Do You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Calgary, AB?

Car accidents can often be the beginning of a life-changing process. The painful and severe nature of vehicle incidents can change family dynamics, alter life plans and cause persistent aches, pains and injuries. Understandably, people often look at these events and demand compensation for the negative influence they have on people’s lives.

When seeking compensation, it is commonly expected that you will seek the professional advice of a car accident lawyer, such as the ones available at www.edwardsinjurylaw.com. These professionals understand the laws that govern these incidents and the steps necessary to pursue compensation legally and forthrightly.

However, it is less common that people consider handling the situation themselves. So, is there any validity to this idea, and what are some of the common problems that occur? Is it worthwhile to skip the lawyer fees? Today we attempt to answer these questions and provide greater information for making your decision.

Do People not Contact Lawyers for Car Accidents?

In short, yes. There are many different reasons why a car accident lawyer might not be the right choice. Millions of minor fender-benders, scrapes and dings occur in every city, every day. Many of these can be settled through insurance companies or direct monetary compensation. Even when it comes to injuries, if only one vehicle is involved, it is much harder to hold someone to account.

Although, that doesn’t always stop people. There are numerous examples of people holding road builders and governments to account for not properly cleaning or building roads or not installing the right amount of safety equipment. Indeed, when you drive through a modern city and critically examine the infrastructure, you can begin to see a clear picture of where people have advocated for better safety standards and consumer protections.

When DO You Need a Lawyer?

With so many minor incidents occurring all the time, it may seem like a car accident lawyer actually only deals with a small percentage of the available cases, and that is not far from the truth. Typically, you need this type of lawyer when you are severely injured, or there is clear evidence of fault in the accident. Impaired driving is a good example of where there is a clear fault.

However, even within this realm, you can still choose to represent yourself if you so wish. It is not advised, though, as dealing with the legal system is often a full-time job and can severely impact the resting and healing you are likely trying to do after a serious incident.

This is where the key benefits of car accident lawyers start to become clear. They are essentially the door through which you can use the legal system to pursue rightful compensation. They will provide you with advice and a path to success that might involve gathering witness statements, interacting with insurance companies and gathering important medical documents.

Ultimately, the chief goal of this process is to draft and deliver a demands letter, which outlines your position and lists your expected compensation. Sometimes this may be the start of negotiations that change over time, but it might also be the catalyst for litigation to begin.

During litigation, the court system gets involved, and a judge or jury will have the opportunity to decide which side is in the right. Although this is a longer and more expensive process than settlement, it can be an important tool in achieving your compensation goals.

To learn more about car accident lawyers, the benefits they provide to those suffering from an injury, and how to utilize their services to the best of your abilities, contact your local professional today!

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Things You Need to Know When Filing for Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy is often seen as a scary proposition. As an individual or a business owner, you might never have imagined things taking that route but life is never short of surprises. The focus should be on getting back on your feet. It is important that you’re familiar with the process of filing for bankruptcy even if you’ll be working with an experienced attorney. Having a deeper understanding is crucial so that you’re aware of the steps to take.

There Are Two Main Options

When filing for bankruptcy, you’ll be faced with two main options. You will have to consult with the attorney in order to determine the one that is best for you.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Also referred to as liquidation bankruptcy, this option will mostly discharge all your unsecured debts. Such debt will include credit cards and personal loans.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy: With this type of bankruptcy, you’re required to come up with a repayment plan so that the creditors are paid over a period of time. There will generally be no liquidation of the property with this process but it could take up to five years before everything is finalized.

Bankruptcy Will Open You Up to Financial Scrutiny

If you’ve never gone through a bankruptcy case before, one might assume that it is a normal process and the court system is the same. It should be noted that such cases could last for longer than 90 days and entail complicated legal matters. That is why it is important to have a bankruptcy attorney by your side for the best possible outcome of the case. When you file for bankruptcy, it will be mandatory that you attend the meeting of creditors. During such a meeting, you will be asked many of questions in a public setting and under oath. There are no restrictions on the questions and any creditor that is present is allowed to probe. You should expect your finances to be scrutinized.

Complete Disclosure Is Required

It is crucial that you’re completely honest and transparent when filing for bankruptcy. Leaving out important details could be detrimental to your case. You’ll be required to provide a list of all your properties, creditors, and debt. When dishonesty is discovered, you could be looking at losing your discharge, or worse.

Having looked at some of the most important elements when declaring bankruptcy, you might be wondering what is required in order to begin the process. There are some key steps that you should take and we’re going to highlight some of them.

Find an Attorney

This will be the first thing you’ll need to do if you’ve decided to file for bankruptcy. There is a lot of information on the internet about finding the right lawyer. Ideally, you should be looking for someone that is experienced with bankruptcy law and has handled a case similar to yours in the past. To get the right attorney, you can ask for references from your family lawyer or accountant that you’ve worked with.

Credit Counseling

It is a requirement by the Federal Bankruptcy Code that individuals get credit within 180 days before declaring bankruptcy. For married couples, both individuals will be required to attend credit counseling sessions. You’re not supposed to go to just any other counselor. There is a list of approved counselors by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Complete The Paperwork

This is the most time-consuming part of the whole process of filing for bankruptcy. Your attorney will need to prepare a petition. In addition to that, you’ll be required to provide detailed documentation of your assets, income, living expenses, and tax returns.

Meeting With Trustee

The court will appoint a trustee for your case once you file for bankruptcy. The role of the trustee is to oversee the case up to its logical conclusion. The trustee’s work is to look for assets to liquidate to pay your creditors with.  However, most assets are protected with bankruptcy exemptions.  For the process to be smooth, it is imperative that you’re cooperative with the trustee. You must furnish them will all the financial documents that they request.

Additional Considerations

There could be additional requirements for a married couple. You have the option of filing for bankruptcy together or separately. If you’re on good terms, it is recommended that you’re filing together to avoid filing fees. It might seem like a good idea for one spouse to file for bankruptcy so that their credit score isn’t being affected. It will be imperative to speak with an experienced bankruptcy attorney to determine if it makes sense to file bankruptcy together.

Conclusion

The process of filing for bankruptcy is complex and time-consuming. Once you’ve decided it is the best option for your situation, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the process. There are potential pitfalls that can easily be avoided with the right information. It is also important that you’re working with an experienced attorney for your case. Take your time to do research. Look at all the available options before making any important decisions.

Butcher Law Office, LLC.

Butcher Law Office, LLC was founded on the premise of offering personal and one-on-one bankruptcy services for clients. You get to work with Tom Butcher who is an attorney with more than 12 years of experience and more than 1300 bankruptcy cases filed.

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Defending Violent Crimes in Grand Rapids, Michigan

When a person commits a physical crime, it becomes a serious issue, and death cases are most serious of all the crimes. While considering a particular offense, a prosecutor will look at what kind of weapon is used in the crime or what kind of injury the victim got in the criminal incident.

Violent Crime Charges

Violent crime, also called assault, varies significantly across the state of Michigan. There are several classes or categories of assault laws. The basic definition of an assault offense begins with an assault. An assault is simply an unlawful and deliberate threat of bodily harm to another person who may take an action. Also, the victim needs to recognize the expected threat.

A more common violent crime is associated with another element of assault, which is known as a battery. Battery exists when a person comes into intentional and deliberate contact with a victim, and this happens against the consent of the victim.

The most severe misdemeanor charge is aggravated assault, which requires that you cause “serious or aggravated injury.”

An assault committed with a dangerous weapon is called Felonious Assault. The term other dangerous weapons refer to any object that is used in a way that could lead to a serious physical injury or death. Undoubtedly, weapons like a gun, brass knuckles, pistol, knives, and any other typical weapons fall under the definition of dangerous weapons.

Grand Rapids

You need to contact a Grand Rapids, Michigan Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers if you have been charged with an offense. You must discuss with your attorney your legal rights instantly. Your legal rights depend on the severity of the charges that have been charged against you, and you may have to bear the life-changing consequences or irreversible outcomes. A conviction can result in significant fines and imprisonment, as well as the loss of certain privileges.

A lawyer with experience in defending against criminal charges in Michigan can help ensure that all the evidence supporting your case is presented to the judge and can successfully argue that the charges against you should be reduced or dismissed completely. No matter what crime you are charged with, a Michigan criminal lawyer can help you get the best out of your case.

Plea Bargaining

Many criminal cases are resolved even before the case reaches the court, as a result of plea bargaining with the victim. While the prosecution team may propose a lighter sentence if the defendant wishes to plead guilty or refuse to challenge, it is very important to understand the legal implications of such agreements.

A criminal defense attorney in Grand Rapids with experience in criminal defense will be able to offer an attorney concerning any plea agreement that may be offered and will ensure that the client always understands their rights. If it is in the interests of the accused to go to court, a lawyer will help with all aspects of the defense to ensure that their client is fully prepared to defend their case in front of a judge.

If they proposed a plea deal or being approached by the prosecution to engage in a plea deal, be sure to speak with a criminal attorney in Grand Rapids before taking any further action.

If they have been offered a plea deal or have been contacted by the prosecution to involve in plea bargaining, it is imperative to talk with a criminal attorney in Grand Rapids before taking any further action.

A criminal record can change your life forever, as well as affect how others treat you personally. Don’t let yourself fall prey to the criminal justice system because you don’t fully understand your legal rights. Contact Rape Defense Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MIchigan to discuss your case and start building your defense today.

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Pursuing Compensation After Suffering A Spinal Cord or Burn Injury

Serious injury accidents happen every day. Whether you’re driving in your car, at work, or walking in a grocery store, you could encounter hazards or careless behavior that leads to an accident. When someone causes you harm, you could pursue legal action against them.

Some injuries are minor, while others are severe or life-threatening. If you require medical treatment and incur a range of costs, you might not be able to afford it. If this has happened to you, a Houston burn injury lawyer should be consulted right away. With the right legal team on your side, you could recover fair compensation to cover your medical bills, ongoing therapy and treatment, lost wages, loss of future earnings, disfigurement, and pain and mental anguish.

Below, we’ll talk about what types of accidents could result in a spinal cord or burn injury, and what to do to protect yourself or your loved one if the unthinkable happens.

Types of Accidents That Result in Spinal Cord or Burn Injuries

Various incidents could lead to burns or spinal cord damage. Any situation where one person’s careless actions lead to someone’s injury or fatality would fall under the broad category of personal injury. The most common personal injury accidents include:

  • Workplace accidents
  • Motor vehicle crashes
  • Slip and fall
  • Products liability
  • Premises liability
  • Dog bite or animal attack
  • Medical malpractice

Any of these could result in a burn or spinal cord injury. It depends on the factors surrounding the incident and how it occurred. Houston spinal cord injury lawyers can review the elements of any case to determine which accident type it falls under and how to proceed.

Take Legal Action Immediately After An Accident

If another person causes you harm, you must follow the steps below to protect your rights to financial compensation. You should begin the legal process immediately after the accident and seek legal representation. Houston burn injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to handle a case like yours effectively and pursue the maximum monetary award available.

Step 1: Obtain information at the accident scene, such as names and phone numbers of everyone involved, photos, and evidence. If you were in a car crash, ask for the other driver’s auto insurance information. In situations where you get hurt on another person’s property, you should ask for the business or property owner’s liability insurance details.

Step 2: Report the incident. Call 911 or notify someone of what happened. A police/incident report can be useful in showing the events leading up to your injuries and who caused it.

Step 3: Talk to anyone who witnessed the incident. Write down their names and contact information. They could provide witness statements during an insurance claim or lawsuit to help you prove you deserve compensation.

Step 4: Go to the doctor. Seek treatment immediately after sustaining an injury. If you wait too long, that could impact the outcome of your legal case. Insurance companies typically don’t pay out that much money to someone claiming to suffer a spinal cord injury but waiting two months before seeing a doctor. A gap in treatment won’t help you, so undergo an evaluation after the accident and continue following up until you recover.

Step 5: Maintain records of everything. Keep a copy of all documentation associated with your case. That includes billing statements, medical records, and insurance company letters. Sufficient evidence is necessary in personal injury cases to prove who was at fault and who suffered harm.

Step 6: Speak with Houston burn injury lawyers and retain one of them to assist you with your case.

If you were the victim of an accident and suffered injuries due to someone else’s carelessness, experienced Houston burn injury lawyers like those at Gibson Hill Personal Injury could help you get compensation and a measure of justice.

You should never have to pay out of pocket if someone else’s carelessness or negligence caused a severe and lasting injury. Spinal cord injuries and brain injuries, in particular, can impact a person’s life for years or possibly permanently. Take the first step toward rebuilding your life by calling an attorney to discuss your case in a confidential setting. From there, you can rest easier knowing that someone is on your side and will help you get justice.

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Dog Bite Injuries in Denver

A dog bite can cause severe injuries, permanent scarring and disfigurement, mental anguish, and in the most tragic cases, death. It’s a traumatic experience that can have a lasting impact on the victim’s life. Even if the physical scars heal, the emotional scars can last a lifetime. It’s important to understand state laws and statutes surrounding an incident like this. If the dog owner was somehow responsible for causing your injury, you might be entitled to financial compensation.

Denver dog bite injury attorneys have experience and resources to assist you with your legal case to ensure you receive the justice you rightfully deserve. Below, we’ll discuss Colorado’s dog bite laws in detail.

Colorado Dog Bite Laws

According to Colorado statute 13-21-124, you could potentially hold the dog owner liable for the injury you suffered if:

  • You were lawfully on private or public property; and
  • The bite caused severe bodily injury or fatality.

Premises liability is a broad category that includes various situations where someone gets hurt on another person’s property due to their actions. There are premises liability lawyers in Denver that can file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover the monetary award you need for your losses. To pursue this after a dog causes your injuries, you must use one of the following legal bases:

Strict liability only applies to situations where the victim sustained a dog bite. Under the statute above, the injury must be severe or fatal and occur on public or private property. It does not matter if the owner knew or should have known that their dog was aggressive or would bite someone.

Negligence refers to one party’s failure to act in a way that avoids harm to another. If a dog hurts you but doesn’t actually bite you, you wouldn’t be allowed to use strict liability as the basis of your legal case. You also must show evidence that the at-fault party’s actions directly led to your injury.

For example, some large dogs are strong enough to knock a person to   the ground and cause a concussion, broken bones, or cuts and wounds. If the dog wasn’t on a leash and charged at you, the owner would be negligent in this situation.

How to Handle a Dog Bite Injury

The most important thing to remember is that you should begin the legal process immediately after the incident. The longer you wait, the harder it might be to locate crucial evidence and find witnesses that can testify to what happened to you in court. Your premises liability attorney in Denver will need to investigate your case to determine if the dog owner is liable and find a way to prove it.

Step 1: Don’t let the dog get away. Call animal control if it’s a stray and keep it confined to an area where it can’t run. If the owner is around, tell them what happened and write down their name and contact information.

Step 2: Take photos at the scene of the attack. That should include a picture of the dog, your visible injuries, and any property damage that occurred during the incident. You should also obtain details about the dog’s history from the owner, such as its breed, recent vaccinations, and if there’s a history of violence.

Step 3: File a report. You can notify animal control to ensure it doesn’t hurt anyone else. If you’re in a public place, such as a restaurant, tell the manager and ask to complete an incident report. You might be able to file a claim with the business owner’s insurance company.

Step 4: Go to the doctor. It’s crucial that you don’t wait for days or weeks before seeking initial medical care. Insurance companies look at gaps in treatment as evidence that the injury never happened or it’s not serious enough to require medical intervention.

Step 5: File a claim or lawsuit. Various factors determine who you can seek compensation from after a dog bite. For example, if it happened at a friend’s house, you could file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance. If you were attacked on someone’s public property, you could file a claim with the property or business owner’s liability insurance. You could also sue the dog owner directly if their carelessness led to your injuries.

Step 6: Hire a premises liability attorney in Denver. Individuals who retain someone’s legal services typically receive higher compensation than those who choose to pursue their case alone.

Dog bite claims typically fall under the area of injury law known as premises liability. Premises liability lawyers in Denver will fight hard for the justice and compensation you deserve. Your attorney will be able to inform you of all your rights and legal options when you schedule a consultation to discuss your case in detail with them. Remember that time is limited to take legal action, so contact a dog bite attorney right away for help.

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Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in Calgary?

The question we set out to answer today is “Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer,” and this is a worthy one. For many people, the concept of a long, drawn-out legal battle can sound tedious, painful and perhaps fruitless. Plus, the misconception that lawyers are expensive and deceitful does no favours in convincing the general public about their ability to assist in these matters.

However, the short answer to this question will always remain the same; yes, personal injury lawyers are a worthwhile investment. Below, we explore how these professionals help their clients, clear up misconceptions about their fee structure and showcase their unique ability to navigate the confusing and complex world of law.

How They Help

There are several methods for personal injury lawyers to help you achieve your goals. For example, they provide information and expertise in the specific version of the law that they practice. They can also deal with the legal requirements and notifications required for dealing with health insurance, employee compensation, corporate policy review and many other technical components of your civil action.

However, they also assist in litigation and trials. In fact, you will likely not go into litigation without first consulting with a personal injury lawyer, as their first option is typically to pursue a settlement outside of the courts. This action helps save their clients money, reduce court wait times and allow for the peaceful resolution of many of their regular cases.

How They Charge

Unlike other lawyer types, personal injury lawyers usually charge only at the conclusion of the case. They do this to ensure their services were beneficial and that a settlement has been reached. This makes them very worthwhile as they are assuming all of the risks if the case does not reach fruition, and it helps their clients save money and stress for the other important parts of life.

However, you will also have to consult with an individual lawyer to determine if they use this pay structure. The world of law is wide and varied, which means that many lawyers can set their own requirements for representing clients through a variety of legal cases.

How They Navigate

Finally, personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the type of law that they practice. Of course, this is expected of them, but there is a real benefit to having someone knowledgeable about possibilities and processes on your team. While it is possible to represent yourself without legal counsel, this can lead to problems, delays and other negative consequences that require further education and understanding to defend against.

To put it another way, representing yourself in a personal injury claim might be acceptable for a straightforward case. But, at the first complication, you must dive into another set of legislation and law that is open to interpretation and ensure you fulfill your obligations correctly. And then, with another change, your knowledge and research must again shift to suit the needs of your case.

Conversely, the lengthy schooling, testing and training requirements of lawyers develops in them a very unique skill. It isn’t necessarily that they have all of this information in their mind, like a giant library. Rather, they are adept at navigating the vast fields of law and can look into each aspect of a case with aplomb and ease.

All in all, this qualifies them to deliver a high-quality service that provides real value to their clients and streamlines the legal process through various methods. Visit www.edwardsinjurylaw.com for more information today!

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How to Fight DUI Charges in Colorado

5 Ways You Can Fight DUI Charges in Colorado

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence in Colorado, it doesn’t mean that you will be convicted immediately. However, Colorado has strict DUI laws that can affect the outcome of your case. Fortunately, there are many defenses that you can use to fight these charges.

1. DUI breath test wasn’t done correctly

Before you can take a breath test, some procedures must be followed to ensure that the results are true. Therefore, when the laid-down procedures are not followed to the letter, you can argue that the results were inaccurate. Some of the common procedural errors in DUI breath tests include:

  • Poor calibration of the Breathalyzer
  • The law enforcement officer didn’t receive proper training on how to administer the breathalyzer test
  • You didn’t get tested after driving for over 2 hours
  • The officer conducted the test without observing you for 20 minutes
  • The accurate results of the test were not preserved

2. Inconsistent blood test results

Even though breathalyzer test results are prone to human error, blood tests conducted in a lab can also give false-positive results. This is why Colorado DUI laws require that the lab save some of the DUI blood samples for a maximum of one year for independent testing.

If a certified independent lab analyzes the samples, and the results come up lower than what the police used, a Colorado court of law can give you the benefit of the doubt. This is why you should opt for a blood test over a DUI breath test.

3. DUI breath test was inaccurate

It’s not uncommon for breath tests to give false-positive results. Some of the reasons for a false positive breath test result can include health conditions, diet, and consuming substances like mouthwash, which contains alcohol. Additionally, there are external factors that can affect these results, like the temperature of the room.

4. No probable cause for you to be stopped

Before a police officer pulls you over and detains you for a DUI investigation, arrest, or for a chemical test, they need to have probable cause. This means that the officer should either be suspicious or believe that you’re breaking the law. Therefore, if the officer doesn’t have probable cause, they are not allowed to stop you or even build a case against you. If you’re in such a situation, the evidence they build up against you is inadmissible in a Colorado court of law.

5. The officer didn’t read you your Miranda rights

Before any arrest in Colorado, a law enforcement officer is legally required to read you your Miranda rights. This means that the officer conducting the interrogation during an arrest should read you your Miranda rights. Therefore, if they were not read to you, anything you say cannot be used as admissible evidence. However, you should note that anything you say before an arrest and before your Miranda rights are read to you can be used against you in court.

Get a DUI Attorney to Fight on Your Side

Colorado DUI cases are more complex than they appear. However, if you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, don’t despair. Experienced Denver DUI lawyers from the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani, LLC know all the tricks prosecutors use. Call us today at 303-529-2242 for a free consultation to discuss how we can protect your rights and defend you from your Colorado DUI charges.

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