by Leo Shalit

Can you settle a personal injury case without a lawyer?

Sometimes people settle their personal injury cases without attorney representation. The settlement is done through negotiations, but most often, the victim receives the very least compensation.

If you were involved in a minor accident, you may be able to handle your claim or case without a lawyer. However, it requires a great deal of research, investigation, and evidence. If you fail to prepare necessary documents or take the right actions, you wil likelyl receive nothing.

The clear answer to this question is that if you are well-prepared and can represent yourself, then go ahead. Otherwise, you need an experienced lawyer to ensure getting maximum compensation for the injuries you endured.

Depending on your case, seeking legal advice can save you time and money. Here are some factors that will help you determine whether you need a lawyer to represent you. Read on!

Injury Seriousness

If you have suffered minor injuries, the insurance company may offer a reasonable settlement to cover your medical expenses. On the other hand, if you were involved in serious accidents that have caused severe injuries, discomfort, and pain, you would need a lawyer to evaluate your case.

Remember, the insurance company will give you an underestimated settlement offer if you have more serious injuries. In that case, you can’t handle the case yourself. It is wise to hire a professional attorney to receive the compensation you deserve.

Necessary Evidence

Representing yourself or filing your claim requires evidence, such as proof of the accident, witness testimony, and supporting documents. That way, you can make a successful claim. On the other hand, if you don’t have evidence of your injuries or pain and suffering, the court or insurance company will assume that you didn’t suffer any damages.

Therefore, focus on getting necessary documents, including the police report, videotapes, pictures, witnesses, and medical bills. If you have difficulty obtaining evidence for your personal injury case, you should seek advice from a professional attorney. An experienced lawyer knows how to collect evidence and document it.

Proof of Driver’s at Fault

If you want to make a claim against the driver at fault or their insurance company, make sure you have the sufficient proof. It is easier to proceed with your personal injury claim without a lawyer if the other driver admits their fault.

In contrast, you will need a professional lawyer if the situation leads to a dispute. For example, if you can’t prove who is at fault and the other party makes a counter-claim, in that case, you need to consult an experienced lawyer to evaluate your case.

Calculate Your Damage

Although there is no set equation to estimate your pain and suffering, you need to state some amount for the damages you received during the accident. If you don’t know how to do the calculation, you should consult a lawyer. Some attorneys use the “Multiplier” Method to estimate personal injury and damages, including pain and suffering.

If you need a personal injury lawyer, contact Leo Shalit Law Firm. We have trained, professional attorneys with many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of personal injury cases. Our lawyers go by the book and make substantial efforts to prepare a solid case with all the essential documents to get you maximum compensation. 

by Leo Shalit

Attorney and Client Privileges

Attorney and client privileges refer to the confidentiality of communication between a lawyer and the client. In the United States, the attorney and client privileges focus on communication made in confidence between a counselor and client to seek legal advice. In today’s article, we will talk about the features of attorney and client privileges. Read on!

Covers all types of communication

The attorney-client privilege virtually covers all types of exchanges or communication between an attorney and client. These include oral communication, documents, letters, emails, phone calls, and even text messages. The privileges apply when the communication purpose is to seek or provide legal consultation.

Confidential Communication

The U.S law requires that the communication between the attorney and client must be confidential. There is no involvement of a third-party, and the communication remains between the lawyer and the client. The privilege is lost when someone outside of the lawyer-client relationship receives the communication. For example, if your friend copied your email to the attorney, you will lose the privilege.

No Formal Retainer Agreement

The attorney and client privileges do not require a formal retainer agreement. It is enough for you to believe that you are consulting an attorney to seek legal advice in advancing your own interests.

An organization can be a “client” too, and in such a situation, the privilege protects communications between the corporation’s attorney and the company’s employees. The communication must be within the scope of an employee’s duties. The lawyer can be an in-house attorney employed by the organization or an outside lawyer at a law firm.

Seek Legal Advice

The client must make communications to the lawyer or counsel. The privilege covers the communication of the client with individuals who assists the attorney in the representation.

For example, these individuals can be an investigator or paralegal. The purpose of communication is to seek legal advice from the counsel. In the corporate context, it means an attorney’s communication is not privileged when he or she provides business advice. 

Access to Relevant Information

The main purpose of the privileges is to encourage open communications between the lawyers and their clients. Attorneys need access to relevant information to represent their clients effectively. The attorney-client privilege requires a client to provide his or her lawyer with all the necessary information.

Provide the information even if it is unpleasant or embarrassing to discuss because you never know that a small thing can make a big difference in the court. However, the lawyer must not disclose the information without the consent of the client. Besides, the privilege ensures the attorney can provide frank and candid legal advice to his or her client.

Final Words

The attorney and client privileges are the most important component of the U.S justice system. The privilege guarantees the confidentiality of the information and allows for better legal advice. Moreover, the attorney-client privilege encourages communication between the lawyer and attorney to promote compliance with the law. That way, the clients know their counselors will protect their confidentiality and do not disclose private information. 

by Leo Shalit

Arrested in NY for gun possession – what to do next?

Possession or use of a weapon without a license is a serious offense one can receive under New York law. Even the lowest tier of such offense carries a penalty of one year in jail.

Like other criminal laws in NY State, gun possession offenses are tiered according to the crime severity and potential penalties. Depending on the severity of the crime, you can end up paying huge fines or spend decades in NY State Prison. In today’s article, we will tell you what to do next when you are arrested in NY for firearm possession. Read on!

Do not talk to the officer

NY Law allows you to remain silent, which is your right – so, take advantage of it. Avoid convincing the police officer of your innocence because it is all he or she hears every day. The officer does not care whether you are guilty or innocent. Similarly, there is nothing the officer can do at this point.

Most often, when a person arrested for gun possession says something to the officer, he or she may respond with something that can make the situation far worse. Therefore, it is better to remain silent because you will plenty of time to talk once you meet your private or public attorney.

Don’t Believe the Officers

It is legal for the officers to lie and trick you into making an admission. Well, police officers are highly trained professionals and know how to get a confession. In legal terms, it is called the “Reid Technique,” which is used by the police on witnesses to obtain confessions, fingerprints, DNA, or videotapes.

The officer will tell you to cooperate with him or her and try to convince you. Experienced lawyers recommend not telling anything or believe the police officers because they lie most often, which can put you in trouble. If you believe the officers, it will now be easier for them to prove the case.

Call an Attorney

Once you get locked up, you will think about how to get out. You have the right to be given a trial or hearing before a magistrate or judge to examine the evidence and charges against you. If you feel the police has violated your right and arrested you for an offense that you didn’t commit, you need to speak with a lawyer.

An experienced lawyer can represent you throughout the case and help you get bail. Your lawyer’s skill and the judge’s determination will result in bail or sentence to jail. Leo Shalit, P.C., has experienced and qualified criminal defense lawyers who can inform you of your legal rights and defenses.

Our experienced lawyer will represent you in court and do his best to get you bail. We ensure your rights are protected. Call us today, and we will make sure you get released as soon as possible.

by Leo Shalit

When Should You Contact An Attorney After A Car Accident?

Do you need an attorney after a car accident? When should you contact a lawyer after a car crash? These are essential questions asked by many people, and in today’s article, we will answer them so that you know how to proceed legally. The general rule is tht if you have been involved in a car accident and received injuries, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

It is not easy to work with insurance companies because most of them offer low settlements, even on cases involving severe injuries. An experienced attorney understands how insurance companies work and how to negotiate with them for a better settlement.

Insurance adjusters usually start at the low end of a specific settlement range. In this regard, a car accident lawyer will place a fair value on your claim to help you get a deserving compensation.

A car accident attorney can handle a variety of car accident cases. For instance, these include cases about permanent injuries, serious injuries, death, pedestrian involvement, construction zone accidents, inaccurate police reports, apparent fault, no-fault, and an uncooperative insurance company.

When to Contact an Attorney?

It would help if you did a few things before contacting your attorney and telling him about the car accident. Call 911 immediately and report your accident, which helps alert the emergency medical teams and police officials to the accident scene.

Get police and medical report to claim your insurance. Without these documents, it is challenging to establish fault and liability. It is easy to collect evidence these days because we have smartphones. So, take photos of license plates, car damage, traffic patterns, intersections, and record videos of eyewitnesses. The information will help your attorney make the case stronger.

An insurance company usually reduces its liability by offering you a low-ball settlement, which is not enough to fairly compensate you for your car damage or personal injuries. In this situation, you need to contact a car accident attorney immediately to file a claim.

Even iif you have minor injuries or no significant car damage, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Call your attorney immediately when:   

·      The accident has caused significant injuries

·      An accident with no established fault

·      An accident involving another driver or pedestrian

·      A crash in work or construction zone

·      The driver is uninsured or underinsured

·      You disagree with the police report

·      Uncooperative insurance companies

Don’t forget to provide your attorney with contact information, police report, medical report, facts about your case, photo/evidence of the accident scene, medical receipts, and witness statements or contact information.

Final Words

A professional attorney will investigate all aspects of your car accident and start negotiating with the insurance company. Remember, a personal injury claim has different legal aspects than a car accident lawsuit. An injury claim is between you and the insurance company, which usually involves a series of negotiations. At Leo, Shalit, P.C., our attorneys are experienced and skilled negotiators who will help you achieve the compensation you deserve. Contact us today! 

by Leo Shalit

How to Prepare for Initial Consultations with Your Attorney

Do you need an attorney who will ensure protecting your legal rights in court proceedings? It is crucial to seek legal advice early to save time and reduce costs. An attorney represents you in court by presenting evidence and arguing in trials to help you win the case.

Find a lawyer who can meet your specific legal needs, goals, and objectives. Today, it is easy to find a professional attorney in your city who can represent you in court. For instance, you can search online and look for reviews of different types of attorneys.

However, the best way to find an attorney is to seek help from your family members, relatives, and friends. Remember, word-of-mouth recommendations are usually better in this regard. Follow the tips given in this article to better prepare for initial consultations with your attorney.

Create a List of Questions

Typically, an initial consultation is not a formal meeting with your attorney. A professional and experienced attorney will make the process easy and comfortable for you. Having said that, you must ask him some questions during the conversation.

Make sure you prepare the list of questions before you meet the attorney. Making a list of questions is necessary because you may forget to discuss some important points with the attorney. Some of the questions you can ask your attorney are:

·      Do you think my case is worth it?

·      What is your fee strategy, and how much will you charge me?

·      How often can I meet you to discuss legal matters?

·      Do you have experience in these types (construction accidents) of cases?

·      What would be your approach to my case?

·      What are the possible outcomes?

·      What are my responsibilities in this case?

These are some of the essential questions you can ask from your attorney in the initial consultation. We recommend you to ask as many questions as you can so that you are clear about everything. That way, you can make an accurate and informed decision.

Bring All Important Documents

A attorney always asks for the necessary documents that can help in court proceedings. You can do your research or ask an expert about the documents your attorney would need for your case. If you don’t know much about the documents, your lawyer will tell you about them.

For instance, if you had a car accident, your attorney would ask you to bring a police report so that he knows what the police believed happened exactly. Keep in mind that most attorneys don’t study the documents thoroughly during the consultation itself. The attorney will go through the documents after you have hired him for your case.

Your attorney may ask you to sign a few documents, and before you do that, you must read them or ask the lawyer to explain them. Ask your attorney to give you copies of all documents and letters related to your case.

Final Words

There are many benefits of initial consultations with your attorney. It helps you understand the legal status of your case and the court proceedings. If you need a personal injury lawyer, business lawyer or criminal defense attorney, schedule your appointment with Leo Shalit, P.C. We have an experienced legal team who can speak with you today about your personal injury case.

by Leo Shalit

Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

Speeding or parking tickets are matters which you can potentially handle by yourself. However, it is in your best interest to hire a criminal defense attorney if you face criminal charges.

Due to the potential for serious negative consequences, it is essential to hire a professional criminal defense attorney who can defend you in court and ensure your voice is heard and justice is served. A criminal defense lawyer’s fees are still minimal compared to the potential serious consequences (jail or loss of right to vote) resulting from not having the best defense. Here are the top 5 reasons to hire a criminal defense attorney.

1.    Thorough Understanding of Law

An experienced criminal defense attorney knows the criminal justice system and understands how the court proceedings work. The legal system can become confusing even if you have some knowledge of it. However, a qualified and experienced defense attorney can accurately guide you through the process and defend you in court based on facts and evidence.

2.    Better Relationships with the Government

An experienced criminal defense attorney has worked in the field for many years, which allows him to develop healthy relationships with prosecutors and the governmen t. It seems a little strange when a defense attorney has a positive relationship with an adversary. However, both lawyers are familiar with court proceedings and understand how things work. Good relationships with the government allow for more effective communications between the parties. 

3.    Familiarity with Your Case

While each case is unique, an experienced criminal defense attorney should be familiar with the case type since he has dealt with similar cases in the past. Remember that different lawyers have different specialties, and a criminal defense lawyer has many years of experience dealing with criminal cases. So, your attorney can properly handle your case in court and provide you with the necessary assistance to obtain the best possible outcome.

4.    Damage Control

The prosecutor will do their best to collect enough evidence to convict you. Unfortunately, the prosecutor will use the police officers to get information from you. A criminal defense attorney guides you on answering questions in custody and ensure you don’t say anything that could harm your case later on. If you have revealed information to the police, an experienced attorney can make a motion to suppress the damaging information and make it less harmful or damaging to your case.

5.    Witness Statements

Many years of experience enable a criminal defense attorney to assemble evidence and proclamations from witnesses. Without a criminal defense lawyer, it is not easy to properly attain victim or witness statements because of reluctance of these parties to speak with the the defense. A criminal defense attorney uses various resources, such as expert witnesses and private investigators, to develop case information and build the defense.

Final Words

A highly experienced and skilled attorney can defend you when you are facing criminal charges. Leo, Shalit, P.C. has a team of licensed and experienced defense criminal attorneys committed to providing the best legal services. If you are facing a criminal charge, contact us today!