Accident Lawyer

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Different types of accident claims

by Tom Jones

In a utopian world, everyone is safe and there are no mishaps. However, reality deals us some low blows in life. Accidents do happen and sometimes we cannot prevent them from happening. If you happen to hold a valid insurance policy you may be entitled to some compensation if you meet with an accident. There are different types of insurance policies available today.
Depending on the nature of the accident, there are different types of claims that a valid insurance holder can make on their policy. All that you need to have is valid documentation and proof. You should put in a claim immediately after the accident, since insurance companies need some time to investigate your claim and provide compensation.

Road accidents are very common today. In most cases, the other party is responsible for the accident. Even if you drive carefully and follow all the road rules, the other party may not do so and may cause an accident. If you have met with an accident and if you have been injured, the first thing that you should do is call for an ambulance. If you are in a bad condition, you should ask passers-by to call for an ambulance and also the police. Once the police arrive, you should record your statement with them.

This will be treated as the first piece of evidence along with the police constable's collision report. If you are not grievously injured, you should assess the damage to your vehicle. If possible, you should take pictures of the accident scene before anybody disturbs it. You must obtain a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) filed at the police station nearest to the scene of the accident.

Accidents can also happen in the workplace, especially in production and manufacturing yards. You can also sue your employer for negligence if you find that they have not adhered to the safety rules. In the literature of your insurance policy you will find everything that you need to know about accident claims. You can even make a claim if your insured vehicles are damaged or destroyed in a fire accident. Generally, your claim will be entertained if you can prove to the insurance company that the fire was not an act of arson. You can hire a personal injury lawyer if you feel your claim is not being treated properly by the insurance company.

It is always better to hire a lawyer before you make a claim. The lawyer will help you to understand the terms of your policy better and will provide legal guidance. Your claim will be examined by a team of experts from the insurance company. In case of personal injury, you will be examined by a doctor to determine the extent of your injury. The team will also have an accident reconstruction expert who will examine the veracity of your claim. This expert will do some calculations with the recorded speeds of both the vehicles and determine if you are also at fault.

About the Author
David Phillips & Partners Solicitors offer friendly and professional legal services and advice regarding accident claims

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Different types of accident claims

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Monday, January 18, 2010

What Makes A Good DUI Lawyer?

There are thousands of DUI lawyers out there. The question is this—how do you know if you have a good attorney who can give you a fighting chance of winning your case. A good lawyer minimizes on his or her mistakes while capitalizing on the mistakes of others. Let’s look at the mistakes your lawyer must avoid and the mistakes they can benefit from.

Mistakes Your Attorney Should Avoid

You may think that all lawyers are pretty much the same. Think again. The same case tried by two different attorneys may have very different outcomes. An experienced attorney will find holes in the prosecution’s case that an inexperienced attorney may completely overlook. The best advice is to get a lawyer who specializes in drunk driving cases instead of one who is simply capable of handling them. If you do get someone who isn’t an expert, be sure they are getting the assistance of experts who understand the nuances of drunk driving laws.

That being said, here are some sure signs you need a new lawyer:

If your lawyer immediately looks at your case and recommends you plead guilty, this may be the sign of a poor lawyer. An experienced lawyer will go to the scene and make sure the conditions were appropriate for a sobriety test. The test must be performed in a specific fashion and many police officers perform the test incorrectly. Also, the machine could be improperly calibrated or simply out of date (in terms of certification). Your lawyer should be willing to dig deeper than surface evidence.

Also your attorney shouldn’t try and paint the police officer as a liar. People don’t want to hear that someone as trustworthy as a policeman is lying. It’s better to simply prove that the officer made an honest mistake.

Your lawyer should also be willing to fully explain the consequences of entering a guilty plea. You could lose your car, your license, and be fined or thrown in jail. Furthermore, a conviction goes on your permanent record for all to see, not to mention it increases your insurance rates and limits your ability to travel overseas.

Mistakes Your Attorney Should Capitalize From

The arresting officer in your case may have made numerous mistakes which your attorney can use to tip a case in your favor. If an officer pulls you over on suspicion of DUI, they must have probable cause and be able to tell you what that cause is. If they perform the test where you must walk a straight line, they must do so on a non-slippery, level surface where the line is visible. If they make you stand on one leg, you’re supposed to be less than 65 years old, no more than 50 pounds overweight, and have no medical condition which would prevent you from performing the test. FinallyScience Articles, you can not be detained for an unreasonable amount of time. Any of these mistakes can result in a dismissal or even a successful motion to suppress the evidence hearing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.dui-lawyer-advice.com DUI Lawyer

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What Makes A Good DUI Lawyer?

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