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Kai Alana

Attorney

Are You Seeking Local Injury Attorney in Virginia?

Do you need legal help to deal with an accident today? You can arrange a free legal consultation with the best legal representation in Wytheville, Virginia without any legal obligations today. Click here for help.  

Legal Injury Cases: An Overview 

Motor vehicle accidents are unfortunately a common sight in the United States. In Virginia, there are more than 65,000 injuries each year. However, injuries do not begin to comprehend the pain experienced by accident victims. For example, over 400,000 people are bankrupt in the US each year due to medical bills. If you or your loved one has been in an accident, you need to safeguard your interests to protect your future in many ways. You will not only require legal representation to secure your job, but also to seek financial compensation, deal with third parties like insurance, and deal with the legal mess in the nick of time to move on to bigger things. 

Here is What You Need to do After an Accident! 

Report a Crash First: many individuals panic after an accident, naturally so. However, you need to report the accident to the police immediately. This is usually important for two reasons. Firstly, it shows that you took initiative in order to inform the authorities, and brought a legal matter to the attention of authorities. This helps solidify your case. Secondly, in order to avail compensation – you need an official report from the police documenting the incident. The official report is essential for outlining who was at fault, the amount of damage incurred, and eventually, determining the potential liabilities. 

File a Lawsuit for Personal Injuries Immediately: in Virginia, you can file a lawsuit for personal injuries within two years of the incident. However, accident claims require a time to settle due to lengthy investigations, delay in procedures like hearings, and successfully building a case with expertise. 

Conclusion: Immediate Legal Help is Often Essential! 

Accident cases shouldn’t be complex ideally. As we have mandatory insurance requirements, legal cases shouldn’t be required in most cases. However, due to the inability of many to secure property damage, high costs of potential premiums, and legal loopholes, legal help is often essential for accident victims. For example, many a time’s insurance will cover property damage to your vehicle; however, many do not cover potential medical expenses. Moreover, coverage, and insurance type vary widely depending on if it was a motorbike accident, pedestrian collision, commercial entities like trucks, and car accidents. Furthermore, accident cases often require thorough investigation in order to represent a solid legal ground. 

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Lawyer

Everett car accident: Check important laws in Washington State here!

Car crashes can often result in serious injuries and losses. Such auto wrecks and accidents, unfortunately, are quite common in Washington state. If you were injured in an accident in Everett, your immediate step should be about informing the local police. Call 911 without delay if someone is injured or in need of medical assistance. You may also want to consult an Everett car accident attorney. In this post, read more about car accident laws in Washington State and why you need legal representation. 

Should you report the accident?

Anyone involved in an auto accident – including pedestrians and property owners – must report the accident and complete the Motor Vehicle Collision Report. Accidents that result in injury or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported. If you called the local police after the accident and a law enforcement officer investigates the accident scene, you don’t need to file a report separately. 

The statute of limitations

Washington State’s statute of limitations allows three years to file an injury lawsuit after an auto accident. If you intend to take action against the driver at fault, you must take measures within this deadline, or else, your case will be dismissed in all likelihood. For wrongful death lawsuits, the deadline remains the same. 

The pure comparative negligence rule

What happens when more than one party is at fault? Washington State follows the pure comparative negligence rule. If you were negligent, you can still file a lawsuit against the other driver at fault and recover money, even when your fault share is more than 50%. However, your settlement will be reduced by your share of negligence in percentage. 

Why do you need a car accident attorney?

Car crashes are often complicated in real life, and if you don’t take immediate action, you may miss valuable information, evidence, and witnesses. If you want to file a claim against the at-fault driver, you are responsible for proving everything in the claim. To add to your woes, insurance companies are rarely compassionate to victims. The claims adjuster may try to push the blame or use flimsy reasons to minimize the settlement. Hiring a car accident attorney is your best bet at protecting your interests. A good lawyer knows what it takes to negotiate, and they would do anything to get you a fair settlement. 

Call an attorney in Everett soon after the accident to get impartial advice for your claim.

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Law

Writing a Successful Vehicle Bill of Sale – Top Steps to Follow

An Auto bill of sale form is needed in a lot of states for the registration of used cars that are purchased newly. Such kinds of states generally need an auto bill of sale that is state-specific, which documents all the particular details – like getting real odometer / mileage reading of the used vehicle or the purchase price for tax assessment. In such states, there is no acceptance given to a generic auto bill of sale form. A state specific auto bill of sale form must be obtained. Here are some of the most important steps that you should follow at the time of writing a bill of sale for vehicle in a successful way.

Liability

It is among the most vital aspects of a Vehicle Bill of Sale document in most states. Whether you are selling or buying, you have to be clear regarding your liability. Make sure that you mention whether the car is being sold in an “As-Is” fashion. In that case, the purchaser will assume all the responsibility for the vehicle – including repairs in the future. Alternatively, you have to mention whether you are selling the car with a limited warranty.

Personal Safety

During sale or purchase of a car from some unknown party, it is important to be mindful of personal safety. You need to have a legally valid document which specifies where exactly the transaction would occur. It is best to get the transaction carried out in a safe spot, where the transfer of money would be done, such as the bank of the seller or the buyer. You also need to be careful in case the other party attempts to change the location of the car delivery. There could be risks involved in that case.

Responsibilities

You have to use a Bill of Sale to detail all the important responsibilities, which can reduce the risks of conflict, writing all the steps of transfer. There are plenty of DMV requirements that a car bill of sale in Alabama needs to mention. Your Bill of Sale must address all the important issues, like:

  • Types of documents needed for transfer
  • Use Tax
  • Transfer fee needed by DMV
  • DMV requirement for odometer disclosures
  • DMV requirement for smog certification

Your bill of sale in Alabama needs to explain clearly whether you – the seller, or the buyer, would be responsible for the completion of the requirements aforementioned. For instance, rules and regulations in many states mention that the purchaser bears the responsibility for use tax and transfer fee. This should be reflected by your bill of sale terms.

Financial Safety

Once you document all the vehicle as well as buyer and seller details, you have to include details regarding the mode of payment. You also need to include the exact sum that both parties have consented to. The date of sale must be included as well. Keep in mind that this document serves as the sale receipt, and thus – it is essential to put in a date. It is also necessary to document the date of sale because the DMV in almost every state demands that the title transfer of a car occurs within a specific number of days after the sale date. The payment method must be mentioned as well, which can help safeguard the seller.

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Personal Injury

Different Types Of Personal Injury 

Personal injury can cover a variety of claims and broadly refers to any physical, psychological, or emotional harm caused either intentionally or unintentionally by someone’s actions. Today we are going to discuss the different types of personal injury cases handled by a professional.

  • Medical Malpractice

Often serious injuries are caused by negligence on the part of the doctor, hospital, medical professionals, and even pharmaceutical companies. Some popular types of injuries arising from this are surgical errors, misdiagnosis, childbirth errors, neglected treatment, and pharmacy errors. The different types of medical malpractices require unique follow-up by experts who can evaluate the case and suggest rightful legal action for financially compensating the loss. 

  • Hazardous Drug Use

Drugs should ideally conform to safety protocols. But often these are overlooked especially when the drug is outsourced. This is caused by negligence on the pharmaceutical company’s part. You can take the example of a drug that consists of a common allergen but this is not mentioned in its packaging. Similarly, some drugs can prove to be hazardous for children but this is not disclosed upfront by the drug company. Consumers might succumb to life-threatening results following the usage of such drugs. An attorney can guide his clients towards class-action lawsuits against the pharmaceutical company. Usually, the drug corporations have a big team of lawyers working at their disposal heightening the importance of a personal injury lawyer’s appointment even more for the plaintiff. 

  • Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents are becoming extremely common with more and more people working in labor-intensive setups. Factories involving chemicals, machinery, and equipment stand at heightened risk of such hazards. Often negligence on the part of the employer can add to the chances of workplace accidents. While these lawsuits usually fall under worker’s compensation claims, the personal injury sustained might differ from one state to another. You can get assistance from a personal injury lawyer in such a case for finding the best way to deal with such legalities. They will fight with the worker’s compensation insurance agency of your employer who will try and bring down your amount of payout. 

  • Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle accidents amount to a large share of annual death on roadways making them one of the most common forms of personal injury cases. In most scenarios, the car accident results from negligence on someone else’s part. A personal injury attorney will help you in getting the requisite compensation from the party at fault. They will provide all adequate backing so that the plaintiff doesn’t have to bear the financial losses such as immediate medical bills, potential ones which might arise in the future, and lost wages of missed workdays from his pocket. 

  • Truck Accident

Improper maintenance of a commercial truck can cause accidents on road. A personal injury attorney can help by proving that the accident was caused by the truck driver who violated certain rules or didn’t keep up with the truck maintenance properly. 

Final Words

Accidents occur without any prior warning. However, if someone else is accounted for the same, then you can seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer for ensuring fair compensation. These specialists possess an in-depth understanding of the law which simply cannot be gained from overnight research. They also take various non-economic factors like pain and suffering into account which requires rich subject knowledge. There are instances of personal injury cases being drawn for years when not handled in the right manner which is why appointing an attorney is of utmost importance. Before deciding on a Stockton personal injury attorney, you can enquire about the types of cases they have handled previously. Often the lawyers offer free consultations to prospective clients so that they can talk about their issues without any expense. 

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Lawyer

Why Do You Always Need Truck Accident Lawyers?

Trucks are very large vehicles so whenever an accident involving one happens, the results are catastrophic. These results often end up being even worse because victims decide not to hire truck accident lawyers to represent them. No matter what you think right now, the truth is you have to hire someone to help. Munley Law attorneys highlight the main reason for that below.

Insurance Companies Are Dishonest

After the accident, insurance adjusters quickly gather information about everything that happened. This includes gathering evidence to figure out a fair settlement amount. Then, they will offer a settlement amount. The problem is that the settlement amount offered will not be as high as it is warranted.

When you sign the deal offered by the insurance company, the claim is over and you cannot ask for more in the future. The truck accident lawyer will analyze the deal you are offered so that it is a certainty it is as high as it should be. If not, negotiations happen and you will surely end up getting more. But, this is very hard without the help of an attorney since you most likely have no idea how to negotiate with someone as experienced as an insurance adjuster.

Not Worrying About Saying Something Wrong

If accidents lead to costly damages, several insurance companies can get involved. They will constantly pressure you to accept lower settlements. All the stress that affects you can easily lead to you agreeing to bad deals. When stress levels are high, it is very easy to say something that will hurt your case.

The truck accident attorney will make sure that nothing improper is said during the negotiations. This is very important to remember since even a simple statement like “I am sorry” can end up being used against you in court.

Several Complications Can Appear

The injured party is allowed to seek fair compensation from absolutely all parties that shared responsibility for the accident. The problem is you can only do this when you have evidence. Having a truck accident lawyer by your side will guarantee you do not have to worry about anything bad that might happen since their experience guarantees they can deal with anything that might be unexpected.

Recovering Non-Economic Damages

Insurance companies might end up offering a large settlement capable of covering all the medical bills. Although this is the case, it is important to stay cautious and not instantly agree to the deal. This is because you might have much larger losses than what you initially calculated. For instance, because of your injuries, you might have lost days at work. Personal injury law allows you to receive compensation to cover your lost wages. When these are not included in the insurance settlement, it is not a fair deal for you.

As you can easily notice, having a truck accident attorney in your corner will help you much more than you might think. There are several other things that can be said about why you need to hire one but those mentioned above should be enough for you to make the correct choice

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Bankruptcy

Filing bankruptcy needs a clear understanding of legal issues – Must-haves of an attorney

Did you recently run into a financial jam due to which you’ve been desperately searching for debt relief options that could temporarily help you handle your problems? One of the biggest blunders that people make is ticking off bankruptcy from their options list. They are scared of filing bankruptcy due to the opinions and assumptions held by others and the negative information that is found on the internet.

Moreover, emotions can also turn your choice to be trickier. During a time you’re suffering financially, your emotions are also in a state of haywire. As you start struggling with retaining your mental peace, panic attacks may seem moments away. This is why it is vital to take action with proper intention and knowledge. 

How can a bankruptcy attorney aid your financial case?

If you wish to stay afloat during tough financial times, hiring a Las Vegas bankruptcy attorney may be a worthy decision. Here are the reasons why:

  • An attorney, in the first place, tells you whether or not your current financial situation demands filing bankruptcy
  • He advises you on the type of bankruptcy to choose – whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13
  • He offers input on the tax ramifications you may face
  • He advises you on whether or not  you should keep making payments to your creditors

It’s tough to figure out a trustworthy bankruptcy attorney – Steps to choose one

Check out some key factors that you should keep in mind when you shop around for hiring a bankruptcy attorney who can represent you. 

  • Appoint a highly competent attorney

The first question to ask the bankruptcy attorney is about his experience. No, it is not always true that an attorney with long experience will be perfectly armed than someone with lower experience. What matters more is the total number of cases that the attorney has handled successfully. In fact, the NACBA (National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys) recommends that there are many attorneys who have been working for a long time but who haven’t yet mastered the main subject. Hence, choose wisely.

  • Watch out for a specialist

Lawyers usually practice in different areas and the smartest decision on your part would be to choose someone who has expertise in bankruptcy law. Lawyers who dilly-dally a little bit of everything will most likely be unaware of the intricate areas of bankruptcy law. Is he a member of associations like the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys? If yes, that is a positive sign!

  • Attorneys with local know-how are preferable

Apart from being an expert in bankruptcy laws, the lawyer should also be well-acquainted with the local laws of the court where you have planned to file your bankruptcy case. The procedures of bankruptcy usually vary from one locality to another. Hence, it is always a better option to focus on a bankruptcy attorney who has practiced at local courts. They can use the local personnel for the benefit of the case.

  • You should be comfortable working with the attorney

At the end of the day, since it is you who will be working with the bankruptcy attorney, you should be comfortable with him. Hire someone who is patient enough to listen to you and gather all the minute specifics of your case. This will give him a better understanding of your situation and hence represent you in an appropriate way. Never make a decision that is entirely based on price. 

So, when you’re thinking of filing bankruptcy to stay afloat amidst tough financial times, look for referrals and do a comprehensive search online. Use the NACBA as a reputable source for finding the best bankruptcy attorneys who can cater to your needs. 

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Lawyer

Tennessee car accident laws: Things worth knowing!

Some car accidents in Tennessee have devastating consequences. In the aftermath of an auto accident, people often find it hard to make the right decisions. Tennessee is a fault state, and therefore, if the other driver was negligent, you need to gather evidence to prove fault and liability. Talking to a reliable car accident attorney can be handy in understanding your circumstances better. You can click here for help from an injury lawyer. No matter the fault, you need to report the accident. In this post, we are discussing Tennessee car accident laws that are worth knowing. 

Reporting a Tennessee Car Accident 

As per laws in Tennessee, drivers involved in an accident must report the same within 20 days. The accident must be reported in writing to the Commissioner of Safety. This is a must for all accidents that caused injury, death, or involved property damage above $1,500. You should ideally call the local law enforcement straight from the accident scene. Do NOT leave the accident scene until you have taken action. 

The modified comparative negligence rule

Tennessee follows the modified comparative negligence rule. If you had a share in fault, you can still claim compensation for your injuries and damages from the other driver at fault, provided your fault share is less than 50%. Also, your awarded compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you were 40% at fault and were awarded $10,000 in a settlement, you can still get $6,000.

The statute of limitations

For the uninitiated, the statute of limitations sets the deadline for bringing a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. In Tennessee, you have one year to file an injury lawsuit against the driver at fault. The count starts from the date of the accident. If the car accident resulted in someone’s demise, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit within a year. In such circumstances, the deadline starts from the deceased’s day of death, not the accident date. If you are suing for property damage, the deadline is three years. Note that the statute of limitations is not applicable when it comes to insurance claims. You must notify the insurance companies, including your insurer, at the earliest. 

Calling an attorney

Car accidents are rarely simple. Multiple vehicles and drivers are often involved, and insurance companies may use the comparative negligence against you, even when your fault is minor. Call an attorney now to know more about your car accident and if you have a valid claim in the first place.

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Law

How to write a will in 5 steps

According to several family law attorneys, writing your will is one way to fulfill your responsibility to your family. Writing a will helps to prevent problems regarding sharing your estate and caring for your family upon death. Unfortunately, many people believe that writing a will is a serious task and you can always do that when you are old. However, you can write your will now, as it is never too early to write a will as long as you are 18 years old; you can always update it later on.

Meanwhile, the following are ways to write your will in five steps:

1. Plan When to Write Your Will

You must be at least 18 years old to write a will. Meanwhile, you should plan when you will write your will. As soon as you get married and start having kids, or when you get some assets, plan when to write your will. This will allow you to state who will get what out of your properties and how your kids will be taken care of.

2. List Your Property

The second step to write your will is to draw up a list of all the belongings you have. Making an inventory of all you have will allow you to allocate them appropriately according to your wishes. The list may contain real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investments, retirement plans, jewellery, artwork, and other personal assets.

3. Allocate Your Property

Going through the list of your belongings, decide what you will leave to who. You can decide who benefits from your assets and property. It is, however, essential to state in clear, quantifiable terms. You can leave all your properties to one or more people, based on how you want to share your property.

4. Appoint Your Executor and a Guardian for Your Children

You must appoint an executor; someone you trust to distribute your assets and manage your estate according to your wishes. Your heirs will become executors if you do not appoint an executor. Also, if you have minor children, you must designate a guardian that will look after them until they have grown up, only if you are the last parent to die.

5. Choose the Type of Will You Want

There are three types of wills: notarized, witnessed, and holographic wills.

  1. Witnessed Will: You can write this type of will alone or with the help of a lawyer. However, you must sign it in the presence of two adult witnesses who will also sign together with you. Meanwhile, neither of the witnesses must be an heir or beneficiary, according to family law. However, a witnessed will can be handwritten or typed using a computer. It will still retain its authenticity and acceptance.
  2. Holographic Will: This type of will requires you to write your wishes on paper. You must write it by hand and sign it. You do not require a witness for this type of will. However, this type of will has its risks like interpretation issues after death.
  3. Notarized Will: This is a registered will that is usually written after receiving advice from a notary to ensure that no aspect of family law is violated or interpretation issues are caused.

Takeaway

Follow the steps above to write your will without hassles. Meanwhile, you can contact us when looking for an experienced family law attorney for help on writing a will or other family-related issues.

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Law

What is Personal Injury Protection? PIP

Personal injury protection, also known as PIP or no-fault insurance is a type of car insurance that covers medical costs and lost wages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. PIP coverage is usually very limited and doesn’t cover damage to your car or injuries that you sustain from a car accident.

So basically it is a type of insurance that covers you in the event of an accident. There are two types: medical coverage and no-fault. Medical coverage pays for your medical expenses after an accident, while no-fault will pay these costs before you file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

This post will discuss how to choose between personal injury protection plans and what their benefits are.

Benefits of Personal Injury Protection:

Personal Injury Protection comes with many benefits depending on which plan you choose to purchase. However, the most important advantage of PIP coverage is that it will cover your medical bills.

This means you do not have to worry about filing a claim with the other party’s insurance company or paying out-of-pocket hospital costs if they are at fault in an accident.

Another great benefit of this type of insurance is that it covers funeral expenses. You can rest easy knowing any outstanding debts after an accident caused by another driver won’t affect you financially because these plans include death benefits.

When purchasing Personal Injury Protection, there are many factors to consider before deciding which policies are right for you individually and your family members who may be included in your policy plan.

Therefore, it is best to work with an insurance agent to determine the best plan that fits your budget and needs.

People often choose to purchase additional plans and personal injury protection, such as uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance. These types of policies cover you should the other party be at fault for your injuries but do not have enough coverage themselves or if they don’t carry any auto liability insurance at all.

Personal Injury Protection is a great option for anyone who does not want their medical costs affected after an accident caused by another driver nor worry about funeral expenses should something happen while driving on the roadways.

You can rest easy knowing that you will always be covered up to certain limits no matter what happens because this type of plan helps pay before filing a lawsuit against them when necessary after being involved in an accident with another vehicle.

Choosing the right PIP plan is all about finding what’s important to you and your family. You’ll want to consider which benefit matters most, whether it be funeral costs or medical coverage, as well as how much this type of insurance will cost you in monthly premiums.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a Personal Injury Protection plan is a great option for anyone who wants to ensure their medical expenses are covered in the event of an accident.

Check out the best car accident lawyers in Orlando today itself!

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Personal Injury

Hire a Personal Injury Attorney with These 5 Pro Tips

Unfortunately, injuries and accidents happen to individuals every day, even to the most careful people. By nature, you will not be able to get prepared for accidents, though you may plan what to do in the aftermath.

Whether it is a workplace injury, car accident or even slip and fall, seeking legal help from a personal injury attorney is the best course of action. To help you choose the right personal injury lawyer, here are tips you can use to your advantage:

1. Take Advantage of Free Initial Consultations

A free initial consultation is the most powerful tool for every injured victim seeking legal guidance and professional representation. These meetings are usually provided for free before making decisions on a claim.

During this consultation, it is vital to know what type of payment plan the lawyer provides. If the expert doesn’t have a payment plan under contingency, it would be best to proceed with your search.

2. Look at the Experience

If you sustained some injuries during a car accident, looking for a personal injury attorney experienced in dealing with auto accident cases is the right thing to do. An attorney will have extensive legal experience in a specific field, understand the laws, craft strong legal arguments and know how to investigate claims.

Begin by searching the biographical details of a law firm. This includes looking for posts or articles related to your case on the firm’s website.

3. Consider Reputation

Basically, there is no sense in hiring lawyers just because they pay a lot of cash to be on TV or a big billboard. This doesn’t have anything to do with their reputation.

To improve the chances of winning your case, the reputation of a lawyer matters. If attorneys in a law firm do good work, they will definitely have a great reputation among:

  • Judges
  • Other lawyers

4.  Pay Attention to Qualifications

Checking the qualifications and credentials of a personal injury attorney is important. Since there are many types of attorneys, you must choose one that aligns with your specific claim and case.

A great place to begin is determining if the potential personal injury lawyers have successfully handled cases like yours before. For example, if you got involved in an accident, which led to a brain injury, you will need to contact a lawyer who is familiar with such a case.

5.  Scope out Resources and Size

Firm size, experience, age and connections with medical professional witnesses and doctors relevant for your case are vital when it comes to personal injury cases.

However, don’t be too fast to dismiss small law firms. Although bigger law firms might be advertising frequently on radio stations or billboards, they mostly have larger price tags to meet their costs. Plus, you might get less personal attention.

This is why it is vital to look for an attorney with a collection of connections, reviews and referrals from other professional attorneys in the same field of specialization.

Concluding Thoughts

It is all right to feel unsettled and shaken after an accident. If you also have serious injuries, you might be going through physical and emotional pain as you get better.

In this case, the best thing to do is to hire a good personal injury attorney. Even if you might think you don’t need one, you have far more to gain than lose with the help of a professional personal injury lawyer.

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