• Spotting the Signs of Elder Abuse

     

    Elder abuse is among the most reprehensible of offenses because the victims are quite often powerless to protect themselves. If you suspect that a loved one might be suffering abuse at the hands of his or her caregivers, you should contact the authorities and an injury lawyer in Riverside, CA, right away. Inform the police and your personal injury attorney of all the signs of possible elder abuse you’ve noticed, such as suspicious bruises or other unexplainable injuries. Seniors who are being abused might suddenly develop depression, withdraw from social activities, or display an unusual change in alertness.

    Tell your personal injury attorney about any recent changes to your loved one’s medical history, such as whether he or she has developed pressure sores or urinary tract infections. These could be indicative of neglect. Personal injury lawyers can also advocate on behalf of your loved one’s rights if you suspect that he or she is not receiving appropriate medical care. For example, a caregiver might be neglecting to administer prescribed medications.

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  • What to Do If You’re Injured in a Slip and Fall?

    Property owners have a responsibility to exercise reasonable caution regarding the condition of their property. If you slip or trip and fall on someone else’s property, it is possible that a personal injury attorney could file a lawsuit on your behalf. An injury lawyer located in Riverside, CA, could help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses. To preserve your legal rights and help your personal injury attorney build a case, there are a few steps you should take immediately after an accident.

    Accident Lawyer at Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler

    Document the Evidence

    Depending on how seriously you are injured, your first step might be to call 911 to request an ambulance. However, if you are able to do so, it’s best to document the evidence as soon as possible after falling. If you have a cellphone with you, take pictures of your injuries and the scene. Make sure to get pictures of any hazardous areas, such as broken handrails, loose floorboards, or similar problems. This physical evidence can prove invaluable when your accident lawyer files a claim. Make a note of the date and time of the accident and write down a few notes about how the incident occurred.

    Report the Incident

    Inform the property owner or manager about the accident as soon as possible, preferably before you leave the scene. Ask the owner or manager to create a written report of the incident and request to have a copy.

    Talk to Witnesses

    If there were any witnesses to your accident, ask them to share their full names and contact information with you. You might also obtain a written and signed statement from these witnesses about what happened. However, this is not necessary; your personal injury attorney can interview them later.

    Get Medical Attention

    If you’ve sustained a serious injury such as head trauma, you should call for medical attention immediately after falling. Otherwise, go to the nearest ER or urgent care center as soon as you’ve documented the incident. Even if you think your injuries are not too serious, getting medical attention promptly can help support your case. Be sure to tell the doctors and nurses that you were injured in a fall.

  • What Happens in a Personal Injury Trial?

    After sustaining injuries due to someone else’s negligence , you can retain the services of a personal injury attorney with offices in Riverside, CA. Your personal injury attorney might file a lawsuit against the negligent party to demand compensation for your losses. If the case goes to trial, your accident lawyer will make an opening statement, present evidence, and question witnesses to prove your losses and the other party’s negligence. The case may be resolved with a jury verdict or a settlement.

    For more on what happens leading up to the trial, watch this video or consult your personal injury attorney. The professional in this video explains that your attorney will begin the process by submitting a notice of representation to the negligent party and possibly to his or her insurance company. Then, your lawyer will review all relevant evidence to prepare your case.

  • How to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

    If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in the Riverside, CA area, you might have slipped and fallen on someone else’s property, been struck by a negligent driver, or been attacked by someone else’s dog. A personal injury attorney can handle all of these types of cases and many more. It’s best not to hire the first injury attorney you come across. Spend a little time researching the attorney’s background and get the most out of your initial consultation by bringing a list of relevant questions.

    Injury-Attorney

    Understand the Value of Experience

    There are plenty of personal injury lawyers out there, but not all of them have years of experience in and out of the courtroom. Look for a personal injury attorney who has at least a couple of decades of experience. Experienced lawyers understand the fine art of negotiation during settlement talks and they know the tactics the other party might try to use in the courtroom. Seasoned attorneys can provide you with the one-on-one service you deserve and the personalized guidance you need to move forward with your life after the accident.

    Schedule an Initial Consultation

    When you’ve identified a personal injury attorney who might be right for your case, schedule an initial consultation at the law office. This brief consultation should be free of charge and without any obligations. It’s a chance to meet each other, discuss the case, and consider the details of retaining legal counsel. Bring a list of questions you have about your case and the attorney’s qualifications.

    Explore the Attorney’s Track Record

    During your consultation, feel free to ask the injury lawyer about past cases he or she has handled that were similar to yours. It’s acceptable to ask for an estimate of how many cases the law firm has handled over the years and how much money in jury awards and settlements the law firm has recovered for clients.

    Ask About the Fee Schedule

    Before hiring the personal injury lawyer, you should have a clear understanding of the legal fees involved. It’s generally best to find a lawyer who works on contingency, which means that he or she will not recover a fee unless there is a favorable resolution to your case.

  • What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

    Motorcycle accidents have a higher potential for serious personal injury or death than many other types of automobile accidents. This is because motorcycles leave riders much more vulnerable to injury when they are struck or lose control. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident or any other type of vehicle collision, contacting an auto accident lawyer near Riverside, CA, is an important step you should take to protect your rights and seek reparations for injuries that may have occurred. Regardless of the cause for your accident or the party at fault, working with a car accident lawyer is a smart move that will ensure your case is treated properly under California’s personal injury law.

    Causes of Motorcycle Accidents by Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler

    Poor Handling

    Motorcycles are unique vehicles that handle very differently than enclosed vehicles. One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is poor handling, either through rider inexperience, unexpected occurrences such as animals, people, or obstacles in the path ahead, and changes in weather that make driving and handling more hazardous. As a driver, it’s important to understand that motorcycles are less stable in poor conditions, and provide extra space and time for riders to stop and maneuver to avoid an accident. If you own a motorcycle, ensuring you have the skill and strength to handle it is vital to your safety.

    Inattentiveness

    Car and truck drivers often cause motorcycle accidents. When driving a traditional vehicle, many drivers unintentionally ignore the presence of two-wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, or misjudge the likelihood of a collision. This most frequently occurs at intersections and when making turns or lane changes, when drivers often miss or misjudge the presence of pedestrians, bikes, and motorcycles. The best way to avoid this issue as a driver is to be aware of your own tendency toward ignorance; as a motorcyclist, slowing down when a car in front of you signals to turn or change lanes and assuming they do not see you is the safest way to avoid a collision that could cause serious personal injury.

  • A Brief Overview of Wrongful Death Claims

    Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, regardless of the circumstances. However, that loss can feel more acute when your family member died as a result of another’s negligence. A wrongful death claim may be brought by the surviving family members of a deceased individual against one or more persons when it is believed that the circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death could have been prevented. These lawsuits seek to provide reparations for the family members to atone for factors such as the financial, physical, and emotional losses suffered as a result of the death, such as the loss of financial support, physical actions, guardianship or companionship, and even funeral and burial expenses. If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim, it is essential to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Riverside, CA , to file your claim and support your case.

    Accident attorneys have an up-to-date working knowledge of your legal resources if you have suffered an injury or loss due to negligence. Your personal injury attorney will provide you with the guidance, counsel, and legal knowledge you need to file a successful wrongful death claim or a personal injury claim.

     wrongful death claim

  • Understanding the Process Behind Personal Injury Cases

    If you have been injured in an accident, a personal injury attorney serving Riverside, CA, is your best resource when seeking reparations for your losses. Understanding how personal injury law works and how you can expect a personal injury case to proceed can reduce stress and uncertainty associated with your situation.

    Personal injury cases explained in detail by Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler

    Settlement

    When a personal injury claim is made, the parties involved have the opportunity to settle the claim outside of court. During a settlement, you and your personal injury lawyer will determine whether the offers made by the party at fault for your accident are adequate to close the case. The person or party responsible for your accident may offer an out-of-court settlement before or after you have filed a personal injury claim; the option to settle remains after your case has gone to court and even while the jury is deliberating, provided no final verdict has been made. However, once you have accepted a settlement for your injury, you may no longer file further legal claims for additional reparations.

    Civil Lawsuit

    If the personal injury case cannot be settled out of court to the satisfaction of both parties and their accident attorneys, or a settlement is not offered at all, your personal injury claim will go to court and proceed through the civil trial process. During a civil lawsuit, both parties and their accident lawyers will appear in court and make their cases to a judge and jury. The trial process may include the submission of evidence, such as accident reports and tickets served, as well as the examination of eyewitness accounts and the testimony of any law enforcement offices that handled the situation, such as during an auto accident. Finally, a judge or jury will determine the validity of the claims and whether the defendant was at fault for the accident, as well as assign the final monetary value of any reparations the plaintiff receives.

  • Reducing Your Risk of a Rear-End Collision

    Automobile accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury cases handled by accident attorneys in Riverside, CA. The majority of accidents are caused by distraction and negligent behavior, meaning that these situations are highly preventable.

    This video discusses several of the causes for rear-end collisions, as well as how you should modify your own driving behavior to avoid them. Understanding how changes in speed and vehicle distance affect accident likelihood can help drivers navigate more safely. Reducing your risk for an accident will also help you reduce your risk for facing a personal injury claim; if you are involved in any collision that causes injuries, it’s best to discuss the situation with a car accident lawyer promptly to determine your options. An auto accident lawyer will examine factors such as driver behavior, road conditions, and more to help you best present your case.

  • Seeking Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

    Dog bites are a common type of personal injury—each year, thousands of dog bites occur across America that often lead to pain and infection, and may even result in lost work and other consequences. If you have been bitten by a dog, a personal injury lawyer in Riverside, CA , can help you seek monetary compensation for medical treatment, lost work, and other pain or suffering you may have experienced.

    Dog owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior and ensuring that others are safe from their pet in public spaces. Following a dog bite injury, your injury lawyer will clarify the details of the situation to ensure the owner is responsible for your bite under California personal injury law. He will examine the circumstances of the case, including your actions, the owner’s actions, and the results of any medical evaluation you have received for the bite. Once the facts have been established, your personal injury attorney will determine the type of compensation for which you are eligible, including recompense for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma surrounding the bite or its impact on your life.

    Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Riverside, CA

  • What Proof Is Required in a Slip and Fall Injury Case?

    Slips and falls are common causes of injury in homes, workspaces, and public areas. When seeking legal recourse for a slip and fall injury, it’s essential to prove that factors in your environment were responsible for the accident. If you have suffered a personal injury in Riverside, CA, associated with a slip, trip, or fall, your attorney will use the facts and circumstances of the case to prove that the property owner should be held liable for your slip and fall.

    Personal Injury in Riverside, CA

    Dangerous Surroundings

    When proving another’s liability for your slip and fall, your personal injury attorney will examine the condition of the surroundings in which you suffered the accident. In many cases, slips, falls, and trips are caused by dangerous conditions, such as damaged or deteriorating walkways and safety railings, that were not addressed appropriately by the property owner. Thus, proving that your surroundings at the time of the fall were dangerous in a way that should have been recognized and repaired or addressed by the property owner is a common practice during slip and fall injury cases.

    Dangerous Situations

    Alternatively, your slip and fall may have been caused by the occurrence of a dangerous situation, rather than a permanent hazard in your surroundings. Examples of dangerous situations caused by property owners include leaving hazardous obstacles or equipment in public areas or employee walkways, as well as failing to make accommodations for pedestrian traffic during repairs or construction projects. If the property owner committed an act that made the property temporarily dangerous at the time of your slip and fall, this action may also be submitted as proof during your slip and fall injury case.

    A slip and call can cause serious injury that leads to lost work, chronic pain, and other consequences. Your accident lawyer will work with you to understand the environment at the time of your fall to build the best case for compensation.