EstesNet News & Information

When a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, he or she is vulnerable and exposed to severe injuries or death. Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries can result along with multiple fractures, organ, and joint damage and even traumatic or surgical amputations. Here’s what you need to know if you’re involved in an Orange County motorcycle accident.

Drivers Don’t See You
The most comprehensive motorcycle accident study in history was conducted at the University of Southern California’s Traffic Safety Center. It found that the failure of motorists to see motorcycles in traffic was the cause of a majority of all motorcycle accidents. The most frequent crash scenario was the motorcycle going straight with a passenger car making a left turn in front of it. On average, the motorcyclists had less than two seconds to attempt to avoid the collision.

Bias Against Motorcyclists
Any rider needs to know that insurance companies have their own form of bias against motorcyclists. They want to convey the misperception that motorcyclists are irresponsible and reckless risk takers who drive dangerously and too fast, especially now that California allows lane splitting. Some jurors come into courtrooms with that bias too.

Overcoming Bias
Fortunately, California law doesn’t allow bias by insurance companies and jurors against motorcyclists to enter a courtroom. An experienced and effective Orange County motorcycle accident attorney from Guldjian Law can complete a thorough and objective crash investigation and overcome any issues of bias before they ever arise. Eyewitness and police statements and testimony as to exactly what happened on that roadway can also be pivotal. Even the words of the driver who caused the crash can be used against him or her. Other vehicles must share the road with motorcycles, and the mere fact that an accident victim was on a motorcycle means nothing in the context of negligence. Judges caution jurors on that rule too.

Don’t speak with the opposing insurer after you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash. Its adjuster is only going to try and push liability over onto you. Instead of doing that, you can arrange for a free confidential consultation and case review with our motorcycle accident attorney here at Guldjian Law by contacting us right away after your accident. As soon as we’re retained, we’ll start building a strong case for you. We won’t let bias get in the way. Our objective is to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve.

Eco-friendly home construction is a lifestyle and not a temporary fad. Many new homeowners are concerned about the environment and want to provide the least amount of damage. There are now experienced companies that cater to their special needs and budgets. The demands for green homes will only increase due to the numerous benefits.

Green Homes

A green home consists of environmentally friendly materials that are natural, recycled or biodegradable. The home’s sustainable designs do not emit toxins or rely on the over-consumption of building materials. An example is a properly insulated house that improves heating and cooling. Another example is a house with solar roof panels that produce natural energy.

Owners of green homes can make the designs more environmentally friendly. They can install appliances that conserve water or electricity. They can build trees along the property to keep the interior cool during the summer. For a renovation, it’s more efficient to use recycled wood, glass or metal. In general, it’s important to avoid not buying too many appliances. Technology is designed to use a lot of energy that is easily wasted.

The Impact of Green Home Building

There are different types of green homes available. A passive house is designed with the strictest standards of energy efficiency. The walls, windows and ceilings are insulated thoroughly. This type of home consumes a minimal amount of energy, much lower than in regular homes. The size is compact to reduce unnecessary space, and the windows are oriented toward the sun for optimal heating.

Green home building companies provide a wide range of customizable options for their clients. They can choose to use recycled glass only or have energy monitoring devices installed. These builders allow you to buy local materials and avoid having them shipped long distances. The best company develops a plan that is both sustainable and affordable to fit your budget.

Green home building has tremendous benefits for the environment. Fewer nonrenewable resources are used to manufacture and ship construction materials. Millions of gallons of water are saved each year. There is less pollution in the air, ground and water close to where green homes are built.

Building a custom home is a popular trend, and building an eco-friendly one is a sensible one. Homeowners save money on energy bills and tax incentives. It’s important that they learn more about the basic techniques of green home construction and the companies that make them. Contact the right custom home building company in Portland, Oregon to get started on your project.

The latest government shutdown has been going for over a month and doesn’t show any signs of stopping soon. Many people have been negatively impacted, and millions more are worried about how the shutdown will impact the benefits they rely on.

Benefits are still being sent out, and it’s business as usual for social security offices despite the partial shutdown. The Social Security Administration is funded through September 2019, so even if the shutdown continues for months, you won’t have to worry about making ends meet on your own.

Is Social Security open during the shutdown?

Although the government shutdown has impacted major businesses and institutions across the nation, the Social Security Administration is still up-and-running. Government offices will maintain regular business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

If you want to apply for social security benefits, you might want to go online. The shutdown hasn’t closed offices, but they still tend to be crowded. Applying for benefits online is faster and easier.

How can I apply for social security benefits?

First, set up an account at the official Social Security Administration’s website: https://www.ssa.gov/. You can apply for retirement benefits at age 62, but your monthly payout will be bigger if you wait until the social security full retirement age of 66 years and 2 months for people born in 1955 and 67 for people born in or after 1960.

Once you apply online, you can learn more about the type of benefits you qualify for. It’s best to learn about social security benefits through official online resources. Here are a few to get you started:

Social Security Benefits Planner

Link: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/ageincrease.html

This calculator will help you understand what “full retirement age” means and estimate your potential benefits amount.

Benefits by Year of Birth

Applying for benefits early will impact the amount of money you receive each month. Depending on your birth year, applying at age 62 opposed to the full retirement age will result in a deduction from your monthly benefits.

When to Start Retirement Benefits

You choose when you want to apply for benefits, but the decision should be thoroughly considered. This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of applying for social security benefits before the full retirement age.

Stay Informed to Be Prepared

America’s turbulent government has millions of citizens uneasy, but there’s no cause for alarm right now. The Social Security Administration will continue to send out benefits on time during the shutdown, so you won’t have to worry about losing money.

Stay on top of current news and frequently check the internet to find out about any changes to benefits payments as early as possible or visit a local social security office near you for more information.

Additional Resources:

• Social Security Offices in Los Angeles
• Social Security Offices in San Diego
• Social Security Offices in San Jose
• When to start retirement benefits
• Benefits by year of birth

When a person is seriously injured as a result of the carelessness and negligence of somebody else, that accident victim has the right to seek compensation for the damages that he or she suffered. Most people hire a personal injury lawyer to represent them for that purpose. What comes to issue is that many injury victims are not in a financial position to be able to pay an attorney to pursue compensation for them after they’ve incurred substantial medical bills and have been put out of work for weeks or months. That’s what contingency fee agreements are for. Here’s everything that you need to know about them in the State of Washington. 

What’s a Contingency Fee?
You’ve heard it all before on television during the day or late at night. “No fees unless we win!” That’s what contingency fees are. Those contingency fee personal injury lawyers don’t get paid a penny for their services unless they reach a settlement or obtain a verdict on your behalf. 

State of Washington RPC 1.5(9)
The Rules of Professional Conduct govern attorneys in the State of Washington. In the context of contingency fees, RPC 1.5(9) governs. First and foremost, any contingency fee agreement between attorney and client must be in writing and signed by the client. Handshakes aren’t allowed. Here is an overview of some other pertinent parts of the rule. 

How Attorneys Get Paid on Contingency Fee Agreements
If your attorney does obtain a settlement or verdict for you, he or she is paid a percentage of that gross settlement or verdict. That percentage must be clearly and unequivocally stated in your retainer agreement. 

Costs
In order to bring and maintain a claim or lawsuit on your behalf, certain costs are involved. Those might include but not be limited to costs of records, filing and service fees, along with court reporter fees, transcript charges and witness fees. Those are ordinarily advanced on your behalf by the law firm that represents you. Costs are distinguished from legal fees. How those costs are to be paid must also be clearly and unequivocally stated in a retainer agreement. They usually come off of the top after legal fees. The agreement must detail what expenses the client will be liable for, regardless of whether the client is the prevailing party. What that means is that a case might be lost, but the client might still owe his or her attorneys the costs of pursuing the case. 

Prohibitions
Attorneys are not allowed to take a case on a contingency fee that involves securing the dissolution or annulment of a marriage or the amount of any maintenance, support or property settlement in connection with the marriage. Contingency fee arrangements are also prohibited in criminal cases. 

Before leaving an attorney’s office, make sure that you get a copy of any contingency fee agreement that you enter into. You’ll likely want to refer to it sometime in the future. Jump to top

Let’s face it. We all make mistakes, and it’s how we handle the aftermath that determines whether or not we learn from these situations. If you or someone you love has been involved in a DUI arrest in Richmond, VA, there’s no doubt that the days, weeks, and even months following can be stressful. Following the arrest, there are some things you need to know in order to get back on your feet.

Legal Assistance

In many cases, it is possible to get charges reduced or even dismissed, but it requires someone with a keen understanding of DUI law in VA. Unless you have an extensive legal background, it’s unlikely you’re familiar with the rules and regulations regarding DUI arrests, but an experienced attorney can help you understand all of your options as well as ensure you remain in compliance throughout the course of the proceedings.

Report to Court

It’s inevitable that you’ll need to appear in court following your DUI arrest, and it’s imperative that you show up. Failure to appear can result in further jail time and exacerbate the severity of the trouble you’re already in. Make sure to clearly notate all court dates and keep them.

DUI Punishments

The court will determine a rightful punishment, and it’s up to you to ensure you follow through with your end in order to get your life back on track. It’s important to understand the potential punishments, and just a few of them include:

• Installation of an interlock device on your vehicle
• Suspension of driving privileges
• Acquisition of SR22 insurance coverage
• Fines
• Jail time
• Probation
• Community service
• Attendance in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program

There Is Life After a DUI in Richmond, VA

Getting a DUI in Richmond, VA is a serious situation, and law enforcement is cracking down on these occurrences. However, we all make mistakes, and the manner in which you handle the days following the occurrence have a significant impact on the final outcome. If you or someone you love are facing these types of charges, the professional staff here at the Law Office of David A.C. Long is here to help. We can provide the legal assistance you need, so call us today to see how we can help.

A 35-page dossier compiled by a former British MI-6 operative is developing impressive credibility within law enforcement. Before Donald Trump was inaugurated as the President of the United States, he denied the document, but new sources are providing information including that investigators are continuing to look into whether the allegations could be genuine.

Currently, it’s rumored that Russian government agencies have gathered damaging information on the current President Trump during his prior years as a businessman and private citizen. The FBI is currently leading the investigation. However, several other intelligent agencies are collaborating as well. Usually, an extensive investigation such as this would involve the sources and methods of the CIA and NSA. CNN was the first to report the dossier that the intelligent community was investigating.

The dossier was first introduced to U.S. intelligence officials months ago; it took a while for it to circulate to the public. A U.S. official who’s investigating the document’s origins believes that even people who disregarded it initially have now become to acknowledge how serious the document may be.

This is mainly because statements Trump made as a Republican candidate on his campaign trail, according to several government officials. While the former Obama administration was denouncing the Russian’s efforts to influence the past election through cyber attacks to favor Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, Republican nominee Donald Trump consistently praised Vladimir Putin, the Russian President. Essentially, the dossier’s existence was confirmed after the FBI Director James Comey brief the president-elect Donald Trump about the content of the allegations.

Click here to learn more about this story and stories similar to this one.

With a population that is above 200,000, Tacoma is situated 30 miles from Seattle. The same issues that cause accidents in Seattle also affect Tacoma. Traffic congestion in Tacoma like in Seattle is one of the main factors that contribute to accidents. If you have been injured in a car accident, read on for an outline of the personal injury laws in Washington, Tacoma.

Accidents Involving Body Injury and Death

According to Washington Laws, a driver who injures a person in a car accident must provide his/her name, vehicle registration number, address, insurance company and policy number and must show his/her license number to the one injured in the accident. The driver is required to offer reasonable assistance to the injured party. Such assistance includes transferring the injured person to a hospital for medical treatment.

Driver’s Duty to Notify the Police

When a driver is involved in a car accident causing injuries, death, or damage to property, they should notify the nearest law enforcement authority. The at-fault driver is required to inform the police about the accident within four days from the time of the accident.

Comparative Negligence in Washington

Washington law on personal injury applies the concept of comparative negligence. A victim’s responsibility for causing an accident affects the compensation they shall receive. The claimant’s compensation is diminished by their share of negligence.

Statute of Limitations

Each state in the U.S. has its statute of limitation for filing a personal injury claim. If you fail to file a claim within the time limit provided by the law, you lose your right to recover any damages from the defendant. The statute of limitation for personal injury and property damage is three years.

Claims Against the Government

In Washington, you can make a claim against the government or its agents for property damage or personal injury for negligence. The claim should be relevant to actions that an employee of the government or government agency that are performed in the course of their duties. If the injuries or property damage is caused by an unlawful action, you can only make a claim against the individual(s) who damaged the property or caused the injuries. The government agency cannot be held liable for its employees’ actions.

If you are involved in an injury due to a motorcycle accident or any incident, it is advisable to advisable to consult an injury lawyer to help you navigate the complicated process of filing a claim. Your lawyer will help you gather all the necessary evidence for pursuing compensation. In case you do not settle with your insurance provider, your attorney will offer you legal representation in court and ensure you get the best possible compensation.

There has been a lot of news reports recently about what to do about Social Security.  There has long been talk that the funds will run dry as more and more American retire and begin drawing Social Security Benefits.  A recent article discusses how benefits will need to be reduced by as much as 30% by 2030.  Here is an excerpt of the article:

Social Security may be in worse shape than many advisors (and retirees) thought. The Congressional Office Budget is now reporting that the combined Social Security retirement and disability trust funds will be depleted in fiscal year 2029—five years earlier than the trustees of the two funds had projected earlier this year in their annual report.

As a result, the CBO is expecting that Social Security benefits will need to be cut by 31% beginning in 2031 if no changes are made to the program. The Social Security Trust Fund had previously projected a 21% reduction in benefits beginning in 2034. The CBO estimates that the disability trust fund will be “exhausted” by 2022, and that the Old Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund–commonly known as Social Security–would be exhausted by 2030.  READ COMPLETE ARTICLE

For many Americans, all of these reports of financial insolvency for Social Security is very troubling.  Many Americans only have Social Security to look forward to in terms of retirement income, so it is no surprise they wonder what they will do if they do not receive Social Security retirement as promised by the United States Government.

A new President is getting ready to take office and appointing individuals that will need to figure out a way to save Social Security income for future generations.  Unfortunately, there is talk of reducing taxes on businesses, which according to government reports, payroll taxes account for up to 96% of revenue deposited into the Social Security trust.

I’m sure local Social Security offices are going to continue to be inundated with visitors looking for more information about their Social Security benefits.

Virginia Reckless Driving Laws

If you have been charged with reckless driving in Virginia, you may be facing a huge fine or jail term depending on the seriousness of your violation. Read on to understand the definition of reckless driving and the penalties involved.

What is Reckless Driving?

In the state of Virginia, reckless driving defines as operating a car in a manner that endangers lives and property. Many cases of reckless driving involve over-speeding. According to the Virginia Code 46.2-862, a person is deemed guilty of reckless driving if he/she drives their vehicle at a speed of 20 miles per hour and above the required speed limit. Furthermore, since the maximum speed limit in Virginia is 65 miles per hour, a person who exceeds this speed is liable for reckless driving.

Although speeding is the most common ground for a charge of reckless driving, there are other infractions associated with the charge. This includes:

• Catch-all reckless driving: You can be charged with reckless driving for driving in a manner that endangers life or property regardless of the permitted maximum speed.
• Passing a school bus: You may be found guilty of reckless driving for failing to stop when approaching a school bus. The section affects buses that have warning devices and are painted yellow with the words “School Bus” inscribed in black letters.
• Overtaking an emergency car: When approaching an emergency vehicle like an ambulance, a driver should drive to the edge of the road and stop until the vehicle has passed.
• Improper Signaling: When a driver fails to give timely and adequate signals of their intention to stop, slow down or turn, they shall be charged with reckless driving.

Penalties

The maximum penalties for a charge of reckless driving are:

• 12-month imprisonment
• A driver’s license suspension of 6 months
• A 6-month suspension of your privilege to drive a vehicle in Virginia
• A fine of $2,500

In case your license is suspended, Virginia DMV reports this suspension to the state that issued you a driver’s license. There are several ways your lawyer can contest a reckless driving charge such as:

• Radar calibration
• Speedometer calibration
• Location calibration
• Speed limit calibration

If you, a family member, or friend has been charged with reckless driving in Virginia, the only way to enforce your rights and protect your reputation is by hiring a Richmond criminal defense attorney. Hiring a lawyer will not only help you get reduced charges, but it may also prevent a license suspension.