Qualifications of a Good San Antonio Injury Lawyer

Posted on 6/30/13 by Pat Maloney

If you were hurt on the job, in a car accident, or anywhere else because of another person’s mistake or negligence, you could be due compensation through a personal injury claim. While you could try to go at it on your own through the complicated legal system, if you truly want the most compensation possible, it’s crucial that you hire an injury lawyer to help. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to see what qualifications you should look for when seeking a great San Antonio injury lawyer for your personal injury case.

Qualifications of a great San Antonio injury lawyer include:

Licensing and involvement in professional associations – First and foremost, you should make sure your lawyer has a law degree from an accredited university, that they’ve passed the bar exam, and that they’re licensed to practice law in your state. You should also check to see if they’re involved in any professional associations – either locally or nationally. Involvement in professional groups indicates a dedication to their craft and an interest in furthering their skills and knowledge in the legal industry.A great record – This one speaks for itself. If you want a San Antonio injury lawyer who is going to help you win, check to see that they’ve helped others win before, too. Many attorneys keep lists of the cases and awards they’ve won for clients on their websites. If they don’t have one there, they may offer to give you one if you simply request it. You’ll want to check it to see that 1) they have a record of winning, 2) they have a record of winning high amounts for their clients, and 3) their record includes cases similar to yours.Good communication skills – Great communication is key in a successful legal claim. You need to be kept up to date and appraised of your case as it happens, and your lawyer should be the one doing it. A real test of a lawyer’s communication skills comes before you even hire them; will they do a face-to-face meeting with you first? Will they answer questions, give you a case outlook, and let you speak to them in person before requiring you to put down the cash? If so, this shows they’re committed to working not only FOR you, but WITH you on your case.A great reputation – In addition to having a great record with past clients, you also need to make sure your lawyer delivers great service, too. Check online reviews and see what past customers’ experiences have been like. Ask the lawyer for names and numbers of referrals, and give them a call to see what sort of service they received as a client. You can even look into peer review sites, like Martindale-Hubbell, to see what other legal professionals think of a lawyer. These can all give you great insight into an attorney’s professional reputation in the industry.Honesty – Honesty is a hugely important quality in a great San Antonio injury lawyer. You don’t just want a “yes” man, someone who is going to tell you want you want to hear. You need an attorney who’s going to be honest and up-front about your case: where they see it going, how much compensation they expect, and what the likelihood is that you’ll actually win. If they’re not honest, you could just end up wasting your time and hard-earned money.

Are you looking for a great San Antonio injury attorney to manage your case? Then look no further than Pat Maloney. He’s board certified, highly experienced, and ready to take on your case. Call the Law Offices of Pat Maloney at 210-226-8888 to get started today!

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Third Party Insurance Claims for Car Accidents: What You Should Know

Posted on 6/25/13 by Pat Maloney

If you’re in a car accident caused by another person, you’ll file what’s called a third party insurance claim. This claim is filed with the insurance company of the other driver – also known as the at-fault party. Your insurance company will not be involved in this claim, and all compensation for your damages and injuries will come from the other driver’s coverage.

Third Party Insurance Claims for Property Damage

If your car or other property is damage by another driver, you will be able to seek compensation for your repairs and replacement costs through a third party insurance claim. In most cases, the insurance carrier will not pay you directly for these expenses; they will, instead, pay the auto shop for the repairs your car requires. Sometimes, they may even cover the costs of a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop.

In the event your car is totaled by the other driver, meaning it is irreparable or the repairs would cost more than replacing the car would, then the third party insurance carrier will usually pay you what’s called ACV, or actual cash value. This is the current cash value of your car for its make, model, year, and condition. They will remit this amount to you, salvage your car, and you can use the funds toward a new vehicle.

Third Party Insurance Claims for Bodily Injury

If you’re hurt or injured in the wreck with the other driver, your third party insurance claim can compensate you for medical bills, treatment costs, pain and suffering, and more. To do this, the insurance carrier will likely offer you a lump-sum settlement payment. It is up to you to decide whether this is a fair and adequate amount for the injuries you suffered. If you are not happy with the settlement offers you are receiving, you are under no obligation to accept them. Simply refuse them verbally, and do not sign any sort of agreement or contract.

You may be able to take further legal action to seek additional compensation for your injuries. If you’re considering doing so, you should consult a qualified attorney before moving forward.

Important Notes

Texas is a contributory fault state. That means, even if the other driver did cause the accident, you may still hold a level of fault in the accident. If you were tailgating, speeding, or not following the letter of the law before the accident, it could be determined that you had a hand in causing the wreck and your subsequent injuries. If this is found to be true, it could affect the settlement offer your third party insurance claim garners you.

The at-fault party’s insurance carrier will work to prove you held fault in the accident; that way, they don’t have to pay out as much. To prevent incriminating yourself or giving the insurance carrier reason to pin blame on you, you should always refuse to give any sort of recorded statement when talking to insurance representatives. Speak to an attorney before talking to anyone about your accident, and be careful to only give the information you’re legally required to – nothing more, nothing less. If the at-fault party’s insurance carrier finds that you were even 20 percent at fault for the accident, it could result in a 20 percent reduction in your settlement offer, and, in the end, you’ll have to foot part of the bill for an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Get Legal Help for Third Party Insurance Claims

Are you preparing to file a third party insurance claim for a car wreck you were in? Ensure you get the most compensation possible by discussing your case with an attorney at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney. We’ll help you through the claims process and get you the money you deserve.

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Tips to Stop Driver Fatigue Accidents

Posted on 6/16/13 by Pat Maloney

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatigue causes an estimated 100,000 car accidents every year. These fatigue accidents result in more than 1,500 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12 billion in damages and losses. Unfortunately, despite these sobering statistics, American drivers continue to drive drowsy.

Putting a Stop to Fatigue Accidents

In a poll administered by the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of adult drivers admit to driving while fatigued within the last year. Thirty-seven percent say they’ve even fallen asleep behind the wheel. These sleepy drivers pose a dangerous threat to themselves and other drivers on the road.

However, drowsy driving can be prevented – and you can help. Put a stop to tired driving and prevent yourself and your passengers from falling victim to dangerous fatigue accidents by following these simple tips.

With these tips, you can stay focused and alert while operating your vehicle and avoid dangerous fatigue accidents on the road.

Recognizing Symptoms of Drowsy Driving

In addition to following our safety tips, you can also help put a stop to fatigue accidents by being able to realize when you’re tired or drowsy while behind the wheel. If you have any of these symptoms, you may need to pull over and catch some Zs before continuing on your journey:

Even when you follow our safety tips and pull over at the first sign of fatigue, you still could fall victim to dangerous fatigue accidents on the road. When you do, contact an attorney at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney today to discuss your legal options.

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Personal Injury Lawyers Help Get Compensation for Serious Brain Injuries

Head injuries, no matter how minor, should be taken very seriously. Any type of head injury can cause damage to the brain, so it is important to seek medical attention if you have suffered any type of blow to the head. If you’ve recently sustained a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, then you owe it to yourself to hire a Corpus Christi personal injury lawyer who has the experience necessary to ensure that you’re properly compensated for your injury.

The Medical Costs of a Serious Brain Injury

Brain injuries can cause serious damage that isn’t always apparent. A Corpus Christi personal injury attorney at Brunkenhoefer Law Firm will see to it that you receive a settlement that will take care of your medical bills, time away from work and the funds necessary to pay for anything else that you might need while you’re making a full recovery. Our attorneys are also knowledgeable about the extent of damage that a serious brain injury can have on a person’s life, and we can offer immediate assistance with your claim.

Expertise and Experience

While you can go to the doctor and deal with your health insurance provider on your own, our Corpus Christi personal injury lawyers have the experience and education necessary to know if you have a viable personal injury case. Your health insurance company might help pay for your medical bills, but they don’t have your best interests at heart. You have to realize that insurance companies are a business, and just like any business they want to make money instead of lose money, which is what would happen if they were to pay you the full settlement that you actually deserve.

If you’ve recently suffered from a serious brain injury, get in touch with a qualified personal injury lawyer at Brunkenhoefer Law Firm as soon as possible in order to have the best chance of winning your case. Call (361) 888-8808 today for a free consultation regarding your brain injury case.

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Why You Need The Services Of A Rollover Accident Lawyer

Rollover accidents are among the most deadly types of accidents a person can be involved in. A rollover happens whenever an automobile rolls over either onto its roof or its side while in operation. While any type of vehicle can rollover, those with an especially high center of gravity, such as SUVs, are the most likely to roll over. If you’ve recently been involved in this type of accident, it’s important that you get in touch with a rollover accident lawyer in Corpus Christi as soon as possible so that the evidence-gathering process can begin in your case. You’ll want to make sure that your Corpus Christi rollover accident lawyer is one who is well-experienced with this type of accident and has the resources necessary to secure the assistance of investigators and experts in your case.

The Facts about Rollover Accidents

In March of 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report revealing that 2.7% of individuals involved in rollover accidents were killed, whereas only .2% of the individuals in automobiles that crashed without rolling over were killed. Less than 3% of all automobiles involved in crashes rolled over, and it was reported that 33% of all fatalities happened in rollover accidents. Thus, there is a much higher risk of fatalities in rollover accidents that in other types of highway accidents.

The Reason for Rollover Accidents

One of the reasons that rollover accidents happen is that some vehicles are designed to have too high a center of gravity, which make them prone to rolling over at high speeds. Therefore, if you were injured in a rollover accident in Corpus Christi, you may have a valid claim for damages from the vehicle manufacturer. A manufacturer may be at fault for your injuries if the vehicle was designed or manufactured improperly or if the manufacturer did not provide consumers with a proper warning about the risk of rollover.

Allow a rollover accident lawyer in Corpus Christi help you determine if you have a genuine case on your hands if you’ve recently been involved in a rollover accident. Call (361) 888-8808 today for a free consultation with Brunkenhoefer Law Firm regarding your rollover accident case.

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Reckless Driving Accident: Common Causes and Prevention Tips

Posted on 6/7/13 by Pat Maloney

Reckless driving is a type of traffic violation in which a driver displays complete disregard for on-the-road signs, signals, and laws. It is a common cause of car accidents, and, because it usually involves high speeds or extremely dangerous driving tactics, it often results in the injury or death of one or more people involved. Fortunately, a reckless driving accident can be prevented. By knowing how reckless driving accidents are commonly caused and following a few safety tips, drivers can keep themselves – and other drivers on the road – safe from harm.

Common Causes of a Reckless Driving Accident

A reckless driving accident is typically caused by one or more poor decisions by the driver. By following rules of the road and traffic laws, drivers can usually avoid this type of accident.

Common causes of a reckless driving accident include:

Tailgating, or driving too close to the car in front of them.Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs.Driving too fast or exceeding the speed limit.Not using turn signals when changing lanes or turning.Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.Driving while distracted, including talking on the phone, texting, playing with the radio, or eating.Failing to use headlights at night or in the rain.Making illegal turns or lane changes.

While these errors may not always result in a reckless driving accident, they can lead to a driver being ticketed or cited for a traffic violation. Each of these is illegal and makes the driver subject to fines, jail time, community service, and more.

Preventing a Reckless Driving Accident

Most reckless driving accidents can be prevented, simply by driving safely and per the rules of the road. Additionally, there are a few safety tips that drivers can follow to ensure they and their passengers are not victims of a dangerous reckless driving accident.

Some safety tips to prevent and avoid an accident include:

Always steer clear of any cars or drivers that look dangerous. If you see a car weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating too closely or speeding excessively, move over a few lanes and get out of their way.Report dangerous drivers. If possible, call local police when you spot a driver operating their vehicle particularly recklessly. If a truck driver is the one doing the reckless driving, call the number of the back of their trailer and report it to their employer.Always wear your seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same. Seat belts can go a long way in preventing injury in the event an accident occurs.Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. That way, you don’t feel rushed, and you’re not pressured to speed, take shortcuts, or put yourself and your passengers in danger by breaking traffic laws.Never drive distracted. Don’t talk, text, or eat while driving, and put your passengers in charge of the radio. This ensures you won’t cause an accident because of distracted driving, and it enables you to be on the top of your game in case you encounter a reckless driver while on the road.Be aware. Always be alert and aware when you’re behind the wheel. Never drive tired or under the influence of drugs and alcohol. You need to be ready to respond to the conditions of the road and the drivers around you in order to prevent accidents.

Despite the safety precautions you may take, you still could fall victim to a reckless driving accident. When this happens, you may be due compensation. Contact an attorney at the Law Offices of Pat Maloney today to begin discussing your legal options.

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Corpus Christi Man Killed in Serious Crane Accident

Last Tuesday a Corpus Christi man was killed in a workplace accident when a load in excess of one ton fell from a crane.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victim.  While improving in some areas and worsening in others, Texas continues to be one of the deadliest states to work in.  According to last years Department of Labor statistics, of the 4,693 fatal work injuries reported, Texas led the nation with a disproportionate 433 fatalities.  While these numbers on their face may seem low, one must keep in mind that we are beating out other states like California, Florida, and New York.  If you or your family have been impacted by the devastating effects of a workplace injury or death, consulting a Corpus Christi serious injury lawyer can help you learn about your legal rights.

If you have been in a serious workplace accident, call us immediately 24/7 for a free consultation to discuss how you can recover your damages.  Get the advice of an experienced serious injury lawyer.  Brunkenhoefer Law Firm trial lawyers have fought for the victims of personal injury for over 37 years, in Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, San Antonio, Pleasanton, and Three Rivers.  Contact an experienced Corpus Christi serious injury lawyer at (361) 888-8808 today for a free consultation.

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