Selecting a personal injury lawyer can be easy, but if you want to ensure that you’re working with a high-quality law firm, you should do a little research before you make your final decision. Obviously, every situation is different, and you might need to speak with a personal injury lawyer immediately after something like a car accident, but at least knowing these important aspects can help.

It’s Best to Work With Lawyers Who Exclusively Work On Personal Injury Cases
Because personal injury is a wide sector of the law, personal injury cases are often complicated and involve specialized rules and practices that only an experienced personal injury lawyer can handle. Sure, attorneys can be good and have experience with other kinds of law, but you’re going to want to work with someone who knows the ins and outs of personal injury law.

Provide Necessary Information During Your Consultation
One thing you should remember before hiring a personal injury lawyer is that initial consultations are usually free of charge. During these consultations, however, you have to be upfront and transparent with all details surrounding your case because in order for the lawyer to do their job properly. If you aren’t providing your lawyer with all the details of your case, are embellishing or lying in any way, that’s only going to worsen your chance at having a successful outcome.

If you need legal assistance and want to speak to an experienced law firm that focuses on personal injury, contact Golden Law Office today.

We may think we’re practicing safe habits while on the road, but even the most diligent of drivers makes a vital error every so often. However, you must not discount the importance of consistent road safety. Doing so could result in an accident or neck, extremity, or head injury. At worst, one of these mistakes could prove fatal. Although some accidents cannot be avoided, you can reduce your risk by not taking part in one of these five dangerous driving habits:

Driving under the influence
Unfortunately, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is all too common. In 2013 alone, 9.9 million people reported getting behind the wheel while under the influence of illicit drugs. Furthermore, the majority of traffic-related fatal accidents are due to drunk driving. You may think you can handle driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, but you most likely have a very unrealistic picture of your skills during this time. Avoiding a DUI/DWI or a terrible accident is easily avoidable. Use a designated driver or call a friend, family member, or taxi company. If you don’t, you may need a car accident attorney and may face a court battle.

Drowsy driving
You may think that sleepy driving isn’t anywhere near as dangerous as driving with substances in your system. Actually, it can be just as dangerous. Your reaction time will be slower, you’re apt to make poor decisions, and you have a high risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. Most drowsy drivers end up getting in crashes on highways or high traffic areas and can’t do anything to prevent the crash before it happens. If you find that you’re nodding off at the wheel, pull over in a safe location to get some sleep. It may put your plans off-course, but you’ll be glad you avoided a potentially fatal accident. Better you get your sleep for a little while than forever.

Distracted driving
With an increased use of electronic devices comes an increased amount of driving distractions. When you’re texting, eating, using a GPS, or talking to your car’s passengers, your driving skills will be impaired. No cell phone conversation can be important enough to put your life and the lives of others at risk. Keep the phone out of sight when driving and don’t engage in tasks while driving that ideally require even one hand to complete. One stupid decision could lead to a terrible accident that requires a lot of help from a legal professional.

Speeding and reckless behavior
Failing to obey posted speed limits and other important rules of the road is simply bad news. Speeding is the second-leading cause of accidents. The faster your speed, the more likely you’ll get in a crash. It should be noted that driving below the posted speed limit can also result in accidents. In addition, swerving, frequent lane changes, lack of signaling, tailgating, or not following proper passing laws will often result in a crash. If you choose to disobey the rules of the road, other drivers will often pay the price — and so may you, in court. If you don’t want to have to seek out the top lawyers in Lexington KY, use common sense and respect the regulations and other drivers.

Not accounting for weather
When you fail to adjust your driving in adverse weather conditions, you can easily sustain or inflict personal harm. Driving too fast in rain or snow can result in skidding or worse. Watch out for ice, travel at a safe distance from other cars, and give yourself extra time in bad weather. Having snow tires or all-wheel drive does not give you an excuse.

Be sure to follow these tips to help you practice safe driving. If you find yourself in need of car accident lawyers in Lexington KY, please contact us today.

There are countless attorneys throughout the country practicing law, and countless more individuals who require their help. Most of the time, lawyers are the people we hope to avoid, since most people turn to them only after something bad has happened. However, it’s highly likely that you will find yourself choosing a lawyer at some point or another throughout your life.

In this two-part series, we’ll cover the top 10 most common and important times to consult a legal professional for help. Here are the first five:

1. Car Accident
Car accidents can happen at any moment, any time of day, on any road in America. They may be caused by any number of factors, but one thing is for sure: distracted driving because of cell phone use is on the rise. At any given daylight hour, there are approximately 600,000 drivers on the road using their phones or other electronic devices. Each one is an accident waiting to happen.

2. Fall Injury
All landowners in Kentucky are required to maintain reasonably safe premises, whether for business or residential purposes. Fall accidents from hazardous environments can result in serious injuries and expensive medical bills requiring legal compensation.

3. Wrongful Death
The loss of a loved one from a fatal accident may be devastating, but it’s also one of the most important times to consult a legal professional. Seek justice for a wrongful death by hiring an experienced lawyer for your case.

4. Medical Malpractice
When the doctor’s orders turn out to do more harm than good, you may suffer physically and financially. Finding a legal team with medical experts on board can help you in your malpractice case.

5. Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
We put a tremendous amount of trust in caregivers for our parents and elders. A violation of that trust through abuse or neglect may lead to serious injuries or death; when you seek legal action against the responsible parties, you can prevent that heartache from happening to another family.

These are five of the most common, and perhaps most obvious, times when it’s important to hire a good lawyer. In our next post, we’ll reveal five more vitally important times to consult a legal professional that you might not have thought of right away.

The law of the land provides more than just the right to sue someone after a traumatic accident or injury. Lawyers are also important for handling more subtle liability claims and mishaps. Continuing from the previous post, here are five more important times to consult a legal professional that may not be the most obvious ones.

6. Wrongful Termination
If you’ve been fired from a job because of discrimination or employer retaliation, you may have a case of wrongful termination on your hands. Consult with a lawyer to learn about your rights as a worker and the finer details of HR policy.

7. Liquor Liability
Establishments that are licensed to serve alcohol, such as bars and nightclubs, can also be held responsible for over-serving a guest who then later causes injury or damage to herself or to others. These cases can be incredibly complex and difficult to prove, so have a quality attorney on your side.

8. Defective Products
Poorly manufactured goods are not only dangerous, they can be quite expensive for the responsible party. Every year, civil lawsuits cost the U.S. economy a combined $239 billion. Cases of this kind often require testimony from multiple witnesses, legal professionals, and experts in the field, and might drag on for months at a time.

9. Insurance Bad Faith
If an insurance company denies your claim or provides less than what your coverage guarantees, you may argue that they have negotiated in “bad faith.” This may qualify not only as a case of civil wrongdoing, but a breach of contract as well.

10. Dog Bites
In Kentucky law, any dog owner whose animal causes damage to a person, livestock, or property can be held responsible for that damage, even if it is a first-time offense for the dog. As a dog bite victim, you are entitled to compensation for all of your medical bills, injuries, or other damages you may have sustained.

If there’s one thing we can reliably expect in life, it’s for the unexpected to happen at any time. When accidents, injuries, or other misfortunes fall into your lap, find a legal professional to help you right wrongs, seek justice, and get you back on your feet for whatever life may have in store for you next.

Getting fired from a job is never easy, but it might be even worse if you feel that you were wrongfully dismissed. State and federal laws hold protections for employees maintaining that a person cannot be fired from their job for certain reasons, including discrimination, retaliation, or refusal to commit an illegal act. However, the strength of those odds largely stems from the fact that most wrongful termination attorneys will only take on cases that they think they can win.

Therefore, choosing a lawyer to represent your case is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. Here is some advice on how to choose an employment lawyer for your best chances of success.

Find someone who specializes in your situation
There are many different kinds of employment lawyers out there, and even those who specialize in wrongful termination cases. However, try choosing a lawyer with as much experience in the specifics of your case as possible: another discrimination case, for example, or another whistleblower case with past records of success. Ask for references when possible.

Discuss a payment arrangement upfront
Many lawyers offer free consultation sessions, during which time you should ask about fees and rates. If you’ve been wrongfully terminated, chances are money could be tight due to your lack of employment. Accordingly, many attorneys also work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless your case is settled.

Familiarize yourself with your own case 
The more details you can put together about the circumstances of your firing and the more you try to familiarize yourself with your rights as an employee, the better equipped you’ll be to build a case. Choosing a lawyer based on what you already know can be much easier than trying to start from scratch.

In the end, if you’re not sure whether you have a case, don’t hesitate to contact an employment lawyer to discuss the basics of your situation. While handling a job dismissal might be stressful, you don’t have to do it alone.

Many of us slip and fall from time to time, and usually it’s no big deal. We might suffer a little bruise or a sore wrist, but we can get along just fine. Other times, slips and falls can result in serious injuries. In fact, fall accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Rates are especially high for young children up to age 4, and for older adults age 75 or older.

Furthermore, sometimes slip and fall cases are not your fault. They might have been caused by unsafe structures, slippery conditions, or a lack of warning signs. If you have suffered significant harm or injury from a slip or a fall, you may be interested in seeking the advice of a legal professional to find out if you could be entitled to compensation.

Not all slip and fall cases are foolproof, however. In order to help your lawyer make the strongest case possible, there are certain steps you can take to provide testimony and gather evidence — even before you meet with an attorney.

1. 1. Seek Medical Attention
      You need to take care of yourself first. Get the medical help you need to address your injuries. But as you do, make sure to keep a meticulous record of all treatments, procedures, tests, etc. A file containing your medical information will help your lawyer plot the best plan of action for your case.
   2. Survey the Area
      You will want to look for indication that your slip or fall was not your fault, but rather caused by some negligence on the part of the property owner. If you can document dangerous conditions with pictures or get written accounts from eyewitnesses, all the better. Without proper evidence, these cases can easily become a battle of he-said/she-said.
   3. Get a Lawyer
      Starting the claims process sooner rather than later may also be important to your case. Not only will you want compensation for medical expenses or lost wages as soon as possible, but a timely filing will indicate that your needs are dire and legitimate. Wait too long, and you may surpass the statute of limitations on slip and fall claims, or may have a more difficult time convincing the judge that your injuries were as severe as you say.

Every case is different, but there are a few ways you can prepare to build a strong case for yourself to help ensure the success of your claim. Talk with a lawyer about your options and learn how you can get the legal representation you need.

Traffic accidents involving large trucks can often be much more serious than other kinds of car accidents. Around 333,000 large trucks in the U.S. were involved in crashes in 2012, causing many potential dangers to the smaller vehicles around them.

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident is never easy, but one of the first things you should do is find a professional attorney to help you understand your legal rights and options. Car accident law and trucking accident law can be very different, however — so it’s important to find a trucking accident lawyer with ample experience to take on your case.

Liability
In most car accident cases, the driver of the vehicle is held solely responsible for his or her actions. But when a commercial truck is involved, the company that hired the driver might also be held responsible. If a driver received insufficient training or if the company violated labor laws, the company itself could be implicated as at fault for the accident.

Evidence
There are many more factors at play in trucking accidents, such as the driver’s employment history, credentials, and past drug tests or performance records. A professional attorney familiar with trucking law will investigate any and all angles of the case to ensure that your interests are best represented.

Injury
It probably comes as no surprise that more serious injuries can commonly occur as a result of trucking accidents, such as traumatic brain injury or death. These might result in extensive medical needs or impair your ability to work. Having a professional attorney on your side can make the difference in getting you the compensation you need to move past your accident and live your life.

Large trucks, rigs, semis, tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles are an important part of our economy, but they also pose an intimidating threat to other drivers on the road. Driving safety is the number-one priority of many trucking companies, but accidents can still happen. If you’ve suffered from a truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal help right away. The better you understand your options, the better you’ll be able to cope with your situation.

Lawyers in Lexington often have to deal with the specific details of Kentucky state law. Whether it’s texting and driving, driving under the influence, or dealing with no-fault insurance claims, here’s what all Kentucky drivers need to know about the state’s laws and regulations when it comes to your rights behind the wheel.

• Using a Cell Phone – At any given moment throughout the country there will be around 660,000 drivers on the road using a cell phone or other electronic device while driving. However, Kentucky has no regulations concerning the use of handheld phones for talking while driving — except for drivers under age 18. Minors are not permitted to use any type of phone while driving, whether it’s handheld or hands-free.
• Texting While Driving – On the other hand, no one is allowed to text and drive. You cannot write, send, or even read a text message while operating a vehicle in motion. This is considered a “primary” law, meaning that a police officer can pull you over for texting, even without witnessing any other violations. A first-time offense may result in a $25 ticket, and $50 for more multiple offenses.
• Driving Under the Influence – Kentucky has an “implied consent” law when it comes to blood alcohol content (BAC) tests, meaning that if you refuse one you will be automatically subjected to the applicable fines and license suspensions. The BAC limit for adults 21 and over is .08; for commercial drivers, .04; and for drivers under 21, .02. Alcohol is not the only issue, either; with 10.3 million people admitting to driving under the influence of illicit drugs in 2012, it’s best to always drive sober.
• Insurance Requirements – It is illegal to drive a vehicle in Kentucky without car insurance. You need a minimum $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury coverage and $10,000 for property damage. However, Kentucky is also a “no-fault” state, meaning that your claims go through your own provider no matter who’s to blame for an accident, even in the 333,000 car accidents involving large trucks in the U.S. in 2012.

With all of these special regulations, it’s important to understand your rights. When you have questions regarding legal matters in Kentucky, it’s important to talk with local lawyers in Lexington who will know how to help. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

Driving a motor vehicle is a serious responsibility, but unfortunately too many people get behind the wheel and drive while distracted, drunk, or drowsy. Some people even get behind the wheel when they’re distracted, drunk, AND drowsy.

All of these behaviors increase the risk of car accidents and bodily injury, but many drivers do not take into consideration the very real dangers that come with being irresponsible. Even at a time when drunk driving is on the decline, motor vehicle traffic injuries are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury related deaths, with rates being the highest in adults aged 20 to 24 years old.

So in an effort to help you be more aware of your actions while driving, here are some of the most dangerous things drivers can do on the road.

Driving too close behind a tractor trailer
Even though many drivers believe that driving behind tractor trailers can help with gas mileage, it is incredibly dangerous to do so. Your life isn’t a NASCAR race, and whatever benefit you come from riding in the slipstream is cancelled out by your increased risk of car accidents. Because you are driving so close, there will not be enough time to brake before hitting the big rig. Not to mention that truck drivers cannot see what is directly behind them, so driving like this can be a recipe for disaster.

Not adjusting speed for weather conditions
The idea behind this is simple. The faster you go, the higher the chance of getting injured in a car crash. This also goes for when the weather gets bad, so slow down so you do not slip on ice and sleet. Even rain can be dangerous.

Too many drivers fail to adjust their driving behavior in the rain. If you drive the exact same way during a pouring rainstorm as your would on a bright sunny day, then it’s time to reevaluate your driving.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs
It is a well known fact that alcohol and drugs impair your judgement and reaction time. This can cause tragic consequences and fatal car accidents, but unfortunately driving under the influence is all too common. In 2012, Mothers Against Drunk Driving reported that 10.3 million people reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year. That number did decline to 9.9 million in 2013, but that’s still millions of drivers with delayed reaction times clogging up the nation’s highways and intersections.

Moral of the story, if you are under the influence, at all, then it is best that you call a taxi or ask a designated driver to come pick you up.

Each year, around 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. While 80% of TBI patients will be treated and released from an emergency department, another 275,000 will be hospitalized for further care, and 52,000 will die of their injuries.

Brain injuries are extremely serious and can have long-lasting repercussions for both victims and their families. Survivors may experience permanent physical or cognitive impairments as well as long and complicated courses of medical treatment. When you or someone you love has sustained a head injury through no fault of their own, you need a professional traumatic brain injury lawyer to help get you the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses. More than that, you may be entitled to additional compensation that can help provide continued support for your family for the years to come.

The Causes of TBI
The leading causes of TBI are fall accidents and car accidents. Falls cause the most TBI-related hospitalizations (62,334 every year) and emergency department visits (523,043), while motor vehicle traffic is responsible for the highest number of TBI-related deaths — and those rates are greatest among adults age 20 to 24.

How to Identify TBI
Traumatic brain injury is a separate diagnosis from other types of head injuries. Short-term symptoms include dizziness, loss of memory, headaches, nausea, and light sensitivity. If you suspect TBI, get to a medical professional who can conduct proper tests to diagnose your case. It’s important to seek help early in order to avoid more serious complications down the road.

How to Get Legal Help
If a doctor has confirmed your TBI and you believe that your injuries were the result of someone else’s oversight or error, you will need to share all of this information with a professional lawyer to see if you have a legal case. A brain injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to settle your medical bills and find a way to move on with the rest of your life.

If you’re worried you can’t afford a professional lawyer, don’t worry. Most injury lawyers will work on a contingency basis. That means they only collect payment after you receive compensation, unlike other types of lawyers who will bill you throughout the legal process.

Going through an accident is no easy task, especially one that involves traumatic brain injury. However, with a support network that includes both medical professionals and a team of professional lawyers, you can find the tools you need to put your life back on track.