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How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer – 2021 Guide

Published on April 4, 2021June 16, 2021

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Imagine waking up in the morning to get to work only to be met with a horrible car accident that has caused you a serious injury. This injury can lead you to miss out on work and the medical bills may cost you a fortune. This kind of infuriating situation worsens when you understand that the person at fault does not want to pay for your suffering. You contact their insurance company and they say the same thing. They do not want to accept that their client was the person who causes the accident which means they will probably do everything in their power to fight against your claim.

Fighting against an entire company just by yourself can be very stressful, especially after you have been injured. In these times, your best option is to hire a personal injury lawyer. They will help you gather all of the evidence that will prove your innocence, they will communicate with the insurance company and will fight them in a trial to earn your compensation. Visit NOVA Law for more valuable information about personal injury law.

However, finding the right person to defend you for this kind of case is not as easy as you think. You will need to find someone who will be reliable and trustworthy. You simply can’t pick the first one you find and expect that they will win your case.

It is very important to learn what is the percentage of winning the case or losing it. Attorney’s like Adam Rosengard from Rosengard Law Group, an expert personal injury attorney, provide a free case evaluation and share comprehensive knowledge of your case before filing a lawsuit.

If you have no previous experience regarding this subject, you can keep reading our guide for 2021 that will help you find the best personal injury lawyer.

Ask your friends

Going through newspaper, television and online ads might seem like the best way to find for an attorney that can help you in this case, but you have one more option before you settle for those. You can start asking your friends and family whether they have ever worked with a personal injury lawyer in the past. Car accidents are so frequent these days, the chances of someone having the need for hiring such an attorney is pretty high. It doesn’t really cost you anything to ask them.

Your friends wouldn’t lie to you about their previous experience with their cases which means you can rely on them. Who can guarantee that a lawyer you saw on a TV ad is a trustworthy person? Of course, many of those lawyers are professionals and very reliable, but there will always be that one that may try to scam you. Asking for a referral from your friends or family decreases your chances of finding one that will try to take your money.

Check their ratings

Keep in mind, just because the lawyer was referred by your friends or family, does not necessarily mean they will be good for your case. The lawyer might have expertise in other areas of the law. If they haven’t had any cases similar to yours, they probably aren’t the best pick for your situation.

Fortunately, there are a lot of websites on the internet that you can use to check out the ratings of certain services by previous clients. You can use this information to your benefit and narrow your options. Set a certain rating standard for yourself and you will quickly acquire a list of attorneys that will be able to fulfill your needs. If you have found a personal injury lawyer with the perfect rating, but you do not have the budget to hire them, you should get a loan. You can learn more here about personal injury loans.

Check their case history

Once you have made your list of positively rated personal injury lawyers, you can start checking out their track record to find out details about their expertise. You can acquire this information by contacting their offices or the lawyer himself. Most of them would usually oblige and will send you all of their files regarding their previous cases. If there are some who are not willing to do so, you should probably avoid them. They are probably hiding such information because of a bad case that would ruin their reputation. You are not in a position to risk your case.

Experience

Experience in the field also has a huge impact on how much the lawyer will cost you and the chances of winning your case. Professionals that have dealt with personal injury claims such as yours for multiple years can probably handle anything you give them. They won’t have a problem dealing with even the biggest insurance companies. But, they can come at a huge expense which isn’t the best option for those with a smaller budget.

Attorneys with less experience might not be ready to take you to trial against some rich insurance company, but they will be able to collect all of the evidence and handle all of your documents which is still a useful service. The fee for such attorneys will also be much lower, so if you have a smaller budget, this might your best option. Not to worry, there are still some experienced law firms that do not charge as much. For instance, Kania Law is a reputable law firm that provides professional service at affordable rates.

First impressions

After you have done all of your research online, you can continue your research in person. First impressions are always very important which is why you should first meet up with your personal injury attorney before hiring them. Take note of their office or the place they chose to get a cup of coffee. Notice how they treat their assistant or the waitresses. All of this information can tell you just how kind of person you are working for. If you are left with trustworthy impressions, you should consider hiring them.

Fees

Once you have narrowed down the list even more after meeting all of them in person, the only factor left to help you make your decision is their fees. For this, you will need to ask them personally how much they would charge you for your case. The fee will heavily depend on your situation. If you do not have enough evidence to prove your innocence to the insurance company then you will probably have to take your claim to court. Taking a case to court usually leads to higher fees.

How To Keep An Auto Accident From Derailing Your Life

Published on March 2, 2021

Cars

Auto accidents will leave you with lifetime pains, missed work, mental suffering, and exorbitant medical bills. All these challenges may decrease your quality of life. Lives are even derailed among paralyzed people, those who lose a limb, and those who sustain severe head traumas. Imagine engaging in an accident that will make you unable to do simple yet vital day-to-day activities.

Even though auto accidents can cause immense harm to your body organs, the steps you take after the crash can act as a crucial game-changer. Just because other people remained paralyzed after suffering from car accidents doesn’t mean that you must go down the same path. Here is how to keep an auto accident from derailing your life. See more about hiring an auto accident lawyer.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately After the Auto Accident

You must be aware that some of the injuries sustained in an auto accident will not be visible. In fact, the pains and injuries with lifetime effects like spine damage, whiplashes, and concussions may take days or even weeks to manifest.

The faster you seek medical care, the lower the risks that the injuries will worsen. It is also important to note that you may increase your recovery period if you do not seek medical care immediately after the auto accident. Internal bleeding and concussions could cause permanent brain damages if left untreated.

Get the help of an Auto Injury Physician

Even though your primary care physician (PCP) may come in handy after the accident, he may not provide adequate services. Your PCP is trained to give remedies for external injuries and may lack the skills needed to locate, diagnose and treat life-threatening injuries like fractures, soft tissue injuries, whiplashes, and concussions.

It is advisable to seek the services of a specialist with experience in treating auto accident patients. Look for a specialist in pain management and orthopedic services to manage any spine, bone, and muscle challenges you may have sustained in the auto accident.

Legal Services and an Auto Accident Lawyer

You can also ensure to seek the services of an auto accident lawyer who can provide strong support in these types of matters.

They are well versed in these matters and ensure to provide their experience, knowledge, and ears to hear your problems.

These professionals act as strong and valuable partners in these trying times and provide you with the best support possible in more ways than one.

Strive to Win the Mental Battle

Did you know that even though many people will recover from extreme auto accidents, 30% of the victims will always have adverse issues dealing with detrimental psychological responses? This data explains why you must strive to win the mental battle in the wake of the auto accident.

Remember, it is an event that may affect your emotional state for the rest of your life. Always remember that it is not the severity of the physical injuries sustained in an accident that counts. On the contrary, it is how you perceive it that will haunt you if you let it.

Here is how to overcome the mental battles associated with auto accidents:
Focus on physical recovery first
Open up to tell your doctor that you’re feeling depressed or anxious
Talk to people about the accident
Take time
Take time to heal the difficult time
Treat anxiety as a regular thing for everyone
Be patient with yourself
Ensure that you spend time with people who’ll give you the necessary mental support
Try to re-engage with the social scene
Try as much as possible to go back to your pre-accident lifestyle

Embrace your Treatment Plan

The prescribed treatment plan could be sluggish and time-consuming. However, it is a matter of personal commitment to returning to normalcy after engaging in a severe auto accident.

The most effective way to follow up with the treatment program is to ensure that it takes the shortest time possible. That’ll only be attained if you follow your doctor’s instructions. Some of the things to follow closely may include:

Setting and meeting the follow-up schedules with your doctor
Taking a few hours/days off work
Minimizing your physical activities to give your body the time it needs to heal
Engaging in therapist-recommended physical exercises at home
Taking your physical therapy schedules seriously

Also, remember to be an active part of your recovery plan. Take time to discuss with your physician any time you realize that the recommended treatment plans aren’t effective. Develop a collaborative framework with your doctor and arrange for alternative treatment plans that will meet your needs.

Exercise

The accident should not mark the end of your life. You need to exercise and stretch regularly if you want to regain your original states of motion, endurance, balance, and flexibility. Similarly, regular exercises will help you reduce the chances of experiencing muscular stiffness, joint weaknesses, pains, and inflammations attributed to the injuries.

However, be keen to follow your physician’s recommendations on the type and amount of physical activity that will be safe for your specific condition. There are times where you may feel that you have the energy to do more. Nonetheless, always remember that pushing too hard could only worsen your current state and prolong the recovery period.

Be patient

Patience could be the greatest virtue you will need after sustaining an auto accident. In essence, you may take longer than you think to recover from the pains and injuries you got in the accident. Apart from the prolonged and frustrating healing process, setbacks could come your way. However, always embrace the sentiment that you will be patient with yourself, and you will keep taking care of your body.

A Support System

You may build your patience by surrounding yourself with a robust support system. A sound support system like family could lift your mood and keep you motivated towards meeting your treatment plan. Your family will be there to hold your hand until you stabilize.

You may also think about getting additional support from your spiritual leader or a professional counselor.

It is usual for the auto accident to cause anxieties and depression that may take a toll on your patience.

A member of the clergy and a professional counselor will be the most significant support institutions to look for any time you are drained with unresolved emotional and mental challenges connected to the accident. Your doctor could recommend the best person to turn to if you do not have an option.

Auto accidents are life-changing events. Any miscalculation could make detrimental changes to the victim’s quality of life. Taking the right steps could increase the auto accident victim’s quality of life over the long-term.

Desperate Measures: Staged Car Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Published on February 20, 2021

Cars

As the economy tries to recover, it’s likely that there will be a spike in criminal activity. After all, these are desperate times. Staged car accidents and pedestrian accidents are only some of the many scams that you could fall victim to, but what makes them particularly devious is that it’s difficult to tell them from actual car accidents.

There are more than six million car crashes in the U.S. every year, and this makes it difficult to weed out staged car accidents on a larger scale. It is, however, completely possible to protect yourself from these scams, but we first need to understand what staged car accidents are.

What Is a Staged Car Accident?

A staged car accident is a fraud scheme wherein criminals intentionally cause a car accident in order to blame you for being negligent and fraudulently receive compensation. A typical example of a staged car accident is when one or more motorists cause an accident that appears to be the victim’s fault. There are three general types of staged car accidents:

The False Yield – In a false yield, another driver may motion for you to merge or to take a turn, only to speed up and veer into your direction at the last moment in order to cause a collision. The driver will then deny ever having motioned for you to merge or turn.

Staged Read-End Accidents – This is similar to brake checking, except that the criminals intend to cause a rear-end accident. This is one of the more common staged car accidents because the driver in the tailing car is almost always held liable for the accident. The criminal may also have the passengers as accomplices to watch you for any signs of distraction, at which point, the criminal slams on their brakes.

Sideswipes – Sideswipes occur at busy intersections wherein criminals will intentionally sideswipe your vehicle even when you’ve barely even entered his turn lane. Sometimes, criminals will even cross into your lane in order to sideswipe you and allege that it was you, instead, that crossed the lane.

After an accident, criminals will almost always claim to have sustained injuries, property damage, and may even present fake witnesses as a means to increase the compensation they are owed. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect yourself from this type of fraud. Most of these things are the standard things that you should do after a car accident except that there are special details that you need to pay attention to. Here’s how you can protect yourself:

Document Everything

After a car accident, it’s important to call the police immediately. If you’re able to, make sure that you take photos and videos of the accident. Take note of the names and their corresponding contact information of everyone involved, especially eyewitnesses. When the police arrive, it’s very important that you report any suspicious activity to them.

It’s also during these times that dashcam footage is extremely valuable, as this is strong evidence that can help reveal what really happened in the events leading up to the accident. If you think that you’ve been a victim of a staged car accident, make sure to tell the police as well.

Even if it’s mere speculation at this point, it’s important to express your suspicions so that it gets included on the police report. The importance of this is so that this matter will later be raised during court proceedings.

Be Vigilant for Signs of a Staged Car Accident

Since car accidents happen so often, it’s very difficult to determine if an accident was authentic or if it was orchestrated by criminals. A good way to determine this is by looking out for some details of your accident.

Some things you need to be on the look out for are people who show up suddenly right after the accident who would recommend that you engage the services of a particular towing company, mechanic, or even doctor. It’s highly likely that this person, as well as the people being recommended are accomplices to the scheme.

Additionally, look out for fake witnesses who will try to contradict your recollection of the accident. These are also details that you need to share with police officers when they arrive.

Undergo a Medical Examination

A medical examination is the best piece of documentation to use if you need to secure compensation for your injuries. This is also the best way to detect any underlying injuries that might threaten your life or well-being later on. In almost every case, early detection is the key to treating many dangerous conditions and injuries.

Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company

If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of a staged car accident, you need to contact your insurance company and inform them. This information will help them determine the best way to address the situation. While this will put them on their guard, it’s far better to be safe than sorry. This will not only help keep you safe, but it will also help protect other policyholders from the same scam.

Hire a Lawyer

Finally, it’s important to hire a lawyer to help you with your claim. Not only are lawyers trained and knowledgeable, but they also have tools and connections that they can leverage to help serve your case. Economic damage experts like the ones from The Knowles Group are particularly helpful during car accident lawsuits.

Insurance fraud is a crime and it can lead to jail time. However, this only occurs if the insurer decides to turn the criminals over to law enforcement. If you’ve been a victim of a staged car accident, it’s important that you pursue legal action against the perpetrators. The last thing we need during these difficult times are people who take advantage of others. Stay vigilant and stay informed, but most importantly, stay safe.

Benefits of Using a Car Accident Attorney in Houston – 2021 Guide

Published on January 25, 2021March 21, 2021

Cars/Lawyer

If there is one thing that cannot be predicted is an accident because it happens with no warning or notification. Many people try to avoid car accidents, but the efforts usually do not pay off as accidents happen. Baumgartnerlawyers.com is a great starting point for anyone who wants the services of a car accident attorney in the region.

When an accident eventually occurs, it brings with it so many things, among them legal battles. Whether you are the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident or just involved in any way, you may find yourself faced with legal nightmares handled in court. Given your inexperience with the law guidelines, it might be hard for you to defend yourself properly, this is why you need to look for a car accident attorney.

Car accident attorneys are legally trained lawyers who help individuals by advocating for them after being involved in an accident. Car accidents are among the biggest causes of personal injury in Houston. Many people don’t know what to do after a car wreck.

Some people have even ended failing to get compensation, simply because they did not know what to do, due to the ignorance of the law and what they needed to do after the accident. This is why you need to look for a car accident attorney to help you, especially if the accident occurs due to the negligence of the other person.

If you were hurt in an accident from the negligence of another person, you might be compensated by the individual. The compensation comes typically in the form or a settlement. You can get compensation for a broad range of damages from the accident, like suffering, pain, medical bills, and other damages. All States also have their laws and regulations. Therefore, it is crucial to hire a licensed and qualified lawyer in your state. These legal professionals represent their clients in courts. However, the professionals can also work for an out of court settlement. Retain these services early after the accident. Look for the attorneys in your area that work on car accident claims. Picking a good lawyer can only help your case.

It is always best to hire an attorney in the city or town where the crash happened. Choosing an out of town lawyer puts you at a slight disadvantage and can run the costs up.

The innocent parties can still deal with the insurance companies in making a claim. Some of the insurance agencies are notoriously hard to deal with when making a claim. Some companies refuse to pay out a claim, even after their insured was found at fault by the police. The attorney you choose will help you in fighting for your rights in such cases. If you were involved in an accident with a person insured with a notorious insurer, you could not avoid the services of an attorney.

There are so many ways of finding a capable, professional, and reliable car lawyer to represent your interests. Use the internet to make sure you are hiring an attorney with a lot of personal injury experience. There are fields where knowledge is more important than even education, and the courtroom is one area.

Start by doing some simple Google search. However, the best lawyers are not necessarily listed in the search engines and may also not get top results. Therefore, you need to use some common sense to look into these professionals to determine whether they are capable and legit. Some suggestions for looking at attorneys for your case include:

Look at the law firm website- do they work on cases that do not involve personal injury?
Review your state’s Bar Association information on the lawyer- do they have complaints?
Does the attorney advertise? If so, it may be a firm with many cases. Will they have time for yours?
Ask for an in-person consultation. How does the office look?

Choosing the right attorney for your case is one of the most important first steps you can take to protect your rights after being injured in a car accident.

The attorney will use his or her skills to protect your rights and make sure that justice is served but also make sure this happens on time. There are cases where you might find a case dragging over the years. This is one thing that everyone who is involved in an accident will be looking to avoid.

The only way to avoid such a thing will be by looking for a top attorney to help you out. An experienced lawyer will use his or her skills to handle your case and work to get the compensation you so much deserve.

If you go for an out of court settlement, then an attorney will also be beneficial to you. At the end of the whole process, a good attorney will do everything they can to ensure that you get justice in your case. However, as said above, your chances of success are better with a top attorney.

When looking for one to help you with this process, you need to stick to the factors listed above. Some attorneys are not well experienced in personal injury as it is needed. Sometimes, you might be approached by some attorneys who will claim to have the right skills for this process.

You need to be very careful as such attorneys might just be interested in your money and nothing else. They may lack the skills and the talent needed to handle an accident case either with an insurance company or the other party.

If you hire such people for this process, then you may lose in the wrong run. The factors listed above are some things that you can use as considerations to find an attorney for your car accident.

Do Insurance Companies Hire Private Investigators?

Published on December 5, 2020

Uncategorized

If you have an ongoing legal case where you’ve perhaps been hurt and want to recover damages, you have to be careful about your lifestyle. There’s a very real chance surveillance is going on to determine if you really are hurt and your claims are true.

If you’re used to living a luxurious lifestyle or even an especially active lifestyle, you might want to hold back a bit during ongoing litigation.

As the Gomez Trial Attorneys states, if you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you do have injuries, but they’re not necessarily impacting your ability to travel or do certain things, like working out or going skiing.

Is there a chance the insurance company working against you could hire a private investigator, uncover these activities, and it could derail your lawsuit? The answer is maybe.

The following are things to know about the potential for insurance companies to hire private investigators.

Do Insurance Companies Watch You?

If you’re living the high life in the midst of pending litigation, yes, in some cases an insurance company might be watching you. You have the remember the entire objective of an insurance company in these instances is to pay you as little as they possibly can.

Social media is a big way for insurance companies to see what you’re doing even without hiring a private investigator.

For example, if you post social media photos of a luxury Caribbean vacation, but you’re supposed to be injured after a car accident, it can be a problem. The insurance company can say you aren’t as injured as you were claiming to be.

Insurance adjusters can and do try to damage crash victims’ credibility, so think twice about living the big life until everything is settled and finished.

There is a wide range of monitoring options they can use, discussed below.

How Do Private Investigators Surveil Accident Victims?

It can seem intrusive and wrong that a private investigator would be treating you like a criminal after you were hurt in an accident, but again, you have to frame this from the insurance company’s perspective. Their only goal is to avoid paying or to pay as little as they can.

Private investigators may use the following tactics when surveilling accident victims.

Electronic surveillance includes looking at your social media posts and scouring the internet for any other information that could be damaging to your case.
Stakeouts are also called fixed surveillance. In these situations, an investigator might watch you from a particular location to see who you’re with and what you’re doing.
The use of an unmanned device can track your activities from a particular location. Technically, this is known as stationary technical surveillance.
An investigator might also be assigned to track you throughout your day, monitoring all of your activities.

It’s common for investigators to use a combination of these tactics so that they’re nearly always watching you.

Private investigators might be hired to look into all sorts of claims, including slip and fall, product liability, personal injury, disability insurance, and more.

While the insurance company ultimately doesn’t want to pay if they don’t have to, there are real instances of fraud they are trying to avoid.

Is It Legal?

It is generally speaking legal for a private investigator to follow you. As long as there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, then there shouldn’t be a legal issue on the part of the investigator or the insurance company.

If evidence is collected in a public setting, it’s legally obtained in most cases.

Of course, there are limits on what private investigators can do.

For example, they can’t trespass onto your private property or go into your home without your consent. They can’t hack into your accounts or devices or put a tracking device on your vehicle.

They also aren’t allowed to impersonate a law enforcement official.

So what should you do if you’re worried you could find yourself in this situation?

Protecting Yourself from Private Investigators

If you’re in the middle of a lawsuit, you need to be careful and vigilant. You need to make sure that you’re mindful of what you’re doing when you’re in public and even working around your home.

If your treating doctor told you not to do a certain activity, then don’t, at least for the time being.

The more severe your injury, the higher the value of your case. In high-value cases involving potentially severe injuries, it becomes increasingly likely your insurance company would use a private investigator.

Know your rights in these situations, and if you aren’t sure, speak to your lawyer.

If you see someone trespassing, tell them to leave. If they won’t, you may need to get law enforcement involved.

You should also go over your social media accounts with a fine-tooth comb.

Limit your accounts to private settings or delete them altogether.

Think not just about what you’re posting on your own profiles, but what friends and family members might be posting about you. Don’t accept friend requests from anyone you don’t know.

If you have already been under surveillance and you’re worried about what the private investigator may have found out, a personal injury lawyer can work to minimize the impact.

Signs a Private Investigator is Watching You

What are some signs you’re being watched?

If you see the same car or persona behind you or near you repeatedly, take notice. If you can see a license plate, write it down so you’ll remember the next time. Does it look like there’s a car frequently hanging around your neighborhood?

Many private investigators will use similar types of cars such as sedans or vans that are neutral. They may have tinted windows. In some cases, private investigators may even use service vehicles.

If you’re in the midst of a legal case, just be very watchful about what’s going on around you and thoughtful of your actions. It can make a difference in whether or not you receive a substantial settlement.

6 Dumb Insurance Mistakes Even Smart People Make after a Crash

Published on November 28, 2020November 28, 2020

Insurance

A car accident is never something for which you make a plan. Everyone is well aware that there is a good chance they will be involved in at least one accident at some point in their life. The hope is always that when that day comes, you only suffer minor damages. Some people may do some research, but nobody is ever really prepared. After an accident, you will likely be disoriented, which makes it quite easy to make one of these six common mistakes.

When going up against an insurance company after an accident, you are at a disadvantage on many different levels. You are quite possibly injured and not in your best frame of mind. There is a good chance this is your first accident, while the insurance adjuster does their role every day. The insurance adjuster also has specific training in trying to trick you into making a mistake that devalues your claim.

Here we present you with six of the most common mistakes that people make when dealing with an insurance adjuster after an accident and how best to avoid them.

1. Filing an Insurance Claim Too Quickly

When involved in an accident, you are going to want to exchange insurance information with any other drivers involved in the crash. Learn more about the documents you should always have on you when driving, which are your driver’s license, car registration, and proof of vehicle insurance. After the crash, if the other driver was at fault for the accident, you are going to want to file a claim with their insurance.

A problem that many drivers face is that they file the claim too quickly. There is a statute of limitations on filing a claim, so you can’t wait forever. However, that time period is typically years, not days. When drivers file a claim too quickly, it often comes back to bite them. They later realize that the claim didn’t come anywhere near covering all of the costs that they accrued from the accident.

Many serious injuries are not immediately diagnosed after an accident. It can take a few weeks before all of the damage that has been done, is fully uncovered. Those who filed too quickly may find that they have missed the chance to get these other injuries covered.

Insurance adjusters are aware of all of these things. That is why, if they know their client is at fault, they may contact you on the day of the accident, before you get in touch with them.

2. Accepting a Settlement Offer Too Soon

Often an insurance adjuster will offer you a settlement the first time they speak to you. Never accept that first offer and do not engage in discussions about counteroffers. The initial offer is typically far below what you can get if you aren’t overhasty. You have no way of knowing the full worth of your claim so early in the process.

In addition to medical expenses that have not presented themselves yet, there may be many secondary costs like lost wages or pain and suffering costs.

3. Giving a Recorded Statement

An insurance agent is likely to push you for a recorded statement of the incident. They will claim that the purpose of this is to help in determining liability. However, the true intent of the statement is to trick you into saying something that you shouldn’t. They will ask leading questions and try to get you to say things that they can use against you to devalue your claim.

Don’t ever give an insurance adjuster a recorded statement. Politely decline and end the conversation. The less you talk to an insurance adjuster in general, the better your position.

4. Posting on Social Media

Social media has become a huge part of the world in which we live. Many people post all about their lives on one platform or another, so, of course, they would post about a big car accident in which they were involved. However, a seemingly harmless post can have devastating effects on your insurance claim. Your words and photos can potentially be used to devalue your claim in a variety of ways.

After an accident, avoiding social media altogether is going to be your best course of action. At the very least, you should switch all of your privacy settings to the highest level. There have been cases where private accounts were opened to the court, but those are very rare. To be on the safe side, though, a social media blackout is the way to go.

5. Giving Authorization for Releasing Medical Records

An insurance adjuster will often request access to your medical records so they can see the files for the damages you are claiming from the crash. This request may seem innocent enough, but it is far from it. They will use your authorization to comb through all of your medical records. Every single item in your medical history, going back to when you were born.

The purpose of this search is to find anything they can use against you. They will look for anything that might suggest a preexisting condition that contributed to your injuries and undervalue your claim in this way. Deny any requests for medical records.

6. Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Choosing not to hire an attorney can be an incredibly costly mistake. Many people think that hiring a lawyer will cost too much money, and insurance adjusters will often try to nurture this idea. However, most personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency basis, which means that they don’t get paid unless you do.

Some people still think that the amount of their eventual fee will eat away far too much of the money gained in the settlement. In reality, people who hire an attorney often get several times the amount they would have gotten without one. So, even after their fee, the client has a much higher settlement amount.

Hiring a qualified personal injury attorney helps to level the playing field. It is no longer a professional insurance adjuster against an amateur victim. Instead, it’s two pros giving it their all. Hiring an attorney has the added benefit of giving you the peace of mind of knowing there is someone taking care of things with the insurance company and that you don’t have to. You can just sit back, relax, and focus on your recovery.

Whiplash: Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment

Published on September 24, 2020

Health

The term “whiplash” first appeared in 1928. At the time, another commonly used term “railway spine” explained a similar condition when people are involved in unfortunate train accidents. Likewise, whiplash is a condition that occurs when an individual’s neck suddenly moves forward and then backward resulting in extreme strain. Whiplash commonly happens as a result of a car accident. Whiplash injury is referred to as the damage in bone structures and soft tissues whereas whiplash-associated disorders are a more critical chronic condition.

Many people involved in a minor car accident recover without experiencing any chronic symptoms. On the contrary, some people experience symptoms for even years. Considering the uncertain situation, whiplash is a serious condition and if not treated on time can lead to adverse health issues. You should consult a whiplash doctor even when you have little or no pain. Here are a few reasons to help you understand why seeking whiplash treatment is important.

After the car accident, your body frequently releases adrenaline that covers the painful areas in an emergency. The hormone wears off with time consequently resulting in extreme pain.
On the first day of your injury, you may commonly experience swelling in the affected areas. This swelling is a defensive response. Though at the same time it exerts pressure on injuries resulting in more tenderness and stiffness.
Many whiplash injuries affect the delicate muscles and ligaments. If not treated on time, your everyday activities will further make them worse. You never know when a small or frequently overlooked injury becomes extremely painful and unbearable in the long run.

Considering these factors, we advise you consulting a doctor and seeking medical treatment should be your foremost priority. In case you are experiencing severe neck or back pain, you should first visit the emergency room to get the required treatment. On the other hand, if you are not feeling any pain, book an appointment at Marietta Chiropractic Clinic on the very next day. You are more likely to have pain or firmness that won’t immediately appear after the accident.

Curing the Whiplash

The treatment for whiplash primarily depends on the type and intensity of the injury. Whiplash is the sudden forward and backward motion as mentioned above resulting in varied types of injuries – they may be referred to as whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). There are multiple tests involved in addition to simply X-ray. The doctor will thoroughly evaluate the pain you are experiencing to figure out the recommended treatment. Some of these include:

Physical and Massage therapy
Chiropractic treatments (spinal adjustments)
Physical workout commonly involving stretches and strengthening exercises
Wearing a neck brace- a soft cervical collar for neck pain relief
NSAIDs and pain medicine
Use of specific injections such as epidural to restrict pain impulses and let the tissue heal quickly

In addition to the treatment options mentioned above, there is much more to that following a sequence of medical tests and evaluations. Once the type and intensity of the injury is diagnosed, a specific treatment will be executed to help you get rid of the condition as soon as possible.

Whiplash Injuries and Official Diagnosis

When it comes to whiplash injuries, there are many misconceptions you will commonly come across. Therefore, seeking and following the doctor’s advice is worth consideration. The first misconception is whiplash injuries only occur at low speed and as a result of low impact collisions. The second myth involves the side-effects and health concerns caused by whiplash. Though whiplash injuries frequently involve soft tissues that may take up to several days to reveal, they can result in critical symptoms and long-term pain. For instance, you may not seriously take nausea or headache, nevertheless, it can be an indication of concussion.

You may also want to acquire some self-treatments such as icing or painkillers. Though make sure to consult a doctor for examination and follow their recommendation whether it’s about medical tests or medication. Considering the expected and unexpected consequences of whiplash injuries, seeking medical care is important. As treating whiplash injuries can be expensive, a detailed doctor diagnosis and treatment will help you acquire the suitable compensation that you deserve.

Self-Care Whiplash Tips at Home

Since every whiplash is different from another, it’s essential to follow the recommended instructions by your doctor. Generally, self-care for whiplash involves:

Application of ice within the 24 hours
Using pain killer or NSAID to relieve from pain or swelling
Wearing a neck collar or using a neck pillow when sleeping to keep the neck position in the most appropriate manner
Avoid performing any physical activities that involve exerting force on the affected areas

The recommendations we have listed above will help you heal the injury in the best possible way. Many doctors will keep on suggesting you, follow these instructions to heal the affected areas smoothly and gently. For example, if the doctor recommends you wear a neck brace, they will also let you know when and how frequently you should wear it. Follow the little details to prevent any pain. At the same time, they will suggest you certain stretches or strengthening exercises. These gentle exercises will help in healing soft tissue injuries whereas complete rest can prevent or slow down the healing process. Irrespective of the case, you should follow the doctor’s recommendations no matter what.

Conclusion:

Car accidents are unfortunate occurrences of life. These can be traumatic experiences requiring a great deal of time and effort to combat the situation. One common condition as a result of a car accident is whiplash. At times, it can be quite confusing to figure out whether you are suffering from any whiplash injuries. The condition tends to get better over time if you are following a treatment plan as recommended by the doctor. On the contrary, some people may suffer from chronic pain that is even more complicated and long-lasting. Make sure to get yourself checked and treated without wasting any precious time that may further worsen the condition.

Uninsured or Unidentifies Road Traffic Accidents

Published on August 21, 2020August 25, 2020

Cars

Road traffic accidents are a frightening experience. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be almost as traumatizing. When an accident involves an uninsured or unidentified driver, you’ll need to follow some basic steps closely to protect yourself.

Responsible drivers should always hold active insurance on their vehicles, but for a law-abiding citizen involved in an accident where the other driver does not have insurance, there must be justice. As the consequences of any road traffic accident may have life-changing consequences, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) was set up to specifically compensate the victims of uninsured or unidentified road users.

In a normal car accident claim, a claim for compensation would be taken against the person responsible for the accident. Yet, when that person is either unknown or uninsured, a claim for compensation is taken against the MIBI instead. The process of taking a claim against the MIBI is slightly different than other claims and for that reason it is important to engage a solicitor experienced in uninsured claims.

Unlike other road traffic accidents, these initial steps are very important for accidents involving an uninsured or unidentified driver. Depending on the circumstances, the following steps may not need to be completed in the order given. As each accident is unique, certain steps may not need to be taken, or may take precedence over the other.

Step 1 – Call the Gardaí

While we would always advise people involved in a traffic accident to call the Gardaí, this advice is especially pertinent if it involves an uninsured or unidentified road user. There may be a possible criminal matter to be investigated, or it may be nothing as nefarious. Yet, having the Garda at the scene first gives you the ability to share your information and allows them to make an official report. A report is not only for possible further investigation but also for insurance reasons. The Garda can also assess if you or someone else needs medical treatment and they can give guidance on how to best handle any further steps.

Step 2 – Gather as much information as you can

After the accident when you are in a position to do so, write down any and all information in relation to the accident. Include the date and time of the accident as well as the location of the accident. If the accident involved private property, you should also get the owner’s name, address, and phone number. In cases involving an uninsured driver, you should record the registration number of their vehicle, along with their name, address, and phone number. You should also take down the details of anyone who witnessed the accident. In addition to gathering information, we would advise that you take as many pictures as you can of the scene of the accident as well as any injuries you may have sustained.

Step 3 – Determine your next steps

Should you move the cars? For a minor accident, moving the cars off the road can be helpful, but beware of any leaking fluids. If it’s a more severe accident, then direct traffic around the accident if possible and wait for assistance.

Warn other drivers about your accident. If you can’t move your vehicle, you should turn on the hazard lights and if possible, set up orange warning triangles so other drivers are aware there was an accident.

Call for help. If you or anyone in the other vehicle is injured, calling emergency services in addition to the Garda is an absolute necessity. A person’s health and well-being should always take precedence over a vehicular accident, so this may need to be the first step taken.

Stay at the scene. Legally, you must stay at the scene for a reasonable amount of time, to ensure that your car is removed, that the Garda as well as the other driver has your information, and that the road is able to resume normal traffic again.

It is important to assess the accident as soon as you possibly can to determine your steps. These steps may not need to be done in the order mentioned here, but they should be completed so there is an accurate record of the accident and the individuals involved.

Further, if the accident involved a fatality, there will probably be an investigation by the Garda and a coroner. Further steps may include an inquest and criminal prosecution.

Get in touch with us

If you have been injured in an accident involving an uninsured/unidentified road user, it’s important that you seek legal advice from an experienced solicitor as soon as possible. You only have 2 years from the date of your accident in which to initiate your claim.

The role of a solicitor is to acquire and document the relevant details, submit the relevant applications, negotiate settlements, and represent you if your case ever goes to court. That’s why it’s important that you choose a firm, such as O’Brien Murphy Solicitors, with experience and a proven track record when it comes to uninsured/unidentified road traffic accident cases.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, our offices remain open. Please contact us for any further information.