austin

Jan 7, 2021

Raccoon Eyes Brain Injuries and When to Hire a Lawyer

Raccoon eyes brain injuries can result from many different types of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents, severe falls, sports injuries, and accidents at work. After a severe brain injury, you may lose consciousness for minutes, hours, or sometimes even months. Even if you do not lose consciousness, you will likely feel confused, disoriented, overwhelmed, and terrified. On top of all that, brain injuries are incredibly expensive to treat and can take a long time to heal. In this guide to raccoon eyes brain injuries, we'll explain how the injury works, what reimbursement you can receive, and when you need to hire a lawyer. What is a raccoon eyes brain injury? A raccoon eyes brain injury is a type of traumatic brain injury. “Raccoon eyes”, or “periorbital ecchymosis” in medical terminology, are dark purple or blue bruises that develop under your eyes and resemble the dark circles under a raccoon's eyes. Raccoon eyes are a symptom of a specific traumatic brain injury called basilar skull fracture and are caused by blood from the fracture seeping into the soft tissue that surrounds the eyes.  Basilar skull fractures, also referred to as a skull base fracture, are typically caused by substantial blunt force…

9 min read Read Article

Jan 7, 2021

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

A car accident lawyer can help you fight with the insurance companies and receive compensation for your injuries after a car accident. If you've been injured in a car crash, you probably know that a car accident lawyer can help you, but you might be worried about how much it will cost you and if you can afford it. Here's a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfOP9juChCg&feature=youtu.be What is a car accident lawyer? A car accident lawyer, also known as a personal injury lawyer, represents car crash victims and pursues full compensation for their injuries. When the other driver is at fault, you are entitled to be financially reimbursed for your medical expenses, damage to your car, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more. A car accident attorney can help you obtain this compensation from the responsible driver and their insurance company. Car accidents are by far the most common type of personal injury case. In 2018 alone, over 2.7 million people were injured in car crashes in the United States. Auto insurance companies rarely offer to pay victims the compensation they truly deserve. Instead, they try to settle claims for the lowest amount you will accept. A car accident attorney's job…

10 min read Read Article

Jan 6, 2021

What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

After a car crash, the at-fault driver usually can be held financially responsible for injuries caused by the auto accident. Car accident attorneys help victims pursue reimbursement from the responsible driver for the damages caused by the accident. In this article, we've summarized some of the most important things you need to know about car accident lawyers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GmMPKsR590&feature=youtu.be What is a car accident lawyer? Car accident lawyers are also called personal injury lawyers. Personal injury attorneys provide legal services to people who have been injured by the actions of another person, a company, or any other legal entity. Car accidents are by far the most common type of personal injury claim handled by personal injury lawyers in the United States. A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics found that car accident trials accounted for 57% of all personal injury trials and 35% of all civil trials in 2005. What does a car accident lawyer do? When you first hire a car accident lawyer, they will let the insurance companies involved know that you are represented by a lawyer now and that all communication regarding the claim should be directed to them. Then they will…

10 min read Read Article

Jan 6, 2021

What to Do After a Dog Bite and When to Hire a Lawyer

It can be difficult to know what to do after a dog bite and when to hire a lawyer. Approximately 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs on an annual basis, and while most dog bites do not require medical attention, thousands of dog bite injuries are treated in emergency rooms and hospitals each year. In fact, about 1,000 U.S. citizens receive emergency care for serious dog bite injuries every day. Dog bites can result in severe injuries, especially when the victim is a child. Here's a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqAGrcavFZw&feature=youtu.be What is considered a dog bite? Any bite wound inflicted by a dog is considered a dog bite. Dogs’ jaws can create a tremendous amount of pressure when biting, which can cause substantial damage to bones, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. The main medical issues caused by dog bites are: Skin damage.Injuries to body tissues under the skin.The significant potential for infection of the wound.Permanent impairment.Permanent disfigurement. While many states have specific statutes addressing dog bite liability.  Texas generally goes by the “one bite” rule, which means a dog owner may not be liable if this was the first time their dog has bitten someone.  However, there…

11 min read Read Article

Jan 6, 2021

The Definitive Guide to Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents injured 151,000 people and killed another 4,951 in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In these fatal crashes, only 18 percent of the fatalities were the truck drivers themselves. That means over 4,000 other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists were killed in commercial trucking accidents, and many more were injured. Commercial trucks can be dangerous, and when accidents occur, it’s usually the drivers in passenger vehicles who get hurt. In this definitive guide, we’ve answered a handful of questions that people frequently ask us about commercial truck accidents and how to get  the compensation you deserve for your injuries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao&feature=youtu.be What Is a Commercial Truck Accident? In the United States, a motor vehicle is designated as a commercial vehicle when it is titled or registered to a company.  Commercial truck classifications are determined according to weight, using what is called the “gross vehicle weight rating”, or GVWR. There are eight different classes of commercial trucks, ranging from Class 1 (0 to 6,000 pounds) to Class 8 (above 33,000 pounds). Some common examples of commercial trucks include: Tractor Trailers (also called Big Rigs or Eighteen Wheelers)Heavy HaulersFlatbed TrucksRefrigerator TrucksDump TrucksCement MixersGarbage TruckTankers The Federal Motor…

10 min read Read Article

Jan 6, 2021

The Ultimate Guide to Offshore Accidents

According to a study of offshore fatalities by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chance of being killed while working in the oil and gas extraction industry is seven times higher than for all workers in the United States.  We’ve put together a quick guide to offshore accidents and what you should do if you are injured in one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vd_HVPtPf4&feature=youtu.be What Is an Offshore Accident? The term “offshore” generally means the injured worker was working on navigable water.  It is also a term generally used to refer to the extraction of oil and gas from reservoirs found beneath the seafloor by oil and gas companies. These operations require laborers to work offshore on various types of rigs, barges, and platforms.  The perils of being at sea, severe weather conditions, the nature of working with oil and gas, and the size of offshore drilling vessels contribute to the frequency of offshore incidents, making offshore work incredibly risky. The kind of physical work required of maritime workers also creates hazards that can result in injury or death. Common types of injuries involved in offshore accidents include: BurnsHead traumaTwisted jointsSprained jointsBack injuriesSpinal cord injuriesNeck injuriesBruised, broken, or fractured bones DrowningTraumatic brain injuries…

12 min read Read Article

Dec 2, 2020

Can an Insurance Company Refuse to Pay a Claim?

Yes, insurance companies do refuse to pay claims. So, what happens when an insurance company unfairly denies your claim, or offers far less than what you truly deserve? It’s time to contact a personal injury attorney. Whether your accident was with a standard vehicle or an 18-wheeler semi-truck, working with an attorney can spare you the headache of fighting the insurance company, so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life. Here’s a quick guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wiMHLgvcDs&feature=youtu.be Do I file a claim with my own car insurance or the other driver’s? You should always file a claim with your own insurance company after an accident. But whether and how much your own insurer will have to pay will depend on your degree of fault in the accident, and whether you live in a “no fault” state or a “fault” state. In a “fault” state, like Texas, the driver judged to be less responsible for causing the accident will recover insurance money from the at-fault driver’s policy. This is why it is always vital to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver after an accident.  Can I file an insurance claim after a car accident if I’m…

10 min read Read Article

Dec 2, 2020

Can I Get a Pro Bono DUI or DWI Lawyer?

Have you been injured in a DUI, DWI, or OVI accident? Do you think you need a pro bono lawyer because you’re concerned about the costs? Don’t worry. Many personal injury attorneys will take your case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless your case is won. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCmSu_WX7MU&feature=youtu.be What if I can’t afford a personal injury lawyer after a DUI, DWI, or OVI car accident? Do I need a pro bono lawyer? Generally, DWI accident victims don’t need a pro bono lawyer, because attorneys may take their case on a contingency basis -- meaning the client pays nothing unless the case is won or a settlement is mediated. If you have been injured or lost a loved one to a drunk driver, many personal injury attorneys will take your case on what’s called a contingency fee. If you win your case at trial, or your lawyer negotiates a fair settlement for you, the attorney fees will simply be deducted from the damages awarded, your medical bills are paid, and you receive the rest.  If your lawyer has taken your case on a contingency basis and you lose in court you won’t have to pay your lawyer at…

11 min read Read Article

Dec 2, 2020

The Parent’s Guide to Child Injury Lawsuits

Child injury lawsuits are highly emotional, and nobody wants to go through the ordeal. It is profoundly frustrating for parents to feel powerless to help their son or daughter when they’ve been hurt. Sadly, many parents blame themselves, when the reality is that there’s nothing they could have done to prevent an accident, injury, or traumatic event from occurring. So how do you go about getting justice and compensation for your innocent child when they have been harmed? Read on below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaiiqKQortE&feature=youtu.be Can I sue an adult if they hurt my child? Yes, absolutely. Obviously, while your child is a minor, they lack the capacity to sue someone themselves. But you can file a civil lawsuit on your child’s behalf. Under the law, your child is entitled to the same amount of monetary damages as an adult with similar injuries. And you, as a parent, may be entitled to additional compensation for your own extraordinary expenses in caring for your child after they’ve been hurt -- physically, emotionally, or both. Even if an adult did not intentionally mean to cause harm to your son or daughter, they may be liable for monetary damages if their actions were negligent, careless, or…

10 min read Read Article

Dec 2, 2020

What to Expect During a Car Accident Deposition

If you have been injured in a car accident and file a lawsuit, you will likely need to participate in a deposition. Many people are intimidated by the term “deposition” and have a lot of anxiety prior to being deposed, mostly because they don’t know what to expect. But a good personal injury lawyer will help you fully prepare. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTsXE4vU28&feature=youtu.be What is a deposition in a car accident lawsuit? A deposition is an out-of-court legal proceeding where a person gives sworn testimony under oath in the presence of a court reporter and attorneys. Basically, it’s a formal question-and-answer session that is recorded and legally official. Some depositions are recorded on video and all of them are transcribed onto paper for reference. Depositions are usually done at a law office, but sometimes they’re done at a person’s home.  In a car accident lawsuit, plaintiff drivers, defendant drivers, passengers, eyewitnesses, first responders, and/or medical professionals may all be deposed as part of the discovery phase. The purpose of a deposition is to help both sides clarify the facts of the case and assess the relative strength of their arguments prior to mediation and/or trial.   How should I prepare for…

10 min read Read Article