Not all motor vehicle accidents will require hiring a personal injury attorney to handle the case. Generally, a personal injury attorney can help with automobile accident claims. However, in certain instances spending the money on an attorney will not be necessary. First, there are two different fee arrangements you can make with an attorney to handle your claim.
First, you can hire an attorney on an hourly rate. Second, an attorney may be willing to work on a contingency fee. When an attorney works on an hourly rate they will usually require a retainer. Once paid, the attorney will bill you based upon an hourly rate and subtract the bills from the prepaid retainer. Once the retainer is exhausted, the attorney will require you to replenish the retainer.
When an attorney works on a contingency basis, the attorney will not charge a fee upfront. Upon resolution of your claim, your attorney will be compensated by receiving a percentage of your recovery. Thirty-three and 1/3 percent is the standard contingency fee. However, there are a few instances where that amount may be different.
Where you have not suffered a serious injury, an attorney will not likely accept the case on a contingency fee. In those situations, you will either have to pay the attorney an hourly fee or handle the case by yourself. If you find that dealing with the insurance companies is too difficult or time-consuming you might hire an attorney to complete the necessary claims paperwork to ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Also, if you feel that the insurance company is not treating you fairly or just so disorganized that you are getting nowhere with your claim, you may want to get an attorney involved.
If you have suffered an injury, you may want to hire an attorney and depending on the seriousness of the injury, the attorney may work on a contingency basis. If your injuries are serious, such as fractures, brain injuries, disfiguring injuries or other types of serious injuries, it is always advisable to consult with and hire a personal injury lawyer.
A lawyer working on a contingency basis will almost always result in you recovering more money than if you go it alone. Attorneys have the experience and resources to evaluate and pursue a personal injury claim for you. You may not even understand the full extent of your injuries and the financial implications of such injuries and may be underestimating what would be fair compensation.
Ultimately, hiring a personal injury attorney is a personal decision you will face should you be involved in an accident. I would just remind you that an insurance company has one goal in dealing with your claim: to save money. Therefore, they will use every means at their disposal to limit the benefits they pay you. An attorney knows all the issues that will come up during your claim and is familiar with the tricks that insurance companies use to save money on your claim. Further, most attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your claim. So, you have nothing to lose by consulting with an attorney except about an hour of your time.
Our firm has deep roots in Long Island and our lawyers maintain close associations with the residents of Suffolk County. Through our 2 decades of practice in Personal Injury Law, we’ve truly become a community-driven law firm. In fact, many of our clients have become friends and acquaintances.
We understand the hardships created by serious injuries and accidents, and feel honored when given the opportunity to guide clients through difficult times. It is greatly satisfying to provide legal representation in a meaningful way that helps individuals overcome obstacles and get their lives back on track.
Every day, Palermo Tuohy Bruno works diligently to level the playing field for Suffolk County clients, who must deal with insurance companies that don’t have their best interests in mind. Accidents and serious injuries are inevitably insurance matters, and the most difficult part of the problem is getting insurance companies to pay the monetary amount you deserve for your losses (as a personal injury victim). Unfortunately, it’s safe to say that no defendant’s insurance company looks out for the victim’s best interests. This is also often true when the victim is the insurance holder, such as in an uninsured motorist claim.
In contrast with insurance companies, all the partners at our firm take a personal interest in you and in handling your case. You are our top priority, and your case is never handed off to a paralegal or junior associate. We thoroughly prepare each case and employ effective legal strategies, which provide us with the leverage to maximize recoveries. It also enables to settle with most insurance companies out of court. While insurance companies don’t care about you, as our attorney Steven Palermo says, “It’s my job to make them care.”
We do our best to protect your rights and see that you receive the compensation you deserve. As our clients — you matter to us.
The NY Post reported the deaths of four people killed in a Long Island crash on the Fourth of July. Witnesses to the accident said the driver who caused the fatal collision was speeding, driving erratically and recklessly. Five people called 911 and one of the callers reported the erratic driving prior to the crash.
The pickup truck driver was driving in the southbound lane of Yaphank Middle Island Road, veered into the northbound lane and collided into a Nissan Altima, killing the driver and two elderly people in their 70’s. The mother and 11-month old baby in the car survived and were hospitalized. The pickup truck driver also died in the crash. Police suspect he was driving while intoxicated and believed he was coming from a social gathering. However, investigation is still underway to determine whether alcohol was involved or not.
The roads were also slick from Monday night’s rain in Long Island, which was all the more reason not to speed and to take safety precautions.
When you host a party or celebration, here are some steps you can take to prevent drunken driving accidents:
Be able to recognize drunk drivers by the following signs:
If you see any of the signs of drunk driving, call 911 and report the driver. As much as possible when on the road, avoid drivers show signs of drunk driving.
According to the American Red Cross, more than 200 children drown in backyard swimming pools every year. The Red Cross recommends the following safety guidelines for people with home swimming pools :
If you follow safety guidelines to protect against harm, camping can be lots of fun and everyone can have a wonderful time.
“The Most Dangerous Holiday of the Year” – July 4th. That is, according to Forbes Magazine. And they’re right. It’s 1 out of maybe 10 holidays that almost all Americans celebrate. The great John Adams saw to that, when he declared July 4th to be a “great anniversary Festival…solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” Guns + Fires + Parades = Danger. At least he states the importance of wearing shoes.
All jest aside, it’s a dangerous holiday and we need to recognize that and learn how to celebrate safely. Let’s make a very simple, straightforward list of why July 4th is literally one of the deadliest holiday weekends in America. Let us also make some suggestions on how to be safer this July 4th.
There’s good reason for the stringent laws surrounding pyrotechnics. A lot of people simply don’t realize that they’re handling a weapon. They’re dangerous, just like cars, and for that reason they should not be handled by someone who is not a licensed professional. Some enthusiasts purchase illegal fireworks, which have grave potential to injure anyone in the vicinity when they go off, especially if handled improperly. Some of these illegal fireworks yield more firepower than those found at professional firework shows, handled by professionals.
But believe it or not, the fireworks that most often cause injuries are the smaller ones…especially if they have short fuses and are handled incorrectly. We’re not saying smaller fireworks are more dangerous, but think about the kids. Even a sparkler can cause serious burns if not handled properly. Just check out this Newsweek Article on Firework Injuries – they are meant to be handled by professionals and only professionals. So, simply stated, if you want to see fireworks, go to a fireworks show.
If we’re going to talk about burns, we can’t forget about barbecues. They seem innocent, right? That is, until you have kids running around – and that’s usually the case on July 4th. It’s a really good idea to keep the barbecue area, and the area between the barbecue and the food table, closed off. A child running into the chef or the barbeque itself can cause serious injury. A little caution tape could help, as well as making it very clear to the children that the cooking area is off limits.
The kids get hyped. They’re with their best friends, neighborly friends, their cousins, and they’re likely overly excited for pool time. If you’re unsure of their swimming abilities, make them wear floaties. It’s one thing when you and your child are by yourselves hanging by the pool and you have a close eye on them…it’s a totally different ball field when your pool becomes public. The last thing you want is a swimming pool accident. And then there’s the heat. The heat can seriously get to you, your children, and your pets. If you start to feel nauseous, feel a rapid heartbeat or start to breathe at a rapid pace, get to a cool place quickly. This could mean heat exhaustion. Keep your children, your pets, and yourself hydrated – it’s looking to be quite hot this July 4th. And don’t forget your sunscreen either.
Don’t be that person, and don’t let that person next to you be that person. Pensicola News Journal reported in 2014 that roughly 40% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents recorded over the previous years happened on one day: July 4th. Is that not staggering? So, we can safely say this holiday is not a good time to be on the road.
This year, July 4th occurs on a Monday. Not so convenient, right? Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. You may end up driving across town to that block party yourself. You may end up losing your inhibitions and having a few drinks, but you still need your car for work tomorrow. Luckily, there’s a service located on Long Island that will literally drive to you and drive your car home so you have it ready for work the next day. IDriveYourCar has put together a simplistic business model to save lives. Palermo Tuohy Bruno, P.L.L.C. does not endorse this service, but we do believe it’s worth looking into.
We urge you to take all of these tips into consideration. We fought hard for our right to freedom. And we have every right to celebrate it happily. But it’s crucial to recognize how dangerous this holiday can be, and to take the right precautions. Have a happy 4th of July, but make sure it’s a safe one.