Car Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving is a serious issue that leads to countless accidents every year. It involves any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating, drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, or fiddling with the stereo or navigation system. A shocking statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that in the U.S alone, approximately 9% of all fatal crashes in recent years were reported as distraction-related.

Understanding Distracted Driving

There are three main types of distractions: Visual, Manual, and Cognitive.

• Visual distractions cause you to take your eyes off the road.

• Manual distractions make you take your hands off the wheel.

• Cognitive distractions take your mind off what you’re doing.

Examples could include a text message causing visual and manual distraction, adjusting the radio causing manual distraction, or simply being lost in thought, causing cognitive distraction.

Distracted Driving and the Law

Distracted driving is defined by law as any non-driving activity a person engages in while operating a motor vehicle. Such activities have the potential to distract the person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of an accident. These laws vary by state, with some having complete bans on handheld devices while driving, and others having specific restrictions for novice drivers or school zones. The penalties for violating these laws also vary, with consequences ranging from fines to license suspensions.

The Effect of Distracted Driving on Car Accident Claims

Distracted driving plays a significant role in the determination of fault in an accident. If it can be proven that a driver was distracted at the time of the accident, they can be held liable for any damage or injury that occurred. This can also significantly impact the compensation claim, with the victim potentially receiving higher compensation due to the negligent behavior of the distracted driver.

Proving Distracted Driving in a Car Accident Claim

Proving distracted driving can involve the collection of various pieces of evidence, from cell phone records to CCTV footage. Eyewitnesses also play a vital role in confirming whether a driver was distracted. More recently, technology has become an instrumental tool in these cases, with the use of devices that can detect recent phone activity or even in-vehicle data recorders.

The Role of a Car Accident Attorney in Distracted Driving Cases

The best car accident attorneys can be invaluable in helping victims navigate the complex legal landscape following a distracted driving accident. They can assist in collecting evidence, interpreting the law, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing victims in court. The process typically begins with a consultation, followed by an investigation into the accident, and then the filing of a claim or lawsuit if necessary.

Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving

As drivers, it’s essential to prioritize focus on the road. Suggestions include:

• Setting your navigation and playlist before you start driving

• Keeping your phone out of reach

• Not eating or drinking while driving

Technological advancements also offer potential solutions, with many new vehicles including features designed to minimize distraction, like hands-free phone connectivity and advanced driver assistance systems.

The dangers of distracted driving extend far beyond the potential for an accident. The legal implications can be severe and long-lasting. It’s vital for all drivers to understand these risks and make a conscious effort to avoid distractions. If you or a loved one is a victim of a distracted driving accident, seeking the help of a car accident attorney can be the first step towards ensuring your rights are protected.

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

While there are some similarities between what occurs in federal and state criminal courts, there are a vast amount of differences.  The Federal Court has its own rules and procedures, and some are quite different from the states. 

Federal criminal cases are handled in federal district courts that are situated within a particular state.  State criminal courts are situated within each state.  As our friends from the leading criminal defense can explain, sometimes state and federal crimes seem almost identical, in fact, sometimes the case can be charged by either or both.  Yes, that is right. You can be charged by both the federal government and a state for the same crimes, and there is no double jeopardy argument, although this happens infrequently.  This is because both the state and the federal government have an interest in preventing certain crimes from occurring within their jurisdiction.  While the federal government has jurisdiction over crimes that are committed within the United States, the state only has jurisdiction over crimes committed within its borders.

Federal courts are staffed by judges who are selected by the President of the United States. These are the District Court Judges.  Federal courts also have magistrate judges who are not Article III judges and are not selected by the President.  State courts also have judges that are typically appointed by the Governor of each state.  There are many similar crimes that are frequently brought in both federal and state courts.  These include drug and firearm offenses and many fraud offenses as well as RICO offenses and money laundering.  

The important thing to remember if you are charged with a federal crime, is that you want a lawyer who has experience in federal courts.  Some criminal lawyers limit their practices to the state, and some attorneys do little federal criminal defense.

If you or a loved one are charged with a federal crime, you need a federal criminal defense lawyer residents recommend to represent you.  Try to find one that has a vast amount of experience in federal court.  

Auto Accident Lawyer

If you have recently been in an auto collision, you may be wondering what you should do next. Despite being told during our driver’s education classes how to respond in the aftermath of a car wreck, with the chaos of everything going on around us, it can be really easy to forget if we are in the thick of it. As an auto accident lawyer victims trust from Barry P. Goldberg has explained to clients, it’s important to know what to do in the event of a car accident so that you can make decisions and take steps that are going to be in the best interests of their health and recovery.

The first thing you must do is observe yourself for serious injury. You may have immediate symptoms, depending on how serious the injury is, or you may not feel the effects of the accident until hours or days later. In fact, for many people, they start to feel the side effects of what happened the morning after a car accident. For others, they may have been ushered to the emergency room, been hospitalized, or underwent emergency surgery because their injuries were so severe. 

Victims of car accidents may not realize that they are entitled to monetary restitution for what they have been through. By knowing what to do if a car accident happens, you are better apt to do things that are going to be beneficial for your side. After notifying your insurance company about the accident, you will be reached out to you by an insurance adjuster, who is someone that wants to obtain a statement from you about the accident. But keep in mind that this person, no matter how friendly they seem, is only acting in the best interest of the insurance company, and not your finances or recovery. 

Sadly, many victims realize after the fact that they had said something to an insurance adjuster that was then misconstrued in a way to reduce or deny their claim. For this reason, your lawyer may suggest handling the conversation with an adjuster for you. Do not provide a verbal statement over the phone or close your claim, no matter how much you may be pressured to by the insurance adjuster to do so.

Before leaving the scene of an accident, you will need to get the other driver’s information. You will need to write down their first and last name, form of contact, vehicle description, insurance carrier name, policy number, and any other details that seem appropriate for the accident. If there is more than just one driver involved, then you will need to get the same information from all parties present. It will be imperative to have plenty of evidence related to the car accident, including gathering pictures and video footage of the scene. Your lawyer, like a team member from  Barry P. Goldberg, can use evidence to build your case and ensure that you get the most compensation possible for what you have endured. 

Home Health Care

If you are currently caregiving for someone with dementia, daily living activities can feel like a point of contention. Regular activities such as grooming, toileting, and dressing are fraught with discord. Caregivers can even find themselves remiss as to how to help their loved one with their ADLs.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help assist in ADLs for those living with dementia. 

Lean into routine.

For those living with degenerative brain disease, routine is everything. A set schedule brings order to the untamed chaos of the day. While the individual may not understand exactly why things are occurring, they intrinsically understand that this activity happens now. 

For example, you can set a grooming schedule that occurs every morning before breakfast. This establishes that grooming is a set component of the day. Even more so, it connects the activity of grooming with the pleasant experience of a morning meal.

Use clear communication.

When requesting something from your loved one, use clear and concise language. Use direct sentences and omit any unnecessary information. Tell them, “I am going to brush your teeth now.” Try not to overcomplicate by saying, “Get ready! We’re going to brush your teeth. I’ll try to be gentle near your gums. I know you had popcorn earlier.”

If your loved one doesn’t understand something, try not to rephrase the statement. Repeat the phrase as you said it the first time, as rephrasing the question can cause confusion. 

Empower them through independence. 

Whenever you have the chance, try to encourage independence. Highlight the processes that they can undergo independently, and encourage them to take part. The goal is to allow them to use the tools that they have. For example, although your loved one may need help getting in and out of the bath, celebrate that they can independently operate the faucet. 

Patience is key.

Encouraging independence often means that things are going to take a little longer than you are used to. This is okay! Just because your loved one is moving at a different pace doesn’t mean they are any different. Be patient, know that things will happen in time. 

Use positive reinforcement.

With all things, a little encouragement goes a long way! Assisting with ADLs is a collaborative effort. Let your loved one know that they did a good job brushing their hair or not spilling their dinner. This creates a positive environment around ADLs and makes the entire process better for you both!

Thanks to our friends for their expertise in elderly assistance services and home health care.

Getting pulled over by the police can be a nerve-racking experience. No one wants to be given a ticket, but when it happens, how much do you have to worry? As a drunk driving lawyer in New Jersey from a firm like Rispoli & Borneo P.C. can explain, one thing that most drivers worry about is the state of their license. What happens to your license if you were caught speeding?

Can You Lose Your License for Speeding?

The short answer is no. If you are pulled over for speeding, odds are that you won’t lose your license. Most of the time, a speeding conviction results in a fine. The only reason this answer isn’t completely definite is that most states have a points system.

In a points system, each traffic offense is assigned a certain number of points. The worse the offense, the higher the points. Generally, you have a two-to-three-year period where you do not want to get over a certain number of points. After a few years, your points may reset.

If you receive multiple speeding tickets over a short amount of time, you may lose your license. In some states, if you reach a certain number of points, your license will be suspended for about 30 days or six months. Most people who face suspension may have three or four violations on their record.

Can a Judge Order a Suspension?

In some states, the judge can order a suspension. While most judges are not going to order a suspension for a speeding ticket, it is possible. Generally, a judge might decide to order a suspension if the speeding led to an accident or if he or she sees a pattern in your behavior. If you have several violations, the judge is more likely to order a suspension.

Can You Obtain Your License Again?

If your license is suspended, it is usually for a set amount of time. Most people will wait 30 days or six months to have their license reinstated. However, there are times where you may be able to have it reinstated sooner. For instance, if you have to work and there is no other way for you to get to your place of employment, you may be able to obtain a hardship or restricted license. This allows you to drive to and from certain places during your suspension.

When it comes to license suspensions, every state has different rules. Some have more strict point systems. If you recently received a speeding ticket and are worried about your license, you may want to set up an appointment with a traffic ticket lawyer as soon as possible.

First step, take a deep breath. Fortunately for you, there’s a group of people out there who practice criminal defense and will be able to help you with your criminal charges. Now you need to call a criminal lawyer to discuss your situation so they can create a pathway from where you are to where you want to be.

Misdemeanor Criminal Lawyer

So you have misdemeanor criminal charges. Misdemeanors are unique and often vary by the level of the crime alleged. Typically, misdemeanors have sentences of less than one year if you were to receive any type of active time. A criminal lawyer can advise you on the proper steps to take and will try to protect your record if possible. Misdemeanors can include possession of a small amount of drugs, a larceny or theft crime from a store such as shoplifting, trespassing on someone’s property, or assault charges such as a simple assault or an assault on a female. These types of crimes often face far less severe sentences than one would for say a felony criminal charge.

Felony Criminal Attorney

Felony charges often face far harsher sentences than misdemeanors and are typically heard in a higher level court. Felony criminal attorneys often have a lot of experience in this area and should be able to tell you what they’ve seen with similar factual situations as what you’re dealing with. Felony charges can include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, any type of shooting, such as assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill inflicting serious injury, higher level larceny crimes such as embezzlement or any type of fraud that results in theft. Felony charges also feature higher level drug charges, such as drug trafficking offenses, which is the possession of a certain quantity of drugs and can be charged for possession of kilos of substances such as cocaine or heroin.

Drug Lawyer

If you have criminal charges against you, you need to not panic. You need to contact a criminal lawyer, like our friends at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law, as soon as possible to help with your case. They can guide you through this process and create a plan to protect you and your rights. Pick up the phone and call a top rated criminal lawyer today to help you with your legal situation, it will put you at ease, and let someone who knows what they’re doing help you.