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Should I Speak to an Insurance Adjuster After a Personal Injury Accident?

March 12, 2015 by

If you've been injured in a personal injury accident there are several things you should consider before agreeing to speak to an insurance adjuster. First and foremost, you need to remember the insurance adjuster represents the insurance company, not you. His sole job is to minimize your recovery irrespective of the extent of your injuries. The adjuster may try to convince you that you are in "good hands" with him/her. Don't believe it. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses … [Read more...]

Beware of Working Directly with Insurance Companies — They are Not Looking Out for Your Best Interests

March 11, 2015 by

When you're buying an insurance policy, your agent tells you the insurance company will be there to protect and help you if you're injured. They convince you that you are the company's priority. In fact, insurance companies are businesses, and like most businesses, their main focus is maximizing profits. To accomplish this, insurance companies, their adjusters, and their attorneys aim to pay as little as possible for personal injury … [Read more...]

Do I Have To Report An Auto Accident to the Police?

March 10, 2015 by

Automobile accidents, even minor ones, can be terrifying. We assume if we're ever in an accident we'll know exactly what to do, but when an accident actually happens, many people become overwhelmed. I recommend my clients keep an accident checklist in their glove box so if they do have an accident they'll know what to do at the scene (feel free to download the checklist I provide to my clients at the home page of my website at www.michaelwaks.com). Even after leaving the accident scene … [Read more...]

What Are Lost Earnings And How Do You Calculate Them?

March 4, 2015 by

Personal injury accident victims incur several different types of damages. Damages for current and future medical costs are easy to understand and damages for property loss is straightforward. Damages related to lost earnings; however, can be more complex. For this reason, I always take the time to explain the concept of lost earnings to new personal injury clients. The calculation of lost earnings takes many things into account - how much work time has been missed … [Read more...]

Long Beach Truck Accidents: What Are The Common Causes?

February 25, 2015 by

We depend on tractor-trailers and large trucks to transport goods throughout the state. The trucking industry provides jobs for millions of people and is necessary in delivering goods to consumers across the country. Given the number of trucks on Southern California streets and freeways, it is not surprising that there are a large number of truck accidents each year. According to the U. S. Department of Transportation, 104,000 people were injured in large truck accidents during 2012 … [Read more...]

What Is A “Wrongful Death” Claim?

February 24, 2015 by

Wrongful death claims are a different kind of personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury cases normally seek to recover damages for the victim of an accident. A wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for the victim's survivors. Survivors can seek compensation for emotional losses such as loss of love and companionship, and loss of consortium. They can also recover monetary costs like medical bills incurred by the deceased, funeral expenses and the loss of the deceased person's wages. In some … [Read more...]

How Are Truck Accident Cases Different From Other Motor Vehicle Cases?

February 19, 2015 by

Contrary to what most people think, not all motor vehicle accident cases are the same. Truck accident cases, for example, are very different than car accident cases. The main difference stems from the fact that trucks, truck drivers and the trucking industry are more highly regulated than other vehicles and drivers. In addition, there are generally more defendants, the injuries are more severe, and evidence gathering is far more extensive in a truck accident case than … [Read more...]

How Do You Treat Spinal Cord Injuries?

February 18, 2015 by

Spinal cord injuries cause permanent, life-altering changes for an accident victim and his or her family. Spinal cord injuries are the result of damage to the spinal cord itself or to the vertebrae, ligaments or disks of the spinal column. Most of the spinal cord injuries I see are the result of a traumatic blow to the spine that crushes, dislocates, compresses or fractures one or more of the vertebrae. It can also result from an object penetrating the spinal column and cutting the … [Read more...]