to pay off some of the debt. The process takes about three to four months to complete. In some cases, debtors may get to keep all or most of their properties except those properties are by law allowed to be used to repay some of the debts owed. Debtors who earn a significantly high income may be unable to apply for this type of bankruptcy.

Debtors who are being threatened with a foreclosure can put a stop to creditor’s harassment calls and actions as well as the threat of foreclosure after chapter 7 bankruptcy has been filed. When planning on this kind of petition, debtors should understand that it involves a large set of forms and some tricky process that is best handled with help from a bankruptcy lawyer.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is perfect for people who earn a decent income but are unable to pay off their huge debt. For this kind of bankruptcy filing, petitioners may not be able to write off their debts, however, a reconsolidated debt repayment plan may be put in place to ensure that they enjoy a more flexible repayment plan. This entire process can take between three to five years wherein the debtor will be required to actively pay the loan using the newly negotiated repayment plan. In most cases, the remaining debt after the repayment period is written off.

For chapter 13 bankruptcy, property liquidation is not essential, however, the petitioner must show that they have a stable income that not only covers their basic living needs but also ensures that they have enough to service their debt over the allotted period. Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires a series of complex documentation that requires the experience and expertise of a bankruptcy attorney.

One of the biggest concerns that clients have before first working with an attorney is how they will pay for their services. This is a legitimate concern because different lawyers accept payments in different ways. Some attorneys require their payment upfront, while others are willing to wait until the case is finalized and accept payment in the form of a contingency fee arrangement instead. Before you start looking for lawyers focused on car accident cases, take the time to learn about contingency fee arrangements and how you can use them in your favor to get excellent legal service without spending money upfront. 

What is a Contingency Fee Arrangement?

A contingency fee arrangement is a payment agreement between a lawyer and a client. In the agreement, the attorney provides legal services in exchange for a portion of the final recovery in the end. Different attorneys ask for a different recovery percentage, but the average is 30% of the total amount recovered from the case. Before you agree to go with a contingency fee arrangement, always get the total percentage in writing and compare that percentage to be sure you’re getting a good value. Some attorneys will charge much more than others, so it’s important to know what the going rate is for your case. 

Is a Contingency Fee Agreement the Right Option?

If you’re short on money, but you need legal help, a contingency fee agreement is a payment option worth pursuing. There are some challenges to using this type of payment option, though. It’s important to verify that the attorney will accept that form of payment. This isn’t always the case, so it’s important to verify before assuming that an attorney will work without payment upfront. It’s also important to consider whether a contingency fee arrangement is a good value for you. If you can afford to pay for legal help up front, and your case is likely to pay out a high amount of money, it’s often more affordable to pay a flat fee for legal help. Consider flat legal fees as well as contingency-based pricing agreements and then decide which is the best option for your needs. 

Why a Contingency Fee Arrangement isn’t Always Allowed

Attorneys normally only accept a contingency fee arrangement when they have a clear case with the potential to pay out a large amount of money. Injury cases are a good example of this. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or another type of accident, lawyers will be more likely to make a contingency fee arrangement for you. 

Once you understand the different fee structures offered by attorneys, it’s easier to decide the best way to pay for services and how you should proceed from there. If you have a complicated legal case that’s going to take time to build, and you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend for help initially, finding an attorney that’s willing to offer you a contingency fee agreement is likely the best option for you. Talk with local attorneys to learn more about your options, and use that information to help you decide where to go from there. 

As a victim of a personal injury accident, you need to learn as much as possible about everything that can affect your case as well as the chances of compensation. One of the common questions that you will rightly ask is whether or not you will be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering as part of the accident claims. Compensation for pain and suffering is unlike your medical bills or other damages suffered. In this case, there is no clear-cut bill to be added up to make a whole figure.

Pain and suffering are a lot harder to calculate and put a number to, especially when one does not understand what falls under this category. Seeing as people often pay more than money during the healing process after an accident, it is essential to understand better what pain and suffering are.

What Counts as Pain and Suffering?

In a personal injury case, pain and suffering can be described as the mental stress or emotional anguish a person has been made to go through on account of the injuries suffered. Pain and suffering in a personal injury claim fall under non-economic general damages and are calculated differently.

To establish that a person has undergone pain and suffering as part of the effects of the personal injury accident, Carlson Meissner Hart & Hayslett notes that such a person must exhibit one or more of the following;

– Temporary or permanent physical pain and discomfort

– Emotional disorders and mental health issues like memory loss, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and other related conditions.

– Physical limitations can be expressed in the form of the inability to carry out certain tasks like hug loved ones, play with your children, and others.

– Loss of a supportive relationship with family members on account of the accident and injuries sustained

– As well as any other psychological or emotional trauma.

It is important to note that pain and suffering are a huge part of many accident injury claims. However, an injured victim may be unable to demand compensation for pain and suffering if they are filing for;

– Workers’ compensation claims

– Small claims court lawsuits

– No-fault insurance claims.

Convincing the Insurance Company to Pay for Your Pain and Suffering

Insurance companies are known to be notorious when it comes to parting with money. This means that you can’t just expect the insurance company or adjuster to pay without presenting credible evidence to back your claim. In most cases, you will have to prove that the accident had left you critically or permanently injured to claim a huge amount in pain and suffering, however, if you are unable to prove this, you may have to settle for the small amount allocated by the adjuster to cater for your pain and suffering.

If you, however, suffered injuries that require a long and difficult recovery process or any injury that will significantly affect your life for the longest possible time, claiming one to three times the amount of your special damages may be possible. some of the factors that can boost the amount demanded in pain and suffering include;

– When you have suffered extensive burns

– Amputations

– Accidents with fatalities

– Disfigurement, especially affecting the face

– Spinal cord injuries

– Traumatic brain injuries.

Sexual abuse has been a major plague among large institutions with a lot of members. These organized institutions have over the years been sued by victims or groups of victims. While some of these institutions have been sanctioned heavily in court cases filed against them by victims, one of these groups remains a major concern for all, the Boy Scout.

A boy scouts sexual abuse attorney in Canada noted that the statistics of child sexual abuse in Canada is alarming. An advocacy group, Little Warriors, reported that no less than 1 in 3 girls have been victims of child sexual abuse. However, the advocacy group also revealed that at least 1 in 6 boys have also been subjected to the gruesome experience. Of all of these victims, reports state that no less than 95 percent of the victims can identify their abusers.

The Scouts of Canada are not left out of the allegations of sexual abuse against male children. The organization has for the longest time enjoying the patronage of parents who believed it was the right group to teach their male children the needed survival skills, discipline, and also to help them socialize with other children.

It is quite unfortunate to note that this trust had been taken for granted, especially as there are over 100,000 persons who are suing the organization for a form of sexual abuse or another.

What Does Sexual Abuse In Scouts Canada Look Like?

McKiggan Hebert Lawyers discussing sexual abuse cases with boy scouts referenced a CBC investigation wherein no less than 80 cases of sexual abuse were uncovered against the Scouts of Canada. The cases were as far back as the 1950s.

In each of the cases that were uncovered during the investigation, the victims had named at least one of the serving leaders or scout leaders as the perpetrator of the abuse. In addition to sexual abuse allegations, additional allegations bordering on more heinous crimes including child pornography and severe sexual misconducts were also reported by some of the victims.

The investigation further revealed that no less than three 300 children had been abused within a time frame by scout leaders.

It, however, is quite unfortunate that many of the victims do not realize that they could push for a claim under the law following their abuse experiences in the hands of trusted leaders in the Boys organization.

How The Scouts Of Canada Responds

As with many other organizations at this level, there have been several allegations against the Scouts of Canada, however, the organization has been alleged to have suppressed some of the allegations while also attempting to cover up other cases.

A remarkable case is that of Richard Turley who, among other perpetrators, were named in no less than two dozen sexual abuse cases against the Scouts Canada. These cases were reported to have been settled out of court and the details sealed from the public.

As part of these lawsuits, no less than 13 cases included the confidentiality clause that forbids the victims to speak of the case publicly.

Added to the suspicions of cover-ups, the Scouts Canada in 2012 referred to 100 cases of possible sexual abuse to the police for investigation years after reports were made.

College students in the United States are especially at risk of sexual assault victimization. Many reports have painted men to be the perpetrators of such acts while women are regarded as victims. The gender differences, although a vital factor in sexual assault victimization, may have been far too generalized thus dealing men a wrong and unfair hand.

The problem of sexual violence remains a huge problem in society. Far from the college scene, statistics show an increasing prevalence of sexual violence in communities across the United States.

In colleges, about 20 to 25% of women have been reported to be victims of sexual violence in any of its forms including rape or attempted rape. While the focus has always been on women, there is a need to also understand the place of men and what they also go through.

Over the years, research and testimonies have corroborated the opinion of some which tend to point to the stark difference between the experience of women and men who have been victims of sexual violence. While college women remain at an all-time high risk of sexual violence during their college careers, much less data is available on the experience of men as they go through the same system.

Recent studies showed that college men were equally sexually victimized, in most cases, by female perpetrators who are often in positions of authority. In one year, a research study reported the rate of sexual victimization by women against college men to be between 10 and 22 percent. This sexual victimization often involved threats and coercion. However, there is a stark difference in this rate when compared to that of physically forced sexual intercourse which stands at about 1 and 3 percent.

One thing remains constant, the context of the sexual victimization suffered by college men remains uncharted, although college men experience the same level of sexual victimization as the women.

A Boston sex crime defense attorney noted that in most cases, women are familiar with their offenders who could be a friend, a boyfriend, an ex-lover, classmate, or an acquaintance. Similar to this, most of the sexual victimization against women took place in the early hours of the morning, evening, or late in the night. College women have also reported that most of their sexual victimization experiences had occurred outside of the campus, usually in residences while over 90 percent of those that occurred on campus grounds took place in residence halls.

It is important to note that studies into the gender differences in sexual assault victimization of college students revealed that unmarried women who enjoy the pleasures of premarital sex, those that have had multiple sexual partners, those living on campus, and those who enjoy frequent drinking to intoxication are at a higher risk. For men, factors that predispose them to sexual assault victimization may include being unmarried, significant consumption of drugs at parties, spending more time at bars, increased number of siblings, being non-white, and lack of a present and consistently earning father during their childhood days.

In summary, both men and women are victims of sexual assault victimization. Victims are also encouraged to speak to a trusted, qualified, and experienced lawyer.

A commercial driving license applies to operators of commercial vehicles like buses, trucks, and others. Compliance demands from holders of commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) are higher compared to the regular driver’s license and this is because of the complications that can arise in the event of an accident.

Commercial driver’s license holders are held to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards. Whether a school bus driver or truck driver, the consequences are higher in the event of an accident and this necessitates stringent rules and guidelines to forestall extensive damages.

Taking into consideration the size of a commercial truck or the number of lives in a school bus, it becomes readily apparent why there are stricter rules for this class of drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Fmcsa) Regulations And What It Means

FMCSA regulations bind commercial drivers and employers. The regulations regarding alcohol and drug use bind;

– Owners and lessors of commercial vehicles

– Supervisors who are in charge of assigning drivers to handle commercial vehicles

– Local, state and federal governments

– Motor carriers for hire

– Private carriers

– Churches, and

– Civic organizations

Blood Alcohol Limits

A non-commercial driver is strongly warned against drinking and driving. However, the state laws allow for as high as 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration limit. In the case of a commercial driver, the FMCSA regulations slash this accommodation further and set a limit of 0.04 percent BAC limit.

The 0.04 percent BAC limit is obtainable for most states across the United States. Further to promote the safety of the driver and other road users, the FMCSA regulations also prohibit commercial drivers from operating commercial vehicles in the space of four hours after consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances.

Effects of commercial DUI

Commercial drivers who have been arrested for operating commercial vehicles while under the influence of intoxicating drugs or alcohol are made to go through similar criminal law procedures as a non-commercial driver that has been arrested for DUI offenses.

DUI lawyer representing clients in Boston reveals that in addition to lower BAC levels, a commercial driver who is found guilty and convicted for the crime of DUI may face a longer period of license suspension which robs such a driver of the ability to work.

Commercial driver’s license holders who are convicted for traffic violations other than parking offenses are also required to notify their employers within a period of 30 days from the offense. This notification is regardless of the vehicle the driver was operating as at the time of the offense.

This means that a truck driver who was cited for a traffic violation while driving his or her personal car will be required to inform his or her employer of the traffic violation. If such a personal escapade result in a DUI conviction, the employer is prohibited from hiring the driver for the period of his or her license suspension or restriction.

Clearly, the penalties associated with commercial DUI are higher and it is for good reasons. It is recommended that holders of commercial driver’s licenses hire experienced attorneys to represent them in their DUI cases.

After a car or truck accident, most victims will have severe injuries and mounting medical expenses. Of course, no one wants to be in this situation, and that’s why you need to consult Atlanta attorneys for semi-truck accidents. But why do you need to speak to an injury lawyer? Because insurance firms will offer accident victims a fraction of what they are supposed to get. 

Insurance companies will always have their interests in mind. They will only care about paying less and keeping shareholders happy. That’s why you must consult a qualified car accident attorney immediately after the accident. That will allow the lawyer to get enough time to gather evidence, medical records, and anything that will strengthen your case. Also, the legal team will work faster. Not only will you have peace of mind, but you will stand a better chance of getting compensation. 

When Do You Need to Work with an Injury Attorney? 

After a car accident, most people will not contact an injury attorney immediately. How will you know that your claim needs a professional lawyer? If you’ve sustained injuries that require medical attention from a doctor, then you need to speak to an injury lawyer and understand the legal options available. 

Personal injury attorneys will help in claims that have fatalities. If law enforcement officers don’t describe the events accurately or put you responsible when you know that the other party was responsible, an experienced attorney will help you. Well, if you know that you sustained injuries in a truck accident because of negligence, you should reach out to a professional attorney to evaluate the personal injury claim. If you’re not convinced, you should speak to the lawyer to understand your options. 

When Do You Have to Contact a Professional Personal Injury Lawyer?

The best thing to do following an accident is to call an injury attorney ASAP. Why? Because the offender will quickly call his or her insurance firm, who will then contact you to understand what occurred. Never make the mistake of speaking to an insurance firm without consulting a personal injury attorney. Always keep in mind that the insurance company is looking for a way to pay the least amount. They won’t be concerned with your medical bills or lost wages—they only want you to accept a low amount for what you’ve gone through.

Make sure you let a personal injury attorney negotiate with the insurance company so that you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track. An attorney will defend you until you are satisfied with the outcome. A personal injury attorney’s fees will depend on the verdict. You will only pay if he or she wins the case.

If you’ve been involved in an accident, you need to speak to an attorney and offer crucial information about your claim. You will also need to have personal information about the other party, medical records, police reports, and witness statements. The data will be essential to the attorney if you want to stand a better chance of getting a fair settlement. The attorney will handle the negotiation process. If things are not settled during negotiations, your claim will go to court. 

Birth defects and birth injuries are common, but they are different. Both cases are tragic and might be caused by negligence from a health care provider, doctor, or nurse. If the child was injured in a way that caused a birth defect or birth injury, you need to contact  Chicago lawyers for birth injury cases. Experienced injury attorneys will be ready to defend you. 

Understanding Birth Trauma Injuries

A birth injury will happen during birth and delivery, and it will happen because of someone’s negligence. In most cases, it could be a doctor or a nurse. That can make the baby suffer severe injuries. If the medical provider avoids the mistake, the baby would be healthy. Birth injuries include Erb’s palsy, broken bones, brain damage, and clavicle fractures. There are instances where birth injuries can occur during or after the baby has been delivered. These common injuries can be fatal. That’s why it is crucial to make sure the baby is born by a medical provider who will be alert. Even though most can be prevented, they will happen when the baby is wrongly positioned during birth.

Understanding Birth Defects

A birth defect is a health condition that will happen when a woman is pregnant with the fetus in the uterus. The medical condition can lead to mental and physical ill-health that can adversely affect the child as he or she grows up. Birth defects include Down Syndrome, congenital heart defects, and Spina Bifida. These birth defects can be hereditary. 

There are situations where a mother’s lifestyle, such as smoking, consuming drugs, and drinking, can lead to the baby having birth defects. Also, taking some medicine while pregnant can cause problems. If medication leads to birth defects, the medical care provider might be liable for medical malpractice. The company that produced the drugs could be accountable if it never mentioned the side effects. 

However, birth defects happen before birth. They will generally affect the baby as it grows in the uterus. The defects might happen because of certain medicines, genetics, or toxins consumed by the mother. Also, nurses or doctors may be liable for the baby having birth defects. That’s why it is essential to speak to a professional injury attorney if you want to get a fair settlement. Birth defects can happen because of someone’s negligence, and you have the right to get compensated. 

Also, both birth injuries and birth defects can happen because of a health care provider’s failure to meet health care standards and regulations. Failing to keep an eye on the mother and baby to indicate physical trauma, distress, and consuming harmful medications are some of the reasons why a medical provider might be answerable for harming the mother and child. 

Talk to an Injury Attorney

Even though the settlement won’t erase the harm caused, it will ensure the baby has the right health care and support to recover. Now, it will be up to you to contact an injury lawyer and pursue the claim. If you want to know how birth injury lawyers, contact experienced attorneys to book a free consultation.