SettlementBoard.com News, Articles and Information for Legal Junkies

12Sep/110

The Various Causes of Accidents in Montgomery

One of the most common causes of an auto accident in Montgomery is negligence by a driver.  Speeding, texting or using cell phones while driving, fatigue, breaching traffic rules or signs, and the use of alcohol or drugs are common examples of negligence.

Defective vehicle parts also contribute to a number of accidents in Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Product defects are a result of poor design or a flawed manufacturing process. Poor auto repair and servicing can also be a factor. In fact, tire and brake defects account for most defect-related auto accidents. In many cases, an expert is needed to determine liability.

Besides the above-mentioned reasons, other factors that contribute to accidents include bad weather conditions, unsafe road routes filled with potholes, construction work, and falling materials, such as tree branches. When possible, always drive defensively.

An experienced Montgomery County auto accident attorney can protect your legal rights, seek the help of experts, and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries and lost wages.

Though many cases are settled through negotiation, your local attorney should always be prepared to defend a personal injury case in Montgomery County court.

Consult a lawyer before you settle with an insurance company. You have the right to be compensated for economic damages, such as medical expenses, and non-economical damages, such as pain, suffering, and mental distress.

1Sep/110

Personal Injury in Washington – Know Your Legal Rights

Have you or your loved one sustained personal injury in Washington DC? Read on to know that you have a duty of protecting your rights to compensation legally.

Following (but not limited to) are the causes for personal injury in Washington DC:

  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Railroad Accidents
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Cruise Line Accidents
  • Swimming Accidents - Drowning
  • Burn Cases
  • Casino Accidents
  • Construction Injuries
  • Premises Liability
  • Dog Bites
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Food Poisoning
  • Hotel Liability
  • Store Accidents
  • Product Defect Injuries
  • Machinery Accidents
  • Serious Scarring
  • Wrongful Death
  • ATV Accidents

Victim of personal injury due to any of the above mentioned causes and lot of other external factors is entitled to various compensations, which can be acquired by a skilled legal approach.

Say if you sustained a serious injury in an automobile accident, it is wise to retain a Washington DC auto accident attorney immediately. The reasons being:

  • You may concentrate in your physical recovery.
  • An attorney having expertise in a similar case will be able to strategize your case well to present in trials.
  • The attorney from the same jurisdiction will be fully aware of the relevant laws in Washington, which will help in seeking the deserving compensation.
  • Experienced attorneys are also compassionate and will understand your situation and involve you to a permissible degree during the legal proceedings.

Having said all these, as victim you are expected to be determined, until you receive your compensation for all the damages and cooperate with your attorney.

31Aug/110

Maritime Law and Recreational Vehicles

Water and watercraft carry inherent risk in both commercial and recreational settings. As such, there is a well-established body of law practiced by admiralty attorneys who work with individuals and families who suffered injuries or death due to accidents on the water or on ship docks.

The types of injuries that occur in recreational vehicles on the water can include loss of limbs, severe internal injuries, drowning, catastrophic head injuries, and death due to any of these occurrences. On land, plaintiffs can pursue compensation for victims and families as personal injury cases under state or federal court jurisdiction. But for injuries that occur at sea, an admiralty attorney must deal with a different set of circumstances.

Complex laws require knowledgeable legal guidance

The complexity of maritime accidents requires attorneys with specific experience in maritime law. For example, an admiralty attorney understands how to retrieve and interpret a Coast Guard Report for recreational boating accidents, which can include any of the following scenarios:

• Accidents due to negligence, including intoxication by one or several parties
• Collisions involving another recreational watercraft (negligent or incompetent operation)
• Collisions involving larger, commercial vessels
• Accidents involving jet skis, parasails or speedboats
• Accidents on or near shore, such as on a boat dock
• Accidents involving uninsured second parties

In addition, admiralty attorneys sometimes pursue products liability litigation in cases of product failure, such as those involving tangled sails, inadequate guardrail design, malfunctioning engines, or other design or manufacturing flaws from the maker of the watercraft or related manufacturers or distributors.

In both personal injury and products liability cases, pursuit of a settlement from negligent parties is handled on a contingency basis. Plaintiffs (victims and their families) therefore only pay attorneys fees upon successful settlement of the lawsuit.

Damages to vehicles and other property loss as a result of the negligence of another party can also be pursued in a lawsuit. However, under most circumstances, the courts do not award compensation to a boat owner for loss of use of a recreational vehicle. This is established case law going back to the late nineteenth century. The only exceptions are non-accident related, such as when a seller fails to provide clean title in transaction of a recreational vehicle. The legal definitions change, of course, when the vehicle is used for commercial purposes.

Contact us

Powell & Majestro provides legal representation to clients in personal injury litigation, including cases where maritime law applies and where a Jones Act lawyer is required. The firm is experienced in working on behalf of injured seamen, tourists, and the operators of recreational seagoing craft in both inland waterways and open seas. Contact us today.

18Aug/110

A Note to Victims of Auto Accident in Prince George’s County

You plan for a weekend trip with your friends and head out according to plan. Unfortunately, you wind up involved in an automobile accident. All of you suffer injuries and realize you do not know what to do next.

When an accident occurs because of some else’s negligence, what you need to do is contact an attorney.

If you experience injuries in a car accident, you can best pursue financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.  If you are from Prince George’s County, MD, you will need to contact a Prince George’s county auto accident attorney for advice on your case.

Watch the statute of limitations

A statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit following an accident.  The relevant statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Maryland court is three years from the date of your auto accident.

If you are badly hurt in a car accident or if you are not in a position to approach a lawyer, another member of your family can contact an attorney to get him or her working on your behalf. Remember, a lawyer’s role is vital following an accident caused by the negligence of another. A skilled attorney will maximize the amount of financial recovery you ultimately receive, which can alleviate your monetary concerns as you recover from your injuries.