Sue the Rideshare Driver or the Rideshare Company After a Crash?
An increasing number of individuals nowadays prefer not to purchase their own car because of the cheap transportation offered by rideshare companies such as Lyft and Uber. The biggest advantage of these services is that you can locate one on your smartphone, view the fare for different types of vehicles, and book the one that best suits you. However, one cannot deny the fact that despite the skills of the drivers of these companies, their vehicles are prone to accidents.
When a collision occurs, passengers riding in that vehicle are susceptible to severe injuries. However, litigating such personal injury cases is much more complex when compared to standard car accident claims. Therefore, it is extremely vital that you have an experienced and reliable Chicago car accident attorney by your side to help you recover damages for injuries suffered and expenses for your treatment.
Should I Sue the Rideshare Driver or the Rideshare Company?
Most people involved in such accidents often ask whether they can sue their rideshare driver. However, this is not as simple as you might think because rideshare companies do not own a pool of cars. On the contrary, they work with independent contractors who own and drive their own vehicles. Thanks to this, the insurance coverage of such vehicles can be quite confusing.
Ridesharing companies provide a one-million-dollar liability insurance policy to each of their drivers. This policy comes into effect in the unfortunate event of an accident. This implies that both the driver, as well as the passengers, may be covered for their losses and injuries. However, the insurance coverage totally depends on what the driver was doing at the time the collision took place. Here are some examples:
- Off service: The driver might have his driver mode turned off at the time of the accident. In case the accident occurs during this period, the concerned driver would have to get in touch with his personal auto insurance for coverage.
- On service: The driver was either waiting for a car request or was driving his car to pick up a client when the accident occurred. In such a scenario the rideshare company has contingent liability coverage in the case that the personal insurance of the driver does not provide enough or no coverage at all.
- Driving a passenger: If the crash took place while the driver was transporting one or more people, both the passenger(s) and the driver are typically covered under the ridesharing company’s liability coverage.
Keeping the above factors in mind, it is very difficult to sue the company. You can, however, seek the help of a professional Chicago car accident attorney to help you. You, the passenger, are covered under the company’s insurance policy if you were a passenger when the accident took place, and the driver of the vehicle was at fault. The attorney will send letters to the rideshare company and the driver, asking them to preserve the evidence of your ride
Largo Car Accident Statistics
There is nothing as disturbing as learning about the high rates of car accidents in any area or region. Last year alone, there were more than 106,000 auto accidents in Florida. Even though the statistic covers the whole of Florida, there are indications that most of the cases were in Pinellas County, as it’s the most densely populated county in the state. Since Largo is a big part of Pinellas County, there’s a reason for concern if you are a motorist there. Below are more Largo car accident statistics to which you should be aware.
Thirty Percent of Auto Accidents Result in Personal Injuries
This statistic, according to a 2016 report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), indicates that personal injuries are a concern in Largo. According to the study, however, the percentage of fatalities was small. This is also evident when you compare car accident fatalities and bicycle fatalities. The latter exceeds the former by five percent.
Seventy Percent of Auto Accidents Lead to Property Damages
Most auto accidents are caused by reckless driving. The 2016 NHTSA report further shows that personal injuries and fatalities are not the only concerns on the Florida roads. The damage caused to personal property is costly; according to the report, the whole of Pinellas County suffers massive economic loss annually to the tune of $1.5 billion.
Most Crashes Happen Late in the Evening
According to the national statistics, most crashes occur between six and nine at night. This is usually the time that most motorists drive back home from their workplaces. Since they are too eager to get home, they habitually speed-up to beat traffic, sometimes leading to crashes.
DUI accounts for Fifteen Percent of Fatalities
Reports show that most DUI cases are recorded on the weekend, as opposed to the weekdays. This is because most people prefer to engage in fun activities, drinking included, on the weekends. Some are not careful enough to call a taxi when they over-indulge, and they end up behind the wheel while inebriated.
Distracted Driving
Studies show that distracted driving accounts for twelve percent of auto accidents. This is mostly because of mobile phone usage while driving. Generally, people have become over-reliant on their mobile phones and they talk and text while driving. As a result, they are easily distracted, often leading to crashes. The same thing happens when they try to find a direction using their phone’s map. It’s easy to get distracted when trying to find the details of a destination.
Speeding
Speeding accounts for seven percent of auto accident fatalities in Largo. It’s mostly attributed to the increased number of younger drivers on the roads. Sadly, many of them are not even licensed drivers. When compared to older more cautious drivers, younger drivers tend to be more reckless.
Largo car accident statistics are clearly alarming. So, something needs to be done about the figures soon. It’s a collective responsibility that requires both the motorists and the traffic agencies to ensure that the law is observed.
Injuries
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Florida, you should enlist the help of a Largo auto accident lawyer. They can help get you the compensation you deserve to help recover from your injuries, lost wages, and replace any property that has been damaged.
When Is It Appropriate to Sue a Stock Broker?
When you are investing in the stock market, dealing with a broker is usually inevitable. A stock broker is a regulated professional individual who is associated with a brokerage firm and is tasked with the duty of executing, buying, and selling orders on behalf of the client. In some instances, the acts of a stock broker, whether intentional or otherwise, can cause the client to lose money. For example, the broker can make miscalculated moves and lose a trade. In some cases, brokers engage in fraud, which leads to losses for the client.
What should you do if your broker causes you to lose money? Can you sue them? If so, when is it appropriate to sue a stock broker?
Stock market investors can sue their brokers for losses incurred under their watch. However, lawsuits aren’t always successful. Here are some of the situations in which it can be appropriate to sue your stock broker and get compensation for losses.
Evidence of Fraudulent Activity
If you have evidence that your broker has engaged in fraudulent activities that have led to losses on your part, you can sue for damages. Some of the common forms of fraud that may be performed by brokers in the stock market include the following:
- Selling fake securities
- Over-concentration of a portfolio
- Making unsuitable purchases that are not in line with your requested level of risk
- Trading without your consent
- Breach of contract
In these cases of fraud, a breach of contract is usually the easiest to prove. In other instances, the broker and their firm will deny any allegations. Therefore, it may be paramount for you to engage a stock loss attorney so he or she can help you gather evidence and get legal redress.
Broker Negligence and Breach of Fiduciary Duty
When you hire a broker to trade on your behalf, they are expected to observe due care and uphold proper standards when handling your investment. Therefore, if you lose money due to the broker’s negligence or breach of fiduciary duty, you can sue them and get compensated for the stock loss. Some examples of negligence include:
- Failure to execute your instructions pertaining to how and where to invest
- Failing to put your interest first, hence breaching their fiduciary duty to you
- Failure to conduct due diligence on which securities are suitable for your needs
- Brokerage firms failing to supervise and monitor client accounts for suspicious activity
- Supplying false or misleading information
Just as is the case with fraud, you have to prove that your broker was negligent or they breached their fiduciary duty to you, and as a result, you lost your investment. A good attorney can help you gather evidence, put together a case, and get compensated for the losses suffered due to the broker’s actions.
How to Seek Compensation
In most cases, brokers and their firms will deny any responsibility when approached with a liability claim. Therefore, be ready to seek legal counsel if you want compensation. Your lawyer will review the contract agreement to look for breaches, gather evidence, and build a strong case against your broker. Once you have a strong case, the chances of getting a ruling in your favor are drastically increased.
Final Thoughts
No one should lose stocks in the hands of a fraudulent or negligent broker. Therefore, if you are a victim of such a crime, sue your broker for damages so you can be compensated for the loss. Work with a stock loss lawyer so that they can help you research, gather evidence, and put together a tight case against the broker and their firm.
Will I Lose My House if I File Bankruptcy in Indiana?
There are many ways of dealing with a huge debt burden. If you have a lot of debt that you would like to get rid of, you may consider refinancing or consolidating the debt. Alternatively, you can decide to file for bankruptcy. There are three bankruptcy options that Indiana residents can consider.
There is Chapter 7, which both individual and corporate debtors can use; it basically provides for liquidation of property to pay off debts and can be completed in a matter of months. The second option is Chapter 11, which is meant for businesses and other legal entities. The last bankruptcy option is Chapter 13, which is specifically designed for individual consumers and provides for debt restructuring, as opposed to liquidation of assets to pay off debts.
Filing for Bankruptcy
When thinking about bankruptcy, many people often wonder if they’ll lose their house if they file bankruptcy in Indiana. It depends on the type of bankruptcy you choose to file. Debtors with an unreliable or low income, with too much bad debt, can only qualify for Chapter 7 because they cannot service their debts through an improved payment plan. Those with a significant income can have their debts forgiven through Chapter 13, which allows the debtor to make regular monthly payments for a few years to get debt forgiveness.
Chapter 7
If you seek bankruptcy protections under Chapter 7, a trustee will be appointed to liquidate your estate. The trustee will organize a public auction to sell all non-exempt assets. While there are some federal and state exemptions, none of them make it possible for you to retain your home after the bankruptcy. After all, it is your biggest asset, especially if you have significant equity in the home. That said, if you file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 in Indiana, you will lose your home. Therefore, if you want to keep your home, consider getting a better job and file for bankruptcy under Chapter 13.
Chapter 13
If you have a meaningful job with a decent income, you may be able to afford a payment plan. After filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13, you will need to draft and present a decent payment plan to your creditors. Once approved, you will get the court’s protection from your creditors. Even if you had defaulted on your mortgage payments, a Chapter 13 filing will temporarily halt foreclosure, which means you can retain your home. Since no assets are sold in Chapter 13 to pay off debts, you can be assured of retaining all your assets, including your home. In short, you cannot lose your house if you file for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 in Indiana. Be sure to consult a competent bankruptcy lawyer in Vigo County, IN before filing any paperwork.
What if the Property Owner Won’t Pay Me for My Slip-and-Fall Injuries?
Slip-and-falls account for a large number of injuries sustained by individuals every year. If a case occurred on another’s premises, then it may be possible to launch a personal injury claim with the aim of getting compensation for damages. The money can be used to cover the medical costs and other expenses brought about by the accident.
Of course, all these are easier said than done. Not all cases are clear-cut. Not all parties will admit to fault and pay for the damages outright. So, you may be asking, “What if the property owner won’t pay me for my slip-and-fall injuries?”
Obtain Proof of the Injury
Whether you try to settle or go to court, you will have to provide irrefutable proof that you were indeed injured. It will not be enough for you to say that you were injured, as the defendant may simply accuse you of bluffing. You must get medical records that show the injurie; it is prudent for any injured person to go straight to a hospital and get the doctor’s evaluation. All the results will prove to be vital in a court case. Get proof that it happened on the premises as well.
Determine the Liable Party
Sometimes this will be straightforward, but other times it can get complicated. For example, you got invited to your neighbor’s celebration and you slipped on a puddle in their backyard. If your neighbor owns the land, then he should shoulder the responsibility for what transpired. On the other hand, this might be a totally different case if you were shopping at a store and slipped due to a slippery floor. The store owner might not actually own the land, but just rents it, or the store could be owned by a big corporation that has multiple branches across the country. It can be difficult to determine who to sue.
Establish Their Obligation
You need to establish that the defendant has an obligation to keep you safe. If you were invited for a celebration like the example above, then the property owner (your neighbor) actually wanted you there. He is obliged to keep the guest safe while under his care. The same might not be true if a trespasser was injured while attending the party since he is not welcome there. As for commercial properties, their doors are usually open to people while they are doing business. Stores should keep their customers safe while shopping on their premises.
Prove Their Negligence
Injured persons will then have to prove that the property owner was negligent in his duty to ensure his safety as a guest. The help of an injury lawyer in Baton Rouge will be invaluable in building a strong case and ensuring that proper compensation is obtained in court.
Post-Divorce Checklist
The divorce procedures are not always complete after you’re officially divorced. There are quite a few things that still need your attention before you can take that glass of wine and celebrate. Even though a settlement has been made, a judge must sign off and declare your divorce official. Based on your location, this process could take several weeks to several months. There is no definite time period since things involving the court usually take longer than you might expect.
Post-Divorce Checklist
The first things you should do post-divorce is to make sure you receive and relinquish all things you initially agreed to in the divorce and update all your accounts to make sure they reflect your current status. Below are some more things you should consider doing to get your life organized post-divorce.
Study Your Settlement
Read and note down everything related to your divorce settlement and learn things your ex-spouse and you must complete. This stage could entail transferring assets or money, completing a QDRO, and/or creating custody schedules.
Make a Calendar
Divorce settlements usually have multiple dates. Some dates could happen every year over the next decade, while others could be wrapped up within a week or two. It can be challenging to stay on top of all the different dates, therefore, is wise to create a calendar and stay organized.
Setting Up Your Fresh Start
Quite a few people find it hard to lead a new life after divorce, as they do not seriously ponder over the several elements that are required to start afresh again. Many of those things are tedious to begin with, but they are important, and you just cannot overlook them.
Check Your Credit Status
Always go through your credit report to make sure all things on it make sense. If there’s a problem, look for solutions right away. Close active joint accounts even if the balance is zero. Several years later, these joint accounts could pose problems. In case there’s an outstanding balance and the account can’t be closed, look if freezing it is an option. Most lenders are quite willing to assist customers who have a divorce settlement case looming over their heads.
Create New Financial Accounts
After your divorce, it’s wise to create new bank accounts. Your ex-spouse could still have access to your current account numbers, favorite pet’s name, social security number, and all conventional security queries that financial institutions usually ask. A financially strapped or vindictive ex-spouse could try accessing those prior accounts.
Other Measures
Update your estate planning and will documents. Also, check who is the beneficiary on all your financial accounts such as bank account, insurance policies, retirement account, and pension plans. When you get married, your spouse becomes the beneficiary by default, but these accounts don’t take note of your divorce or change the beneficiary settings automatically. You’ll have to do that yourself. A divorce attorney in Rancho Cucamonga would guide you through this process.
How Do Personal Injury Lawyers Help Clients?
If you have sustained an injury that was no fault of your own, you might be wondering if you should file a personal injury claim. If the negligence of another party has contributed to your accident, you are likely entitled to receive financial compensation from that party.
Also known as damages, financial compensation can include the costs of any accident-related medical treatment or recovery, property damage, pain and suffering, and missed wages due to time away from work. Personal injury lawyers can help clients in numerous ways.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
One of the best things you can do in the process of filing a personal injury claim is to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer like Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP. Your personal injury lawyer will assess your case and advise you on how best to proceed. They will collect all pertinent paperwork, such as medical information and witness reports and ensure that it is filled out correctly and filed on time. With a personal injury lawyer advocating for you, your claim will not face any delays due to missed deadlines or a document being filled out incorrectly.
Pre-Litigation Preparation
Your lawyer will prepare you on how to best answer questions in the event of a deposition or your claim going to trial. In the event of an independent medical exam, your lawyer will help you anticipate the kinds of questions you will be asked and how to answer them in the best interest of your case. Your lawyer will know your case’s strengths and weaknesses and will build your case around maximizing the pros and minimizing the cons.
Demand Letter
For a personal injury claim to officially begin, a letter of demand must be written by the plaintiff to the defendant. In this letter, you will clearly state your intent to pursue damages for your injury. Your lawyer will advise you on an appropriate amount of money to request and what to expect in return. With the assistance of your lawyer, you will draft this letter and wait for the defendant’s response. Should the defendant or their insurance company refuse to pay or refuse negligence for the accident, your claim can become a lawsuit and potentially go to trial; in that event, your lawyer will assist you in all trial preparation and compiling all necessary documents.
Personal injury lawyers can help you in several ways. From assessing your case to advising on what kind of compensation you can expect to taking the claim all the way to trial, having a competent personal injury lawyer advocate for you is invaluable.
Not only will your lawyer assess your case and advise you on how best to proceed, they will know every step that needs to be taken to ensure the lawsuit is processed with strict adherence with the law. If the defendant is not accepting negligence, your claim becomes a lawsuit and becomes even more complicated. Being injured in an accident is a stressful and emotional event. Having the help of a personal injury lawyer can help make the process of seeking damages as efficient and stress-free as possible.
Alabama Road Construction Can Cause Accidents
If you live in Alabama, you are probably familiar with the chaotic transportation situation in most parts of the crowded southeastern part of the state. Alabama has a relatively high population, and it requires improvement in its road network to match the growing population. This is one reason for the large number of current road construction projects in the state. The unfortunate correlation is that Alabama road construction can cause auto accidents. Below are some things you should know about the road system and road accident laws in the state of Alabama.
Expansion of Existing Roads
There are always ongoing road construction projects in Alabama to expand existing roads in the major cities of Birmingham and Montgomery. In some cases, flyovers and overhead bridges are constructed to ease traffic congestion. In other cases, new roads are constructed to open-up new thoroughfares to other areas in the state.
These projects cost billions of dollars, but they are necessary to ensure that commercial and industrial activities run smoothly in the state. Sometimes, road construction in this state leads to accidents and if this happens to you, you will need to enlist a smart Alabama car accident attorney.
Construction of Bridges
The Alabama River passes through many parts of this state, meaning there is a need to construct and maintain bridges in different parts of the state. The Edmund Pettus Bridge in the Selma area is one of the most important bridges in the state. This bridge has been around for a long time and it is no longer in first class shape. However, recent repairs and maintenance have helped to make the bridge safe and usable for residents of the state.
The Connection Between Construction and Accidents
The objectives of road construction and road maintenance is to make the roads safer for users. Road construction and repairs are vital because Alabama is congested and attracts millions of tourists. The problem here is that it is not always possible to close all roads when construction or road maintenance is ongoing, inconveniencing road users for a time.
In some cases, the repairs and construction work lead to accidents. These things happen, even though the agencies responsible take safety precautions to protect road users. Below are some steps you should take if you are involved in a car accident in Alabama.
Report the Case
You cannot just walk away from the scene of a road accident in Alabama. If you do this, you might be breaking the law. The right move is to report the accident to the police and get information on other steps you should take.
Consult A Competent Road Accident Lawyer
If you are involved in an accident in Alabama, the smart move is to consult an experienced and competent car accident lawyer immediately. This is because road accident laws in this state are complicated. You cannot navigate all the twists and turns of the law without the assistance of a specialist in road accident law.
Start Litigation Early
If a road construction company or a government agency is responsible for an accident, you should not be intimidated. The right move is to sue the company or the agency so that you get justice. Discuss the matter with your lawyer and start litigation early because this improves your chances of success.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Not Covered by NC Workers Comp?
Being injured at work is not a situation you hoped to be in, but in most situations, your injury will be covered by your employer’s workers compensation insurance. Almost any injury that occurred at work or because of your work duties will qualify you for benefits under workers compensation.
There are always exceptions, however, so it’s a good idea to read up on what types of injuries and situations will not qualify you to collect benefits under workers comp. For instance, if you are injured while either engaging in horseplay or fighting at work, you likely won’t be covered.
What Types of Injuries or Circumstances Are Not Covered by Work Comp?
There are other situations where your injury won’t qualify you to collect benefits. Let’s examine a few of those.
If you are injured while commuting to or from your place of employment and are not technically “on the clock” yet, you might not be eligible for benefits. Some employees, such as those who drive for work, might still qualify for benefits, however. It’s best to check with your employer or with an attorney.
When your injury took place during a lunch break in which you were not on the clock, you might not be eligible for benefits. In some cases, such as when you’ve been injured during a “working lunch,” you might qualify for benefits.
Injuries that occur during breaks where you left the premises and were not on the clock will likely not qualify you to receive benefits.
If you are injured while engaging in illegal activity—whether you are on the clock or not—you will likely not be able to collect workers comp benefits in North Carolina. For instance, this would be the case if you were driving for work but were simultaneously under the influence and then injured in a vehicle crash.
Workers compensation laws will not cover certain instances in which an employee was hurt during a team-building activity. You should check with an attorney to see if the activity would be covered.
Need Help from a North Carolina Workers Comp Lawyer?
Workers compensation can be complicated, and some cases are less clear-cut than others. You might strongly believe that your injury should be covered by work comp laws, but the insurance company might believe otherwise. They could even deny your claim, so it’s advisable to have an attorney’s help with your claim.
Partnering with an attorney, such as Ricci Law Firm, P.A. workers comp lawyers, can be a big help when submitting your work comp case. They can assist you in investigating your workplace accident, gather proof for the insurance company, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf. If your claim is denied, your attorney can also assist you with an appeal.
Public Defender or Private Attorney for Criminal Charges in TN?
An enormous number of people don’t hire a private attorney when facing criminal charges in Tennessee. This could be for a variety of different reasons.
Perhaps they truly believe they can’t afford an attorney, and that they must settle for a public defender. Perhaps they have the money, but think it would be a waste to pay for a private lawyer. They might even underestimate the seriousness of their charges and don’t believe it’s even necessary to hire a defense attorney.
Whatever the reasoning, it’s probably wrong. Private attorneys will often work with your budget, so chances are you can afford one. You should never underestimate the seriousness of your charges; even misdemeanor charges can change your life forever.
Not using a private attorney is usually not a good idea. It’s your future we’re talking about here. Nothing is worth more than that. Let’s look at how public defenders and private attorneys are different.
What’s the Difference Between Private Counsel and a Public Defender?
There is nothing wrong with public defenders. Many of them went to the same law schools that private defense attorneys go to, so how do they differ?
- Public defenders aren’t specialized. They receive cases in all different areas of criminal law, which means they are learning every time they get a case. They don’t have the knowledge needed to truly win your case because they have a more broad understanding of criminal law, and not a specialized understanding of, say, drunk driving laws.
- Public defenders have high case numbers—you’re just a number to them. It’s not that they don’t want to help you—it’s just that they don’t really have time. Many people who have a public defender don’t even meet their attorney face-to-face until their court date. This isn’t much better than representing yourself.
- Sometimes public defenders work closely with the prosecution. They know them well and work in the same offices. This can help you if you’re looking to get a good plea deal, but it doesn’t help if you want to avoid a conviction. The public defender will often recommend plea deals to you because they don’t want to go up against their “friends” in court.
- Public defenders don’t care whether they win or lose your case. They don’t have as much vested in it as a private criminal defense attorney does. Your private defense attorney cares about you and about winning your case. They care because their reputation is on the line. They care because they see you as more than just a number.
Don’t Know Whom to Call to Help with Your Criminal Matter?
If you need help with a criminal matter you don’t have to just assume that you can’t afford a private attorney. You should contact experienced Nashville attorneys to get an idea of your options. More than likely you can afford an attorney and it’s also very probable that you will need one to win your case
Public defense attorneys aren’t bad attorneys. They’re just overwhelmed by a system that is constantly handing them cases, whether they feel confident that they can handle that case or not. Criminal defense attorneys can be selective and choose cases they feel confident they can win. That makes them fight harder for you.
