4 Things to Do After a Car Accident

Posted by jmr on Sep 29, 2020 in Uncategorized | 0 comments Car Accident Lawyer You got in a car accident and now your head is spinning with what to do next. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to file a claim with the guilty driver’s insurance, but where do you start? Though the claims process can be complicated, there are things you can do following the accident to ensure a smooth transition from filing your claim and getting compensated. Here are four things you shouldn’t wait to do after the accident. Assess the Situation Make sure that everyone who is in the accident isn’t seriously injured. Call the police even if no one appears to be hurt. A police report is necessary in some states to file a claim, and it can be an authoritative stance on who was responsible for causing the wreck if disputes come up during the claims process. Keep everyone on the scene until police arrive, and get insurance and contact info from the other driver while you wait. You’ll need it to call their insurance and file a claim. Call Your Insurance Company  Regardless of who is at fault, you should always contact your insurance company shortly afterward to let them know about the accident. They can advise you on what to do next. They may also ask for details about the accident. See a Doctor You should always get checked out by a physician after an accident. The adrenaline rush you experience at the scene may prevent you from realizing you are injured, and signs may not emerge until later. A doctor can verify your condition and provide a report that links the accident to your injuries. This is essential for a personal injury claim. Contact a Lawyer You can contact a lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from Patterson Bray, at any time while your claim is being processed. If you don’t think you need a lawyer right away, you can start by yourself and consult one down the line if issues arise. Insurance companies may try to pay you less than you’re owed, which can be a good time to see a lawyer. If your case involves a lot of money or there are problems identifying fault at the beginning, consider seeking out a lawyer’s help right away. While there is no limit on when you can hire a lawyer, there is a deadline for when you can...
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5 Common Types of Drug Crimes

Posted by jmr on Sep 27, 2020 in Uncategorized | 0 comments There are several different types of drug crimes prosecuted at the federal and state level. They can be confusing because some of the names sound like they should mean the same thing. Further adding to the confusion, some of the terms can mean different things depending on the jurisdiction. Here are some types of drug crimes frequently prosecuted. 1. Possession There are certain drugs that are illegal to possess in any amount, no matter how small. Examples include heroin and cocaine, as well as marijuana in some jurisdictions. If you have small amounts of drugs such as these, you can face possession charges. You may also face charges if you possess a controlled substance for which you do not have a valid prescription, such as narcotic painkillers. Even if you had a prescription at one point, once this runs out you are expected to dispose of the medication or risk trouble with the law. 2. Trafficking Trafficking charges also involve the illegal possession of a controlled substance. However, trafficking charges are more serious than possession charges because they involve larger amounts of drugs. If you possess drugs in large quantities, it appears to authorities that you may be planning to sell them, hence the more severe charges for trafficking. From the name, you may think that drug trafficking involves transporting them from one place to another. However, depending on the jurisdiction, that may involve different charges. 3. Distribution Distribution charges pertain to the movement of drugs from one place to another. This can happen on a small scale, such as a face-to-face transaction involving two people exchanging drugs for money. It can also happen on a larger scale, such as transporting drugs from one place to another via a boat, car, or plane, or shipping them through the mail. 4. Manufacturing Generally speaking, if you participate in any step of the process of producing a drug illegally, you could be charged with manufacturing. However, there are exceptions for marijuana in states where it is legal for medical or recreational use. Conviction on drug manufacturing charges also requires the prosecutor to prove intent on your part to produce the drug illegally. 5. Paraphernalia Paraphernalia charges involve possessing materials used to conceal, produce, prepare, or use drugs rather than the substances themselves. Even ordinary materials that have legal purposes, such as scales or spoons, may count as paraphernalia if found alongside...
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How To Get Your Medical Bills Paid After an Accident Involving an ATX Co-op Taxi

Posted by jmr on Sep 24, 2020 in Uncategorized | 0 comments Car Accident Lawyer In Austin is a collection of taxi drivers known as ATX Co-op Taxi. If you get a ride from one of these drivers, you may expect to get from point A to point B without a problem. You may trust the organization as a whole, but accidents can always happen regardless of how reputable a group or a driver is. If you were involved in an accident with an ATX Co-op taxi, you might wonder how you’re going to get your medical bills paid. Filing a Claim After an accident with an ATX Co-op taxi, you may assume seeking compensation with an insurance claim will be easy, but it might not be. The cab company might imply the driver was solely at fault. The driver might imply the company has a responsibility to take care of the costs. Both the cab company and the driver might try to put the blame on you. In any case, it can get confusing. The good news is you may be able to seek compensation from both the driver and the company. If the driver was transporting a passenger when you were involved in the accident, the cab company could offer a certain amount of insurance coverage. If you don’t feel that coverage is enough to handle all the medical bills you’ll be paying, you could also file a claim with the driver’s personal auto insurance company. Suing the Liable Party There’s always the possibility of suing the liable party as well. Perhaps the driver was driving particularly recklessly or the cab company failed to communicate new company policies. If those situations led to the accident, you might have a reason to sue. Your lawyer can work with you to determine whether you have a case, and how strong your case is. Other Options While you’re waiting for a settlement, you’ll still need to pay your bills. Without payment, your medical providers could send your bills to collections, which could cause you a whole range of other financial issues. Some other options you have to get those bills paid include applying for Medicaid or Medicare, asking each provider for a discount or to get on a payment plan, utilizing PIP, or using your personal health insurance. Receiving Your Lawyer’s Assistance It’s never fun to deal with an auto accident, but when it involves a driver who works as an independent...
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Social Security Disability Questions Answered

Posted by jmr on Sep 23, 2020 in Uncategorized | 0 comments According to the Social Security Administration, more than 11 million Americans are receiving social security disability. Unfortunately, in many situations, those pursuing social security disability benefits may have difficulty obtaining them. This is incredibly frustrating when a person is trying to focus on their medical condition and cannot receive the benefits they require. SSDI is a program provided to those who have paid into social security through their job over several years. Whether you are in the process of applying for SSDI or have received a denial, you will have many questions that you are looking for the answers to: What is the difference between jobs covered by social security and ones that are not? When pursuing social security disability, one of the first places to start will be determining the difference between jobs covered under social security and those that are not. While a large percentage of the workforce has jobs covered by social security, a person may be ineligible in some situations.  What is a substantial gainful activity? To measure whether a person is eligible for social security disability benefits, the Social Security Administration uses a term called substantial gainful activity (SGA). Substantial gainful activity is a person’s ability to work and earn a living. If a person has an income of over a certain amount, they may not qualify for social security disability benefits. To receive social security disability, a person must be unable to work due to impairments and bring in an income less than required.  What are work credits?  Through a person’s time working, they will earn work credits. To receive social security disability benefits, an employee must earn at least 20 work credits. These credits are obtained through working and paying taxes into social security. Each year, a person can earn up to 4 work credits. However, it’s essential to be aware that the work credits needed increase as a person ages over time. While 20 credits are standard, this can vary based on a person’s age. For example, a person under the age of 24 only needs six credits, while someone at the age of 50 requires 28 work credits.  What if I have not worked long enough to receive enough work credits? If you do not have the correct number of work credits, you will not qualify for social security disability benefits. In some cases, your lack of work experience may...
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