Accident Attorneys Fort Lauderdale
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys | ,

Glove Compartment Check-Up and Checklist – Lazarus & Lazarus Law Firm – Auto Accident Attorneys

Motor Vehicle Accident Checklist

What do you have in your glove compartment? Probably not gloves because we’re in Florida!

How often have you gone to the grocery store without a list and then realized later you forgot something? Probably about two thousand times. Imagine being in an accident and then trying to remember what to do when you’re completely stressed out. You’ll likely forget several important things.

Automobile accidents are among the most stressful things that happen and fortunately they are pretty rare. The average driver will be involved in an accident every 17 years. If you’re a careless driver probably more often, if you’re a very careful driver, less.

If and when you do have an accident, a little preparation now will make things much better, in fact a little information now may save you time and money later.

Check your glove compartment to make sure you the have the basics:

Evidence of Insurance. If you have it on your phone you still may want a copy in your glove compartment in case Auto Accident Checklistyour phone dies.

A copy of your vehicle registration.

A checklist of things to do after an accident. Where can you get such a checklist? Right here!

We have put together a checklist that covers things that might not jump into your head immediately after an accident because you’re anxious and confused. Click Here to download the checklist.

Remember that everyone’s safety is the top priority immediately after an accident. Your actions subsequent to those first moments are also very important, and in a state of confusion you want a clear headed person to guide you. The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents for nearly 30 years and we are proud of our record of success and our reputation as experts in our field. Call us at (954) 3556-0006 if you have any questions.

Accident Checklist Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawsuits
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Lawsuits

Eight Steps to a Personal Injury Case – Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

Every Case is Different but this is a General Guide

Fort Lauderdale and Weston Personal Injury Lawsuit and Settlement Options

You wake up every day with plans to get things accomplished and make life better for you and your family. Sometimes there is a bump in the road and sometimes there are serious setbacks. Injuries caused by accidents are something we don’t expect but they happen more often than you may think.

When people are hurt due to someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or malpractice, they do have options. The key is to have someone to help you navigate the system, protect your rights, and heal physically, emotionally, and financially. This is what experienced personal injury attorneys do.

Our primary goals for every client are to (1) expedite the process so victims can move forward as soon as possible and (2) obtain the highest possible financial settlement or award so there are no issues regarding medical care or other expenses related to the injuries.

Here are 8 steps we are prepared to initiate to benefit our client’s cases. They are in no particular order and they may not be necessary, but it is good to understand the process.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury CasesGet the Facts – We will obtain all necessary reports and details so we understand the who, what, when, where, and how for each incident.

Gather Evidence – We want to win for you so we spare no effort in getting everything we need to prove your case. Physical evidence, photographs, witness testimony, and more.

Demand Letters – Often we can quickly settle a case with a very effective demand letter. We are tenacious dealing with insurance companies and they know we are serious about getting results.

File a Lawsuit – Lawsuits are sometimes necessary when a reasonable settlement is not possible. Once again, we plan and prepare to win every case and our reputation for complete and thorough lawsuits is well-known.

Settlement – Our experience has taught us when to settle and when to press on for more. Settlements sometimes happen literally hours before the start of a trial. We make sure your best interests are completely covered. Please remember that it’s generally not a good idea to sign a settlement without at least a consultation with your own legal advisor.

Mediation – This is often a preferred way to achieve a reasonable conclusion to a personal injury lawsuit. An impartial mediator helps settle issues in a manner that is acceptable to everyone.

Trial – When there is no way to settle or mediate a case, we are prepared to go all the way to a trial by judge or jury.

Appeal – In some rare cases lawsuits don’t go the way we hoped or expected. A careful appeal can reverse a previous decision and bring out the truth so justice is done.

Every option for every case is considered and we take the time to explain every step we take. As a small firm we are happy to spend time with every client so they never feel they’re on the outside of the process.

We’re available seven days a week at (954) 356-0006 for questions about your situation.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

(954) 356-0006

Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorney
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | South Florida Car Accident Attorney

Can You Afford to Hire an Attorney After an Accident? The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

Ask About Fees Before Making a Decision

South Florida Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys

Have you ever signed a contract and later regretted it? Maybe you bought a car and agreed to a payment that was too high? Or you signed up for a monthly service that committed you to a long-term commitment?

Accident Injury AttorneysHere’s Some Good News: Almost all personal injury and accident cases that involve an attorney are initiated on a contingency basis. This means it is an arrangement between a plaintiff and a lawyer, stating that the lawyer will represent the plaintiff without money to pay up front. In these situations, the plaintiff pays the lawyer only if the lawyer wins the case.

In many other circumstances involving, for example, criminal law, family law (divorce), and contract law (real estate) an individual must pay an up-front fee to an attorney for services.

Florida Bar Association rules prohibit any fee agreements that can result in an illegal, prohibited, or clearly excessive fees or costs. Whether a fee is excessive is a matter of “reasonableness” under Florida Bar rules. An unreasonable fee is one where the fee constitutes a “clear overreaching or an unconscionable demand by the attorney.” A fee is also unreasonable if it is based on fraud or intentional misrepresentation.  Florida Bar rules set out factors for reasonableness that mirror rules set for by the American Bar Association.

We are here first and foremost to help people who have been injured in an auto, truck, or motorcycle accident. We also work for people who have been hurt in other accidents caused by someone’s neglect or negligence. Our areas of experience include:

  • Construction Accidents
  • Inadequate or Negligent Security
  • Aviation and Train Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Defective Products
  • Medical Malpractice

Our consultations are free and it is unlikely you will be charged any upfront fees at all if we represent you.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people who are injured in accidents since 1992. We are committed to helping our clients recover from any and all damage done by medical errors.

We are available 7 days a week by calling (954) 356-0006

Gary and Arleen Lazarus

(954) 356-0006

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys |

What to Say and What not to Say After a Traffic Crash – Lazarus and Lazarus

Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

“Words are free. It’s how you use them that may cost you.” – Anonymous

How often have we said things that we regretted later? Probably too many times.

In our world today every word we say, or Tweet, or include in a social media post, or email, may be used later to cause us problems. Phone calls are often recorded and there are video monitors practically everywhere we go.

If you are injured in any type of incident that was caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence you have rights to compensation for your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and lost time from work. These rights may be jeopardized by statements made by you or by others which could be used to incriminate you or present a distorted picture of facts related to the event. Therefore, it’s a good idea to follow these basic guidelines regarding what you and don’t say after being involved in an accident:

  • Always cooperate with the police and answer their questions truthfully, however you should never offer information which may be self-incriminating. You do not need to admit anything was your fault to anyone.
  • After you are away from the scene of the accident you may be contacted by others including representatives of insurance companies. You are not required to talk with these people and at this point you will have already contacted a personal injury attorney. That attorney becomes the person to handle all communication going forward.
  • Do not give a statement, recorded or written, to anyone without approval from your attorney.
  • Never post statements or photographs about your accident on social media or anywhere else.
  • Do not make statements about your physical condition. Injuries should be diagnosed by a physician and that information is strictly confidential and should remain that way.
  • Speculation about what caused the accident, what contributed to the accident, the condition of other driver(s) or anything else is unnecessary can be harmful. Let your attorney conduct an investigation into the facts because only the facts are important.

The goal of every experienced personal injury attorney is to protect the rights of their client and gain the best possible outcome. We always work hard to see that our clients have the opportunity to recover financially, physically, and emotionally from their injuries.

If you have questions about any accident involving yourself, a friend, or a relative, feel free to call us 7 days a week at 954-356-0006.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus.

 

 

Auto Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Let’s be Careful Out There – Traffic Fatalities Highest in Years

Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

A character on the 1980s television police drama “Hill Street Blues” had a great catchphrase: “Let’s Be Careful Out There.” On the show, Sgt. Phillip Esterhaus was imparting these words of caution to officers policing the streets.

Police Officers face dangers every day, but so does everyone who drives a car, truck or motorcycle, especially after recent data reveals this, according to CNN: Washington, DC (CNN Business)Traffic deaths in the United States continue to spike, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated Tuesday that there were 42,915 such fatalities in 2021. That would be the most traffic deaths in 16 years, NHTSA said.

Many experts believe the added stress of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many drivers to be less careful when driving but it’s difficult to make a solid claim about the true cause of the increase in 2021 fatalities.Personal Injury Attorneys

We do know that each driver has choices about habits and precautions behind the wheel. People who obey traffic laws, wear seat belts, and do not drive while impaired are far less likely to be involved in a serious accident. But all the safety measures in the world cannot protect a driver from someone else who is careless.

What can you do if involved in an accident?

Being in an accident is a very stressful time, and it’s hard to keep focused on making the right decisions in the moments following the crash. We developed a checklist for people to print and keep in their glove compartment in case of a traffic accident. Please click here to see our post from 2020 which includes a link to download the .pdf.

If you have questions related to any personal injury situation we’re available 7 days a week to speak with you. Call 954-356-0006 to set up a free and confidential meeting, in-person, or virtual.

And Let’s be Careful Out There.

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Traumatic Brain Injuries |

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Proper Long-Term Care

Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

One of the most common injuries sustained in automobile, truck, and motorcycle accidents is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They are very debilitating and often have long-term effects that cannot possibly be estimated at the initial diagnosis because there are many cases where full recovery is never achieved.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

A traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object that goes through brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells temporarily. More-serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain. These injuries can result in long-term complications or death.

Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

One of the worst things a vehicle crash victim can do is neglect medical treatment. Internal injuries can worsen and lead to serious complications or death. A physician can diagnose many problems during a thorough examination.

After any physical trauma, a person suffering from unusual headaches, blurred vision, slurred speech, dizziness, confusion, nausea, trouble with concentration, may be suffering from a traumatic brain injury. This is not a definitive list of symptoms, there are others which is why a professional medical exam and diagnosis is mandatory.

Long Term Care

Some victims rush to settle with an insurance company after suffering from head trauma injuries and that is often a poor course of action. Because treatments can be necessary for several months or even ears it’s best to be careful and methodical about assessing possible long-term medical care.

Neurologists are the physicians to properly treat traumatic brain injuries and it’s important to also find a hospital that specializes in rehabilitation after serious trauma. Click here to see a guide to the Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping victims of serious injuries since 1992 and we are available every day to speak with you about protecting your rights to compensation for injuries, pain & suffering, lost time from work, and property damage. Call us at 954-356-0006 to set up a free consultation.

 

 

| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Rideshare Accident Attorneys, Uncategorized

Uber and Lyft Driver Screening and Supervision – Is it Sufficient for Adequate Safety?

Rideshare Accident Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

Fort Lauderdale and Weston, Florida

When you fly on any commercial flight you know the pilot has been trained and tested. They are regularly given drug tests, physical exams, and they must undergo constant and regular training to make sure their skills and knowledge are up-to-date.

What About Ride-Share Drivers?

According to the Uber website: Most people can drive with Uber. The requirements vary by city, but there are a few minimum requirements: Meet the minimum age requirement and be legally allowed to drive in your country.

Also:

Driver screening
After signing up, take a few minutes to complete a screening online. It’ll review your driving record and criminal history.

Specific information about how ride-share drivers are  screened, tested, and supervised is hard to find.

We know this: An Uber passenger paralyzed in a crash last year is suing the company hoping, he says, his experience leads to more oversight of ride-hailing companies.

He’s now suing Uber for $63 million, asserting the company doesn’t appropriately screen or supervise drivers.

Also this:

According to Uber, the company completes 14 million trips each day worldwide. The platform sees, on average, 91 million monthly active users and 3.9 million drivers.

In Florida, Uber estimates its impact on the state’s gross domestic product at about $1 billion, with a net impact on the state economy of $69 million.

What happens when someone is involved in an accident as a customer of Uber or Lyft? It can be confusing as to who is at fault. Who will pay the medical bills? Will there be money available for long-term care? What about lost wages from work?

All these questions and more are common after someone is injured in an accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle. We’re here with answers if you call 954-356-0006

Whiplash Injuries South Florida
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Whiplash Injuries | , , ,

What is Whiplash? Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

Whiplash Injury Incidences, Causes, Treatments, Long-Term Effects, and Legal Options

Each year over 2 million Americans experience whiplash. Sometime called a neck strain or sprain, whiplash cases range from mild to severe and can cause severe pain. Proper diagnosis can only be made by an experienced physician who understands how to identify and analyze the physiological evidence and then develop a plan that will lead to the best possible recovery.

Whiplash happens when soft tissue, cartilage, and/or nerves are suddenly snapped back and forth or side-to-side, most often as the result of automobile, motorcycle, or truck collisions but sometimes happens when people participate in  rough sports like boxing, football, or skiing.

According to the Mayo Clinic treatment for whiplash may range from heat or cold therapy to injections of numbing medications such as Xylocaine. Neck braces are sometimes helpful as is exercise.

Fort Lauderdale Whiplash AttorneysThe duration of whiplash symptoms and pain can last days to weeks to months and even years because each case is different. Because of these variables it is very important to have professional medical and legal help.

Every accident that involves even minor injuries should be discussed with a personal injury attorney. For some reason many people prefer to “shake it off” when they are hurt in a car crash only to regret it later when they realize their injuries are more serious than they originally thought. it is very important to be assessed by a physician as soon as possible and it’s also critical to have a thorough review of the accident’s causes and who was at fault.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has helped hundreds of whiplash victims in south Florida since 1992 and we have worked diligently to recover the maximum compensation for every one. Please call us 7 days a week for a free consultation at 954-356-0006.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Weston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

 

 

Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Ride-share Accidents, Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys | , ,

Ride-Share Accident Victims Have Rights – Florida Accident Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

Uber and Lyft Accident Attorneys

Do you read the “Terms and Conditions” that are referenced every time you download an app, enter a website, use a credit card or do almost anything in our modern, high-tech world? It’s all part of the small print that almost everyone ignores. Large corporations write them, often in an attempt to avoid responsibility for accidents, losses, injuries, and other calamities.

Terms and Conditions usually include “disclaimers” and some of those have no basis in law.

Ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft have become a part of our everyday world. For example, Uber has become a global service providing roughly 15 million rides per day across 500 cities, so obviously there will be accidents, sometimes serious ones, involving Uber cars.

Serious Accident

Uber and Lyft Accident AttorneysIn March of 2018 a woman in Philadelphia was badly injured in a car accident that involved an Uber car. She sued Uber and the Uber driver and asked for her case to be heard by a jury, a right guaranteed by the 7th Amendment, which states:

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

However, Uber’s “small print” included this: You acknowledge and agree that you and Uber are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class action or representative proceeding.

Fortunately a judge found that Uber could not prove the victim actually read and understood their terms and conditions and therefore she should not be required to waive her right to a jury trial.

Philadelphia Inquirer Article

The lesson to be learned here is that everyone should be careful about what agreements they agree to. But it’s also important to understand that just because you click an “I Agree” button it does not mean you give up your rights. If you are injured or suffer damages because of someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or malpractice it’s always best to get advice from an experienced attorney.

The Law Offices of Lazarus and Lazarus are highly experienced dealing with cases involving injuries from automobile, truck, and motorcycle accidents. If you have questions, we are here to help. Please call us 7 days a week at (954) 356-0006.

 

prescription negligence
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Prescription Errors | ,

Medication Errors Now Number 5 on Medical Malpractice Lawsuit List

Florida Medication Negligence Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

Medical malpractice is defined as any act or omission by a physician during treatment of a patient that deviates from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to the patient. Fortunately our U.S. Constitution allows victims to use the courts to seek compensation when they are injured by someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or malpractice. To do so, four legal elements must be proven: (1) a professional duty owed to the patient; (2) breach of such duty; (3) injury caused by the breach; and (4) resulting damages. Money damages, if awarded, typically take into account both actual economic loss and noneconomic loss, such as pain and suffering.

For many years the most common causes for victims to file medical malpractice lawsuits were improper diagnoses and actual injuries to patients but “medication errors” and specifically “pharmacy errors” have combined to now rank fifth on the list of most prevalent causes for the filing of lawsuits.

According to the National Institutes of Health: Close to 6,800 prescription medications and countless over-the-counter drugs are available in the United States.

Each year, in the United States alone, 7,000 to 9,000 people die due to a medication error. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of other patients experience but often do not report an adverse reaction or other complications related to a medication. The total cost of looking after patients with medication-associated errors exceeds $40 billion each year.

Medication errors happen in hospitals and they also happen when mistakes are made by pharmacists or pharmacy technicians at your local pharmacy.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people injured by medication errors since 1992 and we have special expertise dealing with the medical issues related to prescription medication mistakes. If you have questions we are always here to help by calling 954-356-0006.