Being injured is never something to take lightly. Even if you are minding your own business, your life can be permanently changed in an instant. You would like to think that the party responsible for your injury would be willing to make things right, but sadly, you’ll find that most of the time you would be wrong.

If you’re injured by an individual, as in an auto accident, he will turn the matter over to his insurance company to handle. If your injury is the result of an error or carelessness on the part of a company, corporation, or other public or private entity, they will not only have an insurance carrier on their side, but may also employ legal counsel whose mission will be to diminish or deny responsibility altogether, and find legal grounds on which to contest your claim.

In this two-part series you will learn:

• What constitutes personal injury
• After your injury – what to do and what not to do
• Why you should hire a personal injury attorney
• Finding the right attorney
• What you may be entitled to recover

What Constitutes Personal Injury

By definition, personal injury means that you have become injured as a result of the actions of another person or an entity. These actions can be intentional or unintentional. If the action was unintentional, then the burden of proof rests on you to prove that the other party is responsible for your injury. Proof must be by a majority, which means at least 51 percent of the blame can be placed on the offending party.

If you are injured due to the intentional act of someone, for example in a robbery, you are still able to pursue the individual separately from the criminal act. Even if they are not convicted of a crime, they can still be held liable for the injuries that they inflicted upon you.

Although automobile accidents are the leading cause of personal injury in the United States, there are many other categories where personal injury law will apply. For example, the injury can be due to a defective product, a contamination, an accident at work, or even a medical mishap or error.

Each state has its own statute of limitations that gives the victim a window of opportunity to file a claim against a responsible party. These time periods vary and can be as short as one year and as long as six. The clock starts either from the date that the injury occurred, or the point at which the origin of the injury could be determined. But just because there is a statue of limitations in place does not mean that these time frames are always set in stone. In some instances, extenuating circumstances can increase these limits. A personal injury attorney will recognize if these circumstances apply to your case.

After Your Injury: Dos And Don’ts

The time immediately following an injury is very traumatic. You’re focused on the seriousness of your injuries and you often can’t work. Will you be able to return to your job? Will your health ever return to normal? There may also be a pressing worry over money. How much will this injury cost? Will insurance cover it? How long will you be out of work? How will you pay your bills? The list goes on and on…

The first thing to remember is not to panic. Even though you have been placed in this predicament, you do not have to deal with this alone. You need to hire the services of a personal injury attorney. They specialize in these matters and they know how to work their way through the system in order to get you fairly compensated. You should never attempt to take on this kind of responsibility by yourself. There is simply too much riding on the outcome.

Never talk to an insurance company, a representative of the defendant, the defendant, or anyone else about your claim. Any information that you release has the potential to be used against you in your case. And never, ever sign anything. In part two we’ll begin with why you would be wise to consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury.

In the Meantime …

If you’re considering a claim for injury resulting from accident or negligence, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in this field, and who has demonstrated a determination to fight for his or her clients.To arrange a free consultation, contact Robert Mandell at The Mandell Law Firm in Northridge. 818.886.6600.

Personal injury cases are based on the premise that someone was injured by the act of another person or entity. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you should seek out a top personal injury attorney who can fight for you and your rights. Since these cases are not necessarily clear cut, it is rarely advisable for you to go this alone.

When pursuing your personal injury case, the first thing on your list should be finding a good attorney. Even after you have narrowed down your choices, you still need to do a little research in order to make sure that he or she will be the right fit for you. This means looking for reviews from other clients, complaints, and even pending lawsuits that may have been filed. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to find this kind of information.

The Face to Face Meeting

You will next want to set a meeting with your attorney. Here, you will discuss the details of your case to determine if you do, in fact, have a viable claim. This is when your attorney will instruct you on what can be expected through each step of the process. This is also the time that your attorney will instruct you as to what will be expected of you. This will include any information you may have, the facts of your case, contacts who can help to verify your case, and any other information pertinent to your claim. The defendant’s attorney will also be contacting your attorney to swap information material to the case.

It is quite possible that your case will never go to trial. Many cases are settled out of court. Motions are filed to end the proceeding before it ever makes it to a judge or jury. This can be good news for you since settlements are often reached during this time. If your case does go to trial, the process can be quite lengthy depending on how much testimony takes place and how aggressive the defense becomes.

Even if you win the case and are awarded a settlement, it doesn’t always mean that all the work is behind you. Being awarded compensation and actually collecting it are often two different things. Defendants will sometimes go to great lengths to keep from paying out. One such tactic is to file an appeal. This is where your attorney will need to step in to speed up the process.

The Time Factor

One thing to keep in mind is the statute of limitations on such cases, which can differ from state to state. In California, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case runs for a period of two years, either from the date of the injury or when the origin of the injury is established. But the two-year rule is not set in stone. There are sometimes extenuating circumstances that can allow a case to proceed even after the two-year time limit has expired. Do not endanger your case by putting off initiating your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.

Anyone who has been injured through no fault of their own deserves the right to proper legal representation. It is in your best interest, and that of your family, to hire the right California personal injury lawyer who can get you the compensation that you are entitled to. This will afford you the best opportunity for a full recovery and the ability to restore your life.

Give Us the Opportunity to Help

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

Are you one of those people who starts to get anxious, even angry, at the very thought of flying to be with family during the holiday season? Holiday flight doesn’t always have to be a nightmare. In our last post, we offered a few tips to make driving to your holiday destination a little less stressful, and maybe even a little safer. In this post, we’re going to look at holiday air travel with the same eye to lowering stress, and getting you to Grandma’s house in a mood to celebrate.

Winter Still Counts

Just as it does when traveling by auto, winter weather can have a huge influence on how well your trip by air will go. When you add cold, unpleasant, even extreme weather conditions to the fact that hundreds of thousands of extra travelers are competing for available airline seats, some bad things are bound to happen. But if you begin your journey with the expectation of delays, cancellations, and missed connections, you could well be one of the few people in the airport who is relatively calm and stress free. It just takes a little pre-planning, and the right frame of mind.

Here’s Your Air Travel Checklist

The Mandell Law family hopes your holiday air travel will be as pleasant as possible, and that you to get there and back without suffering undue stress. With that goal, we offer the following tips to help you make the best of it.

Make your plans early. Leaving flight arrangements to the last minute only diminishes your options. Book your flight as soon as you know your schedule. This gives you more choices of day, time, and airline, as well as direct and non-stop flights.

Give yourself at least one extra hour to get to your boarding gate. Plan for delays and disruptions. Take a book, magazines, and your music player to pass the time in the airport, should you find yourself there longer than anticipated. Also take snacks and bottled water in your carry-on for the same reason. You can stake out a warm cozy corner and be self-sufficient while you wait for your flight to be called.

Pack light. The fewer bags you take, and the lighter they are, the less likely you are to incur extra expense. It will also make getting around the airport easier and faster if your not attached to multiple pieces of luggage. Consider sending gifts ahead of time, or shopping online and having them delivered. Less luggage. Less weight. Less chance of losing Aunt Betty’s Christmas gift enroute.

Protect your health. You’re going to be in close proximity to a LOT of people. Some of them will be sick. Be sure to get your flu shot before traveling. Wash your hands as frequently as possible, and take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use it often.

Don’t sit in one position for long periods of time. Whether waiting in air terminals, or trying to get comfortable in your airline passenger seat, you need to be sure to get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour or so to stretch your arms and legs. This is necessary to avoid the formation of blood clots, known as Deep Vein Thrombosis, which can have serious consequences.

Be Mentally and Emotionally Prepared

Finally, and maybe most importantly, try to begin your trip with a positive mindset. Get plenty of sleep the night before your departure, leave nothing to chance that is within your control, and try to let go of the things that are out of your control; weather, airline schedules, rude human beings, and screaming children to name just a few. And wear comfortable shoes. You’ll survive.

Have a Happy New Year

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The holiday season is upon us, and for many Southern California families holiday tradition sometimes means travel, whether driving to a nearby city to visit parents and grandparents, or flying across the country to participate in a large family gathering. In either case, there are potential stresses and hazards that can be mitigated, or even avoided altogether, with a little careful planning beforehand.

The Winter Roadtrip

If you’re planning to drive to your holiday destination keep in mind that winter driving conditions, even in parts of California, are the most dangerous. Auto accidents related to driving in snow and ice result in 6000 deaths each year in this country. Another half million Americans are injured, according to The National Center for Atmospheric Research.

A Holiday Travel Checklist

The Mandell Law family wants your holiday trip to be as safe, happy, and stress-free as possible, so here are a few tips that can help you enjoy a warm and joyous holiday trip.

Let your mechanic give your car a safety check before you depart. Tires, brakes, hoses, belts, and fluids are all sources of potential breakdown on a road trip. Have your mechanic check them and replace or replenish anything that’s not correct. Tires should be properly inflated. Oil, coolant, brake and transmission fluids should all be topped off. And hoses, belts, and pulleys should be checked for signs of cracks and stress.

Take a reasonably well-stocked road safety kit along. Always include a first-aid kit, a flashlight, matches, and candles. Take your mobile phone and a car charger, as well as a portable radio. If you expect to encounter ice or snow, take a windshield scraper, tire chains, and a blanket or two. And jumper cables are always a good idea.

Stop frequently along the way to rest and stretch your legs. Take a container of hot tea or coffee, and if you’re alone, listen to music or talk radio while you drive. Also, drink plenty of water while on your trip. Dehydration contributes to fatigue and loss of focus.

Always have a current roadmap, even if your car has a GPS system for navigation, and always be prepared to change your route if necessary due to dangerous or changing road and traffic conditions.

Plan your route in advance, and share it with someone before you leave. Stick to popular highways, and avoid lonely backroads. If you have to change plans during your trip, keep someone at your destination apprised of your location and your estimated arrival time.

Be a Smarter, Happier Traveler

There’s no doubt that road travel can be an annoyance, particularly in winter. But, if you plan ahead, make smart choices, try to stay flexible and be prepared for anything, your holiday trip doesn’t have to be something to dread. Who knows, you might even enjoy it.

Our next post will give you a few tips that can make your holiday air travel smarter, safer, and happier.

Happy Holidays

The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Laurence Mandell for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.

The Cessna 152 can accommodate two people and was first introduced to the public in 1978. All Cessna planes are built at the Wichita, Kansas factory except for a few which are designated with an F. In 1985 Cessna halted production of their light weight aircraft which meant the end of the Cessna 152.

A myriad of circumstances can cause an aviation accident, but regardless of the cause, an accident involving an aircraft is almost always fatal.

At the Mandell Law Firm, our San Fernando Valley airplane accident lawyers understand that every accident has a cause, and we are devoted to discovering the facts around a catastrophic incident. The airplane accident attorneys of the Mandell Law Firm are dedicated to helping you recover maximum monetary compensation for damages and injuries resulting from your airline or aviation accident.

If you live in the San Fernando Valley area and have had to deal with the tremendous loss of a beloved family member due to an airplane accident, you should contact the experienced lawyers at the Mandell Law Firm. We will help you win a fair and just settlement. Please call 1-818-886-6600 for a free consultation of your case.