Posts Tagged ‘Ledger’
Friday, July 16th, 2010
If you have been injured in a California motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be trying to figure out what your motorcycle accident case is worth. You may have asked friends or family and gotten a number of different opinions as to how to determine the value. According to California motorcycle accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, many people are under the impression that there is a “formula” for determining what your accident case if worth. The truth is that there is no magic formula. Each case is different and brings with it different facts and factors that go into determining the ultimate value of the case. California law allows injured plaintiffs to receive compensation for both economic and non-economic injuries. The economic injuries are things that have a quantitative value and include things such as medical bills, property damage to your bike and time lost from work. These damages are relatively easy to calculate and generally are not the source of much debate in your motorcycle accident case. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are much more subjective and difficult to put an exact value on.
In California, non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, humiliation, loss of use, mental anguish, loss of love, support and companionship and loss of consortium when applicable. As you can see, there are many components to the non-economic side of a motorcycle accident case. Determining the value of your non-economic injuries will depend on many factors. The extent and severity of your physical injuries will play a part in determining your non-economic damages. There is generally a direct relationship between the two – but not always. Your age, general health, occupation and many other individual characteristics will also be used to determine the value of the non-economic damages. If, for instance, you received a broken ankle in your accident that was expected to return to 98% capacity you might not have suffered severe emotional distress as a result of the injury. BUT, if you were an athlete and that brake will prevent you from ever competing again your emotional distress may be severe. This illustrates the reason why there is not an exact formula for determining the value of your motorcycle accident case. The law is intended to compensate you for all the injuries you received and therefore requires an individual evaluation of each case to determine what those injuries are. Only after your own individual characteristics and circumstances are evaluated along with the physical injuries that you suffered can a realistic determination be made about what the value of your motorcycle accident case really is.
If you have been the victim in a California motorcycle accident and would like a more detailed and personal evaluation of your case to determine what the value may be, then please contact the motorcycle accident law firm of Ledger & Associates for a free evaluation. They can be reached by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-300-0001 or you can visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: california motorcycle accident attorney, circumstances, companionship, compensation, damages, economic damages, emery, emery ledger, emotional distress, extent, fault, free evaluation, injury, juries, law, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, loss of consortium, motorcycle, motorcycle accident, motorcycle accident attorney, pain and suffering, physical injuries, plaintiff, plaintiffs, stress, suffering
Posted in Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation as well as being a popular form of leisure time activity in the State of California. According to the California Highway Patrol, there are over one million motorcycles registered in California and many more than come to visit and ride each year. Anyone that rides a motorcycle knows that the risks of serious injury or death are greater on a motorcycle than in a conventional vehicle in the event of an accident. The simple truth is that while a bike affords the rider and passenger a much greater feeling of freedom while riding, that same feeling of freedom also means less protection in an accident. The past few decades have seen massive efforts by both government and private groups to educate the public about the presence of motorcycles on the roads; however the number of serious injuries and fatalities continues to rise on California’s roadways. Each year, 10,000 bikers are seriously injured in California and almost 500 are killed. If you have recently lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident, then you may be able to file as a claimant in a wrongful death action according to California motorcycle accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates.
Statistics tell us that the vast majority of accidents that involve a biker are actually caused, at least in part, by the driver of the other vehicle. The fact remains that drivers in cars or trucks simply do not see motorcycles on the roadway until it is too late many times. If this was the case in your loved one’s fatal accident, then the other drive may have been negligent. When someone else is negligent and that negligence causes a death, then the surviving family members may be able to receive compensation for the loss of their loved one through a California wrongful death lawsuit. A lawsuit will certainly not turn back the clock and prevent the accident, but if you were emotionally and/or financially dependant on the decedent, then you should receive compensation from the negligent party for causing their death. The amount of compensation that you may be entitled to will vary from case to case, but may include compensation for the loss of future earnings, loss of affection, loss of household support and loss of consortium among others.
Understandably, many people do not want to think about lawsuits and legal matter when they have lost someone close to them. It is important to remember though that there is a time frame within which you must initiate a wrongful death action or you will lose your right to pursue the compensation that you deserve. If your loved one supported you while they were alive, don’t you think they would want you to continue to receive support even though they are no longer with you?
If you would like any additional information or would like to schedule a free and confidential detailed evaluation of your potential California wrongful death motorcycle accident case, please contact the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: accident, accident case, accident lawyer, accidents, california motorcycle accident lawyer, claim, claimant, compensation, death lawsuit, decedent, injury lawyers, killed on motorcycle, law, law offices, lawsuit, lawsuits, lawyer, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, loss of consortium, motorcycle accident, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer, motorcycles, Negligence, risk, roadways, schedule, state of california, statistics, surviving family, trucks, vehicle, wrongful death, wrongful death law, wrongful death laws, wrongful death lawsuit
Posted in Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
If you have been involved in a California personal injury accident that was not your fault, you probably have a number of questions about how the legal process works once you have filed a lawsuit against the negligent driver. A personal injury lawsuit begins with the filing of a complaint against the negligent party or parties. Each side then tries to determine what happened in the accident and what evidence is available to support or contradict the claim of negligence. One way that lawyers try to determine what evidence will be presented in a court trial is to take depositions.
A deposition is the sworn testimony of a witness taken before trial. The testimony is generally taken at one of the lawyer’s offices. There is no judge present during a deposition but each witness is placed under oath and must swear to tell the truth. Lawyers for both sides may then ask questions. The questions and answers are recorded and later transcribed by a court reporter.
In most cases, anything that you testify to in a deposition may be introduced at a later trial. Additionally, if the witness is unavailable when it is time for the trial, the answers given during the deposition may be entered into the record as if the witness were present. The deposition process is very formal as a rule. You will sit with your attorney and a representative from the opposing party will be there with their attorney. Once you are sworn in, the attorney for the opposing party (in this case the other driver) will begin asking you questions. Taking part in a deposition can be an intimidating process but the better prepared you are the more relaxed and comfortable you will feel. California personal injury attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates offers the following tips to help make the deposition process easier for witnesses:
1. Spend time preparing with your lawyer before the deposition. The legal process in general can be scary if you are new to it. A deposition can be very formal and may make you feel somewhat uncomfortable if you are not prepared well. Spend as much time as you need with your lawyer ahead of time practicing what the deposition will be like. By doing this, you will know better what to expect and be more comfortable answering the questions.
2. Listen carefully to the question. Always listen to what the lawyer is asking you. If your lawyer objects to the question being asked then wait until the lawyers have finished debating the objection and your lawyer gives you the go ahead to answer it.
3. Answer only the question being asked. Try to focus on exactly what the lawyer is asking you. Do not add any additional information. Be truthful in your answer but do not offer additional information. If you feel that an explanation for your answer is needed, speak to your lawyer and they can decide whether to bring that information out when it is his turn to ask questions.
4. Stay calm. Sometimes, the lawyer for the opposing party may ask questions that you feel are offensive or that anger you. Try to remain calm and simply answer the question unless your lawyer tells you that you do not need to. If you feel that the question creates a misunderstanding or leads to an incorrect conclusion then tell your lawyer and let him straighten it out when it is his turn to question you.
If you have any additional questions about the deposition process or accident litigation in general, please feel free to contact California personal injury lawyer Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates 1-800-300-0001 or online at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: accident, attorney, attorney emery ledger, california personal injury attorney, claim, complaint, deposition, depositions, emery, emery ledger, fault, injury, injury accident, law, lawsuit, lawyer, lawyers, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, litigation, Negligence, negligent driver, Personal Injury, personal injury accident, personal injury attorney, personal injury law, personal injury lawsuit, personal injury lawyer, questions and answers, to tell the truth, witness
Posted in Personal Injury | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
California is one the most beautiful places to enjoy riding a motorcycle. Not surprisingly, there are over 1.3 million motorcycles registered in the state of California. Whether people are riding for pleasure or for the economy of riding a bike, there are certainly a lot of them riding. Despite efforts by both public and private groups to make other drivers on the road more aware of motorcycles, motorcycles continue to account for a disproportionate number of accidents each year. While bikers represent only 2.1% of all registered vehicles in California, they account for 9.4% of all traffic fatalities in the state. Each year, about 500 people are killed in the State of California in motorcycle accidents and another 10,000 are seriously injured. Sadly, those figures are going up instead of down. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be considering hiring a lawyer to represent you. You may also be wondering how a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you in your motorcycle accident case.
While each motorcycle accident case is different, statistics tell us that there is a very good chance the accident you were involved in was not your fault. About 75% of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the other driver. In the majority of those cases, the driver of the other vehicle admits that they simply did not see the motorcycle. If the accident was not your fault, then a motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help you receive compensation that you are entitled to for the injuries that you suffered as a result of the accident. Under the California laws of negligence, if someone else was negligent (at fault) in your accident, then they must compensate you for your physical and emotional injuries that are a result of the accident. A motorcycle lawyer has years of experience handling these claims and is better able to negotiate a settlement for you. While it is true that you may be able to deal directly with the insurance company and they will likely offer you a settlement without the assistance of a lawyer, chances are that they will offer you far less than what you deserve.
Additionally, if your case does not settle – either because the other driver is not admitting negligence or because they are not offering you what your case is worth – then you will have an experienced and knowledgeable litigator at your side fighting for your rights and for the compensation that you are entitled to for the injuries you have suffered. Only a lawyer knows the ins and outs of a trial. Everyone hopes that their case can be settled quickly and efficiently without the need to go to trial, however if a trial is necessary, there is nothing like the feeling that someone is by your side and will lead the way through the process.
If you have been injured in a California motorcycle accident and would like a free and detailed evaluation of your potential motorcycle case, please contact motorcycle lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates today for an appointment. He can be reached at 1-800-300-0001 or online at www.ledgerlaw.com
Tags: accident, accident attorney, accident case, accident lawyer, accidents, attorney, california law, california motorcycle, claim, compensation, emery ledger, emotional injuries, fault, hiring a lawyer, insurance, insurance company, juries, killed, law, lawyer, lawyer help, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, motorcycle accident, motorcycle accident attorney, Motorcycle Accident Lawyer, motorcycle accidents, motorcycle lawyer, motorcycles, Negligence, offer, settlement, state of california, statistics, traffic, traffic fatalities, vehicle, your rights
Posted in Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
If you have personally been the victim of a California airplane accident, or have lost a loved one to an airplane accident, then you are probably aware of the need to ascertain the services of a qualified and experienced California airplane accident lawyer. Finding the right lawyer can be a frustrating and time consuming process. While choosing a lawyer can be a highly personal decision and may be based on a number of individual criterion, there are a few things that you may want to consider to help you make the right choice.
1. Decide what type of lawyer you are looking for. This may seem like an obvious point, but lawyers generally specialize in one or two areas of the law. While any lawyer that is licensed to practice is technically allowed to handle an airplane accident case, wouldn’t it make more sense to choose a lawyer that handles nothing but accident cases? Therefore, when you are making your list of possible lawyers, make sure you ask what type of cases they handle and what percentage are injury cases.
2. Ask for referrals. This is frequently the best source for information on a lawyer. Ask friends, relatives or people you work with whether they have ever used the services of an accident lawyer. First hand experience can be an invaluable insight into the service you can expect to receive from a lawyer.
3. Search the Internet. These days, almost everything can be found on the Internet. Most lawyers have websites that can give you an overview of who they are and what type of cases they handle. You may also be able to find information about how long they have been practicing, where their offices are located and get a feel for what their philosophy of practice is just by spending a few minutes perusing their website.
4. Narrow your list. Once you have spoken to friends and relatives and spent some time looking over websites, narrow down your list to three to five potential lawyers in your area. Make calls to them and find out if they offer free consultations and make an appointment to meet with them in person.
5. Prepare for your consultation. Again, this may seem obvious, but many people leave a lawyers office and realize they forgot to ask some of the most important questions. Prepare a list before hand and make sure you get all the answers you seek. Ask the lawyer how long they have been practicing, how many trials they have done and what their success rate has been for starters. Feel free to ask anything else that applies to your specific circumstances. You only get one chance at a first meeting so make it count.
Once you have done all of the above, you should be in a better position to make a decision regarding who you wish to hire to represent you in your California airplane accident case. If you are looking for a lawyer and would like a free detailed evaluation of your case, please make an appointment with the airplane accident law firm of Ledger & Associates. They can be reached by calling 1-800-300-0001 or visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com
Tags: accident, accident case, accident cases, accident lawyer, airplane, airplane accident, consultation, finding the right lawyer, free consultation, free consultations, information on a lawyer, lawyer, lawyers, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, plane accident
Posted in Aviation Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Injuries can happen at any time and at any place. You can be injured at home, in your car, at your job or even walking across the street. Some injuries are minor while others can have catastrophic consequences. California accident lawyers see injury cases involving workplace injuries, car accidents, airplane accidents, nursing home accidents and many other types of injuries. If you have been injured in an accident, you may be asking yourself whether you really need to hire a lawyer.
According to California accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates, the answer to that question depends on many factors. One important factor is the extent of the injuries that you suffered. A minor fender bender where you were not seriously injured, for example, may be something that you can handle quickly on your own. On the other hand, a serious car accident that required you to be hospitalized may require the expert services of an accident lawyer. While it is true that you are never required to hire a lawyer to represent you, for serious injuries you may need the advice and guidance of an experienced lawyer. Typically, insurance companies will offer you a token amount to settle your claim shortly after the accident. If you are certain that you did not suffer any lasting injuries, then you may choose to accept the offer and move on. However, if you have any doubt about the extent of your injuries, then you should at least consult with a lawyer before accepting the offer.
Another important factor is what type of accident you were involved in. Some accidents, by there very nature, are better handled by a lawyer. A good example is an airplane accident. When the defendant is a large corporation such as an airline company, you may need someone that has dealt with them before and knows how to investigate and litigate your case so that you receive the compensation you deserve. Another good example is an asbestos related cancer case. Due to the highly scientific nature of the injuries caused by asbestos, and the complicated legal issues, you may need an experienced lawyer on your side.
A big factor for many people is the comfort level that they feel when they have a lawyer on their side. Dealing with an insurance company and the court system while you are also trying to heal from your injuries can be extremely stressful. For this reason, many people simply feel more comfortable allowing a lawyer to handle the case so that they can focus on healing. Consider this the “peace of mind factor” when deciding whether or not you need to hire a lawyer.
In the end, the decision to hire a lawyer for your California accident is a highly personal decision and one that you will have to make after considering all the relevant factors. If you have made the choice to hire a lawyer, or simply want a free detailed evaluation of your case before you make the decision, contact the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: accident, accident lawyer, accidents, airplane, airplane accident, airplane accidents, asbestos, california accident lawyer, california accident lawyers, car accident, car accidents, catastrophic consequences, defendant, emery, emery ledger, hire a lawyer, injury, juries, law, law offices, lawyer, lawyers, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, plane accident
Posted in Personal Injury | No Comments »
Friday, June 25th, 2010
If you have been involved in an airplane accident and are considering hiring a lawyer to represent you, you may be wondering exactly what role they will play in your case. Lawyers wear many hats in personal injury cases. They are your advocate, your voice and your protector all at the same time. A lawyer’s job starts the moment you retain their services and will take on many forms throughout your case. So what should you expect from your California airplane accident lawyer?
First and foremost you can expect that they will be your voice from the moment your leave their office. This can be invaluable. When you have been injured in an airplane accident, the last thing you want to do is to talk to the press or an insurance agent. Reporters are likely to want an interview as airplane accidents are newsworthy. Insurance agents will call – often within a few days after the accident – trying to “get your side of the story”. They will offer you a token settlement to try and get you to release their client from any and all liability for your injuries. Victims of an airplane accident are frequently both physically and mentally injured after the trauma of the accident and should not have to talk to anyone. This is where your lawyer comes in. Once you have retained counsel, you do not have to worry about talking to anyone. In fact, all you have to do is refer people to your lawyer and let him do the talking for you.
Your California airplane accident lawyer will also do everything he can to protect you so that you can concentrate on healing. If you are having problems finding adequate medical services, talk to your lawyer and he may be able to refer you to doctors that are willing to work with you. If you are in jeopardy of losing your job, or have lost consider wages due to the accident, your lawyer may be able to help you protect your job or at least get you compensation for the money you have lost due to your inability to work.
Most of all, your California airplane accident lawyer will advocate on your behalf at all stages of your case. He will start working on your case as soon as you leave his office and not stop until you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Your experienced California airplane accident lawyer understands the laws of negligence and how they apply in California. He knows who may be responsible for your injuries and how to hold them responsible. Most importantly, he knows what compensation you are entitled to as a result of the injuries you suffered and will fight to make sure that you receive it.
If you would like to learn more about the role of a California airplane accident lawyer, or would like a free detailed evaluation of your case, please call experienced California airplane accident lawyer Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates at his toll-free number 1-800-300-0001 or visit his website at www.ledgerlaw.com.
Tags: accident, accident case, accident lawyer, accidents, advocate, airplane, airplane accident, airplane accidents, lawyer, lawyers, Ledger, ledgerlaw.com, liability, Negligence, Personal Injury, personal injury case, personal injury cases, plane accident, settlement, settlement offer, wages, worry
Posted in Aviation Accident Lawyer | No Comments »
