Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Discusses Ban on Cell Phone While Driving

Attorney Steven Whitman discusses Massachusetts’ ban on texting which became effective as of September 30, 2010.

The new Massachusetts law bans texting for all drivers and cell phone use to driver’s under 18 years of age. Adult fines are $100.00 for the first offense, then increasing to $250.00 and then $500.00. The fine for those under 18 years of age is $100.00 plus a 60 day license suspension and youth traffic school. Thereafter, the fines increase for minors to $250.00 with a sixth month license suspension and then $500.00 plus a one year suspension for a third offense.

Even though the Highway Loss Data Institute performed a study that found no reduction in bans on texting I think this law should save lives and prevent countless accidents. It has been my experience as a Massachusetts personal injury attorney engaged in automobile accident claims that cell phone usage plays a role in a high percentage of accidents. Although the law will be difficult to enforce, just getting driver’s to think about leaving their cell phones in their pockets while driving will increase safety on our roads. Sphere: Related Content

Tips on Filing Divorce and Finding that Right Attorney

When it comes to deciding to file for divorce from your partner, it is not one of the easiest decisions you will have to make. So deciding on who will be acting as your legal representative in the case is not an easy one to make either. Here are some tips on divorce filing, which should hopefully help you when it comes to finding the right lawyer to act as your legal representative during the divorce process.

1. Find an attorney who specializes in dealing with divorce matters. They will be able to help you through the various stages of your divorce and make sure that everything is carried out to the letter.

2. It is important to remember that you will be telling this attorney about very personal and intimate details of your life with your partner. You should choose one that you feel comfortable with and who is going to listen to what you have to say.

3. Find a lawyer who has had experience of being in a courtroom and who will be able to help you understand exactly what is going on. See if they can provide you with testimonials and references from previous clients who they have helped.

4. The next step when it comes to finding the right person to act for you is to get them to provide details of their charges. Choosing your solicitor because they are much cheaper than some of the others is not the best way to go but shopping around could save you a lot of money and may be some heartache in the long run as well.

5. At the end of the day what is important to remember is that you are going to be placing a considerable amount of trust in the lawyer that you choose to represent you.

6. Choose an attorney in the state that you are going to filing, such as an Austin divorce attorney in Texas or a Vancouver divorce lawyer in Washington state.

Although you do not have to be friends with your divorce lawyer, it would help if you have a good relationship with them. So if you keep the above tips on divorce filing in order to find the right lawyer for you in mind you will find one who will work on your behalf and help you what is going to be an extremely stressful time. Sphere: Related Content

Consulting a Brain Injury Attorney

Brain injury is damage to the brain caused by any physical trauma or prolonged lack of oxygen. Traumatic brain injury may also be referred to as intracranial injury. Some of the major causes of TBI are accidents or blunt trauma of any type. Such an impact may lead to permanent disability or in some circumstances, the death of the victim.

Brain injuries cannot be seen externally, but the effects are generally very serious. It is always a heartbreaking event when a brain injury is caused due to the carelessness of another, but that is precisely the time when a brain injury lawyer should be promptly consulted. Brain injury lawyers will work to make sure that the negligent party is held responsible and that the client and the client’s family receives appropriate compensation. If a settlement cannot be reached, the lawyer will endeavor to prove in court that the negligence of the other party caused the client to suffer such a brain injury.

Brain injury lawyers will listen to the facts of your case and then collect all the necessary medical information and proof that may later be required as evidence in court.

In all circumstances, the attorney will first attempt to settle the case to avoid the necessity of a court trial, as most clients prefer to attempt this first. But when needed, your lawyer will present your case before a jury and aggressively set forth the required evidence. Once all the evidence is heard, the jury members will deliberate and reach a verdict. If the verdict is favorable, then the client will receive the determined monetary compensation.

Your lawyer will carefully calculate with the client or client’s family what the maximum amount of compensation should be and present this figure to the jury. The jury may award that particular amount or another amount that the jury believes is reasonable.

It is important that you take immediate action when a brain injury has been caused due to negligence of another. When this is done, important evidence and testimony can be promptly collected before it may be forever lost. This will help your injury lawyer to properly and effectively fight for your rights. Sphere: Related Content

Causes Of Lung Cancer

When people think of lung cancer, they often associate it with cigarette smoking. Indeed, this is one of the leading causes of the disease. But it is not the only factor.

Too much exposure to asbestos has been cited as one crucial environmental factor causing lung cancer. Asbestos is a kind of mineral that is made up of bundled up fibers and naturally occurs in the environment. These fibers, when inhaled by a person exposed to them, can be trapped in one's lungs and accumulate until it causes an inflammation on the lungs. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, a lawyer, such as a Boston mesothelioma attorney may be able to help you get compensation.

Another crucial factor that could elicit the development of lung cancer is inhaling secondhand smoke. Although cigarette smoking can increase your chances of acquiring lung cancer, those who inhale it are at a higher risk. Secondhand smoke consists of two types of smoke: those that are produced by the burning of the tobacco product and those exhaled by the smoker.

Since it affects your respiratory system, common symptoms associated with lung cancer are related to such conditions affecting the respiratory illness.

It is a rare case for lung cancer to be diagnosed early, which is why awareness of the general facts on lung cancer is of extreme importance for early diagnosis. Sphere: Related Content

Mediation as an Alternative When Filing Divorce

A divorce usually takes place between a husband and wife over some misunderstandings, extra marital affairs or just because they can't tolerate each other. Sometimes, the divorce proceedings take months where there is lots of emotional and psychological pain the family has to face. And to top it off, there is the high financial costs for the divorce to take place. The lawyers charge high fees, and the never ending process of divorce denotes the excess need of lawyers for a longer time.

However, if and when the parties are ready to negotiate with the legal proceedings, they don't have to suffer a painful process in the divorce. There is a less painful and less expensive option to the court proceedings. And this alternative is called mediation and is a more civil and less emotional process to reach a divorce settlement.

In divorce mediation, both the parties undergo a legal process, like all other divorce cases. However, the difference here is that there is a trained and impartial third party, San Diego divorce attorney, who offers his or her services in the form of advice and assistance so that they can help the couple reach a mutual understanding. This does not mean that the two parties forsake the services of their divorce lawyers. They still do need the help of their respective lawyers through whom they are informed of all the specific legal procedures. This way there is no chance of any misunderstanding occurring; and with this, there is a better chance of reaching a mutual agreement with the help of mediation. Divorce mediation is actually a better choice for a couple seeking divorce as the stress and the cost that is involved in legal battles are avoided by the couple. Sphere: Related Content

Most Common Accidents on Public Property and Your Legal Rights

Have you or a loved one had an accident on public property? If you aren’t sure what the term “public property” encompasses, any property that is owned by the government (federal, state, community) is called public property. This includes public libraries, parks, pathways and government buildings. Some of the most common accidents on public property include slips, trips and falls.

Slips, Trips and Falls

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004, unintentional falls were the leading cause of nonfatal injuries treated in Hospital Emergency Departments in the US. Every year, about 35-40% of adults over the age of 65 fall at least once. “By 2020, the annual direct and indirect cost of fall injuries is expected to reach $54.9 billion (in 2007 dollars).” [Reference: Englander F, Hodson TJ, Terregrossa RA. Economic dimensions of slip and fall injuries. Journal of Forensic Science 1996;41(5):733–46]

The outcomes that are linked to falls include bruises, fractures, head traumas, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Common fractures from slips, trips and falls include:

• Spine

• Forearm

• Leg

• Ankle

• Pelvis

• Upper Arm

• Hand

• Hip

Reducing fall hazards is a responsibility shared by both public and private property owners. Injuries at public properties can be prevented. Proper housekeeping in walking areas is important for fall prevention. Keeping paths obstacle-free is a big step toward minimizing slips and trips. Adequate lighting is another contributing factor for safety in avoiding fall injuries. Temporary vision problems can happen when you move from a light to dark area. A person can easily slip on a liquid spill or trip over an obstacle if their vision is hampered. Using slip-resistant materials on stairs and ramps is another way to help prevent someone from a slip, trip or fall injury.

If you or a loved one has experienced a slip, trip or fall, make sure you seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you suffer injuries and are seeking compensation and medical reimbursement, consult a personal injury attorney.

This article is brought to you by the Sacramento personal injury law firm Teal Montgomery & Henderson. Sphere: Related Content

What to Bring when you Meet an Accident Attorney

When you meet with the attorney for the initial consultation of your NYC accident injury case it is important that you come prepared. If you are proactive and keep your attorney up to date, your NYC accident litigation will be less nerve-racking and meetings with your attorney will be more efficient. The following is a list of documents you should provide to your NYC accident attorney at your free initial consultation.

• Police reports
• Hospital bills
• All your files regarding the other party and any relating correspondence
• All insurance policies
• Documentation relating to any product at issue; like purchase orders or receipts
• Tax returns and financial statements
• Canceled checks and bills or invoices
• Files from previous litigation
• Files from previous attorneys

In NYC, it is important to be prepared to discuss your financial and personal circumstances with your attorney as they might affect the accident lawsuit. It is also important to stay in constant communication throughout the proceedings so that your attorney is apprised of your situation. In many cases a simple omission could make a significant impact to your accident case so be careful to follow the advice of doctors as well as your attorney and any authorities involved in your case.

This article was provided courtesy of the NYC accident lawyers at the Jacob Fuchsberg Law Firm. Sphere: Related Content