Know When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident: 5 Easy Steps
If you’ve been injured by a car accident because of the negligence of another driver, then you might be eligible for compensation. But don’t rely on your insurance company to help you out.
Monetary compensation can help with the financial burden of medical and automotive bills. It might not make you feel any better, but at least you can eliminate the financial stress.
If you’re wondering when to hire an attorney after a car accident, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips on when to reach out.
1. Don’t Wait Too Long
After the accident, you may need to receive some medical attention. But you don’t want to wait too long before hiring an attorney. A car accident attorney can help you make the right moves in order to build your case.
Your first step will be to file a claim with your insurance company as well as the other driver’s insurance if they were at fault. Don’t agree to any settlements with your insurance company. They are probably going to offer you a small amount to simply get rid of your case.
Generally, if you’re injured in an automotive accident, then hiring a personal attorney is a must.
2. Protect Your Rights
If you want someone to advocate for you then don’t rely on the insurance companies. Their one motive is to keep their costs down. They also want to reduce overhead, so they might try to take the easiest and cheapest course of action.
That doesn’t always align with your best interests.
It won’t be long after the accident that the insurance company’s lawyers begin working on your case. So you shouldn’t waste time in finding your own personal attorney to defend you.
By hiring an attorney, you’ll have someone who is working towards the same goal: Winning your case and getting you compensation for your injuries. They’re going to know the laws in your state and be able to protect your rights.
3. Get Adequate Compensation
You may not be aware of all the types of compensation you can receive. Depending on the damages incurred, you can be compensated for a variety of incidents. Your attorney will know the full array of options.
For example, you can receive damages for physical as well as emotional trauma. Things like your medical bills and lost wages can also be recovered. Even family members might be eligible for compensation if you were unable to see them because you were incapacitated by the crash.
Learn more about finding a car accident attorney near you.
4. Going to Court is Confusing
If you try to represent yourself in court, you will most likely get chewed up and spit out. This is simply because most of us are not familiar with the details involved in negotiating a fair settlement from insurance carriers. Going to court is a complex affair, especially when multiple cars were involved in the accident.
Your personal attorney can help you calculate a reasonable amount of financial compensation that you deserve based on damages. Filing a lawsuit is very complicated and if you don’t have an expert on your side, you’re unlikely to leave with all the money you are eligible for.
5. Don’t Let Settlement Mills Fool You
A professional car accident attorney is not to be confused with the settlement mills you see advertised often on television and radio. These are businesses looking to settle cases rather than make the effort to go to court on your behalf.
They won’t fight for your best interest and instead will settle a case in the easiest way possible to make a quick buck.
When to Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident
More than likely, if you have suffered an injury from a car accident you should find a personal attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Even if you believe your injuries to be minimal, you may have long term or chronic damage that you won’t be aware of until later. At this point, it will be too late to try and receive further compensation from your insurance company.
Now that you know when to hire an attorney after a car accident, share your story with us.
Have you been in an accident? Tell us your experiences in the comments below.
Driving Laws in Australia: 7 Things Every Tourist Should Know
Australia welcomes 1,004 guests every hour.
While some of these people are in transit or in the country for business, the luckiest ones are tourists looking to sample what the country has to offer.
And Australia has it all. Beaches, wildlife, flora, fauna, and an exciting nightlife. It is extremely unlikely that a visitor will run out of fun things to do during their stay. However, nothing ruins a holiday faster than getting into legal trouble.
Like any other country, Australia has a unique set of traffic laws.
If you are headed there for your next vacation, ensure to adhere to these local driving laws.
1. The Signs
These are not laws per se, but following these signs is not an option. Here are a few of the most common signs to take note of:
No standing
This means you are prohibited from stopping there unless dropping off or picking up a passenger.
No stopping
This sign means you cannot stop at all, not even to drop someone. The only exception to this rule is if there is a medical emergency.
No parking
You cannot park in that area, but you can unload passengers.
2. Licensure
As with many other countries, you must have an International Drivers Permit to drive in Australia.
This is in addition to the permit you have from your home country.
3. Driving Laws on Speed Limits
In built-up residential areas, the speed limits are 50km per hour (31miles per hour).
This is true everywhere, except for the Northern Territory where the limit is 60 km per hour (35 miles per hour) unless the signage reads differently.
However, these are just benchmark limits. It’s not uncommon to have signs communicating a different message. Therefore, pay close attention to signage or ask locals when in doubt.
In non-residential areas, is 100 km per hour (62 miles per hour), except in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. For the two locations, the limit is 110 km per hour (68 miles per hour).
These are the general limits for freeways unless the signage indicates otherwise.
All states use speed cameras. Some states and Territories use obvious ones, while others use concealed ones.
4. Seatbelts
The driver and all passengers must wear their seatbelts as failure to belt up is an offense. In Australia, it is the driver’s responsibility to enforce this rule in their vehicle.
If you fail to do so, you can incur a fine in addition to three demerit points.
Child safety is paramount as well, and they must be restrained correctly at all times.
Here is how to go about this:
• Babies under six months of age have to be placed in a rear-facing child seat
• Children under seven years, but over seven months old should be fastened in a booster seat or child restraint.
• Kids over seven can travel on normal seats with regular seat belts, but not at the front seat
• children cannot be put in one seat or be made to share the same belt
Again, the onus is on the driver to ensure all these regulations are complied with before getting on the road.
5. Phone Usage
Using a handheld device while driving is strictly prohibited. This limitation does not apply to only making phone calls. Texting, browsing, and playing video games are restricted as well.
In Queensland and Western Australia, full licensed and P2 license holders are allowed to use their phones when connected to hands-free devices.
In New South Wales, Victoria, the New Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania, a driver is not allowed to have a phone touching any part of their body.
They can, however, pick a phone to pass on to one of their passengers. For such offenses, you get cash fines and demerits as a driver.
6. Driving While Intoxicated
It’s common knowledge that alcohol affects one’s ability to drive.
In Australia, it is a serious offense to drive when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.05% or above.
If one is a learner or is using a probationary license, they must have a zero BAC at all times, regardless of which part of Australia they are in.
By ignoring this law, you risk earning demerits, paying fines, suspension or disqualification of your license, and even imprisonment.
A significant number of road deaths in Australia can be linked to drunk driving. This has necessitated the penalties to reflect the gravity of such offenses.
The penalties for this offense have far-reaching consequences. If you find yourself being written up for this, be sure to engage a traffic law attorney for advice on how to handle it.
Refusing to take random breath tests is also illegal, as this is among the few ways police can actually enforce the law.
Aside from alcohol, it is illegal to smoke in a car with a child under the age of 18 present. This age limit is 17 years in Western Australia.
7. Other Considerations
Here is a compilation of some key do’s and don’ts:
• When overtaking, only do so if the center line is a broken, single line.
• It’s also illegal to overtake when the line closest to your car is unbroken
• When approaching a T-section, the motorist driving straight through always has the right of way
• Australians drive on the left
• You can be fined for honking your horn for reasons other than warning other road users and scaring away animals
• At traffic lights, it’s illegal to turn left on a red traffic signal, unless otherwise signed
• Because of left-hand side driving, traffic moves clockwise around a roundabout
• When approaching a roundabout, give way to cars coming from your right
If you are ever in an accident, irrespective of who is at fault according to your assessment, remain at the scene or notify the authorities.
Be Alert
Aside from internalizing these driving laws, remain alert when on the road at all times, and be confident. Other than a few fundamental differences, such as what side to drive on, many traffic laws are similar across different countries.
When driving out in rural areas, be cautious of kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and wombats running across the road.
Check out the rest of our site for more tips and tricks to help you make the most of your next adventure.
5 Reasons You Need a Lawyer to Help with Disability
When you’re unable to work due to physical or mental limitations, it can be very stressful. When this happens, it’s important to do everything that you can to get on disability. This isn’t always going to be an easy process, due to the fact that disability law is very complicated. Take a look at the following five reasons why you need a lawyer to help with disability.
1. You Don’t Have to Pay Them Upfront
Perhaps the biggest reason why people avoid hiring lawyers is that they’re afraid that they can’t afford them. Most disability lawyers won’t require payment upfront. They’ll simply take a small cut of your first settlement check as compensation. This means that you can make use of their services without having money.
If you don’t happen to win your disability case, then you won’t owe them anything at all. This is very convenient for people who are in a financial bind. If you don’t have money, you’re still going to be able to find a lawyer that can help you out.
2. They Understand the Ins and Outs of the Law
Of course, you know that disability law is incredibly complicated and that an average person with no legal background isn’t going to grasp the intricacies of the law. For this reason, you need a legal professional who understands the ins and outs of the law. They’re going to be able to take the right actions and they’ll always know what to do next.
Your lawyer isn’t going to get caught off guard by anything. They’ve helped many people who are in the same situation you are in right now. When you get the help of a skilled legal professional, you’ll be able to feel far more at ease.
3. They’ll Act on Your Behalf
You don’t have to worry about things when you have disability lawyers to rely on. They’re going to be working for you so that everything gets taken care of. You aren’t going to have to run around or make phone calls. They’ll be taking care of all of the paperwork and you won’t have to be nearly as stressed out about things.
4. You’ll Be Able to Get Better Results
Trying to get on disability without a lawyer certainly isn’t going to be easy. You might wind up getting denied several times and becoming frustrated. Some people even wind up giving up on the process. Don’t let yourself give up on getting what you deserve when lawyers can get you better results.
When you have a lawyer on your side, it makes things so much easier to deal with. You’ll be able to get things taken care of properly and they’ll get you your disability settlement faster than you could on your own. Disability lawyers have great track records and the success rates are far better for those who have lawyers. This is reason enough to hire one.
5. You Need to Get Your Disability Now
You likely already understand how imperative it is to get your disability settlement as soon as possible. When you’re unable to earn a living, you’re going to be at risk of financial ruin. Hiring a lawyer can help you to get your disability settlement faster, so you should hire one so that the process doesn’t drag on for too long. You can’t afford to wait, so it makes sense to make the call to the legal professionals as soon as possible.
Conclusion
After reading the five reasons above, it should be obvious that hiring a lawyer is going to be very beneficial to you. Take the time to consider whether or not you need to make that call. If you want to get your disability settlement, then it’s definitely going to be a good idea.
5 Important Things You Need to Know About Immigration Laws
If you’ve been thinking about immigrating to Canada, then you’ll want to make sure you understand what needs to be done. Immigration laws are actually quite complicated and most people are going to be a bit confused about the requirements. Take a look at the following five important things that you need to know about Canadian immigration laws. It just might help you to understand why hiring an immigration lawyer is such a good idea.
1. Being Married to a Canadian Doesn’t Automatically Get You in
One thing that people wind up being confused about is whether or not having a spouse that lives in Canada can get you into the country. The immigration laws simply don’t work that way in Canada. If your spouse lives in Canada, then you’ll still need to apply for spousal sponsorship to immigrate to the country. This process takes time and it isn’t going to be a guarantee.
Due to the fact that the immigration laws in Canada are different from those in America, people tend to get confused by this. It’s actually not overly difficult to understand, but it might still be beneficial to enlist the help of an immigration lawyer. They can help things to go smoothly and guide you through the process. Lawyers explain what is required of you and they do a lot of the work themselves.
2. The Difference Between Outland Sponsorship and Inland Sponsorship
There are two different types of sponsorship that you can make use of when you have a spouse in Canada. These sponsorships are known as outland sponsorship and inland sponsorship. The difference between the two can be hard to grasp at first glance. It isn’t too complicated when you dig into the details, though.
An inland sponsorship can grant someone an open work permit. This is going to allow them to live in Canada and they’ll also be able to work. An outland sponsorship is usually going to be the faster option, but it doesn’t come with that convenient open work permit. Consider which option is best for your situation before moving forward.
3. A Job Offer Isn’t Necessary to Immigrate to Canada
You should also remember that you don’t necessarily need to have a job offer to immigrate to Canada. It can help the process, but immigrating to the country isn’t contingent on whether you have a job offer. There are other factors to consider and the majority of immigration applicants don’t have a job offer when they finally do get their Canadian Permanent Residence.
4. You Usually Need a Job Offer to Obtain a Canadian Work Permit
Getting a Canadian work permit isn’t as simple as you might like it to be. This is one of the reasons why people enlist the help of lawyers so that they can be helped through the process. Typically, you’re going to need a job offer to get a Canadian work permit. There are exceptions, but you’ll definitely want to have a solid job offer to make things easy.
5. Job Offers Need to Be Validated
If you do get a job offer from a Canadian business, then things will need to be validated. Only serious job offers will really help you to get into Canada faster. This assessment process is known as a labour market impact assessment. Things will be assessed and then you’ll be able to see if it helped your chances or not.
In Conclusion
The Canadian immigration process might feel a bit daunting at first. Even so, you’ll be able to get things in order by contacting a lawyer. You shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a legal professional if you want things to go smoothly. They’ll be able to consult with you and they can handle a lot of things on your behalf.
Now That’s Sour: and How They Protect You
In 2018 alone, there were 17.2 million vehicles sold in the United States.
Buying a new car can be a fun and exciting experience. But it can also be quite a pain, especially when it comes to financing.
Cars aren’t exactly cheap, to say the least. So when you put your hard-earned money toward a new vehicle, you should be confident in your purchase.
Unfortunately, some dealerships and sellers are less than honest about their wares.
They’re more than happy to sell you a defunct car without disclosing its problems.
But when life hands you lemons, it’s time to make lemonade!
Keep reading as we examine automotive lemon laws and look into how they protect you and your family.
Automotive Lemon Laws 101
To understand lemon laws, we first need to look at what the law defines as a lemon.
It’s crucial to note that, prior damage and necessary repairs don’t make a car a lemon. In most cases, a trip to the mechanic can fix most vehicular issues.
Instead, a lemon is a car that’s beyond repair without extensive mechanical work.
The issue must also impact the vehicle’s ability to work as intended under warranty.
So, for instance, a dented bumper wouldn’t make a car a lemon. However, if the car’s gas pedal won’t budge, that’s considered a safety issue, and thus, makes the car a lemon.
What Do These Laws Cover?
As you might expect, these laws cover all new vehicles sold in the United States.
Likewise, used cars are covered in most instances, as well. The only exception to this rule is Colorado and Delaware, whose coverage only extends to new vehicles.
Things get a bit dicier when it comes to private sales, as the law isn’t entirely clear one way or another. Be sure to look into your state’s specific laws regarding lemon sales.
You may be able to get your money back or at least pass the cost of repairs onto the dealer or seller.
What to Do If You Buy a Lemon
First and foremost, always do your research on any vehicle you’re considering purchasing. Never buy it sight unseen.
Give it a test drive and inspect both the interior and exterior for damage. If it’s a used vehicle, take it to a trusted mechanic and have them look it over for you.
What happens if it’s too late? You’re still protected, fortunately.
You can ask a lemon law lawyer to find out if you have a case. If you do, they can represent you in court and hopefully help you win your money back.
Most lawyers even offer a free consultation, so you won’t have to spend a fortune determining whether or not you have a case.
Sippin’ on Lemonade
No one ever goes into a sale expecting to buy a lemon. If you do end up with a dud, don’t worry. Automotive lemon laws can help you repair your vehicle, replace the dud, or cancel the sale entirely.
Are you interested in learning more about automotive law? Then be sure to check back in with our blog for more great legal advice like this!
What to Do After a Car Accident: 5 Essential Steps to Take
Each year more and more vehicles are on the road. In fact, during the first quarter of 2018, there were over 272 million of them. The increase in drivers also increases the auto accident rates to the tune of 10 million a year.
Although most of them aren’t fatal, they’re still traumatic for those involved. Keep reading to find out what to do after a car accident has occurred.
What to Do After a Car Accident: Step-by-Step
We’ve put together this short guide on the steps you should take once involved in an auto accident. The trauma of an accident has a tendency to cloud a person’s judgment and cause panic. Follow these five steps to ensure that all your bases get covered.
Step 1: Remain at the Scene
You should never drive away from the scene of an accident. The most you should do is move your car out of harm’s way, if possible. Once that’s done, put your flashers on to warn oncoming traffic.
Step 2: Get Help
The next thing to do is call the police and an ambulance if needed. Keep in mind that pain from car accident injuries often shows up hours later. If you’re not sure if you’re hurt, say so rather than saying no.
Having a police report is essential to help decide who was at fault. Your insurance company will also need one to process any claims filed.
The other party involved may need medical help too. If you’re able, check on them as well.
Step 3: Exchange Information
It’s important to collect personal information from anyone else involved in the auto accident. Make sure it’s safe to get out of your car first. Then, politely ask for the following:
- The name, address, and phone number of the driver and passengers.
- The driver’s license number of the driver.
- The year, make, and model of the other vehicles involved. Write down the license plate number too.
- The name of the other parties insurance company and their policy number.
- The police officer’s name and badge number.
You’ll also want to record:
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses.
- The address or location where the accident happened.
- Digital images of the accident and vehicles involved, if able.
And finally, never admit or say that the accident was your fault; even if it was.
Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company
Get ahold of your insurance company as soon as possible. You can start the claim at the scene of the accident if it’s practical. If not, do it as soon as you can.
Most insurance companies have electronic filing options to make it easier. Choices include starting your insurance claim through an app, online, or by phone. The number to call to report an accident is on the back of your insurance card.
Some insurance companies allow you to upload photos of the accident right from within their app. Also, have your insurance card handy for reference when starting a claim. You’ll need to access your policy number.
After reporting a claim, your insurance company will arrange your car repair as fast as possible.
Step 5: Get Legal Counsel
If you’ve sustained injuries, contact a personal injury lawyer such as Guajardo and Marks for legal help or advice. They will decipher car accident law and guide you on the next steps to take. Examples of issues they can advise you on are:
- Getting full compensation for your vehicle.
- Medical care and treatments.
- How long it will take to settle a claim.
- Whether the settlement offered is fair.
Personal injury cases get paid on a contingency basis so no fees are required up front. They get paid when you receive a settlement from the insurance company.
What’s the Bottom Line?
No one wants to get into an accident of any kind. However, if you are, knowing what to do after a car accident is crucial. Why not print out the steps above and store them with your insurance card?
Have questions or helpful tips about dealing with auto accidents? Let us know in the comments.
3M Earplug Lawsuit: Veterans Sue Over Defective Combat Earplugs
The men and women of our armed services put their lives on the line to protect our country. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect the rest of us, and they deserve the best equipment and gear to help protect them.
Unfortunately, many of our soldiers didn’t get adequate hearing protection during training and combat. This has lead to hearing damage and loss for thousands. The manufacturers of these earplugs, 3M, are being sued for providing these earplugs to the military. This is because they were aware of their defects and inadequate performance.
While the details of the 3M earplug lawsuit are complicated, it is important that soldiers and their families understand this lawsuit and how it may apply to them.
3M Earplug Lawsuit: The Basics
To understand this lawsuit, you need to understand the facts of the case and the story behind it. In 2003, Aearo Technologies received an exclusive government contract to provide the military with their dual-sided Combat Arms earplugs. In 2008, 3M bought Aearo Technologies and took over their contract to supply earplugs to the military.
These earplugs were supplied to the military starting in 2003 and were used by the military until 2015. This means that anyone who served between 2003 and 2015 may have been affected by these defective earplugs.
The dual-sided earplugs were designed with a yellow-colored side and an olive-colored side, each with their own function. The olive-colored side was designed to provide complete hearing protection, blocking out all the noise of the battlefield. The yellow-colored side was designed to provide hearing protection that allowed soldiers to hear spoken orders and enemies moving around near them.
These earplugs were standard issue across many branches of the military, including the Army and the Marines. Their defective nature caused hearing difficulties and loss for thousands of soldiers and put even more at risk for hearing loss.
3M knew about the defective nature of these earplugs through testing. They supplied the military with them anyway, using misleading and inaccurate test results to secure the sale.
Moldex-Metric, Inc. filed the lawsuit against 3M and Aearo Technologies under the whistleblower provisions that are part of the False Claims Act. The act allows people or private parties to sue a company on behalf of the government if the company made false claims to get government funding. The act also allows the plaintiff to share in the settlement.
While 3M has admitted to doing nothing wrong, they have agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle the lawsuit. Luckily, a favorable judge was recently chosen to hear more cases against 3M in Florida, which you can learn about here.
Injury Claims
The injury claims in the case exclusively deal with injuries related to hearing loss and damage. While most of the claims have to do with things like tinnitus, some of the plaintiffs also suffer from balance issues from the damage caused to their inner ear.
Tinnitus is a condition that causes a ringing in the ear, which can be deafening and constant. This is the result of serious hearing damage and can result in further hearing loss. Hearing loss is considered to be a significant disability for soldiers because it reduces their operational effectiveness, readiness, and impacts their quality of life.
Each branch of the military conducts hearing tests on their service members and keeps the results for comparison to other tests. This means that plaintiffs in this court case will likely have evidence of hearing loss from their time in the service.
Design Flaws and Fraudulent Test Results
The basis of this lawsuit rests on two different facts: that 3M knew about the design flaws of their product and falsified test results to disguise the defect.
Design Flaw of Combat Arms Earplugs
The design flaw of the dual-sided Combat Arms earplugs relates to the length of the earplugs. The length of the stem of the earplugs wasn’t long enough. This meant that soldiers couldn’t get the plugs deep enough in the ear canal to get a good fit. As the soldiers wore the earplugs they would come loose without the knowledge of the soldier or others.
This meant that the ear canal was not completely sealed off and led to inadequate hearing protection. Unfortunately, Aearo Technologies was aware of this defect as early at 2000, over three years before they received the government contract.
They did not report the defect of the earplugs to the military. They knowingly provided these earplugs to the military with the defect. This led to lifelong injuries for many of the soldiers who used these earplugs during training and combat.
Fraudulent Testing Results
3M and Aearo Technologies got the government contract based on the test results they provided. 3M and Aearo didn’t commission an independent lab to test the earplugs and verify their results. This was in direct violation of federal law and the military’s approval process.
The first step in their testing process was to test the olive-colored side of the earplugs. During tests, they found that the olive-colored side only produced a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 10.9, which was well below the requirements. When they tested the yellow-colored side of the earplugs, they got an NRR of -2. With a rating of -2, the earplugs actually amplified sound rather than reducing it.
During these tests, 3M realized that they got better results by changing the use of the earplugs. By folding up the flanges on the opposite side, the user could get a better fit in their ear. When they folded up the flanges, they got an NRR of 22 with olive-colored side and an NRR of 0 on the yellow-colored side.
They used the second set of results as their official results. They also put these results on their marketing materials. They did not instruct the military to use the earplugs this way and did not inform them of the actual results.
File Your Claim Today
Now that you know more about the 3M earplug lawsuit, you can take steps to find out if you have a claim. Make sure to do more research online about this case and speak to a lawyer if you believe you have a claim.
If you have any more questions about this lawsuit or need help finding a lawyer, please check out the rest of our blog.
Have You Been Drinking: Indiana DUI Laws
It is crucial to understand the repercussions of drunk driving. You also need to weigh the benefits and the consequences. Though I purport, there are no benefits of taking alcohol. There is a need for a person to think if it is worth driving while drunk.
It needs to be clear that you don’t need the looming Indiana DUI threats to keep you from driving while drunk. But, if you get yourself in such a fix, Indiana DUI laws are ready to deal with you in that case. The rules intend to punish drunk drivers and keep people away from committing this crime again.
Operating While Drunk
Indiana’s DWI regulations also apply to individuals who might have drugs in their systems. There is a possibility of street drugs or prescriptions to get you intoxicated. This will in-turn have adverse effects on your potential to drive.
Taking the wheel under alcohol influence, Indiana calls this “Operating While Intoxicated.” Jurisdiction of Indiana laws is not limited to automotive operation. It also applies to boat navigation.
Legal Extents
People have different reactions to the consumption of alcohol. For that reason, most of the state’s examines an individual’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC). This is to find out the inebriation serenity.
In Indiana, if your BAC gets to 0.08% mark, the jury needs no extra evidence to find you guilty of drunk drinking. That means you will receive charges of OWI. Be sure to contact a defense lawyer in case you are arrested.
The legal drinking age in Indiana is 21 years old. If you are below this age, your BAC should not go beyond the 0.02% level. The policy is known as “zero tolerance law.” The law can still find you guilty of drunk driving even if you’re underage. Despite taking alcohol and not feeling drunk.
Getting Pulled Over
If the law enforcer suspects you of being drunk, they will give you a test to see the alcohol levels in the system. The examination measures your blood, breathing, or body waste. In Indiana, the law-enforcer decides the type of test you need to go through. You are not supposed to consult your attorney before taking the test.
Indiana DUI Penalties
If you are above the legal drinking age, once they find you guilty of OWI, you risk facing license suspension for two to three years. You’ll also have your driving permit put on administrative break for about six months.
The basic rule is that drunk driving is punishable by Indiana laws. If your BAC is between 0.08% to 0.15% or you have been using drugs, you’ll be guilty of Class C misdemeanor. The crime is punishable by serving 60 days of jail time and a fine of close to $500.
Being a first-time offender will result in having your license suspended. You’ll also receive an interlock gadget put in your vehicle to help examine BAC levels before starting the car engine.
Habitual Offenders
In Indiana, DUI penalties will get worse for persons who have been found guilty several times for OWI. Having 2 OWI offenses within ten years, you’ll lose your license for a decade. You risk having your license nullified for not following the Indiana DWI laws thrice or four times.
Indiana DUI Laws
Penalties upon conviction are quite severe, and there is a need to think twice about OWI. You will need the help of a lawyer if you’re found guilty of breaking the Indiana DUI laws. Do not drink and drive.
Contact us for more information on your rights.
Do I Need a Real Estate Attorney to Buy a House? The Yes and the No
Buying and renting properties can become a complicated, time-consuming process. Property acquisition is likely one of the biggest investments you’ll do. This will involve a few laws in-between.
Knowing how to leverage your acquisition criteria for real estate properties is crucial. Even then, you want to make sure you have someone who knows the law beside you.
When you start asking “do I need a real estate attorney to buy a house,” the answer to this depends. This will change according to the type of deals you have.
In this guide, we’ll tackle when to hire a real estate attorney. With the cost of a real estate attorney, you need to know when you need them.
1. Mandatory Needs for a Real Estate Lawyer on Some States
There are a handful of states list real estate attorneys as mandatory. In any real-estate deal, they are crucial to make sure that both sides are getting a fair deal. A lawyer will guarantee both parties move with the transaction up to their best interest.
Some of these states include:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
The list is almost half of all states in the US. If you’re looking to process any type of real estate in these areas, a real estate lawyer will be part of the deal. They need to handle the transaction process itself.
For people in New Jersey, for example, you need to check out this related page for that specific area.
2. Real Estate Lawyers for First Timers
For those who are starting a business and need a property, it’s vital to have a real estate attorney by your side. Real estate attorney fees aside, you will save tons of money if you have somebody who knows the law.
Commercial real estate lawyers, for example, will know the ins and outs of the industry. They understand what clients need in inspection and legal property sale. They will find out ways to leverage a better price for the property as well.
The cost of a real estate attorney is nothing from the support they can provide. If you’re looking at commercial property rental, a proper expert can provide help on disputes. Any matters between landlords and tenants become easier to handle as well.
3. What Can Your Real Estate Lawyer Do?
“Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a house?”
To answer that, you need to understand its advantages. So, what can a real estate lawyer do for you?
A real estate attorney’s work starts well before the closing of a deal. Handling a mortgage and picking a house to buy can overwhelm potential buyers. If you’re a first-timer, it’s a much bigger headache because of your lack of experience.
Your real estate attorney fees go into making sure your transaction is smooth. They interpret much of the legalese that comes with the domain, so you’d need their advice. They also try to make sure there are no entries in the contracts that are disadvantageous to their clients.
Once the transaction is closing, your real estate attorney will draft the necessary documents. They will make sure that any documents are accurate and reflect the fees agreed upon. Whatever amount both parties agreed to, it’s your lawyer’s job to make sure it’s to your benefit.
At this point, you need to make the most from their services. Make sure to ask any questions that bother you throughout the proceedings. Ask for advice from your lawyer as needed as well.
4. When to Hire a Real Estate Attorney
It looks like a real estate attorney is crucial in all transactions. That, however, is false. The thing is, many real estate transactions tend to have better language and design. Many companies now provide better, easier to understand documents with no frills.
Most mortgage types are more inert these days as well. If you understand your transaction documents, there’s no real need for a real estate lawyer.
There are also loan documents that are unalterable, so you don’t need a lawyer for them. Some of these financing documents include:
- Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac financing
- USDA
- VA
- FHA
Anything featuring these financing options is absolute, so there’s no room for their interpretation. Title companies and their lawyers are under mandate by law, to be honest to buyers. This means they need to lay out the terms of negotiation in full where the buyer understands them.
Hiring a real estate attorney starts at the complexity of the provisions. Invest in them only for real estate transactions that offer complications beyond your understanding. Proper handling of all-cash sales or owner financing makes the cost of real estate attorney worth it.
5. Real Estate Closing Work for Attorneys
When you’re at the closing stage of your real estate transaction, you want to have everything prepared. The deed and closing papers need proper preparation. Everything needs to be in the correct order.
The passing of the title from seller to buyer. The payment of the balance from the sale price. Preparation of closing statements of debits and credits.
All these need preparation and proper explanation. Dealing with the fairness of the closing amount and assurance of proper execution is crucial work.
Anything that involves the closing of a sale is confusing. Much of it offers complications that most people don’t have information about. If there are last minute details and disputes and you don’t have a lawyer, you’re inviting trouble.
Do I Need a Real Estate Attorney to Buy a House?
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a house? When asking yourself this question, consider your understanding of the ins and outs of real estate transactions. To make sure that you don’t get the disadvantage, have a real estate attorney on your side to give advice.
Looking for more real estate advice? Need more tips on the law? Check out our other guides to see how we can help. We provide different tips and tricks that can help give you the clarity that you might be looking for.
Translating International Legal Documents
Obtaining accurate translations of business documents is important no matter what industry you’re in, but it may be especially crucial in the legal field – where a poorly translated idea or miscommunication could have serious consequences for all parties involved. That’s why it’s so essential to secure the services of an experienced legal translator; one who not only understands specialized legal terminology, but also has some familiarity with the legal systems of the countries involved.
International legal translators should have experience with a variety of documents, including patent and trademark documentation, marriage and birth certificates, legal contracts and agreements, court documentation, immigration paperwork, and more. Linguists with a background in this field will attest to the fact that it requires not only an understanding of legal jargon and excellent translation skills (native speakers are always a plus), but also a strong sense of ethics and an appreciation of the importance of the work – as well as the consequences that can result if it’s poorly done.
If You’re a Translator…
All this may sound daunting if you’re just starting out as a professional translator with aspirations of expanding your skills into the international legal arena. But you can reach your goal if you’re willing to take the time and gain the experience necessary to achieve it. Begin by focusing on building your reputation as an excellent linguist. Not all of your clients may be in the legal field, but over time – as you gain more experience in general – you can market your services to law firms or other companies closely related to the legal profession. Keep your focus on law. Learn the terminology. Build a clientele of lawyers. Once you’ve accomplished that, further narrow your focus to legal firms that specialize in international law. After you’ve established yourself with these clients, you will have the experience and skills to enter the highly competitive field of international legal translation.
If You Need a Translator…
Trying to locate a translator with all the abilities and traits you require – including exceptional translation skills, expertise in the international legal field, and a strong ethical code – may sound challenging. And, truth to tell, it is! That’s why hiring a professional linguist through a reputable translation company is the best choice for most organizations and agencies in the legal field. A good translation company can ensure that you are matched with the right translator for you – one that has excellent references, a solid background in the legal field, outstanding translation capabilities, and a strong work ethic.
Agencies that employ the services of international legal translators are almost as varied as the types of documents that need translation: from individual law firms to the United Nations to the European Court of Justice to the War Crimes Tribunals of The Hague. But as varied as these entities may be, they all share one thing in common: they require the services of only very highly skilled and dedicated professional linguists.
