Law

Have you suffered injuries in a Texas car accident? If so, you need a lawyer to advocate for your best interest in and out of court. There are more than 95,000 attorneys licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

The sheer number of lawyers in the Lone Star State gives you many different options when you hire counsel. A car accident can have a life-changing impact on your life.

This makes your choice of legal representation one of the most important decisions after a crash. Read on to learn common mistakes to avoid when hiring a Texas car accident attorney!

Not Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Lawyers practice in many different areas of the law, so don’t make the mistake of hiring one who isn’t a specialist in car accident cases.

The best car accident lawyer colorado springs co will devote their practice to handling crashes and personal injury cases. These are fact-intensive disputes that require an understanding of civil law and procedure.

Without this knowledge, a lawyer may not be able to make the arguments to give you the strongest case. This page will help you learn about car accident attorney tips after your Texas crash.

Failing to Retain an Expert Witness

Car accident cases also create an intersection between the law and medicine uniquely.

As you meet with prospective lawyers for your case, discuss the topic of retaining an expert witness. Without one in your corner, you are at a disadvantage when you present your case.

This is because a defendant and their insurance company will hire an expert to dispute your medical records and injuries. This is part of defending their case and to overcome this position, you will need to have an expert (or experts) of your own.

Based on the nature and severity of your injuries, does a lawyer know a great doctor you can treat with? Does your attorney have experience working with this expert in litigation matters?

The answers to these questions are crucial to presenting the best case for your claims.

Lack of Clear Communication

Choosing a car accident attorney revolves around picking one with experience that you feel comfortable handling your case. One of the most important aspects of the attorney-client relationship is candor and communication.

You must understand how a lawyer will communicate with you during your case. How will they keep you up-to-date about your claims? What will they do to involve you in strategic decisions during your dispute?

If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your lawyer, this can prevent you from having open and honest conversations about your case.

Hire a Texas Car Accident Attorney Today

A Texas car accident attorney will send a strong message to the other side that you are serious about your case. Before your case reaches litigation, your lawyer will speak with you about the accident and develop a strategy for representation.

This will give you a roadmap about what to expect in your case. Your counsel will also explain the strengths and weaknesses of your claims. Are you interested in learning more about other aspects of a lawsuit?

Check out our blog section for posts to help you better understand how to navigate the court system today.

Atte Juvonen

Wolfgang Riebe once said, “No one is perfect…that’s why pencils have erasers.”

In life, things get messy, and when it involves another person or business, an eraser might not be enough to fix what’s wrong. When there’s a disagreement, and you can’t come to a compromise or resolution, the next best thing to an eraser may be litigation. What is litigation, you might ask?

We live in a world where sometimes when you feel you’ve been wronged, but the other party doesn’t feel you’re right, and it’s up to a judge to make the final decision.

If the other party involved has put you in a situation when you think litigation could be the best remedy for you, let’s talk about what litigation is, what it entails, and give you a clear picture of the process to help you make an educated decision.

What Is Litigation?

Litigation is the practice of settling a disagreement in a court of law. It is the process in which you sue in court to enforce your rights. Unless you can settle the dispute before the trial, a judge or jury determines the outcome.

Taking Legal Action

When you’ve concluded that you must take legal action, the very first thing you want to do is research litigation lawyers. A trial lawyer specializes in litigation in practice.

Sometimes small businesses may try to file lawsuits without an attorney, which is called “pro se,” and means “by self.” You want to think this over carefully before you decide to go this route. If you are taking legal action without expert knowledge of the law, you risk losing your case on a technicality on top of many other issues.

If you are still considering “pro se,” we highly recommend that you at least do an internet search for “litigation lawyer near me” just to weigh your options. Depending on the severity of the case, you don’t want to make a snap decision.

Bringing Lawsuits to Court

Litigation begins with bringing your case to the civil court. The plaintiff is the one who files the complaint. Typically, you’ll file a summons, too.

The defendant receives the notification of your complaint with the summons. There is a deadline for a response and often a set date to begin the lawsuit.

This begins the discovery process. Both parties will gather details to help their case. They may decide to use depositions, or statements from witnesses, to help them explain their side of the story.

File Motions

Both parties can now file what are called motions. Motions are requests that are made that can include asking for information and procedural requests. A plaintiff or defendant could request a change of venue, or they could request that the case goes in front of a jury or a judge.

An actual court date is now on the calendar, and this can take time, even months. In the meantime, you’ll make motions and gather information.

The Lawsuit Comes to Court

At last, the appointed court date arrives, and the case is heard. A judge or jury will listen to the case carefully, including both sides, and render a decision that is based on the facts of the case and based on the law.

Since it is the plaintiff who began the process, it is usually on the plaintiff to provide proof that the case is valid.

If the plaintiff or the defendant is not happy with the outcome and has a valid reason to question the verdict, then they could try filing an appeal. This time it would go to a higher court to review the facts of the case again and decide.

Which Court Hears the Case

Various courts can hear lawsuits, and it depends on two factors:

1. The type of lawsuit
2. The venue where the violation occurred

There are special courts for taking certain legal action depending on the complaint. For instance, you can consider small claims court or tax court types of special courts.

Some lawsuits must go to a certain jurisdiction to be heard based on where the violation occurred. Many times, it is the place where the defendant lives.

For instance, if you purchased a product from a company in California, and the shipment came to you broken, damaged, or incorrect upon arrival, you would need to sue in the state of California.

What Alternatives Do You Have?

Hayes Hunter PC suggests that if you are seeking business litigation, review your alternatives carefully with litigation lawyers first to see if there is a faster resolution to your legal dilemma.

Arbitration is the most common alternative that people use instead of litigation. It’s a way to resolve the complaint without having to go to court. Instead of a judge, an impartial arbitrator, or multiple arbitrators, will hear both sides and decide.

Sometimes, there is what is called mandatory arbitration. Companies can use this clause in contracts to avoid business litigation issues. Typically, litigation is the default option.

Which Is Better: Litigation or Arbitration?

Litigation and arbitration have similarities in their processes, but they are different in several ways. Litigation is taking legal action through a court system and involves a decision made by a judge or jury, which you can appeal if you dislike the outcome. Arbitration is a process that is private in front of an arbitrator who makes a decision that you cannot appeal.

A Valuable Resource for Legal Content

We’re glad you visited us to discover more about what is litigation. We often post timely, informative articles to help readers like you learn more about the law for both business and personal reasons, including copyrights, patents, and ID theft.

If you want to educate yourself on all things legal, check us out again soon. We’ve got the “411” you need to see to stay on top of what’s new!

Eelis Hoikkanen

Are you trying to make sure that your assets are protected in the event of your death? Are you confused about the best possible route for you?

Well, there are options. But, you need to understand the nuances between different legal protections before you jump in.

Keep reading this article to find out the difference between a will and a trust.

What Is a Will?

A will is a legal document that goes through how your assets will be distributed after you pass away.

When you’re writing a will, you need to make sure that all of the language is clear. You also need to ensure that your will follows the terms and laws in your state. These can be different depending on where you live.

Wills can also include other protections, besides financial. Wills can lay out custody and guardianship for any of your minor children.

You can put together a living will, too, which lays out your medical preferences in the event that you are incapacitated in some way. If you’re married, your will may be combined with your spouse’s will.

The person you appoint to execute the terms of your will may need to hire a probate attorney to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Because wills require probate, they become a public record after they are submitted.

What Is a Trust?

Trusts are different than wills, since they don’t have to take effect after the death of the person setting it up. Trusts go into effect when they are funded and all the paperwork has been signed.

You can change the terms and funding of a trust at any time. The management of a trust can also be changed to someone else before death in the case of mental incapacity.

One of the benefits of a trust over a will is that you won’t need a probate lawyer, which will save your loved ones money.

However, trusts are more complicated than wills, which means that they’re more difficult to get set up properly. This also means that they can be more expensive up front, particularly if you want to make changes to the trust. But, because trusts do not require probate, they aren’t a public record and therefore offer more privacy than wills do.

A trust may also be created by your will. This is often done when leaving property or money to minor children, to ensure they’ll actually receive the funds and it won’t get eaten up before they are of age. Or, you can use a trust to give a certain amount of your estate to a charitable organization.

The Difference Between a Will and a Trust: Understand Your Choices Today

Hopefully, now that you’re aware of the difference between a will and a trust, you’ll be able to make the right decision for your financial needs.

Do you need more financial tips or help with other topics? Scroll through some of the other useful posts on this website.

Atte Juvonen

Did you know the United States, in 2019, there were approximately 5,086,096 larceny thefts? In a similar vein, nearly a million burglaries were reported in 2021.

While each US state tries to manage these crimes, it’s critical to differentiate and understand the offenses they are dealing with.

Larceny is a word that most people have heard of at some point in their lives, but what is larceny exactly, and how does it happen? Carry on reading for a complete list of the offenses it covers and its punishments.

What Is Larceny?

So, what is larceny? The charge of larceny is commonly referred to as “ordinary theft” by the general public. Larceny definition is the unlawful stealing of another’s goods or property without their consent to deprive them of that property permanently. It’s generally a non-violent crime.

A person committing larceny will have the following intentions in mind:

• Deprive a person of the right to use their property, either permanently or temporarily
• Transfer ownership of the person’s property to a third party
• Theft of a person’s possessions
• Attempt to deprive a person of the rights of his property
• Make the property their own by converting it into their name

Examples of larceny offenses include:

• Bicycle theft
• Motor car parts theft
• Carjacking actions
• Shoplifting actions
• Pick-pocketing people
• Any form of theft that is not forceful, violent, or fraudulent

Attempted larceny, in which the theft is unsuccessful, is also considered larceny and renders the accused liable.

What Are the Types of Larceny

There are two types of larceny. Let’s look at these:

1. Grand Theft Larceny

What is grand larceny? Grand theft larceny is defined as theft of personal possessions with a monetary value more significant than a legally prescribed amount. The amount specified will be determined by state law.

Grand larceny is punishable by a one-year or more prison sentence and a fine.

2. Petty Theft

Petty theft is when the worth of the stolen property is less than a certain threshold. Again, the amount specified will be determined by state law.

This type of larceny is typically classified as a misdemeanor and can be punishable by one year or less prison sentence.

So, stealing a tin of beans is not fall into the same category of larceny-theft as stealing a car.

Larceny Sentencing

As previously stated, larceny penalties and sentencing vary by state. Most petty larceny convictions are misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in jail (but other states have two or three-year maximums). When a first-time offender or a low-level offender is charged, judges may explore alternatives to prison. These could include:

• A period of probation
• A period of community service
• Compensation for the stolen item
• A fine

Repeat offenders face an additional jail term. In addition, repeat petty theft offenders can have their charges set a level up to grand larceny charges in several states.

Just Don’t Do It!

We hope we have clarified that all thefts are not the same. First, however, it’s essential to note what is larceny and the consequences that come with it.

Of course, the best way to avoid sentencing is to avoid committing the crime!

Was this article helpful? Search our page for all things law!

Topi Ahomaa

For many people, buying a motorcycle represents a dream of a lifetime.

The feeling of freedom is exhilarating, the physical sensations, the extreme acceleration, and driving down the road with the wind in your hair. When you ride a motorcycle you defy gravity and feel everything around you.

However, when riding a motorcycle, you likely going to be in an accident. In fact, you are 29 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger car occupants.

One of the most responsible things you can do is have a list of the best motorcycle accident lawyers on speed dial. If you are wondering what questions you can ask lawyers to tell if you should hire them, this short and simple guide is for you.

1. Do You Offer a Free Consultation?

The first question you should ask any lawyer is if they offer a free consultation. Most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation because they make their income from positive case outcomes. This lets you conserve money and ask around before making a decision.

If you want to work with quality lawyers that offer free consultation, visit Sweetlaw.com site.

2. Do You Specialize in Motorcycle Accidents?

An important question to ask is if they specialize in motorcycle cases. You want a lawyer that eats, breathes, and sleeps, motorcycle cases to have the best result. If they specialize in lots of areas of business, move on to the next lawyer.

3. Do You Have a Proven Track Record of Success?

One thing to ask motorcycle lawyers is if they have a proven track record of success. Motorcycle accidents are common and they should have recent successful verdicts to back up their claim. This can give you insight into what working with them will be like and what you can expect to experience.

4. Do You Work on Contingency?

When hiring a motorcycle accident attorney, ask if they work on contingency. Costs are always a concern, especially if you are missing work due to an injury. If they do work on contingency, you will not have to pay anything, as they will get a portion from your settlement offer.

5. Will You Be Working on My Case?

It’s important to ask the motorcycle accident attorney if they will personally be working on your case. Some law firms use first and second-year lawyers or paralegals to find out if your case is worth it. You want to work with the face of the firm and have nothing lost in translation.

Hiring the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Get You a Favorable Result

The best motorcycle accident lawyers can give you peace of mind in dealing with a motorcycle accident.

By asking if they are in the niche of motorcycle accidents you can choose the right lawyer for your needs. Make sure they have ridden a motorcycle and they understand the nuances of riding. After finding the motorcycle lawyer for you, ask how much your case is worth and how long it will take.

By asking this question, you can find the best lawyer for your needs.

Don’t forget to browse our site for all of your legal needs.

Atte Juvonen

A record 8.02% of US households have at least one motorcycle registered. So clearly, plenty of people are using motorcycles to get around.

That’s why motorcycle helmet laws are so important. Riders are amongst the most vulnerable road users, and these laws can keep people safe.

Wearing a helmet can be the difference between life and death in a crash, preventing lethal head injuries.

It can be difficult to decipher the exact laws around wearing a helmet in your state. In this article, we provide an overview of helmet laws so that you can stay safe when riding.

What Are Your Motorcycle Helmet Laws?

In 1967, the USA began to change. Where those who wore motorcycle helmets had once been thought of as uncool, new motorcycle safety laws began to arrive, which mandated the wearing of motorcycle helmets. Now, there are a number of different caveats to the helmet mandate, depending on the state in question.

Here, we list the states that have different types of helmet laws.

First are the states that require all riders to wear a helmet. The headgear should meet D.O.T standards:

• Washington
• Oregon
• Nevada
• California
• Alaska
• Nebraska
• Missouri
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Tennessee
• Alabama
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• New York
• Massachusetts
• Maryland

Here are the states that require riders of a certain age to wear a helmet. This is usually between 17-20 years of age:

• Montana
• Idaho
• Wyoming
• Utah
• Colorado
• Arizona
• New Mexico
• Hawaii
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Arkansas
• Michigan
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Rhode Island
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Florida
• New Hampshire
• Delaware
• Connecticut

Some states have conditions attached to their laws, such as the requirement of reflective decals on the helmet for raised visibility. They are:

• Vermont
• New Jersey
• West Virginia

Only 2 states have no helmet requirement: Iowa and Illinois. In those states, avoiding motorcycle accidents is key for riders who choose to go without a helmet, due to the lack of legislation.

The Importance of Motorcycle Safety

Avoiding motorcycle accidents means avoiding motorcycle fatalities. There are a lot of rules when it comes to being on the road, but there are also plenty of unexpected hazards to be aware of. Here are some tips for riding safely.

One of the biggest hazards for cyclists is debris. Whether it’s being kicked up by other vehicles or is sitting in the road causing a hazard to smaller modes of transport, it’s vital to be hyper-aware of debris and road surfaces. Always look ahead for anything that might damage your tires or cause you to crash.

Commandeering a motorcycle can leave you with countless things to do. This guide on usaccidentlawyer.com offers plenty of useful tips as to avoiding motorcycle accidents. Stay safe on the roads.

Wear Your Helmet and Keep Yourself Safe

Now that you know the motorcycle helmet laws in your state, you can feel good in the knowledge that you’re riding legally. Even if it’s not the law, wearing a helmet can save your life, so consider putting one on next time you ride.

If you found this article useful, we have plenty more guides to local laws and requirements waiting for you on our blog. Check out our recent posts for the latest legal and advocacy news!

Eelis Hoikkanen

To become a filmmaker, an individual should have a knack for creativity and storytelling skills. Although there are no particular degrees or formal requirements to become a professional filmmaker, universities offer specialized courses in this field.

Individuals with these essential skills can join a trade association or assist a professional within the industry to polish their skills further. Aspiring filmmakers need to be aware of the industry and understand the standard practices.

They will ideally have the ability to work in challenging situations and deal with different types of people. It can be difficult for an individual when they are just embarking on their career.

All people associated with the film industry should be aware that a film is not limited to shooting and editing. There are different stages involved in the process. It is common to have conflicts arise at various stages of the filmmaking process, which may affect the completion of a film.

Some filmmakers consider pursuing a law degree to understand the concepts better. A Film production attorney is in high demand, but becoming a legal professional is quite challenging, even if you earn your law degree.

However, there are pros and cons to becoming a film production attorney. You can read more to learn whether a law degree is a good idea for a filmmaker.

Pros of having a law degree for filmmakers

A filmmaker’s job can become stressful, especially when dealing with complicated legal contracts and paperwork. It can become challenging for a filmmaker to handle the legal aspects by themselves. Here are some of the reasons why a law degree may be beneficial for filmmakers:

• Strong foundation: A law degree can build a strong foundation that helps you understand the legalities involved in filmmaking. A filmmaker should always enter into a valid contract before beginning work with any other artist. There can be disputes with production studios, artists, and other professionals.

For example, if an essential team member decides to leave while the film is in progress, it can affect the film and the filmmaker significantly. Therefore, it will be beneficial to have a degree to understand how to create strong contracts with respect to media and entertainment law.

• Legal education: By pursuing a legal degree, you can achieve an advanced understanding of what laws will apply if an artist breaches a contrast. If the situation arises, you would be aware of what legal steps you can take against the breaching party.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills: A law degree can help to build your thinking and analytical skills. You can develop a holistic picture of the law and filmmaking, and you could easily understand what factors can affect your film and shooting. Legal knowledge can increase your self-awareness, which thereby can enhance your decision-making skills.
• It can save your time and money: Legal knowledge is a transferable skill that can benefit you even if you ultimately do not wish to pursue a career in the entertainment or film industry.

Having the knowledge to handle legal matters yourself can save you time and money that you may have invested in other legal professionals. Therefore, having a law degree can benefit you in various ways.

Cons of having a law degree for a filmmaker

Here, we will talk about the cons of pursuing a law degree when you are associated with the filmmaking industry.

1. It may affect your creativity: Creativity is one of the core skills for a filmmaker. One of the biggest concerns is that pursuing a law degree may negatively affect your creativity and visual storytelling skills. The knowledge you learn may force you to restrict yourself and think in a specific direction. A filmmaker with extensive knowledge of the law and legal implications may avoid experimenting with different things because of the fear of getting into trouble.
2. A law degree can be prohibitively expensive: Even if you may save money later on by doing the legal work for your films on your own, law school can cost a lot of money and it generally takes three years of full-time schooling to receive a degree. Even after you get your law degree, you would need to pass the bar exam in the state where you want to work in order to practice as a lawyer.

Whether you have a law degree or not, it can be important to know as much as you can about the laws that pertain to the filmmaking industry. There are various advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a law degree.

Being knowledgeable about the law can help you make more informed decisions, and you can speak to attorneys at an entertainment law firm in Los Angeles to learn more.

Eelis Hoikkanen

Is there an old junk car sitting in your driveway right now and essentially just wasting space? If so, you should know that you can get rid of it fast by taking the right steps.

You might not be able to sell these types of cars traditionally. Dealerships and even private buyers might balk at the idea of buying an old junk car.

But there are several options that you can take advantage of when you’re trying to part ways with an old junk car that you don’t want anymore. Learn about them below.

Sell Some of the Individual Parts From Your Old Junk Car

Your old junk car might not be worth very much in and of itself. But it could have a few valuable parts tucked inside of it.

Some of the parts that you might be able to pull from a junk car and sell are:

• Catalytic converter
• Airbags
• Air conditioning compressor

You might be surprised to see how much these kinds of parts can fetch. You should also be able to sell the frame of your car to a local scrap yard for top dollar.

Call On a Junk Car Buyer to Purchase Your Old Vehicle

If you’ve about had it with vehicle ownership when it comes to your old junk car, there are junk car buyers that would be willing to take it off your hands. Google “junk car buyers near me” to find a few options in your area.

You aren’t usually going to be able to make thousands of dollars by selling a junk car to one of these buyers. But they might be willing to pay you at least a few hundred dollars for it.

Speak With a Lawyer About Your Old Junk Car

Is your junk car junk because you bought a lemon from a dealership? If this is the case, you should avoid selling it just yet and contact a lawyer to talk about it.

A lawyer can help you with understanding the law and see if your lemon car might entitle you to a new car or monetary compensation. It would be worth checking in with a lemon law attorney about your current car ownership situation.

You Can Get Rid of an Old Junk Car in a Hurry by Taking These Steps

Oftentimes, people will let old junk cars sit in their driveways for years and years simply because they don’t know what else to do with them. They aren’t sure where they should turn for help when they want to get rid of a car that is just taking up space.

As you’ve seen here, there are several options available for those interested in making an old junk car disappear. Decide which one would be your best option and get to work.

Check out the other articles on our blog to read more car-related content.

Atte Juvonen