Everyone knows a car accident can occur anytime anywhere, but they always seem to happen at the most inopportune times. If you are unfortunate enough to be stranded in a ditch during a snowstorm while waiting for assistance, you definitely need to be prepared for the worst.

The number one item on anybody’s emergency items list should always be a cell phone. Even if you don’t want to pay for one on a contractual basis, you have the option of purchasing a prepaid phone and loading it with minutes only as you need them. No matter what, you always need to carry a cell phone with you when you are traveling long distances, especially in rural areas where you run the risk of being isolated during an emergency.

Other than a cell phone, you should enroll with an emergency roadside service provider such as AAA. Keep your membership card in a convenient location inside your vehicle because if you find yourself in a jam, they will be able to:

Change a flat tire.
Tow you to your house or a repair shop.
Remove your keys that were locked in the car.
Provide updates on weather and road conditions.
Offer turn-by-turn driving directions.

If you never were taught how to change a tire independently, the time is to learn is now. You should always carry a spare tire in your trunk with a jack and a wrench. If there is not much space between traffic traveling in the right lane and your parked car, do not attempt to change a tire; the risk of someone running you over is too great.

In case of a medical emergency, always store a standard first aid kit in your vehicle that is readily accessible. This contains materials that can be utilized to stop bleeding or soothe burns while an ambulance is on the way. It is also a good idea to keep medication for bee stings and a general guide to first along with CPR instructions.

Additional items that should be kept in your vehicle include:

Portable tool set containing wrench, wire cutters, screwdrivers, and tape
Jumper cables
Gas canister
Water (for radiator)
Fire extinguisher
Hand cleaner powerful enough to remove grease
Road flares or reflective triangles
Bright-colored flag to warn others of a broken down vehicle
Rags or paper towels
Blankets (preferably light-colored)
Nonperishable food
Flash light with spare batteries
Motor oil
Flat tire repair kit
Pocket utility knife

Useful pointers

If your vehicle is broken down along the road, do not sit inside the car until help arrives. Another driver could veer of course and run into you from behind.

If you are stranded in your car during cold weather, clear your exhaust pipe of snow or any other foreign objects before running the heater to stay warm. If the tailpipe is blocked, toxic fumes will seep into the cabin.

Don’t be too friendly to strangers who approach your car. Lock the doors and roll up the windows in case they have other intentions. If they offer to help you, just ask them to call the authorities or emergency services. If you have already contacted someone, tell them you’ve taken care of it and appreciate their kindness. For more information

Personal injury law is a complex area. No wonder so many people who feel that they may have a basis for a personal injury claim do not bother. First you have to find the proof, then you have to do all the paperwork, then you have to go through the court case itself. It is a long process. But none of this needs to bother you if you engage the services of a Personal Injury Attorney. He or she will be well versed in all the ins and outs of the law in that particular state. They will know what you can claim personal injury damages for and they can pretty much do that for you.

But first, let us look at some of the reasons for which you can make a claim for personal injury compensation. Your Texas Personal Injury attorney will know all these but it is best that you do too, so that you do not miss out on making a claim. More information here

If you suffer physical or mental harm due to a defective product and that can include food poisoning, talk to a Personal Injury lawyer. They will know how to help you out. Any unsafe products that you fall victim to, your Personal Injury Attorney will be interested in helping you make a claim for damages. Do not let that toxic mold get away with anything either! You can engage a Personal Injury Attorney to help you claim compensation against people responsible for this, such as your boss or your landlord.

People often do not realize that they can make a claim for personal injury compensation for any kinds of abuse which they have suffered too. Where the abuse is sexual, physical, or emotional, a Personal Injury Attorney can help you seek compensation from your abuser. You can also get a Personal Injury Lawyer to help you get compensation for a loved one if they cannot do it themselves, such as for care home abuse of an elderly relative. You can also have a Personal Injury Lawyer help you get compensation over birth defects too, if you have a baby that suffers these; you can get damages for yourself as well as your baby.

Even if the abuse is a one-off event, such as in sexual harassment, you can get a Personal Injury Attorney to help you in your case. Having the right legal help in your corner can really help with that.

All manner of personal injuries from back and neck injuries in an auto accident, through burns and industrial injuries can be yours if you engage the right Personal Injury Lawyer to help you with your case. If you are bitten by a dog or another animal, you have a strong case for personal injury compensation, whether that is against a zoo or personal pet owner.

The scope of a Personal Injury Lawyer does not just end with the initial injury. If you ate unhappy with your medical treatment, if you have received a wrong diagnosis or no diagnosis at all, contact a Personal Injury Lawyer and see how they can help you. Find more information on this website

On The Job Injuries Are Very Real

No one sets out to get hurt on the job, and no employer wants to have an employee hurt on the job. Based on this, one might assume that getting fair compensation that protects all of your rights as an employee is a forgone conclusion and an easy process. The employee only wants what’s fair and the employer wants the same thing.

Unfortunately, one would be wrong far too often since often employees need help to ensure their rights are protected and the laws are followed. A workplace injury lawyer can help you through the difficult process of dealing with a work injury.

When considering worker’s compensation, there are certain rights that are guaranteed under the law, but often, if the injured worker doesn’t have legal representation, the employee doesn’t receive what is due to him or her. In most circumstances:

Any employee who has suffered from a work-related injury or gotten sick due to materials or work conditions can receive a leave. If this happens, the employer cannot end the employment, lay off, demote, or discipline an employee who must miss work due to a work-related illness or injury.
The employer will generally have an insurance plan that provides for an employee who has been unable to work because of a work-related illness or injury. Wages shall be protected under this plan. The wage protection plan should pay an employee who has been injured or gotten ill on the job at an equivalent rate as determined by the worker’s compensation legislation in the state that is the employee’s permanent residence.

An employer is required to allow an employee to return to work when that return is possible.
If an employee is not capable of doing the same job they did prior to becoming ill or injured on the job, the employer has a legal right to assign the employee to a different position. The different employment can have different terms and conditions of employment.
A common issue injured or ill employees have regarded the continued payment of pension, health and disability benefits, as well as accruing what seniority the employee might have had if work had not been missed.

The employer is obligated to pay pension, health and disability benefits, and seniority will accrue while the employee is missing work due to a work-related injury or illness. It is worth noting that the employee is responsible for contributions that are normally made and these must be paid within a reasonable time. If the employer normally performs some sort of match for contributions, the employer shall continue with the same match.
If the employee does not make the required contributions then the employer is not required to make their portion of the contribution payment either.
Keep in mind that although workers’ rights regarding filing lawsuits and suing their employers for workplace injuries has been restricted by workers compensation agreements the United States, there are some exceptions to those laws at times. We can help you find out if your situation triggers one of those exceptions.

Although in most situations this deal has removed any opportunity to receive compensation other than regular pay and medical bills, there are some circumstances in which an ill or injured employee can receive compensation as a result of working conditions or work-related incidents.

We recommend that you report to the emergency department of a hospital or see your family doctor as soon as possible, prior to making a claim so you can have substantiation of your injury or illness.
Take photographs in all situations when it is possible. The photos should document the location of the injury, something should also be included in the photo to prove the scale of the injury, and if there is any other pertinent information that a photo can document.
Make an attempt to get the important and pertinent information of any witnesses of the incident. The information should include their name, address, and telephone numbers.
Allow us to give you legal advice so your rights are protected, and so that if you will be able to sue for negligence or due to the employer not respecting your rights you have under the law, we can guide you through the process.
Workplace injuries and illnesses are often a difficult and overwhelming situation and can be hard for employees to handle correctly. Allow us to guide you through the process to protect you and your loved ones.

Disclaimer: This blog is strictly informational. No intent to render a legal opinion or give legal advice is intended.

Accident Checklist | Personal Injury Attorneys

ACCIDENT CHECKLIST More than six million drivers get into auto accidents that injure three million people annually. Driver speeding, large SUV’s, and inattention because of car and cell phones contribute to the problem. A serious injury can affect your work and your family’s lives for a long time.

Here are ten specific and immediate steps to take if you are in an auto accident:

1. Try to remain calm and thoughtful.
2. If you are injured, stay in your car – unless it’s dangerous to do so.
3. Wait for the police and medical help.
4. Inform the police about the accident for the official report.
5. Record all witnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
6. Confirm whether you were wearing your seat belt, which is the law in most jurisdictions.
7. In you are injured, insist on being transported to a hospital in an ambulance.
8. In all instances, obtain medical treatment immediately. Tell medical personnel about everything that you may feel may be physically wrong.
9. Refrain from taking legal referrals at hospitals.
10. Do not talk to insurance representatives until you contact a lawyer.
11. If you have questions, please call our office.

The “Golden Hour”

It’s often said that drivers have one “Golden Hour” after being involved in an automobile accident to gather all relevant information and protect their rights. After an hour, cars may be moved, the driver may not recall importance details, and the witnesses may leave.

1. If you or anyone else in injured, get medical help right away.
2. Call our office as soon as you can. We’ll advise you on what to do.
3. Do not admit to any wrongdoing or sign any documents.

You should also:
1. Write down the names and addresses of witnesses
2. Call the police and ask for a written accident report
3. Try not to move cars until the police arrive, unless the cars impede traffic
4. Ask for the other driver’s names, addresses, and insurance information
5. Write down all cars’ tag numbers
6. Advise your insurance carrier
7. If possible, return and photograph damage, skid marks, and other relevant images.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU NEED THE ADVICE OF AN EXPERIENCED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION OR CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT OUR ON-LINE FORM