While some dogs are more inclined to attack than others, every animal has the propensity to cause harm. In fact, roughly 1,000 people across the United States need emergency medical care following a dog bite every single day. Thankfully, California holds pet owners strictly liable for any damages their dogs cause. That means victims don’t have to prove negligence on the part of the owner to secure compensation. Of course, recovering a payout can still pose a … [Read more...]
How to Help a Loved One Cope with a Brain Injury
Brain injuries—including those that are relatively mild—can be utterly devastating for both the affected parties and their loved ones. Because of the role the brain plays in the central nervous system, a brain injury can affect mood, behavior, and demeanor, not to mention physical functions and cognitive abilities. Sadly, the challenges that come with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are all too common. Across the country, there are hundreds of thousands of TBI-related … [Read more...]
What to Ask Before Hiring a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
If your life was forever changed because of a spinal cord injury (SCI), you are not alone. Every year, there are almost 18,000 new cases of SCI. The most likely victims are men in their early forties; however, anyone can damage their spine in an accident at any age. Thankfully, those who get hurt through no fault of their own are usually entitled to compensation. Put another way, if you wouldn’t be living with an SCI had someone exercised reasonable care, you probably have … [Read more...]
When a Self-Driving Car Kills Someone, Who Might Be Liable?
On the surface, it probably seems like the widespread use of self-driving cars would simplify life in a lot of ways. When those same autonomous vehicles crash, however, assigning blame is inherently complex. Because autopilot technology is so new, there are few precedents regarding liability for associated wrecks. Just last month, however, prosecutors in Los Angeles County made headlines for filing felony charges against a man who was behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S … [Read more...]
Who Might Be Liable for an Electrical Accident?
Electrical accidents are often devastating. Shocks can cause long-term damage that require ongoing rehabilitation, while sparks can result in third-degree burns. Thankfully, injured parties—or their surviving loved ones—are usually entitled to compensation. Before they can seek compensation, however, they must determine who was to blame. Let’s take a look at the various parties that are most often liable for electrical accidents: 1. Construction Contractors When … [Read more...]
5 Steps to Take Following a Drunk Driving Accident
When someone gets behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, they’re putting not only themselves at risk but also everyone on the road around them. In the United States alone, someone dies in a drunk driving accident every 52 minutes. If you were struck by an impaired motorist, you’re probably entitled to compensation. While filing a claim won’t erase what happened, it could yield the funds needed to carry on and achieve some sense of normalcy in the … [Read more...]
What to Look for in a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
From drunk drivers to reckless motorcycle riders, there are all kinds of traffic hazards that can seriously hurt—or even kill—people on foot. Across the United States, roughly one pedestrian is killed every 88 minutes. An additional 137,000 pedestrians need emergency care for non-fatal accident-related injuries annually. If you were seriously hurt in a pedestrian accident, it’s imperative that you turn to the right attorney for legal counsel. Not all personal injury firms are … [Read more...]
Motorist in Self-Driving Car Faces Felony Charges for Vehicular Manslaughter
Because self-driving technology is so new, there are few precedents regarding liability when an autonomous vehicle crashes. Prosecutors in California are taking action after a fatal collision, however, and have made a landmark move by filing vehicular manslaughter charges, which may pave the way for handling similar scenarios in the future. On Dec. 29, 2019, Kevin Riad was driving a Tesla Model S when the vehicle sped off the freeway and ran a red light before colliding with a … [Read more...]
What to Ask During Your First Meeting with a Personal Injury Attorney
Before you hire a personal injury attorney to assist with your claim, it’s important to confirm their credentials. Have you actually found the best person for the job, or are they merely the first professional you came across when you started searching for representation? Thankfully, determining if you’ve found the right lawyer is fairly straightforward. By asking strategic questions during your initial consultation, you’ll be able to tell by the end of the meeting whether you should proceed … [Read more...]
What Kinds of Factors Will Affect the Outcome of My Car Accident Claim?
Because tort proceedings are inherently complex—and no two accidents are exactly the same—there’s no way to predict a claim’s outcome with 100 percent certainty. That doesn’t mean, however, that a seasoned attorney can’t make an educated guess about the direction a car accident case might take or how much it might be worth. In fact, making such guesses is the foundation on which every successful personal injury firm is built. When working on contingency, a lawyer must be able … [Read more...]