Legal

Do I Need a Lawyer if the Car Accident was Minor?

Many may ask themselves if a lawyer is necessary after any type of collision. When injuries and damages are minor, individuals may avoid seeking a legal representative. Some believe there is no reason for hiring a lawyer, and others may not know they are entitled to a lawyer after accidents. However, it is important to contact a professional when any type of accident ensues.

Most accidents are random and sudden. They may be an unexpected situation that requires time, money and energy to deal with. The health of an individual along with his or her safety is a great concern. Having a lawyer can help ensure that a victim receives compensation for the damages that he or she has suffered. It is important to obtain a lawyer to ensure all processes are accomplished correctly and in a timely manner.

Common Circumstances to Obtain a Lawyer

When liability is unclear or there is a dispute about who is responsible, legal representation should be considered. Organizing evidence may assist in clearing any dispute about liability and discover what chain of events led to the injury. If the damage is mostly to the vehicle, an examination may be required by an inspector. Additionally, if an individual has been served with documentation that they are involved in the lawsuit, it is best to contact a lawyer immediately in order to protect one’s legal rights and avoid forfeiting rights.

When an insurance settlement has been initiated, a lawyer’s counsel may be highly beneficial. These settlements should be reviewed by the lawyer. Because adjusters tend to offer lower numbers than expected for repairs to property as well as long-term injuries that require extensive medical treatment, a legal representative may review these terms to determine if they are acceptable. If the payment cannot cover all treatment and medical procedures, a renegotiation is usually necessary. For determining whether a total amount in a lump sum or payments are needed, the legal representative may analyze all healthcare processes with a healthcare professional.

Many insurance claims are denied. Technicalities may be the root cause companies deny these claims. Though they may be minor or inconsequential, these technicalities cause more pain and suffering due to stress. Lawyers obtained for these reasons assist in contesting denials so entitled compensation is received for those that have been injured. Even when injury is minor, some medical procedures are expensive, requiring compensation from insurance to assist in patient recovery.

Even minor injuries may lead to further consequences for the victim. The victim may not be able to return to the same line or work and may have to give up a favorite recreational activity. His or her relationship with other members of the victim’s family. These factors can be considered when a settlement is in question.

Minor injuries may also lead to complications or further damage not noticed until later. These injuries could lead to losing income at a job or career. These wages are factored into settlements, but a lawyer may assist in obtaining all needed payment.

Statute of Limitations

Though each state is different, the statute of limitations applies for personal injury claims and liability with traffic accidents. Some states have longer timeframes, while some have shorter timeframes such as the two year limitation in Illinois. No matter how minor the accident, it is important to know the rights a person has. A lawyer can explain the relevant statute of limitations as well as factors that may cut the time limit down such as when a governmental entity is involved.

Hiring a Lawyer

When involved in a traffic accident no matter how minor injuries sustained may be, the individual should seek legal representation from a lawyer who is knowledgeable about personal injury and liability. The lawyer retained should have a working knowledge on motor vehicle claims and on different medical procedures that may be implicated. The case history and reputation of the legal representative is important. Efficiency and professionalism may be the foundation to build a relationship between both client and hired lawyer.

 

How to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were involved in any of the scenarios discussed above, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is an important decision. Your lawyer will represent your interests in settlement negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and will do so in court should you and your lawyer agree that filing a personal injury lawsuit is necessary.

How Long After a Car Accident Can I Make A Claim?

You must notify your own insurance company within seven days, or as soon as reasonably possible, that you wish to apply for no-fault accident benefits. You must file a completed Application for Accident Benefits with your insurance company within 30 days after receiving it. You have two years in Ontario within which to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party for a personal injury claim. It is best to contact a lawyer early to ensure that proper steps are taken, notices are given, and deadlines are not missed. You do not have to retain a lawyer right away, but it can help you learn about your legal rights.

 

When Do I Need an Attorney for a Car Accident Claim?

If you’re involved in a fender bender, where no one is injured, your car accident claim can usually be handled through the insurance company without much fuss. Anything more serious than that, though, needs car accident claimmore consideration.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether you need an attorney for a car accident claim.

How serious are your injuries? How long did it take you (or will it take you) to recover?

First, it’s important to remember that every case is unique, and so are the ways people define a “significant” loss or “high” costs. What is a devastating loss to one person may not be to another.

To give a general idea, if you had (or have) a serious injury that:

• Affected you for a long time
• Caused you to be hospitalized
• Caused you to miss work or school
• Resulted in a lost income
• Resulted in extensive medical bills
• May be long-term (lasting about a year or more) or permanently disabling

… you may have a significant claim and should at least consult with an attorney. Even if you ultimately decide not to hire, a consultation can help you understand your options.

The more you have at stake, the better it is to have an attorney’s help. Insurance companies have attorneys of their own, with the goal of reducing settlement amounts or denying claims. The higher the amount of the claim, the harder the insurance companies and their attorneys fight.

For claims involving long-term or permanently disabling injuries, you really need an attorney.  Such injuries can affect not only your quality of life, but your livelihood and ability to work. You may incur future medical expenses related to your injury and complications may develop. Proving these types of injuries is complex and challenging, and should be handled by an experienced personal injury attorney.

 

Is fault contested in your accident? Is the other driver’s insurance company disputing liability and refusing to pay?

If the other driver caused your accident but they and/or their insurance company won’t admit it, there’s immediate cause for concern.

When an insurance company disputes their policyholder’s liability, they are essentially saying that their policyholder is not at fault and they are not responsible for paying your damages.

This happens because it may not be clear who was at fault. A police report may inaccurately describe the accident. There may be discrepancies among witnesses. Or, the insurance company may simply believe that you don’t have enough evidence that their policyholder was at fault.

When fault is contested, you must prove that the other driver caused the accident or you will lose the claim. An accident attorney can help you provide evidence and prove the other driver was at fault.

Are you concerned the settlement offer you received from the insurance company is too low?

It’s no secret that early settlement offers from insurance companies can be low. Many people accept them, even if they have misgivings, just to move on. No one likes the hassle of dealing with insurance claims. However, it’s often worth taking a deeper look, especially if you might have a large claim.

An attorney can review your settlement offer to determine if it is fair. If it is not, they can negotiate with the insurance company in an effort to raise the settlement amount. In the event an acceptable agreement can’t be reached or the insurance company refuses to negotiate, an attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf.

 

What to Do After You Think You Caused a Car Crash

If you think (or know) that you just caused a car accident, you should always stay calm. There are steps you should do after a crash whether or not you were at fault, and you should stay focused to ensure you do—and don’t do—certain things.

First, never under any circumstances should you leave the scene of the accident. Every state has specific laws about stopping after a crash and remaining at the scene. If a driver knows they broke the law or may be subject to other citations or criminal charges, they may be tempted to drive away to avoid the consequences of their actions. However, if you leave the scene of the crash, you could face an arrest and serious criminal charges, in addition to your responsibility for the accident. It is ALWAYS better to stop in accordance with the law.

In some states, you may also need to render aid to anyone who needs it or call for help. You should at least exchange your contact and insurance information with the other driver or drivers involved. If there is a certain amount of property damage or if someone suffered injuries in the accident, you likely have to report it to the authorities. It’s a good idea to call 911 or the police directly so someone can respond to the scene of the accident.

While you wait for the police, keep to yourself as much as possible. In some situations, the other driver may try to confront you or may show anger for the crash. Do your best to stay grounded and don’t admit fault or apologize. It can be all too easy to start saying that you’re sorry for being distracted or not noticing the other car. This is a mistake, as you should never admit any negligent acts to the other driver. Even if you’re feeling nervous, you should avoid the following:

• Discussing what you were doing prior to the crash
• Talking about who you think was to blame
• Apologizing or making any statements that may indicate you were at fault
• Asking the other driver questions to try to determine whether they made a mistake as well

You should stay polite but keep communications to a minimum and simply determine whether anyone is hurt and provide the basic information the driver needs from you. Then wait calmly until medical personnel and the police arrive. Even if the other driver is acting aggressive, you should never be aggressive or defensive in return.

The most absurd things ever to happen to immigration lawyers

In immigration law, at least, it appears wave function collapse only occurs when the decision is observed by a judge.

Clearly, the judge thought he had uncovered the most brazen plan for obtaining an adjournment to ever grace the hallowed halls of the First-tier Tribunal.

Companionship, trust and mutual respect are all well and good but it’s not a genuine and subsisting relationship unless you buy her a Peloton bike for Christmas.

Home Office caseworkers are not known for their theological scholarship but this one still takes the Communion wafer.

For my own peace of mind, I have to assume this decision was made by someone who has never eaten chicken, and not someone who eats their chicken neat.

 

Specialist Immigration advice for individuals and businesses around the world

Please keep an eye on regular news updates for information on how the situation is disrupting usual immigration applications and the important things to be aware of. The main thing to avoid is overstaying your current permission to be in the as doing so could harm future immigration applications.

In the current climate of civil penalties and even custodial sentences, it is essential that employers understand the pitfalls to avoid when employing non EEA workers

can advise on:

Checking your employees’ identity documents to ensure that they are legally able to work for you and to avoid the imposition of a civil penalty

Dealing with the imposition of a civil penalty ( which can be as high as $20000 per illegal worker)

Dealing with undocumented Commonwealth Citizens in light of the recent revelations about the “Windrush Generation”

Sponsoring skilled workers from abroad- applying for a sponsorship licence, assigning certificates of sponsorship and the duties of a licensed sponsor

Advising your EEA national employees on their possible options in the light of concerns about Brexit

LANDLORDS

Civil penalties and custodial sentences can now be imposed on landlords and their agents if property is rented to tenants who are not entitled to rent can advise landlords and property agents on how to check their tenants’ documents, how to proceed if a tenant is no longer permitted to rent in and how to deal with undocumented Commonwealth Citizens in light of the recent revelations about the “Windrush Generation”.

SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

can advise schools as employers but also as the sponsors of overseas students under Tier 4 of the Points Based System.

 

How To Appeal Against Deportation and Deportation Orders

Where the Secretary of State or an immigration officer is considering deportation or removal of a person who claims that their deportation or removal from would be a breach of the right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, Part 13 of the Rules will apply.

Deportation Rules

Part 13 of the Immigration Rules state that deportation may be considered where the Secretary of State deems the person’s deportation to be conducive to the public good

Deportation order

Where the person is the spouse, or civil partner or child under 18 of a person ordered to be deported, and where a court recommends deportation in the case of a person over the age of 17 who has been convicted of an offence punishable with imprisonment, a deportation order can be challenged under Article 8 ECHR (the right to private and family life).

Where there is automatic deportation as a result of a prison sentence of 4 years or more, deportation can only be challenged where there are very compelling circumstances. If the person being deported is seriously ill, this may be very compelling.

If you have a deportation order made against you as a result of a prison sentence of one year or more, but less than 4 years, and you have a parental relationship with a child under 18 who is a British citizen or has lived in

 

TACKLE THE TOUGHEST DEPORTATION PROBLEMS

• Is your career — or your family’s happiness — in danger because of your immigration status?
• Have you or a family member received a deportation or removal notice that threatens the life you’ve built in the United States?
• Are you an employer who needs to bring more workers into the U.S. — or to protect a key contributor whose visa has expired?

The Law Group team offers a full range of immigration law services, representing clients nationwide before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; overseas before the U.S. Department of State; and at all levels of the federal court system. happy to help with routine matters, such as visa processing, but greatest strength is serving clients with high-stakes deportation cases that require special knowledge.

A sub-specialty: Cases that need “saving” after things have gone wrong. Some of clients are far into removal proceedings by the time they call us — perhaps because they’ve relied on the wrong immigration lawyer, or because they’ve tried to represent themselves.

is a seasoned removal defense attorney. He is known for pushing deportation cases past bureaucratic obstacles and, if needed, into federal courts, where he has won several favorable precedents. has a particular interest in the immigration consequences of criminal arrests and convictions. A member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), he also serves as chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Professional Ethics Committee and holds a Top Secret security clearance.

challenged the validity of an immigration regulation that barred arriving aliens from seeking permanent resident status if they’ve already been placed in removal proceedings — as is technically the case with millions of foreign nationals who are routinely “paroled” into the United States. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit agreed that the regulation “is not based on a permissible construction of the governing statute,” invalidating it for cases brought in that jurisdiction.

was perhaps even more far-reaching. After U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) failed to act in a timely manner on clients’ applications for naturalization, advised them to pursue their case in a federal court instead, as the law allows. While the lawsuit was pending, however, USCIS tried to deny clients’ previous applications — an action for which claimed the agency no longer had authority.

 

Points-Based and Family Immigration

The Guide to Law Online is an annotated compendium of Internet links; a portal of Internet sources of interest to legal researchers. Although the Guide is selective, inclusion of a site by no means constitutes endorsement by the Law Library of Congress

In compiling this list, emphasis wherever possible has been on sites offering the full texts of laws, regulations, and court decisions, along with commentary from lawyers writing primarily for other lawyers. Materials related to law and government that were written by or for lay persons also have been included, as have government sites that provide even quite general information about themselves or their agencies.

Every direct source listed here was successfully tested before being added to the list. Users, however, should be aware that changes of Internet addresses and file names are frequent, and even sites that usually function well do not always do so. Thus a successful connection may sometimes require several attempts. If such an attempt to access a file indicates an error, the information can sometimes still be accessed by truncating the URL address to access a directory at the site

Administrative Law Guide

Administrative law, commonly called regulatory law, is created and enforced by an administrative body; e.g., the Department of Labor, the Federal Communications Commission, or the President.  This guide provides techniques and recommended resources to help get you started in this area of law.

Beginner’s Guides to Legal Research

If you are working in an unfamiliar area of law, and do not know where to begin, our Beginner’s Guide series gives you a great selection of treatises, cases, statutes, and regulations to jump-start your research project.

Dog Bite Injuries And Dog Bite Lawyers

What do you need to know about dog bite laws in?

Dog bite injury laws are governed under the “potentially dangerous dog” guidelines. A dog owner may be held liable for a dog bite injury if their dog meets any of the following criteria:

• The dog physically harmed someone.
• The dog was menacing to others while outside the owner’s property.
• The dog injured or killed another pet while outside of the owner’s property.

If a dog was provoked it might not be labeled as a “potentially dangerous dog,” and the owner may escape liability. The owner may try to prove that someone provoked their dog, or trespassed on their property to avoid paying fair compensation.

 

TYPES OF DOG BITE LAWSUITS

There are a few different types of dog bite lawsuits and determining which general category your claim falls under is an important first step.

AGGRESSIVE INCIDENTS

This category encompasses what most people think of when they think of a dog attack—a dog breaks loose from a leash and aggressively bites the victim. Cases may differ based on the type of dog, as some insurance policies will exclude coverage for breeds considered to be dangerous, like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers.

NON-AGGRESSIVE INCIDENTS

Dogs can bite without displaying any aggression at all. If not properly trained, a dog may nip when it gets excited, and depending on the breed, these bites may be enough to cause injury.

DOG ON DOG AGGRESSION

A dog acting aggressively can cause injuries to the people who happen to be nearby, as well as to the dog itself. The law may cover pain and suffering for humans, but it will not cover it for dogs.

 

Child Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

Though well-trained and cared-for dogs may provide families with years of love and enjoyment, poorly-trained or neglected dogs may pose significant threats to not only the families who own them but to anyone with whom such dogs come into contact. More than 4 million US citizens are bitten by dogs every year, resulting in 368,000 emergency-room visits that could have been made unnecessary if dog-owners had provided their pets with adequate training and care.

Children are more vulnerable to dog-bite injuries than adults, with children under the age of 9 (and boys, in particular) constituting the group with the highest risk for major dog-bite injuries. Children are especially vulnerable because

they are less likely to know how to behave around dogs

children’s loud and unpredictable behavior can put dogs on edge

any dog-bites that are inflicted on a child will cover a relatively large percentage of the child’s body due to the child’s smaller size.

Children’s dog-bite injury attorney has extensive experience with cases involving dog-bite injuries suffered by children and can assist you in obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled. If your child has been injured by an uncontrolled or aggressive dog, contact attorney for advice regarding your legal options.

 

A Dog Bite Attorney with The Advocates Can Help You

Nine out of ten times, a dog bite injury is frequently followed by expensive hospital visits. Dog bite-related injuries can result in nerve damage, permanent disfigurement, and other problematic traumas. Statistics show that 1 out of every 3 dog bites becomes infected. More than 28,000 people in the U.S. underwent reconstructive surgery in 2015 because of dog attack injuries. A dog attack is always sudden and unexpected and can cause the troublesome medical bills to pile up. A dog bite should be covered by the owner’s homeowner insurance. Generally, homeowner insurance policies include liability if their dog attacks someone. Nevertheless, each policy is different and should be examined carefully.

Because insurance companies are trying to make a profit, they are sometimes slow to pay out claims. Insurance companies also benefit from the fact that victims do not normally know their rights. A personal injury lawyer can help in maneuvering unknown territory. They can help ensure that you receive fair compensation to help offset the high costs associated with a dog attack.

What Is My Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a dog bite injury and is still unsure about hiring a personal injury attorney, the Advocates Law will assess your case for free. The Advocates can help you determine if hiring an attorney is the best solution. Because every case is different, determining a definitive level of fair compensation can be challenging.  The value of your case depends largely on the particular details involved.  Each case is considered individually and many factors are taken into account including a person’s suffering, pain, etc.

 

What if you or your child is bitten by a dog?

Needless to say, if it’s a savage bite and you’re bleeding profusely, call 911. Get medical treatment right away. Don’t take any chances.

Otherwise, here are some tips that may help after a less immediately severe dog attack:

1. Get to a safe place. Get out of attack range! If you’re inside, go outdoors. If you’re outside, go in, and shut the door. Put a barrier between your body and the dog, even if it seems to have calmed down.
2. Wash the wound thoroughly. Soap and water should work, but hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol can help sanitize the area. Put a clean bandage on and secure it.
3. Apply pressure to a bleeding wound. If you rinse, and the wound still bleeds, apply pressure until it stops. If it doesn’t, or you feel sick, call 911 right away.
4. Visit your doctor. As soon as possible, see your doctor to have the wound examined. You’ll need a blood test to determine if the dog has rabies. Don’t rely on whether the dog had a rabies vaccine. You could be susceptible to an infection, fever, tetanus, rabies, or other complications. You may have suffered nerve or tissue damage that needs to be treated, and you’ll want to see if you can minimize scarring.
5. Report the bite. Tell Animal Control and the Gloucester County Health Department what happened. They need to put the dog in quarantine to make sure it doesn’t have rabies. If you get rabies, you have a short window of time to get treated, or the disease can be fatal.