Why You Should Hire an Accident Lawyer
Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident or are the victim of someone else’s negligence, it’s important to seek the help of a good accident lawyer. A personal injury lawyer specializes in tort law, which is the area of law that deals with injuries and accidents.
Time is of the essence in dealing with automobile accident claims
Putting a little extra thought into your automobile accident claim can go a long way in ensuring you get the best payout possible. While it is tempting to attempt the self-service route, you may be better off enlisting the help of a competent attorney. This can be a big decision, but it will pay off in the long run. Fortunately, the Miley Legal Group is here to assist you with all your legal needs. This includes your uninsured automobile accident claim.
Time is of the essence when it comes to filing an automobile accident claim. If you haven’t done it yet, you could be missing out on a big payoff. This is especially true if you were in an accident where the other driver was at fault. You will also want to get medical treatment right away, as many insurance companies will refuse to cover injuries that have not been reported yet. This is a time sensitive matter, so be sure to do your homework. If you are unsure of how to proceed, contact the Miley Legal Group today. This firm offers free consultations, and will be happy to explain the legal jargon to you in plain English.
The best time to speak with an attorney is during business hours, so be sure to make your appointment on time. If you haven’t been in an automobile accident recently, you may be surprised at how quickly you will need a lawyer. The Miley Legal Group has a staff of highly skilled attorneys who will handle all aspects of your case from start to finish.
Gather information from other motorists and witnesses
Identifying witnesses is a critical step in determining liability claims. You should be able to get a detailed list of the other drivers involved in the crash and ask them to provide information about themselves.
Your attorney will likely have access to medical experts who can testify about your injuries and the impact the accident had on your body. It’s important to have medical records to prove that your injuries are legitimate. You can also get video footage of the accident. This footage can also be used to show how serious your injuries are.
An accident reconstruction expert can also be brought in to help establish the fault of the at-fault party. These experts include doctors, medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and economists.
It’s also important to gather as much evidence as possible. This can include a copy of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. It can also include details about the crash, including photos of the scene and witness statements.
In addition to the police report, you should also collect the contact information of the at-fault driver and witnesses. Write down their contact information, including their name, address, phone number, and any insurance information they have. Obtaining these details will allow you to contact them if you need to.
You can also ask witnesses to write down what they saw. Some witnesses will even sign their statements, giving you a written account of the accident. This will help strengthen your case.
Be respectful of the witnesses and don’t push them to give you their testimony. Some witnesses may be too busy to help. They might be too distracted to provide unbiased accounts of the accident. This can affect your credibility.
Avoid intersections to reduce the chances of a car accident
Almost half of all car crashes occur at intersections. These crashes pose a major threat to the occupants of a vehicle. They can lead to serious injuries or even death.
Taking extra precautions at intersections can help avoid accidents. Drivers should take the time to look both directions before crossing an intersection. This way, they can be sure that they are not inadvertently obstructing another vehicle.
Drivers should also watch for pedestrians. These people may be oblivious to traffic signals or be tempted to roll through a stop sign when no one else is around. This can be dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Drivers should also be careful when approaching intersections with yellow lights. This is because drivers run the risk of colliding with another driver who is speeding through the light. Also, drivers should be wary of pedestrians who are crossing in crosswalks. Pedestrians may be looking at their phones, which can cause them to miss the driver in front of them.
Drivers should also be careful when making right turns. This is because pedestrians are often hard to spot at intersections. They may be stepping out into the street, or even swerving into the lane of the driver in front of them. Drivers should be careful to signal appropriately and wait until traffic clears before making their turn.
Drivers should also be careful when approaching intersections during winter. Ice on the roads can exacerbate the risk of collisions. Drivers should be prepared to stop in case of an accident. Ice also reduces visibility.
Drivers should also be wary of stop-and-go traffic. This type of traffic can lead to rear-end collisions. In some states, drivers are not allowed to change lanes mid-intersection.
Preparing for a civil jury trial
Depending on your state, the car accident lawsuit will be tried by a jury. Whether you win or lose, you will be entitled to money from the jury’s decision.
Preparing for a civil jury trial involves more than just preparing the right evidence. A good attorney will make sure you are properly prepared for every step of the process.
For instance, you may want to prepare for a pre-trial meeting with the Judge. At these meetings, you will discuss your case, the strategy you will use, and settlement options.
There are also multiple documents that you will need to bring to the trial. These might include medical records, police reports, and financial records. You should make copies of each and make sure you label them appropriately.
You will also need to prepare for your cross examination. This is where you will answer questions posed to you by the other side’s attorney.
If you are not comfortable with speaking in front of a jury, you may want to request that the court provide interpreter services. This will allow you to understand the testimony of the other side’s witnesses.
The most common form of preparation involves four to five hours of practice. Typically, the smallest time requirement is ten minutes of testimony.
One of the easiest ways to prepare for a trial is to make copies of key documents and have them ready to give to the judge. You should not give original documents to the other side, though. The most important thing to remember is to make a good impression.
If you have been in an accident, you may want to hire a personal injury attorney. An attorney will help you understand your situation, protect your rights, and determine whether or not you have a case.
Punitive damages
Generally, there are two types of damages that can be awarded in a personal injury lawsuit. These are compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are designed to cover the costs associated with the physical injury. They can also include lost wages, out-of-pocket litigation costs, and property damages.
Punitive damages are awarded when the defendant committed an act that was malicious, willful, or reckless. The purpose of these damages is to deter future bad behavior. They are also intended to serve as a public example to the defendant.
The laws governing punitive damages vary by state. Some states have caps on the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded. Others do not allow punitive damages at all. In addition, federal law may also influence the amount of punitive damages awarded.
Punitive damages are usually awarded when an at-fault party shows a “high degree of moral turpitude,” meaning that the defendant acted in a way that was in violation of community standards. Some states require a clear and convincing proof of this level of negligence before a punitive damages award can be made.
In the case of McDonald’s, an older woman was severely burned when a hot coffee spilled on her. She filed a personal injury lawsuit against the restaurant. The lawsuit claimed that McDonald’s failed to respond adequately to the risk of burns, and therefore, negligently injured her. In addition, McDonald’s neglected to properly treat her for the burns, and she had to undergo skin grafts.
While the jury considered the severity of the injuries, it also assessed the defendant’s recklessness. In this case, McDonald’s failed to take steps to protect the public, and as a result, Stella Liebeck suffered severe burns. She had to undergo two years of treatment and lost nearly a fifth of her body weight.
