Do Not Quickly Accept Money From An Insurance Company After An Accident In The State Of Florida

Car accidents and the paperwork aftermath can be a stressful and taxing ordeal. In an effort to recoup money for lost wages, medical bills, and car repairs, people are all too willing to accept a check from an insurance company. A check can be tempting, but don't be too eager to settle. The insurance company that you're dealing with will want immediate resolution and knows that offering a check will ultimately rob you of your legal right to fair compensation. The insurance company is looking out for their best interests, not the accident victim's.

It's imperative that you hire an attorney to help you through the bureaucracy of a personal injury claim. As the sum of your medical expenses and lost wages surpass the amount originally offered to you, you will be thankful you hired an attorney to advocate on your behalf. Many times people may not be aware of how injured they actually are and will begin experiencing residual pain from car accident injuries later on. Before agreeing to any type of personal injury settlement be sure to consult with an attorney.

Contact the Gainesville Personal Injury Attorneys of DeCarlis and Sawyer at 352-371-3838 or at decarlisandsawyer.com as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident.

What Are The Two Types Of Misdemeanors In The State Of Florida?

At one point or another, nearly everyone has committed a minor crime, be it speeding, a parking violation, or maybe shoplifting. Misdemeanors are common criminal infractions that can have major repercussions if not promptly addressed by a dedicated and experienced criminal defense lawyer. If you decide to go it alone, be prepared for an uphill battle.

There are two different types of misdemeanors in Florida. The first type, a "first degree" misdemeanor which is a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. These crimes are far more serious than "second degree" misdemeanors, which are punishable by 60 days in jail.

If you have been recently arrested or charged with any Misdemeanor offense in the State of Florida, accused of Misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI), have a Misdemeanor warrant for your arrest for failure to appear in court, are facing a Misdemeanor violation of probation or community control, received a Misdemeanor traffic ticket or want to explore the expunging or sealing of your Misdemeanor record, we invite you to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Florida Misdemeanor defense lawyer.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a Misdemeanor offense in Gainesville, Florida, contact the Criminal Defense Lawyers of The Law Firm of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838 or at decarlisandsawyercriminallaw.com.

Lap And Shoulder Belts Are Now A Requirement In Motorcoaches And Large Buses As Of 2016

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently announced that lap and shoulder belts are now a requirement for each occupant in new motorcoaches and large buses. This new rule is designed to further improve the safety of these vehicles by decreasing the risk of serious injuries, occupant ejection, and fatalities in during a collision.

According to the NHTSA , each year approximately 7,934 people are injured and 21 die in motorcoach and large bus accidents. The NHTSA estimates that the new safety belt requirement will reduce the number of moderate to severe injuries by up to 45% and the number of fatalities by up to 44%.

As of November 2016, shoulder and lap belts will be a requirement in newly manufactured buses with a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds. Transit buses and school buses are exempt from this ruling.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, contact the Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyers of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838 or at decarlisandsawyer.com.

What Steps Do I Take When I Slip And Fall In A Business?

Slipping and falling is not only humiliating, it can also be extremely dangerous and sometimes preventable. If you happen to slip and fall in a business, make sure to take the following steps:

• First, seek medical attention. Even if you don't feel hurt, injuries can present themselves later. Get an evaluation and make documentation. Follow up with your medical practitioner a few days after as well. 
• Take pictures of the environment where the fall occurred. Even a seemingly minute detail can be important.
• Procure witnesses. Get the information of those who saw it happen. Other shoppers, employees, etc.
• Contact the office of DeCarlis & Sawyer. We will compile your documented information and seek the maximum reward for your injuries.Time is of the essence in these types of cases.

Below are the Florida laws regarding slip and fall. They are clear and concise:

"768.0755 Premises liability for transitory foreign substances in a business establishment.-

1) If a person slips and falls on a transitory foreign substance in a business establishment, the injured person must prove that the business establishment had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition and should have taken action to remedy it. Constructive knowledge may be proven by circumstantial evidence showing that:

(a) The dangerous condition existed for such a length of time that, in the exercise of ordinary care, the business establishment should have known of the condition; or

(b) The condition occurred with regularity and was therefore foreseeable.

(2) This section does not affect any common-law duty of care owed by a person or entity in possession or control of a business premises."

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyers of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838 or at decarlisandsawyer.com.

A Cell Phone Camera Can Be Used To Document Your Personal Injury Case

With today's technology, almost all of us have a camera near us or on us via our cell phones. Cell phone cameras have proven not to be a novelty as they were first perceived, but an extraordinarily handy tool in an emergency. Whether a crime was committed and the person was able to snap a photo of the assailant's plates or a car accident where photos are taken immediately upon impact.

If you are involved in an accident, of any kind, take pictures. As the old saying goes, "A picture speaks a thousand words." Especially when proving your case in court. If your health permits, take as many photos as is necessary at the scene of the accident. In the case of a car accident, photo-document the damage to your vehicle, yourself, and a panoramic of the surrounding area. Doing so will provide a detailed account of injuries you received thus maximizing your chances in court.

If you are injured in a case of negligence, perhaps a slip and fall or an injury sustained at work, the same principle applies. Take photos of your personal injuries, the surrounding area. In the case of slip and fall, get detailed photos of the cause such as loose handrails, etc. If able, take video. Sometimes a still picture won't properly show the extent of negligence.

If you should sustain an injury and are of sound mind and body to do so, take as much photo and video documentation as possible. Because in the end, a heart felt apology and a coupon from a store manager won't pay extensive medical bills sustained from injury.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of negligence, contact the Gainesville Personal Injury Attorneys of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838. You can also find us online at www.decarlisandsawyer.com.

What To Expect When Speaking To An Insurance Adjuster In The State Of Florida

If you have been injured from a slip-and-fall accident, the first thing on your mind is receiving medical treatment for your injuries. Eventually, after therapy and rehab you will begin to heal, but now you are facing a mountain of medical bills.

After an accident, you will probably receive a telephone call or visit from an insurance adjuster from the property owner's insurance company. Keep in mind that the adjuster works for the insurance company, and his or her goal is to pay you as little as possible and save his client as much as possible. You could find yourself in a stalemate of negotiations for months, often waiting long periods for answers from the insurance company.

One of the most important things to keep in mind during this period is that the clock is ticking. From the moment you suffered your injury, the clock begins winding toward the day the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit runs out. Time is of the essence in such cases which is why it's imperative that you hire an attorney experienced in these types of accidents. Be sure to keep documentation of all of your expenses and losses. When the time does come to show the extent of your injuries, your attorney and documentation you provide will help determine the outcome favorably.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a slip-and-fall accident, contact the Gainesville Personal Injury Attorneys of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838. You can also find us online at www.decarlisandsawyer.com.

Statistics On Pedestrian Accidents In The State Of Florida

In Florida, there are many activities that people can get to by walking. As a pedestrian, one needs to be vigilant about safety. In 2010 alone, 4,280 pedestrians were killed and roughly 70,000 were injured in traffic accidents in the US. According to the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in a traffic accident.

Part of being a safe pedestrian is relying on your senses, and not on painted lines in the road. Research has shown that crosswalks give many a false sense of safety. This sense of false security can lead a pedestrian to enter a crosswalk without properly considering approaching traffic. Some pedestrians have the mistaken belief that cars can and will stop for them.

Today, pedestrians are finding themselves in harms way more often as a result of society's use of technology. Whether it's texting, checking Facebook, listening to music, or writing an email, we are able to do these things while on the go. It's no longer just distracted drivers we have to be worried about on our roadways, it's distracted pedestrians as well. YouTube is full of videos showing this dangerous practice such as a man texting and walking right off of a train platform. Fortunately the man climbed out of dangers way, but this could have had a tragic ending.

Walking home after a few drinks may seem safer than getting behind the wheel, however the NHTSA has found that isn't true for pedestrians. In a 2010 study, one out of three pedestrians killed had a BAC of .08 or higher. As an intoxicated pedestrian, you may be more apt to engage in risky crossing behavior. After a night on the town, your safest bet is to rely on a designated driver or take a cab home.

Be safe while sharing the roadway with vehicles. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, contact the Personal Injury Attorneys of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838. Find us online at www.decarlisandsawyer.com.

Personal Injury Attorneys In Gainesville, Florida

The Lawyers at DeCarlis and Sawyer endeavor to provide our clients with the finest legal representation available and our combined trial experience of over 50 years is our foundation in meeting this aim. Our firm utilizes a skilled team of attorneys, paralegals, assistants and investigators in each case. In addition, we firmly believe in the values of excellence and integrity in attaining outcomes for our clients. We also believe reciprocated respect and understandable, timely communications with our clients are critical to achieving shared goals. Lastly, our firm is committed to an ardent work ethic that assures our clients are receiving all the resources, information and attention necessary to win their case.

Our firm is dedicated to a personal understanding of the diverse concerns and needs each case presents and we are devoted to obtaining the best possible results for each and every one of our unique clients. The Law Firm of DeCarlis and Sawyer is concerned about each one of our clients and is honored to have the chance to assist clients in the North Central Florida area.