Before you hire a lawyer, it’s important to find out certain information about his or her background. Remember to ask these three questions during your consultation with a lawyer? 1. Have you handled many cases similar to mine? There are many lawyers out there and not all of them have the same type of experience. For example, some lawyers may practice criminal law while others focus only on civil cases. It’s important to hire a lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours. If you were charged with a DUI, you don’t to hire a lawyer who only has experience with lawsuits. 2. What are your fees? Before you hire a lawyer to take your case, it’s important to find
Birth Injury vs. Birth Defect As a Memphis birth injury lawyer, I’ve noticed a lot of people get confused between birth injury and birth defect. Both can be devastating for families. They may result in the same symptoms and require similar treatments. But they differ on a legal level. Birth defects occur as an accident of nature. They form in the womb during the pregnancy. They can be genetic or not, and behavior like smoking, drug use, and alcohol consumption can make them more likely. Doctors may test for birth defects throughout the pregnancy, and they may even be able to treat some problems when they arise. A birth injury occurs because of someone else’s mistake or neglect. It’s rarely criminal, although that’s possible. But
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, most accidental deaths in the home are caused by a fall and they occur in virtually all service and manufacturing sectors. These reasons are why any people often question if they are liable if someone falls on their private or commercial property. To answer this question correctly, you must first know the legal status of the visitor who fell on your property. There is also a legal term known as “ premises liability” that you should become familiar with. Even if you are renting a property, you can still be held liable if someone gets injured. If you want to know exactly what could happen if someone falls on your property, the best
As a Memphis Chapter 7 lawyer, I meet with people every day who need to know the difference between secured and unsecured debt. The answer can help you prioritize your expenses and decide which type of bankruptcy you need. An unsecured debt means a debt that’s not connected to a collateral property (a property the bank could take back if you don’t pay). The most common examples include houses and cars. If you can’t pay for your house, the bank can take that house back as collateral on your loan. Most debts are unsecured. They include: credit card debt utility bills medical bills back rent and more Getting Rid of Unsecured Debts Through Bankruptcy For many Americans, unsecured debt like credit cards and
Despite all the advances made in car safety thanks to technology in recent years, fatalities are up again across roads in the US, reports the New York Times. Recent estimates released by the nonprofit National Safety Council paint a grim picture: 40,200 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016, up six percent from the year before. This also marks the first time since 2007 that more than 40,000 people died on the country’s roads. A recovering economy has been identified as one potential cause of the hike, as more people are driving for pleasure and work. Safety experts have also pointed to a sharp rise in distracting driving as a source. With more cars offering voice control and other
Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation: How Do They Relate? Can you file for Social Security Disability and workers compensation at the same time? If you’ve suffered a serious injury while on the job, you may wonder if you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits while collecting workers’ compensation benefits. The short answer is yes. However, applying for these benefits at the same time may not be in your best interest. Understanding the Types of Benefits Available Workers’ comp is an insurance policy that covers workers who are injured on the job. The policy covers all medical expenses related to the injury and pays a portion of the weekly wages of the worker. SSDI is a federal
Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. Whether it is on a highway or a country road, motorcyclists are at a higher risk of getting involved in an accident and sustaining injuries. It is essential that motorcycle riders are prepared for the worst whenever they commute and carry a few important items that may come in handy after an accident. Here are 4 important items every motorcyclist should carry that may prove to be of great help in the event of an accident. 1. An Emergency Kit Having an emergency kit in your bike’s saddlebag can be very helpful in situations where you are involved in an accident, especially in a remote location where it can take a few hours for
Car Accident in Memphis? Here’s What to Do to Protect Yourself If you get in a car accident in Memphis, it can feel overwhelming to navigate the process on your own. You can easily make a wrong move that costs thousands of dollars. We’ve seen this happen time and again at our firm. So here’s a little information to help you protect yourself after a crash. Information to Get on the Scene of a Car Accident in Memphis You can make or break a case in the moment of your accident. But sometimes in the panic and stress, you might forget what to do. That’s why our firm offers a car accident checklist to keep in your glove compartment. This one-page
While no one leaves home with the intent of getting into an auto-accident, the increasing U.S. population and corresponding number of vehicles on the road make your likelihood of being involved in an auto related accident incredibly high. While in some cases the cause will be your own action or inaction, many times it will be the other driver who is found to be at fault. From minor fender benders to major collisions, auto accidents can cause immense damage to both personal property and your physical person. Ideally in this situation each motorist involved in the accident will have insurance sufficient to cover their individual liability. When this isn’t the case uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may need to step
Critical Mistakes That Drivers Make After Being in an Automobile Accident Getting into an automobile accident is a traumatic experience for many victims. Despite the initial stress that occurs in the aftermath of an accident, there are important things that you must do in order to minimize the effects. Here is a list of common mistakes people often make after an automobile accident. Failing to Notify the Police. Once you have made sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe and you’ve moved your vehicle out of danger, notify the police. A police report should always be filled after an auto accident, especially if someone gets hurt or if there is any type of property damage. The report will