Car Accident Claims: Do I Need My Own Lawyer?
This is another in our series on car accident claims. Many of us experience an accident, but do we really know what do to, how to get help, or what our rights are? This series can help. You might think about handling a simple fender bender on your own. After all, it’s just a couple quick calls to insurance companies and paperwork from the repair shop, right? But even the most straightforward car accident claims can go sideways in a hurry. For more serious cases where someone is injured, the fallout can be complex and intimidating. Going it alone can mean forfeiting your legal rights, getting a smaller settlement, or even being found liable for the accident yourself. Here are just a few reasons why you need …
5 Car Accident Myths
Listen to any morning traffic report or talk to any friend and you know — car accidents happen all the time. And everyone’s got their own story. So how do you separate fact from fiction? Here are five of the most persistent car accident myths, and why they’re they are just plain wrong. If You’re Not Hurt Right Away, You Can’t Sue for Injuries Later. Some injuries, especially those like whiplash, can take weeks or months to develop noticeable symptoms. As long as you’re within your state’s statute of limitations, you can file an injury claim. Even if you don’t feel hurt, you should probably seek medical attention immediately, just to be safe. The Other Driver and I Can Work It Out. One of the biggest mistakes after …
Need to Know: Car Accidents in Other Countries
Car accidents are never pleasant, but they can really spoil a perfect vacation when they occur while you are traveling. And an injury can make it even worse. In many ways, international car accidents are handled in similar ways to those at home. But there might be some big differences, depending on where you’re visiting. Here are some things to consider if you are injured in a car accident in another country. First Steps What you do right after a car accident abroad should be the same as what you do after an accident at home. First, assess the damage. Make sure everyone is OK, that anyone injured receives medical attention, and that the cars involved in the accident are not a danger to other traffic or …
Why Should I Have More Than Minimum Insurance Coverage?
Every state requires all drivers to carry auto insurance. And Obamacare now requires everyone to have health insurance. Facing these laws, many people’s first thought is to get the absolute minimum insurance required, in order to save money. While this may seem like the most fiscally responsible move in the short term, not having more than the minimum insurance coverage could end up costing you later. Covering More Than Your Car While terminology and penalties may vary, every state has laws requiring a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. And of the many different types of coverage available, many of us choose the minimum. But basic collision coverage may only cover that — collisions — paying just the cost to cover the damage to your vehicle in a car …
Are Treadmills Dangerous?
We normally think of exercise equipment as inherently healthy, but a CEO’s recent death has many wondering about the health risks of using treadmills. Dave Goldberg, CEO of SurveyMonkey and husband of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, died last week after falling and striking his head while using a treadmill. Goldberg’s death was a shock to Silicon Valley and a wake-up call to the 50 million Americans who use them that treadmills may be dangerous. Running a Risk According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), treadmill-related injuries led to 24,000 emergency room visits last year alone. The CPSC also reports there have been “30 reported deaths associated with treadmills for the ten year period from 2003-2012 or an average of about 3 per year (2012 is the …
What if I’m Injured Hiking or Camping?
Summer is almost here and many of us are already planning our outdoor expeditions. Safety first is the rule for any hiking or camping trip, but unfortunately not all backcountry injuries can be avoided. So what happens if you’re injured while hiking or camping this summer? If the injuries weren’t your fault, could someone else be liable? On Tour If you’re injured while part of a tour group or organized expedition, you may have a claim against the tour company. A couple years ago, a teen was swept out to sea by a rogue wave while part of a kayaking and hiking tour in Hawaii. As it turned out, the tour company didn’t have a permit to access the tidal pool area where the wave hit, and …
Death at Work: Workers’ Comp or Wrongful Death Claim?
Prosecutors charged Bumble Bee Foods and two managers after a worker was cooked to death in an industrial oven along with six tons of tuna. Plant Operations Director Angel Rodriguez and former safety manager Saul Florez could face 3 years in prison and the Bumble Bee could pay $1.5 million in fines for violating workplace safety standards. But what about the family of the man who died, Jose Melena? Does workers’ compensation cover death in the workplace? Or will survivors need to file a wrongful death claim? Death Benefits Melena, 62, was killed in 2012 and left behind six children and seven grandchildren. California’s workers’ compensation system, like that in many other states, provides death benefits to spouses, children, or other dependents if an employee dies in a work-related …