Egena Younger

Author: Egena Younger

Hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June 1 to November 30, which includes all of our summer months, when we are normally focusing on vacationing and finding activities to keep our children busy while they are out of school.  However, that period is also a time to focus on hurricane preparedness.  To avoid the stress of a chaotic rush to  purchase batteries, water, generators, etc., consider completing a few simple tasks that will help you feel somewhat more relaxed during the time of a natural disaster[1].  The following tips are the advice of the experts on how to be prepared:

1. Store water that is specifically set aside for emergency use, along with canned and other foods that do not require refrigeration.
2. Keep passports, birth records, identification records, a credit card, and some cash in a safe, waterproof place that is easily accessible to grab and take with you if necessary.
3. Have the address of your closest two shelters and have alternate routes identified, in case of delays due to trees down, heavy traffic, flooding, or other obstacles.
4. If you have pets, make a list of nearby emergency shelters that allow animals, and have pet food stored in a waterproof container.  Also, be sure your pet has a collar and you have all immunization records.
5. Keep a waterproof bag for all medications and phone numbers for your pharmacy for refilling prescriptions for each family member.  Include a list of food and medicine allergies that any of your family members may have.
6. Try to keep a battery-operated radio or battery-operated television in your emergency kit. Also, keep at least 2 flashlights and extra batteries.
7. Identify any special needs for you or your family members, and have an extra waterproof bag for those items.
8. Have your cell phone charged and easily accessible and be sure to have a car and electrical charger with you at all times, but in a waterproof bag.  Your cell phone could possibly be your only form of contact. (Remember, sometimes when a cell phone will not work or you can’t get through, you can still send a text message.)
9. A generator is a great option that has become more affordable over the last few years.  Investing in a generator could save hundreds of dollars of lost food.  If you have one, do a practice run, so you will know how to use it before the time comes when you NEED to use it.  (Most generators are not sufficiently large to operate an entire household, so learn how to cut off appliances you will not be using).
10. Try to be mindful of others.  Everyone is stressed during a challenging time and your concerns are likely the same concerns that others are experiencing.  Working against your fellow man, only heightens the stress.  Lend a helping hand and be a part of the solution.

Most importantly, try to keep a level head and always focus on the fact that items can be replaced but people cannot.

We all hope we never have to deal with a catastrophe or have to vacate our homes due to a disaster, but being prepared allows a level of comfort if you are faced with an emergency situation.[2]

Chesterfield injury lawyer Trent S. Kerns

Author: Attorney Trent S. Kerns

How can you prove that a product was defective without the product in a product liability case?  How can you prove that a condition was unsafe if the condition has been altered or removed?  Many personal injury cases become unwinnable because there is not a prompt investigation.

I recently had a case in which the wooden stairs to a second floor deck of my client’s home pulled loose and caused her to fall.  As a result, she was severely  injured.  Fortunately her son-in-law suggested that she contact an injury lawyer at Allen and Allen immediately, and she did so.  Knowing that there had to be some defect in the construction, design, or maintenance of the steps for this incident to occur, our product liability attorney arranged to get experts out to examine the stairway right away.  Since the experts were able to view the stairs within a matter of days following the accident, and before the stairs had been altered, removed, or repaired, the experts were able to determine that the failure was due to inadequate securing of the stairway to the decking by use of insufficient nails and other subpar work.  If the stairs had been removed, we would not have been able to determine that the steps were improperly built and were in fact in violation of the building code.  Only a prompt investigation with expert examination and photographs of the stairway before the stairs had been removed and before there had been changes made allowed the expert to determine the exact cause of the failure.   Although this is just one example it serves to remind everyone that contacting an attorney promptly is extremely important.

What if a motor vehicle collision occurs in a roadway construction area?  The scene may be altered before photographs are taken if a prompt investigation is not made.  What is an eyewitness gives their contact information to the injured person or the police officer at the scene, but this information is discarded or misplaced before an investigation occurs?  What is the eyewitness moves or changes their phone number before an investigation occurs?  You can have an car, truck or motorcycle accident in which independent witnesses who are critical to the case die, move, or for other reasons are unable to be located and that could make the difference of whether you win or lose your case.  Whether it is an automobile accident, failure of a product or failure of some condition, it is important to promptly call an experienced accident lawyer so that they can determine if immediate action needs to be taken.

About the Author: Trent Kerns is a Chesterfield accident lawyer. For over 25 years he has worked to protect the rights of Virginia and Midlothian area residents injured in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, product liability cases and other difficult injury cases.

Attorney Tammy S. Ruble

Author: Attorney Tammy S. Ruble

As the mother of a high school senior, I know this time of year is filled with exciting events and activities for students.  Graduation is just weeks away and many parents will throw parties to celebrate this milestone.  Knowing the allure that alcohol holds for some teens, it may be tempting for parents to try to ensure their children’s safety by providing alcohol at these parties, eliminating the need for some teens to drink in secrecy away from home. After all, if they’re going to get together and drink, isn’t it better for them to drink at home where parents can ensure no one drives or engages in some other dangerous activity while under the influence?

This approach might appear to make sense, but parents should resist the urge to engage in such logic. Providing alcohol to underage guests in your home is a crime with severe penalties in Virginia,  including incarceration and loss of your driver’s license.

Virginia Code Section §4.1-305[1] states that “Any person who purchases for, or otherwise gives, provides, or assists in the provision of alcoholic beverages to another person, knowing that such person was less than 21 years of age” is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. Such a conviction is punishable with up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine. As an added penalty, any person convicted of such an offense “shall have his license to operate a motor vehicle suspended for a period of not more than one year.”  Jail time, a hefty fine and the loss of your license, all because you thought you were being a responsible parent?  . Could this really happen? Yes.

Virginia authorities are serious about prosecuting these offenses.  One mother in Albemarle County, Virginia, thought she was doing the right thing by holding her son’s 16^th birthday party at her home under her supervision and taking away the car keys of the guests to prevent anyone from leaving while under the influence.  She purchased several hundred dollars worth of alcohol for the underage guests.  As a result, she was convicted of multiple counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and ultimately sentenced to 27 months in jail.[2] Ms. Kelly took an active role in providing the alcohol to the teens.  But the penalties can be severe for not monitoring teens drinking alcohol at your home, as well.

According to reports, another mother in Henrico County, Virginia, chose to look the other way when a party involving drugs and alcohol took place in her home.[3] Convicted of 16 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, she was sentenced to 1,170 days in jail by a Henrico County judge, with all but 15 days suspended.

Such convictions would be life-changing — maybe life-ruining — events for most of us.  Convictions and incarceration could result in the loss of your job, leading to the loss of your home, and even the loss of custody of your children.   Please don’t take a chance. For information and suggestions on how to protect your children and yourself, please see “Parental Guide to Hosting Responsible Teen Parties,” a guide developed by the Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and available at http://www.abc.state.va.us/Education/parents.html.

About the Author: Tammy Ruble is a long time Chesterfield resident and an attorney with personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. She serves as a resource on issues in her special fields of expertise which include the crafting of Complaints and documents relating to infant settlements, wrongful death settlements, due diligence, and discovery.

Make sure your teenage driver is prepared in the event of a car accident. Download the Mobile Accident App from Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen for their smart phone and your teen driver will always be prepared at the scene of an accident. If you don’t have a smart phone, click here to request or download an accident guide to keep in your glove compartment box.

A. Any person who purchases alcoholic beverages for another person, and at the time of such purchase knows or has reason to believe that the person for whom the alcoholic beverage was purchased was (i) interdicted, or (ii) intoxicated, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

A1. Any person who purchases for, or otherwise gives, provides, or assists in the provision of alcoholic beverages to another person, knowing that such person was less than 21 years of age, except (i) pursuant to subdivisions 1 through 7 of § 4.1-200; (ii) where possession of the alcoholic beverages by a person less than 21 years of age is due to such person’s making a delivery of alcoholic beverages in pursuance of his employment or an order of his parent; or (iii) by any state, federal, or local law-enforcement officer when possession of an alcoholic beverage is necessary in the performance of his duties, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall have his license to operate a motor vehicle suspended for a period of not more than one year. The court, in its discretion, may authorize any person convicted of a violation of this section the use of a restricted permit to operate a motor vehicle in accordance with the provisions of subsection D of § 16.1-278.9 or subsection E of § 18.2-271.1.

C. Any alcoholic beverages purchased in violation of this section shall be deemed contraband and forfeited to the Commonwealth in accordance with § 4.1-338.

[2] “Party Host Mom Set for Virginia Jail Term,“, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060802795.html?hpid=moreheadlines and “Mother Reunited With Sons After Stint in Jail, ” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/24/AR2007112401214.html

[3] “Mother Gets 15 Days in Drinking Party for Kids,” http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/apr/05/tdmet02-mother-gets-15-days-in-new-years-eve-drink-ar-950259/

Download the Mobile Accident App Today

P.I. firm offers accident guide phone app

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen’s My Lawyer™ Accident App guides users through what to do during and after an accident.

The personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is pleased to announce the launch of its new, FREE mobile app for Android Smartphones. The My Lawyer™ Mobile Accident App guides users through the immediate steps to take after being involved in a car accident. Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is bringing this mobile app to Virginians because the firm had concern that drivers may not know what steps to take after an accident to protect their rights and secure evidence.

“There is a lot of talk about avoiding accidents but not a lot of discussion about what to do if you are in an accident. The minutes after a car accident can be scary and confusing” says attorney Courtney Van Winkle. “Often those involved are shaken up and not thinking clearly. The My Lawyer™ Accident App can dial 911, guide the user through documenting the accident, fault, property damage and injuries. It will also explain your rights under Virginia accident law.”

My Lawyer™ Accident App gives the user pertinent information about legal rights in Virginia in the event of a car accident. The app arms the user with vital tools and checklists that allow you to organize and document important evidence after an accident. You can catalog photographic evidence, keep witness and insurance information and more. It even has a fun quiz to test your knowledge about your legal rights.

Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen’s My Lawyer™ Accident App is FREE for anyone with an Android Smartphone. The app will also soon be available for iPhone. If the app’s user is injured outside of Virginia, it will help connect him or her with an attorney who can help.

Features of the My Lawyer Accident App:

• Know what to do at the scene of the accident
• Dial emergency help
• Record all pertinent accident information
• Take photos
• Document injuries
• Be informed of relevant state laws
• Know what to do after an accident
• Accident check list
• Free phone consultation if you think you may need a lawyer
• Free case evaluation
• Fun legal knowledge quiz

For more information about the My Lawyer™ Accident App or to download, visit: http://www.allenandallen.com/my-lawyer-app.html

Attorney Tammy S. Ruble

Author: Attorney Tammy Ruble, Esquire

When I graduated from high school in 1977, I was honored to win a scholarship for a “Woman Going Into a Non-Traditional Field” from a local women’s group.  I was a bit surprised by the name of the award, as it had never occurred to me that a woman in law was considered unusual.

The year I started college, only 30.1% of the persons entering law school were women. When I started law school in 1981, the number had risen to 37.2%.  The percentage continued to edge up and was 47.1% for the entering class in 2009.[1] Despite this increase, in 2009 the U. S Bureau of Labor statistics reported that only 32.4% of all lawyers were women, although it is encouraging to note that we are 44.2% of judges, magistrates and other judicial workers.[2]

Occasionally, little incidents remind me that female lawyers aren’t as common as I like to think.  One of my duties is to schedule cases for trial at docket calls.  At a docket call just a few weeks ago, I looked around the courtroom and realized there were 15 male in the room and only one female lawyer: me.  Late last year, wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, I was checking the schedule in the Chesterfield County Courthouse when an older woman approached me.  “You look like you know what you’re doing,” she said, “do you work for a lawyer?”  I smiled, told her that, yes, I work at a law firm, and helped her find her case.  Shortly thereafter, a male lawyer I’ve known casually for many years, was clearly taken aback when someone else referred to me as an attorney.  “You’re a lawyer?” he asked with surprise.  You can’t do much more than laugh at moments like these.  They’re not a daily occurrence, but, after practicing law for over 26 years, they happen more often than I’d expect.

Part of the reason may be the relatively small number of female lawyers in high profile positions. The first woman to serve on the U. S. Supreme Court was Sandra Day O’Connor, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981.  Even now, 30 years later, a total of only four women have been named to the U. S. Supreme Court, the last two since 2009. As appointments to the U. S. Supreme Court are for life, and Chief Justice John Roberts is a relatively young man, it seems likely that it will be a long time before we see a woman appointed chief justice.

In Virginia, we have had two women serve on the Supreme Court. Governor Baliles appointed the first, Elizabeth Lacy, in 1988. The second, Cynthia Kinser, was named to the Court in 1997 by Governor Allen. Justice Lacy retired from the Court in August 2007, leaving Justice Kinser the sole woman on the Court. However, having been elected to the position by her fellow justices, she will become Chief Justice Kinser on February 1, 2011, the first female Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court. If the small number of women in high profile positions has anything to do with people finding female lawyers remarkable, perhaps the elevation of Justice Kinser to Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court will bring a new awareness to Virginians of the number of women in the profession.

About the Author: Tammy Ruble is a long time Chesterfield resident and an attorney with personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. She serves as a resource on issues in her special fields of expertise which include the crafting of Complaints and documents relating to infant settlements, wrongful death settlements, due diligence, and discovery.

[2] See Report of U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey (CPS), “Household Data Annual Averages, Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity”, at   http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.pdf.

Named one of 2011's Best Places to Work in Virginia

Founded on family values and a commitment to client service, the personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen has been named one of the 2011 Best Places to Work in Virginia. The annual list of “Best Places to Work” was created by Virginia Business and Best Companies Group. The ranking of the 1^st annual Best Places to Work in Virginia will be unveiled and published in the February 2011 issue of Virginia Business.

This survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Virginia, benefiting the state’s economy, its work force and businesses. The Best Places to Work in Virginia list is made up of a total of 50 companies, split into three groups: 14 small employers < 100 employees, 16 mid-sized employers 100-250 employees, and 20 large-sized employers >250 employees. Allen & Allen has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Virginia in the medium category.

Organizations from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in Virginia. Companies were evaluated on workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics and an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top organizations and the final ranking managed by Best Companies Group.

In business for over 100 years, the Virginia law firm was founded by George E. Allen, Sr., who was later joined in practice by his three sons. The family business has since grown to over 120 employees with offices located throughout Virginia.

The firm believes in respecting the personal lives and family priorities of its employees. This is a strong part of the firm’s culture with flex scheduling, support for employees going through a rough time, workload coverage for absent employees and family-friendly events.  Employees enjoy an open-door environment where suggestions and feedback are encouraged. “Throughout the years one thing has remained constant – Allen & Allen’s recognition that its people make the company successful. The firm’s goal of providing excellent client service is consistent with the firm’s emphasis on staff development.” says Grace Myers who has been with the firm over 20 years.

Employees are recognized through bonuses, special awards and appreciation gifts. During “Legal Week” the staff enjoys gifts and treats each day to honor their hard work. Allen & Allen offers a top notch benefit plan including 100% paid medical/dental insurance for employees, firm paid life and long term disability insurance, a 401K plan with rich contributions, and generous personal, sick and vacation leave. “For me, not only did the benefits package meet my expectations,” says Legal Assistant Linda Lawrence, “… after my elderly mother came to live with me, the firm began to offer flexible work hours and I was given a shift that is just perfect for my personal situation.”

What makes Allen & Allen a Best Place to Work in Virginia – Legal Assistant Amanda Brinkley answers “Allen & Allen has team oriented employees who work hard for our clients and I feel fortunate to be a part of Allen & Allen and enjoy helping our clients get the best results possible.”

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For more information, contact Cheron Smalls at 804-353-1200 or click to email.

For information on careers at Allen & Allen, click here.

Egena Younger

Author: Egena Younger

It’s that time again.  Everyone is busy shopping and looking forward to the festive events associated with the ending of another year.  We are all trying to spend less time outside and avoid the cold temperatures. The days are shorter and the nights are colder.  Yes, winter is upon us.  Iit is time to prepare for the cold temperatures and the unpredictable precipitation we have come to experience in Virginia.  Preparation takes a minimal amount of time and effort, but can prove to be essential to having a safe and enjoyable season.

Winter requires a lot of your vehicle and being sure it is functioning properly is just as important as being sure your home is properly prepared for winter.  The following list of suggestion may help you avoid unnecessary vehicle problems during this winter.

1.    Replace your windshield wiper blades and the wiper fluid with a wintertime fluid.

2.    Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.

3.    Put together an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car that  includes an ice scraper, blanket, small snow shovel, flashlight, ice melt, and kitty litter if needed for traction.

4.    Keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice or moisture in the tank or running out of gas.

5.    Keep a tire gauge to check the tire pressure and a tool kit in your car at all times.

6.    Try to never leave home without your cell phone and a car cell phone charger.

7.    Be sure you have a fully inflated spare tire, as well as the proper tire changing equipment needed to change the tire.  (If you are not familiar with how to change a tire on your vehicle, then make sure you have the owner’s manual in the car. If it’s lost, you should be able to download or purchase a new on on-line).

8.    Replace worn tires and be sure the air level is appropriate, since air in tires contracts in cold temperatures.

9.    Check your battery.  Make sure the battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that the battery has sufficient water levels. If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested to ensure its ability to hold a charge. However, having jumper cables could prove to be extremely beneficial should you happen to leave your lights on or have an unforeseen loss of battery power.

10. Be sure your heater and vehicle’s windshield defrosters are working properly and all fluids are at appropriate levels.

11. Try to avoid traveling in severe weather, but if you must do so, be aware of where you are and what options are available, should you need to pull off the road due to conditions that cause limited visibility (A navigation system is an invaluable resource).

The Allen Law Firm appreciates serving our community and hopes this information is helpful.  We wish you and your loved ones a safe winter and a joyous season filled with holiday cheer.

About the author: Egena Younger is a claims consultant in the Chesterfield personal injury law firm of Allen & Allen. Working under the supervision of Chesterfield car accident attorney Trent Kerns, Egena assists clients in their auto accident injury claims.

Chesterfield injury attorney Trent S. Kerns

Author: Attorney Trent S. Kerns

Each year, a staggering number of people are killed on the shoulder of interstates.   Approximately 12% of all interstate highway deaths are pedestrians in the roadway or on the shoulder.  That’s an average of about 610 people per year in the U.S.[1] To avoid becoming one of these statistics, you should follow the following safety guidelines.[2]

1.         If there is not an emergency, don’t stop on the shoulder.

It is incredibly dangerous, especially at night, because drivers are often fatigued and cannot see what is on the shoulder.  Many times accidents happen when fatigued drivers see lights ahead and think that they belong to a car traveling in the right lane, only to find out too late that the lights are on a disabled vehicle on the shoulder.

2.         If you have a flat tire, drive to the nearest exit if possible.

In the event of a flat tire, you may worry that you are doing substantial damage to your vehicle the longer you drive on it. Your first instinct will probably be to stop the car as quickly as possible, even if that means being on the median side of the roadway. Generally, the worst you can do is foul a wheel or rim. While this may cost you anywhere from $30 to $300 depending on your vehicle, it’s better to risk the wheel damage than to risk your life on the wrong shoulder.

3.         If you must stop on the shoulder for an emergency, pull as far off the road as possible.

Make sure to get all passengers out of the vehicle and get them away from the vehicle as quickly as possible. Do not stand around your vehicle. Climb over the guardrail if there happens to be one, and wait on the other side.   If you are in an accident, pull off on the shoulder but get away from the roadway and vehicles if possible.  Recently, two men were tragically killed in the Washington, D.C., area while standing on the shoulder of the interstate exchanging information when they were struck by a motorist.[3]

4.         Stop on the right shoulder, not the left, if possible.

“It’s traditionally safer to be on the right shoulder than on the left,” according to Sgt. Tom Cunningham, a spokesperson with the Virginia State Police. “The key is to get out of the active lane of travel and to the shoulder as quickly and safely as possible.”

5.         Make your vehicle visible and warn other motorists that you are stopped.

Turn on your hazard lights.  Virginia law (Va. Code § 46.2-1040) requires that you activate your hazard lights when you are stopped in the roadway or on the paved shoulder.[4] If you have flares, use them also.

6. When a vehicle is on the shoulder, move over to the next lane if possible.

Whenever possible, you should move over to the next lane is there is a vehicle on the shoulder.  If a police or emergency vehicle is on the shoulder with flashing lights, Virginia law requires you to move over to the next lane if you can do so safely.[5] Police officers are especially at risk because of the frequency with which their job requires them to be on the shoulder of roadways.  Studies show that one officer is killed almost every month in the United States in an accident on the shoulder of the interstate.

The shoulder of the highway can be a very dangerous place.  Please drive responsibly and be aware of the dangers, so that we can all get where we are going safely.

About the Author: Trent Kerns is a Chesterfield accident attorney. For over 25 years he has worked to protect the rights of Virginia residents injured in car accidents and other difficult liability cases.

[2] See http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/drivingsafety/drivingsafetytips/breakdown.html.

[3] See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020200692.html.

[4] See http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1040.

[5] See Va. Code § 46.2-921.1.at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-921.1.

You need someone knowledgeable working on your claim and looking out for your interests as soon as possible also. If you’ve been injured after an accident, you should consult an attorney right away. A lawyer can help you decide whether it is in your best interests to pursue a claim and how to do so.

What can a personal injury law firm like Allen & Allen do for you that you can’t do for yourself?

First, one of our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys can advise you of any crucial deadlines in your case. They can explain relevant Statutes of Limitations that require you to file suit on or before a certain date. They can also tell you about time limits for filing mandatory “notices” of your claim in cases involving certain types of defendants. For instance, in Virginia, in a claim against a city, usually you must give a written notice within six months or the claim against the city is barred. Other missed deadlines can also prevent you from making a recovery.

Second, at the direction of our attorneys, our team of investigators will promptly investigate the facts surrounding your accident. After car accidents, tractor trailer accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability injuries, and wrongful deaths, Allen & Allen’s investigators are prepared to interview law enforcement officers and eyewitnesses, take photographs of the scene or vehicles, and preserve other relevant evidence that may help win your case. Sometimes a single picture of the damage to your vehicle, or of bruises or swelling, can be the key to a successful recovery in your case.

Third, the attorneys at Allen & Allen can identify the potential defendants in your case. When you are badly injured and your medical bills are substantial, this information may be critical to making sure that you receive a fair monetary settlement or verdict. Sometimes it’s not easy to identify all persons and/or entities, such as businesses or government agencies, bearing legal responsibility for your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney has the skills and ability to track down the defendants in your case. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner the attorney can begin this process and the more likely it is this inquiry will be successful.

Fourth, our personal injury attorneys will explore all sources of recovery in your case. These may include:
• Insurance policies that may cover vehicles involved in your accident;
• Insurance policies that provide coverage for the person(s) or entities responsible for your injuries;
• Insurance policies that cover an employer of the person responsible for your injuries;
• Insurance policies that cover the vehicle which you occupied at the time of the accident; and
• Your own insurance policy and the policies of family members who live with you.

Fifth, and probably most important, an experienced attorney is equipped to develop a legal strategy that puts your case in the best posture to maximize the recovery you deserve. If your case is small because your injuries heal quickly and little medical treatment is required, then it may not be cost effective for you to have an attorney and you may be able to handle the claim on your own. In either event, a prompt meeting to discuss your claim will allow our attorneys to help you decide what you want to do. And remember – there is no cost or obligation for an initial consultation with one of our attorneys.