Archive for February, 2021

What to do After a Car Accident in South Florida

Tuesday, February 16th, 2021

When we get behind the wheel, we essentially put our lives in the hands of every driver we meet on the road. For most of us, driving is the most dangerous activity we do all day. Yet most drivers take that for granted. 

 

Even though driving requires attention and observation, most drivers multi-task while on the road. They fiddle with their radio, talk on their Bluetooth, and even text while driving. At A to Z Injury Law, we’ve seen serious accidents and wrongful deaths happen as a result of careless, reckless, and aggressive driving. Our attorneys have defended thousands of clients who were in accidents they didn’t cause. 

 

For South Florida residents, driving is especially dangerous in Miami, because it’s a highly populated metropolitan area. In fact, it’s among the deadliest roads in the country. If you do find yourself involved in an accident, the first thing to do is stay calm and follow these helpful instructions. 

 

Step 1: Check for Injuries/Get to Safety 

Your safety and that of those around you should be your priority. When in an accident, check if you or anyone in your vehicle is injured. If you or someone was injured, call 911 immediately and do not move until emergency personnel has arrived. If no one was injured, turn on your hazard lights and try to move your vehicle to a safe location. Even if you were not injured, it is advised to call 911 to have an official report of the accident for your insurance company. 

 

Step 2: Exchange Information

Exchange your name and insurance information with all other drivers involved in the accident. In most states, you’re only required to exchange name and insurance info, but you should gather additional information if possible, such as the driver’s license and license plate number of the other person involved in the accident, make and model of the vehicle, and the location of the accident. 

 

If eyewitnesses were present, get down their name and contact information, as well. When the police arrive at the scene, get their name, and badge number, and ask them where you can get a copy of the accident report, in case your insurance provider asks for this information. 

 

Keep your conversation with the other driver to a minimum. In other words, don’t admit fault or apologize. Additionally, don’t blame the other person even if they’re responsible for the accident. Your first step is to keep calm, but this step should be carried out throughout the entire incident. 

 

Step 3: Take Pictures

 

To better protect yourself, take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident unless this will put you in harm’s way. You will need this information to provide to your insurance provider to support your claim, and to your attorney to prove that the driver was at fault. 

 

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

If your insurance company has a timeframe to submit your claim, it’s important to contact them as soon as possible to file the claim. However, if the insurance company of the other driver tries to reach you, you are advised to speak with an attorney first. Furthermore, if you sustained injuries in the accident, don’t move forward with the insurance claims process until you have received all the necessary information regarding your injury from your doctor. 

 

Step 5: Contact A to Z Injury Law

Call a lawyer after you have contacted your insurance company. This will give them enough time to build a case if necessary. Without guidance from an attorney, you may inadvertently say something that can be used against you during your litigation. Instead, contact our personal injury attorneys in Miami, Florida. 

 

If you are not in South Florida, contact an attorney who is experienced in car accidents. Your attorney will then gather all the necessary information to prove that the other driver was at fault. Additionally, he or she will guide you through the process such as informing you on how to handle insurance companies and possible next steps. 

 

We Can Help!

At A to Z Injury Law, our attorneys specialize in Florida accident law and can secure settlements and verdicts on your behalf. Call us today for a free consultation.

Common Construction Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Monday, February 15th, 2021

As someone in the construction industry, you’re aware of the risks associated with your job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 20 percent of all worker-related fatalities in the U.S. are from construction. Studies reveal that thousands of construction workers are injured each year in Florida. Construction sites are high-risk due to the nature of the job. Nevertheless, accidents can be avoided if you know the most common hazards of the job and what to do to prevent injuries. Keep reading to learn more.

 

5 Common Construction Accidents

Because construction sites are considered “high risk” sites, there are many ways a worker can potentially get into an accident. Some accidents have been cited more than others, but in general, the most common types of accidents can include:

Falls from heights/slip and falls: Many construction workers do their jobs at high locations, such as rooftops, and the top of ladders. This can lead to serious falls and is the number one cause of construction accidents. Slip and falls from objects on the ground are also common and can produce broken bones and sprains. 

Machinery: Dangerous machinery is necessary to complete projects but it can lead to serious injuries on the job. Oftentimes, the machinery malfunctions or workers may not handle the machinery properly. 

Common machinery that can cause accidents are jackhammers, bulldozers, cranes, nail guns, and other power tools. Motorized vehicles can also lead to risk, particularly when used incorrectly. 

Fallen debris: With ongoing construction, it’s common for debris, such as scaffolding to unexpectedly fall from high locations, injuring workers below. Even with all the extra safety headgear workers are required to wear, these injuries are severe and can have a lasting impact on your brain’s health.

Electrocutions: Exposed wires and the use of electrical equipment are common during construction and can lead to electrocutions. 

Forklifts: Forklifts can be a challenge to operate and maneuver throughout a construction site. Because they are almost always used on construction jobs, workers are often at risk of being seriously injured by forklifts. Though some injuries may be caused by user-error, equipment does malfunction and it can lead to injury.

 

Unfortunately, accidents don’t begin and end here. There are many other ways construction workers can be injured on the job. Although accidents are sometimes unavoidable, there are precautions you can take to prevent serious injury. 

 

How to Avoid Accidents

Proper Training: The first step to preventing accidents is to provide safety training. All employees should be fully trained in safety protocol and the potential hazards of the job. If the worker is not qualified to handle certain equipment, such as a forklift or jackhammer, they shouldn’t operate it. It’s a good idea to have daily meetings to remind your workers of the risks associated with the job and the importance of safety practices. It also wouldn’t hurt to make them provide poof up up-to-date training. 

Wear Protective Clothing: Construction workers should always wear the appropriate gear for every job and employers must enforce this. This includes hard hats, goggles, gloves, steel-toed shoes, and high-visibility clothes. Never take protective clothing for granted while on the job, as it can lead to serious accidents or even death. 

Use Serviceable Equipment: It’s important to know that the equipment you’re using is in a good working order and will not malfunction and put you at risk. Ensure all equipment is serviceable before using it.   

Use Caution: As a construction worker, you know how dangerous your job can be. Because of this, apply caution in everything you do. Be aware of the visible hazards and anything that’s potentially dangerous. Don’t try to cut corners or take important things for granted, like wearing protective clothing. 

Contact A to Z with Any Legal Questions or Concerns!

Consult with a construction accident attorney in Miami if you have been injured on the job. You may receive more than your worker’s compensation in damages. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with a variety of accident and injury cases such as this, and we won’t charge you a fee until we win your case. 

6 Important Facts About Medical Malpractice

Friday, February 12th, 2021

Sadly, medical malpractice occurs far too often in the U.S., and at A to Z Injury Law, we have defended many clients who demanded justice after this traumatic experience. Errors in the medical profession are largely due to the inadequacy of the medical system, which allows hospitals and pharmacies to be understaffed, while the professionals are overworked. Whether the error was caused intentionally or accidentally, as a patient, you deserve the best treatment from your healthcare professionals, and if they make a costly mistake, it’s not your responsibility to clean it up.  Our medical malpractice attorneys in Miami have listed important facts about medical malpractice so you can be better prepared if it happens to you. 

What is medical malpractice? 

Medical malpractice happens when a medical professional does not provide the “standard of care” while treating a patient. For example, a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a patient, or a nurse administers medication without checking if the patient has allergies. If the patient was injured because of these errors, then it would be considered medical malpractice. In many cases, the error was unintentional, and the medical professional may admit to it or apologize right away. This admission of guilt can lead to a settlement without the need for litigation. But it doesn’t always happen this way, which is why it’s best to hire a medical malpractice attorney near you!

How to prove medical malpractice.

Before you consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, can you prove that medical malpractice exists? There are a few steps to help you prove medical malpractice and these steps will help you determine if you have a solid case. They are listed below: 

  • Doctor-patient relationship: Prove that the doctor or medical professional treated you. 
  • Medical negligence: Prove that there was negligence and that your injuries were a direct result of the medical professional’s negligence. Your attorney will do interviews and select someone to provide expert testimony. 
  • Damages: Prove that you suffered from damages. This may come in the form of additional costs for medical treatment, lost wages because you were unable to work, and/or pain and suffering (physical and mental) caused by the medical professional’s negligence. 

What Should a Patient Do if They Suspect Medical Malpractice? 

If you suspect you were a victim of medical malpractice, you should contact an attorney immediately. Proving whether medical malpractice occurred is a difficult venture. Your medical malpractice attorney will review the case, perform necessary interviews, and look at medical records to determine if there is an actual case. For the best outcome, it’s advised that you contact an attorney and do not pursue this on your own. If you live in Miami or the surrounding areas, contact Erik Alvarez, a personal injury attorney from A to Z Injury Law that can help get the results you want.

How to Choose a Medical Malpractice Lawyer 

Choose a lawyer who has previous medical malpractice experience, and preferably has gone to court. The latter may seem like a no-brainer, but you will find many lawyers who settle without going to trial. Your case may not go to court, but you want the assurance that if it does, you have the best representation. In addition to experience, your attorney should offer you a free consultation. After that, work out the potential cost of the case and whether you must make payment upfront, or only if your attorneys will only be paid if you win. 

Is There a Deadline to File a Lawsuit? 

In every state, there is a statute of limitation to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In Florida, you must start your lawsuit within two years of discovering the injury. Depending on the situation, it may be extended to up to four years, but no later. If you have any questions about this deadline, you should speak with a licensed attorney in the state where the medical malpractice occurred. Once you have this information it will help you decide which steps to take. 

What Can Be Done to Prevent Medical Malpractice? 

Remember that knowledge is power. Know your condition, symptoms, possible treatments, and know your doctor. If you aren’t certain about something, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Far too often, patients don’t want to step on their doctor’s toes, so they don’t voice their concerns. Your health is important, so speak up and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Finally, if you believe you were a victim of medical malpractice, contact Erik Alvarez, a personal injury attorney in Miami today.

Here’s What You Should Do After a Rideshare Accident

Friday, February 5th, 2021

We’ve all either used a rideshare company or we know people who use them often. This convenient and affordable method of transportation has become an extremely popular choice for many people throughout the world. With that in mind, it’s no secret that getting into car accidents while using a rideshare app aren’t uncommon. Many people have found themselves involved in a car accident while using a rideshare app.  After getting over the shock and dismay of being in a rideshare accident, you are usually left with unanswered questions. 

What should you do first? 

Who should you contact? 

Is the rideshare company at fault, the driver, or both? 

Being involved in a rideshare accident, while riding with companies like Uber or Lyft is very similar to any other vehicular accident. Many rideshare companies have insurance policies that make it difficult for riders to be compensated for injuries and damages. As a result, you will need a good attorney to recover full compensation.  Though there will many things you’ll need to take care of, one of the most important steps to take is to find a rideshare injury attorney in Miami, like the attorneys at A to Z Injury Law. We’ve worked with many car accident cases that involve rideshare companies and we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Keep reading to learn more about how we can help and the steps you need to take after a car accident in Miami.

Check for Injuries 

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a rideshare driver, whether you were the rideshare passenger or another driver, the first few steps are like any other car accident. First, make sure you and no one else is injured. Even if you do not appear to be injured, still seek medical attention, as severe symptoms may be delayed or unapparent. At the very least, stop by an urgent care center to make sure you don’t have any underlying injuries. 

Call 911

You should always call the police to notify them of a car accident, even if the accident was minor. Additionally, the police report will provide valuable information to help you and your attorney build a case against the rideshare company. 

A police report will also help your rideshare attorney piece together any of the missing pieces from the accident. The truth is, you may not remember everything, so having a police report on hand to provide clarity in areas you may not be able to will help you develop a more solid case.

Collect Information

Be in a car accident is overwhelming, but it’s important to stay calm and gather as much information as you can. Important details to collect are: 

  • Names and phone numbers of everyone involved 
  • Rideshare driver’s license plate 
  • Insurance information from rideshare driver
  • Pictures of the accident

Everything that you gather during the accident will be useful information for your rideshare injury attorney in Miami. When your attorney performs his or her own investigation to build a case against the negligent rideshare driver, they can use that information, along with the police report to help build a solid case. 

Contact Rideshare Company

Contact the rideshare company and inform them that you have been in an accident with one of their drivers. A formal record will be helpful if you plan on filing an injury claim to seek compensation from the rideshare company’s insurance policy. If you don’t have a formal record of the accident, the rideshare company can, and most likely will fight your claim or lawsuit. 

Contact Your Insurance Company 

After the accident, you’ll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide a full report of the accident and injuries you incurred and try to give them as many details as possible. The more information you have to help show that you were involved in an accident. Any expenses you have to cover as a result of the accident may be covered but it’s best to speak directly with your insurance company and/or a public adjuster to see what your policy covers.

After the Accident 

Most rideshare companies have a liability coverage policy to help you cover medical expenses and financial damage. However, determining who is to blame (rideshare company or driver) can get complicated. Many rideshare companies will try to put the blame on the driver. Because these drivers are independent contractors – not employees – driving their own vehicles, the rideshare company will use this to get out of covering your losses. But if the driver is uninsured or under-insured or is an Uber driver who had the app turned on during the accident, then you can go after the rideshare company. 

Contact A to Z Injury Law 

If you need a rideshare injury attorney in Miami, contact the attorneys at A to Z Injury Law. Leading Miami attorney, Erik Alvarez has recovered millions for his clients, and he will fight the rideshare insurance companies to make sure you are fully compensated.  Give us a call today at (305)889-7056 or contact us (https://www.atozinjurylaw.com/contact-us) to see how we can help you!

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