Legal

Experience. Effort. Always.

If you need a criminal defense attorney, very few people can help you protect yourself, but a good criminal defense attorney is one of them. If you or someone you love finds themselves accused of a crime, it is imperative that the lawyer representing the accused has the expertise to navigate the potential pitfalls.

Put years of criminal defense expertise to work protecting you. Criminal defense routinely requires complicated legal analysis, and even very small details can make all the difference in a criminal case. office is committed to helping you navigate the murky waters of the criminal justice system.

People charged with a crime should hire a lawyer. Criminal law has so many different aspects to it. Even if the State has a strong case to convict you, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have weaknesses that can be used to your advantage to get the best outcome for you.

If you are not trained with how to spot issues and problems, you have little to no chance of convincing a judge that you are right. An experienced attorney can identify weaknesses, pursue a defense, and obtain and submit evidence. It’s really important to have a skilled lawyer by your side as a guide who can walk you through the system. An experienced lawyer can help you understand what is important and what isn’t important so you can figure out what your options are and the best course forward for you is.

Experienced Attorneys

A great criminal defense attorney is not made overnight, or even in three years of law school. It takes years and years of practical experience, going into Court day after day and fighting the fight. The attorneys have already put the work in, and can put those years of experience to work for you. When your liberty is at stake, the quality of your attorney may be the difference between prison and freedom. No attorney can guarantee your result, but you can count on the attorneys to see all the issues, and stand and fight to preserve your rights, whenever necessary.

 

Criminal Defense Lawyer

The question of what experiential background best serves your selection of a criminal defense lawyer is important and should not be ignored. There is a controversy as to whether the experience of a former prosecutor really makes a difference.

While A Skilled And Accomplished Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Come From ANY Background It Is Clear That Former Prosecutors Have An Edge

The most seasoned criminal defense lawyers have the kind of lifetime experience that maximize positive outcomes and minimize or eliminate negative results. These lawyers use well honed courtroom skills which, when combined with a solid and sustained knowledge of criminal law, make the difference in the results they obtain.

The unique and contentious environment of the courtroom is no place for a young lawyer to learn his or her craft at the expense of bewildered clients. The place to learn the kind of life experience that makes for the best criminal defense lawyer, in my opinion, is the District Attorney’s Office where the damage done is NOT at the expense of the client.

Former District Attorneys, if they are totally committed to their profession as District Attorneys working the prosecution side of the courtroom receive more experience and training in less time than young lawyer starting out after law school doing criminal defense work.

Offices typically assign large caseloads and responsibilities to very young lawyers. Young prosecutors are thoroughly trained inside and outside of the courtroom working hundreds of hours of “ hands on” litigation on complex and difficult criminal cases.

 

Criminal Lawyers

If you’re accused of committing a crime, you stand to lose your freedom, your financial future, and perhaps even your personal assets. The stakes are virtually endless. It’s critical you hire the best possible criminal defense attorney to represent you. Whether you’re facing a federal charge, or state charge, you need an criminal lawyer who has the skills and experience to help you avoid a guilty verdict —- and possible prison sentence. One of the biggest mistakes you can possibly make is get no legal representation – instead, hire a private criminal defense attorney who can help you negotiate a plea bargain, or – get all charges dismissed.

Whether you’re facing a violent crime, or white collar crime, criminal attorneys are capable of helping you avoid a guilty sentence, and potential prison time. By working with criminal defense lawyers, you can rest assured that we’ll offer professionalism to you and your family members. We’re well versed in all major penal laws, and prepared to mount the most aggressive defense possible.

Any allegation of wrong doing can hurt your reputation, future employment prospects, and more. Bottom line, you should never take a potential criminal investigation lightly. protect your rights, and protect you financially. The Law Group is a top pick, for state, and federal crimes. With over 50 years of combined experience, seen virtually every single type of allegation and potential case. It doesn’t matter what you’re accused of committing, team of trial lawyers is here to help you.

understand the challenges you face – once you’re accused of a crime, and now face societal, and financial ramifications. Regardless of what you’re accused of committing, there’s a defense strategy that can be crafted which helps you. The quality of your criminal defense attorney is more important than the crime you’re accused of doing. You can rest assured that the Law Group will handle your case with professionalism, and desire for positive outcomes for you and your family.

Law Group handles virtually every type of criminal defense case. If you’re facing criminal charges, criminal lawyers can help you – right away! If you are facing criminal accusations, you stand to lose a lot more than just the case – you stand to lose your freedom, liberty, and assets. The stakes are simply TOO HIGH for you to leave your criminal defense representation to simply a public defender, or any criminal defense attorney

 

Criminal Lawyer

The experience of being arrested can be frightening, confusing, and overwhelming. For many, it is their first time dealing with the legal system. Let guide you away from the confusion and uncertainty of facing a criminal charge in the County. The Law Office is ready to provide honest answers, clear explanations, and top-notch defense on your behalf.

Regardless of how your accuser, the police, or the prosecution wants to make you feel, just because you have been accused of a crime does not mean you’re a criminal. At Law Office, firmly believe you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law – beyond a reasonable doubt. team will treat you with respect, listen attentively, and provide real answers to your questions the best can, given the facts of your case.

Cases are rarely ‘open-and-shut’. There are often multiple layers to each case; a single overlooked detail may affect the entire outcome. will dig an inch wide and a mile deep, working diligently to uncover every facet of your case which may be beneficial to your defense. will investigate any and all opportunities seeking an outright dismissal or at least a big-league reduction of the charges. his team are dedicated to quality, personal, and ethical legal representation. will not rest until every possible defense strategy has been explored and evaluated.

If you’ve been charged with a crime anywhere, you will fare much better in court with the aid of an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side. Knowing that, how can you be sure you are making the right choice when searching for quality criminal defense attorneys?

A UNIQUE LEGAL APPROACH

How you approach your courtroom defense will help you to receive the best possible outcome achievable for your case. The law is written in black and white, but many cases fall into gray areas. believe that every person accused of a crime deserves a specialized legal approach tailored to their specific situation. While many lawyers employ the same defense strategies to focus on client quantity, team will craft a courtroom strategy suitable for your specific case, focusing on the quality of representation.

 

Choosing A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you been charged with a crime?

If you are convicted of a crime, you could face jail or prison time. Your criminal record may haunt you literally for the rest of your life. Fifteen or 20 years after the conviction, you may still be denied career opportunities and credit because of your “prior criminal record.” Protecting your record can mean literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to you over your lifetime. The best way to protect yourself and your future is to hire an experienced criminal law attorney if you have been charged with a crime.

Your smartest course of action is to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon the police start asking questions. Your attorney can help you in several important ways. If you hire an attorney before your arrest, he or she may be able to stop charges from being filed at all. Never talk to the police without first talking to a criminal defense attorney.

If you contact a criminal defense attorney after your arrest, he or she can reach out to the prosecuting attorney and attempt to have the charges dismissed. If this isn’t possible, he or she can negotiate on your behalf to have the charges reduced to a lesser charge or take your case to trial. Finally your attorney can help protect your future by working to have the case sealed or expunged in the future.

Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney

When you contact an attorney you should have as much information available as possible. After an arrest, this includes the charges, court date, court location, and bail amount (if applicable).

In choosing the right criminal law firm and criminal defense lawyer, there are several things to keep in mind. You need to be sure you hire a lawyer who is willing and able to devote as much time as is needed to handle your case correctly.

How to choose an immigration attorney?

Once you decide to consult with an immigration attorney, you will face a challenge of selecting an attorney who is right for you

If you are not living in a big city, there may be few immigration attorneys to choose from. You may go for a phone consultation with an immigration attorney if you just have a few questions and your case is not pending in immigration court. You may send your papers by e-mail to an immigration attorney in San Francisco for review. Immigration attorneys in San Francisco give consultations by phone or skype, accept credit card payments over the phone.

Please keep in mind that not all the people who will try to help you with immigration issues are in fact immigration attorneys. There is a lot of immigration fraud in the Russian and Hispanic communities in big cities all over the United States.

Immigration attorney Lena Korial-Yonan in her article 6 Tips on How to Choose the Best US Immigration Lawyer for Your Case says that you should pay attention primarily to the immigration attorney’s education. She goes on to say “How can you tell the best from the average immigration lawyer? You must first look at their education. Specifically, you need to find out when comparing lawyers which law school he or she graduated from and whether they had any special accomplishments in law school.”

After law students graduate from law school they take a licensing exam also called Bar exam. The requirements and difficulty of the bar exam differ from state to state. It is believed that the California bar exam is the hardest in the United States. In July of 2012 only 55% of students passed California bar exam, while in Missouri 90% of exam takers passed. The ranking of states’ bar exams by difficulty can be found here

 

Best Tips When Choosing Immigration Lawyers

If you are that person who is thinking of moving to another country, then you will often need to apply for individual documents and visas to be legally allowed to work or live there. Applying for permits can often be a stressful and time-consuming experience. If you want the whole thing to run smoothly, then it is best to hire the help of a specialist immigration lawyer. They will have the tools and the expertise to support you along every step of the process. With so many different agents out there it can be tough to know who will be best for your needs.

CHECK PROMINENT LAWYER’S WEBSITES

Many sites are there online which could give you good lawyer referrals. Some favorite sites can be viewed online, which provide rankings of lawyers about immigration and green card visas. There is data on these locations, which is helpful. So you can find some useful information about attorneys. Checking the ratings is a great way to arrive at a decision about the lawyer whose services you may want to engage

Check client reviews

Once you zero in on a particular lawyer or law firm, try to Google for more information and view how they are rated. Clients always give reviews to these lawyers, and these reviews would help you understanding how good they do their work. Do not just rely on the number of reviews and decide, but do take the time to read each review carefully. These client opinions matter a lot, as they are full of insights about the lawyers and their performance

The cost of their service

How much does the lawyer charge for their services? Some lawyers charge hourly, while others will charge a set rate for completion of an entire job. You should always be entirely clear on the fees that they charge so that you are not left with any nasty surprises when it comes to paying your bill.

Look closely to their services they offer

What services do they offer? Many Immigration lawyers will be able to deal with a range of issues relating to immigration law. If you require something a little more unique, then you may have to search for a specialist type of lawyer

 

Hiring A Lawyer

The process of immigrating to the United States is one of the most important life experiences many people will go through in their lives. Moving countries is usually complex and stressful and the consequences of failing to plan properly can lead to nightmare scenarios. It is not a surprise, therefore, that many people turn to immigration lawyers to assist with immigrating.

Do you need a lawyer?

The old saying “He who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer” applies to immigration law like many other types of legal matters. Immigration law, particularly American immigration law is one of the most politically divisive areas of the legal system and it is therefore not surprising that it has grown incredibly dense and is constantly changing. No fewer than three major agencies administer the US immigration system and dozens of other agencies play a role. Many people turn to agencies like the US Citizenship and Immigration Service and the US Department of State to determine how to immigrate to the US.

Even if you can manage to succeed filing the application yourself, your lack of experience could lead to mistakes that can be costly in terms of time and money. If you have to hire a lawyer later, your mistakes may limit your options and immigration lawyers are likely to charge more to clean up the mess.

What about people that call themselves “immigration consultants”?

In most states, people who work as immigration consultants are violating the law by practicing law without a license. Because these individuals are operating illegally, their work is not regulated and you do not have the same recourse available to go after someone who is dishonest or incompetent.

What to look for in your lawyer

There are a number of factors to consider when hiring an immigration lawyer and with more than 7,500 immigration lawyers practicing in the US, the process of selecting just the right lawyer can be difficult

 

DO I NEED AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER?

There are many compelling reasons to hire an immigration lawyer to meet your immigration needs.

Significance of the Process

First and foremost in the minds of my clients is the recognition that the result of the immigration process can literally be life-changing and that it can impact their families for generations.

Ease in Which Mistakes Are Made

The U.S. immigration system is commonly known to be extremely complicated–the Tennessee Bar Association has noted that it is second only to the federal tax code in complexity

Potentially Devastating Consequences

Every year I see people who are looking for solutions to consequences that resulted from a mistake they made in the immigration process. Most of the time the solution–if there is a solution–costs them more time, money, and anxiety than if they had hired an immigration lawyer in the first place.

Questions To Ask Before Choosing Your Immigration Lawyer

How long have you practiced immigration law?

How long have you been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association?

Do you limit your practice of law to immigration? If not, what percentage of your practice is immigration?

Will you provide a written fee agreement?

Will you explain to me exactly what my immigration status is and the process you will be undertaking on my behalf?

Will you respond to my communications promptly?

Will I have access to the immigration attorney or just to his/her staff?

 

Why hire an Immigration Lawyer?

Immigration law was setup to create a set of rules by the federal government to determine who is allowed to enter the country and also the length of their stay. Immigration law also helps the government manage the process to allow immigrants to apply to be a U.S. Citizen.

An immigration Lawyer defends their client’s case and help prevent them from being deported to their country of origin. They also spend their time helping their clients to become a citizen of a new country. Becoming a citizen in another country can be complex and an Immigration Lawyer can be helpful to gather the the documentation their client may need to become a citizen. At times, they will provide legal advice about how their clients can obtain a work visa for a specific period of time.

Being in a different country and trying to become a citizen can be overwhelming. LinkedIn ProFinder can make that process easier. Their are plenty of experienced and knowledgeable Immigration attorneys in your local area who would love to assist you with any case you may have and to make sure that you have the best representation.

Tips For Finding The Best Immigration Lawyer For You

One of the most important choices immigrants make is hiring the best immigration lawyer to represent them before the USCIS or in Immigration Court. The same is true for employers. We all share the urge to get the best deal we can get, but often saving money and obtaining the best representation are polar opposites

HIRE A CERTIFIED SPECIALIST

Immigrants frequently choose attorneys just because they speak their language or are from the same country as they are. Some immigration attorneys have built huge followings by blanketing ethnic newspapers with ads touting their successes. Other attorneys, including Yours Truly, are known largely through their websites

HOW IMPORTANT IS LOCATION?

Immigration law is federal. Therefore, an immigration lawyer in Texas or California can represent corporate and individual clients in all 50 states. For example, during the past few weeks, attorneys in our law firm flew to New York City, Reno, Dallas, and Philadelphia to represent clients. In a typical case, however, the petitions and applications are simply mailed to the USCIS, and no interview is required

FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAWYER ONLINE

There are a host of websites that you can use to learn more about the lawyer you are interested in hiring to represent you. One especially helpful site is Avvo. You can use Avvo’s “Find a Lawyer” tool to search for immigration lawyers. Avvo contains client reviews, endorsements from other attorneys, an Avvo rating and the number of years that the attorney has been licensed.

HOW TO FIND A CERTIFIED SPECIALIST IN IMMIGRATION LAW

Four states currently certify attorneys as specialists in immigration law. If enough savvy consumers of legal services use certified specialists, we predict there will be a clamor in all states to certify legal specialists in the future.

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

CHOOSE QUALITY

When trying to find the best immigration lawyers, it is best not to choose blindly and hire the first lawyer you come across. It is also much better to look for a high-quality lawyer that can handle your case like a professional than to choose the low-cost bargain option.

LOOK FOR A REFERRAL

When looking for an attorney for your immigration case, it is an excellent idea to dig into your personal network and find out if anyone you know has used an immigration lawyer in the past

CONFIRM CREDENTIALS

When you identify a potential attorney for your case, you need to make sure they are the real deal. Find out what their credentials are and where their experience lies. While you can find out some of this information from the lawyer’s website or from them, you can use several other sources to verify attorney credentials.

INTERVIEW THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS YOU HAVE SHORTLISTED

Once you have created a list of the best immigration lawyers you could find and narrowed down the choices to who you may want to work with, you need to reach out to them.

CHECK FOR REFERENCES

If you’re considering using a lawyer, chances are you will sit down for a consultation to discuss your needs. This is a great time to ask the attorney for references

 

Tips To Help You Find The Best Immigration Lawyer

Find out whether the attorney is recognized positively by others in the profession.

The best immigration lawyers in Dallas are recognized by their peers as the most knowledgeable and professional, and they’re a credit to their industry. Those seeking help with immigration matters should avoid attorneys with little or no positive reputation. You may also want to avoid lawyers who have limited experience but still claim to be the best immigration lawyer in Dallas. Also, please note that so-called “notarios” are not certified to practice immigration law in the United States

Ask each attorney you talk to what his or her success rate has been in similar cases.

During an initial interview, ask the immigration lawyer you’re speaking to about cases he or she has worked on. Find out if any were similar to yours, and then ask about how successful they were. In order to find the best immigration lawyer in Dallas, you’ll also want to ask for references and read reviews if any are available

Make sure the attorneys you talk to are certified members of the American Bar Association. You should also find out whether the law firm has an attorney who’s certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Immigration and Nationality Law.

Find out if the appropriate certifications are in place. If not, you should begin to search elsewhere. The best immigration lawyer in Dallas will be a member of the American Bar Association – and the firm where that attorney works, if not the attorney him- or herself, should have someone who’s certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Immigration and Nationality Law.

Check how far away the attorney’s office is from your home.

Your immigration attorney’s location is important. Being near is particularly essential if you or your family are involved in a confrontation that requires immediate protection from an immigration attorney. Contact the best immigration lawyer in Dallas at Davis & Associates Immigration Law Firm

Ensure the attorney speaks your language – or has a translator who can.

Legal advice can be complicated and must be fully understood. Firms that provide multilingual assistance ensure that their customers understand the strategies, risks, costs and processes involved

 

HOW TO FIND A GOOD IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

Finding a lawyer who will represent you before the immigration service is one of the most important decisions an immigrant will make in their life. This task is made more difficult by the assorted advertising claims of attorneys. When you and your family seek to find the right lawyer to immigrate or to obtain permanent residence status or defend you in deportation court, it is vital to establish that this attorney has the experience, the integrity and is devoted solely to the practice of immigration law.

When looking for a lawyer or law firm it is important to examine their internet web-site. A good law firm website will list all the attorneys working at the firm with a full description of lawyer’s education, type of immigration work he or she has performed, any published articles or opinions, certification with the California State bar and admission to the various courts, both immigration and federal courts in which that attorney is admitted to practice. Well organized web-sites also provide timely information as to developments in immigration law and are a valuable resource

Equally important is client access to attorneys and paralegals in order to ascertain the status of their cases 24-7. Many top-tier law firms now make available through the internet (using a secured password) the notes of their lawyers and paralegals on the progress of the case. Clients are free to check the status of their case from any place, twenty four hours a day – seven days a week

It is also important to examine the advertising of the law firm. Avoid firms that claim to do everything. The web of laws, regulations, administrative decisions and constant changes requires the full attention of an immigration attorney. Avoid law firms or attorneys who present themselves as the “everything” firm. It’s simply not possible for an attorney to competently represent clients in immigration, real estate, family law, contract disputes, criminal law and dog bite cases. The immigration lawyer you want should be devoted to the practice of immigration law exclusively. An attorney willing to do everything, is the mark of an attorney desperate for business and willing to take on any case. Also, avoid attorneys who make outrageous claims as to results or using cheap flashy promotional stunts to impress the reader. The key here is to pay attention to the attorney’s credentials and reputation.

CREDENTIALS

Consult the California State Bar. With a click of the mouse and keyboard you can visit the California State bar at www.calbar.ca.gov. You can then click on a bar in the left-hand margin marked Attorney Resources, and just follow the cues. You can check to see if your attorney has current California Bar membership by clicking Member Search and entering the attorney’s name or bar number. Also click on Legal Specialist Search and see if your attorney is a California Bar certified specialist in immigration law, but don’t stop here!

 

Tips for Choosing an Immigration Lawyer

There’s a fair bit of paperwork to get done during the immigration process, and you may feel overwhelmed when you first sit down to prepare your immigration forms. You might begin to wonder if you need to hire an immigration lawyer to manage the process. However, if your case is fairly straightforward, you should be able to manage things on your own

There are good reasons, though, to hire an immigration lawyer to handle your case. If you run into a snag partway through the process, you might need legal assistance to work through the issue. If your immigration situation is complicated, or if you simply don’t have the time or confidence to prepare the forms yourself, you might benefit from the help of an immigration lawyer.

Get references. Ask family, friends or colleagues if they know any immigration lawyers. Even if they haven’t been through immigration themselves, they may be able to connect you with someone they know who has retained the services of an immigration lawyer. People are quick to recommend a good lawyer and even quicker to name a poor one, which can be a great help when you’re beginning your search.

Search AILA. Search for a lawyer on the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) website. AILA is a national association of lawyers and attorneys who teach and practice immigration law, so you can be reasonably certain you’re dealing with someone who understands immigration law and policies. If you’re starting your research from scratch, you can search for a lawyer in your area. If you’ve been given the names of a few lawyers, you can look them up to see if they are members. While membership in AILA is not a requirement to practice immigration law, membership can be a good indication of a lawyer’s level of commitment to the practice

Interview your short list. Interview potential lawyers to find one who matches your needs. Ask them if they have any experience with your type of case. Immigration law is a huge specialty, so you’ll want a lawyer who is familiar with your type of case. If the lawyers provide client references, use the contacts to get a better understanding of the lawyers’ work styles.

Attorneys Answer: When do you need to hire a car accident lawyer?

Keep in mind that the insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters who begin evaluating your injury claim right away. Because of this, it is essential that you retain a personal injury lawyer immediately if you are injured in a car collision in order to level the playing field.

Facing a team of professional attorneys that work full-time for billion-dollar insurance companies isn’t a wise move. It is possible to go at it alone, but you are literally at their mercy; they may give you a thousand dollars, a few hundred bucks, or possibly even deny your claim. It is up to them since you don’t really know what legal rights you have, what alternatives you could use, or what to do to fight them. They spend every day, all day, fighting claims on behalf of their employers (insurance companies) so facing them on your own with no experience has an obvious outcome.

It is important to note that not all personal injury law firms are the same. In fact, many of the biggest advertising firms are little more than settlement mills. A settlement mill is a firm that relies on heavy advertising as the lifeblood of their business and litigate a disproportionate amount of their cases. Such firms do not rely on current or former clients to refer cases via word-of-mouth and can thus afford to employ a mill mentality to their handling of cases.

In fact, settlement mills tend to leave money on the table at the time of settlement as they are more concerned with resolving a volume of personal injury cases each month to pay their expensive advertising budget. Keep in mind that even an average trial lawyer is superior to a settlement mill as the insurance carrier must spend money defending a trial or a case that has advanced far in litigation. The goal of any insurance carrier is to save money and forcing them to run up costs gets their immediate attention.

 

How soon should you contact an attorney?

It’s recommended you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following the accident. Why? The at-fault party will immediately notify his insurance company, who will then try to get in touch with you to discuss what happened. You should never give a statement to an insurance company without first contacting an attorney. Remember, the insurance company is not looking out for your best interests. They are not concerned with how much you might have in medical expenses or how many days you may have had to take off of work because of your injuries—insurance companies are only concerned with getting you to accept a low settlement offer. An attorney will be able to deal with the insurance company for you so you don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing or agreeing to a number you’re not satisfied with.

There is also a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, meaning after a certain period of time has passed, you will no longer be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries. In most states, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. This may seem like plenty of time, but it passes quickly, especially when you are recovering from a serious injury. The sooner you get in touch with an attorney, the sooner he can begin the process of formally filing a claim.

Once you get in touch with an attorney, you will need to provide him with all of the information you have about the accident, including your recollection of what happened, the other parties’ contact information, the police report, and medical documentation of your injuries. Then, your attorney will determine what he thinks your personal injury claim is worth, and begin the negotiation process with the insurance company. If an agreement cannot be reached through negotiation, the case will have to go to trial.

 

A List of The Most Common Types of Serious Auto Accidents

There are several common types of accidents that often result in serious injuries for the parties involved.

These are some of the cases we deal with most frequently.

• Rear-End Accidents

A rear-end accident occurs when a driver collides with the vehicle in front of them. These types of accidents can range from minor to extremely severe, depending on the speed at which the vehicles were moving and the exact circumstances under which the accident occurs.

In most instances, the driver of the vehicle that rear-ends the other car is at fault, with these types of collisions often occurring because a driver was following too closely or was not paying attention. However, if the driver of the vehicle that gets rear-ended was reversing at the time of the collision, it’s possible that driver could be found responsible for the accident.

• T-bone Accidents

Also known as side-impact collisions, a “T-bone” occurs when the side of a car is hit by the front or rear of another vehicle. These broadside collisions can often result in severe injuries for both parties.

• Sideswipe Collisions

A sideswipe accident is when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle, typically while both cars are traveling in the same direction. Common causes of sideswipe accidents are drivers failing to check their blind spot prior to changing lanes and drivers in parked vehicles re-entering moving traffic without first ensuring the lane is clear.

At low speeds, sideswipe collisions may only result in cosmetic damage, but at high speeds, the injuries can often be significant and severe.

• Head-on Collisions

Head-on accidents occur when two vehicles collide directly with each other while going in opposite directions. Even at modest speeds, head-on collisions can result in severe injuries or death.

• Single Vehicle Crashes

Single vehicle accidents involve only one vehicle and can be the result of a collision with a stationary object or of veering off the motorway. These accidents can occur due to driver error resulting from factors such as intoxication or fatigue, or can happen as the result of external factors like unsafe road conditions or inclement weather.

• Rollover Accidents

A rollover accident occurs when one of the vehicles is overturned as a result of either a collision or departure from the roadway. Rollover accidents are typically severe, resulting in substantial injuries and possibly death.

• Hit and Run Accidents

Hit and run accidents can be any type of accident in which one of the drivers involved in the collision decides to flee the scene. Hit and runs are defined by the driver leaving the scene of the accident without providing contact information and can result in a ticket (at a minimum) and possibly criminal charges.

 

Why You May Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

Unfortunately, car accidents are everyday occurrences. Most personal injury claims in the United States are a result of an accident involving a car, truck, or other motor vehicle. Many of these accidents result in minor vehicle damage in the form of a “fender bender,” and can generally be handled alone through direct contact with an insurance company. However, car accidents that involve physical injury, fatality, or other significant damage may warrant the legal representation of experienced counsel.

An experienced attorney can help you get compensation to cover any losses incurred due to the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and car repairs. In some states, a car accident lawyer may help you recover when a loved one is killed, especially if reckless driving, speeding, or drunk-driving was involved.

What to Look For When Hiring a Car Accident Attorney

Auto accident attorneys cover a range of issues stemming from personal injury, wrongful death, property destruction, and liability determinations. When looking for a lawyer, you should concentrate on their experience, skill level, commitment, location, and fee structure.

For example, your attorney should be well versed in state and national transportation laws, know how to deal with insurance and health care companies, and know how to effectively prepare and settle a case. Also, it’s important that you check the attorney’s background, references, and track record.

Lastly, a good lawyer will typically accept your case on a contingency or “no win-no fee” basis if the attorney feels your case has any merit, so it’s important to check the attorney’s standard fee structure.

When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

It is best to hire an attorney early to avoid any costly mistakes. The deadline for filing personal injury claims varies from state to state. Because you may need to pay for medical bills and/or cover lost wages, the sooner you contact an attorney the better. In general, a person should contact an attorney shortly after the accident occurs — within a week or two of the accident — but before reaching a settlement with the insurance company.

 

Some surprising ways you didn’t know a lawyer could help you

Lawyers do have skills, you know. There are some great ways they can help:

1. Completes a professional investigation

Personal injury firms may have their own investigators document the scene of an accident, interview witnesses and develop theories about how the incident occurred. These might be professional investigators or even retired cops working a new job.

Outside experts such as accident reconstruction experts may be necessary if the cause of the accident is in dispute. Your attorney will have a dedicated roster of professionals he or she normally uses and will know who can assist.

2. Connects with medical providers

A personal injury lawyer may have a business relationship with a medical professional who may agree to provide medical services in favor of a lien on any future settlement or judgment.

They may also have greater experience in understanding serious injuries and may recommend a particular specialist who has provided superb results in previous cases.

3. Better assesses damages

Many accident victims only think about the immediate impact of an accident. After all, they could be receiving harassing phone calls from bill collectors, making up funds after being off work for a few weeks and may need to repair their vehicle to get back on the road.

However, a personal injury lawyer deals with these cases on a routine basis and can help identify a more accurate estimate of the real and long-term effect of injuries, such as a loss in earning capacity if the accident left the victim disabled. A personal injury lawyer may also ask an economist or actuary for help in assessing the lifetime impact of an accident.

4. Works through a variety of legal processes

A personal injury lawyer can help in a number of different judicial forums. For example, he or she may help with informal negotiation with the insurance company before or after a case is filed in court.

Alternatively, they may help litigate a case if the settlement offer is not satisfactory to the client or the claim is denied. However, personal injury lawyers can also help in other types of forums such as alternative dispute resolution.

Arbitration may be required if the victim’s own insurance company is involved. This involves presenting a case in front of a neutral arbitrator who makes a binding decision. Mediation consists of the victim and the person responsible for the injury working together to reach a solution out of court with the help of a third-party neutral. (See more on mediation and arbitration.)