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¿Qué hacer después de un accidente?

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Estar involucrado en un accidente, ya sea un choque de autos o una caída, puede ser una experiencia estresante y traumática. Sin embargo, es esencial tomar las medidas necesarias para proteger sus derechos legales y preservar la evidencia que puede ser importante para cualquier reclamo o demanda futura. Aquí hay algunos pasos que debe tomar en la escena de un accidente:

  1. Llame al 911: Si usted o alguien más resulta herido, llame al 911 de inmediato. Incluso si no cree que está herido, es importante tener un registro oficial del accidente.
  2. Intercambie información: Si el accidente involucra a otra persona, intercambie información de contacto con ellos, incluyendo su nombre, número de teléfono e información de seguro. También anote la marca y modelo de su vehículo y su número de placa.
  3. Tome fotos y videos: Tome fotos y videos de la escena del accidente, incluyendo el daño a cualquier vehículo o propiedad, cualquier lesión y el área circundante. Esta evidencia puede ser valiosa para establecer la responsabilidad y la culpa más adelante.
  4. Obtenga información de los testigos: Si hubo testigos del accidente, obtenga su información de contacto también. Los testigos pueden proporcionar un testimonio importante en apoyo de su reclamo.
  5. No admita la culpa: Tenga cuidado de no admitir la culpa o disculparse en la escena del accidente, ya que esto puede ser utilizado en su contra más adelante en los procedimientos legales.
  6. Contacte a su compañía de seguros: Notifique a su compañía de seguros del accidente lo antes posible. Sea honesto y proporcione toda la información necesaria sobre el accidente.
  7. Busque atención médica: Incluso si no se siente herido, es importante buscar atención médica después de un accidente. Algunas lesiones pueden no ser inmediatamente aparentes, y retrasar el tratamiento médico puede empeorar sus lesiones y dañar su reclamo.
  8. Consulte a un abogado: Considere consultar con un abogado experimentado en lesiones personales lo antes posible. Un abogado puede proporcionar orientación sobre el proceso legal y ayudar a proteger sus derechos legales.

En conclusión, tomar las medidas apropiadas en la escena de un accidente puede ayudar a proteger sus derechos legales y aumentar la probabilidad de un reclamo o demanda exitosa. Recuerde mantener la calma, ser cortés y priorizar su seguridad y la seguridad de los demás. Siguiendo estos pasos, puede tomar el control de la situación y prepararse para un mejor resultado.

Is Mediation Right for Your Situation?

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One thing’s for sure: litigation is expensive but the good news is that it’s not always necessary!

In some cases, mediation is the better (and cost efficient) route. Here are a few examples of when mediation should be used instead of litigation:

  • If the parties want to preserve their relationship with one another. This could be neighbors, divorced partners, or employers and employees.
  • If direct negotiations have stalled or failed. Keep in mind that mediation is a non-binding process, meaning mediators can’t impose a decision on the two parties. If the dispute has room for compromise.
  • When each party has room to compromise and reach an agreeable solution, mediation is ideal.

If you ever need mediation for a situation you’re in, I’m here to help! And in the meantime, feel free to share this helpful info with others.

Mediation Overview

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I thought I’d offer some insights into when mediation could be warranted just in case you or someone you know could benefit from this service at some point in the future. I’m more than happy to help at any time.

Here’s a summary of the process and a handful of situations when mediation makes sense:

  • Mediation is a good option in any situation where parties have a relationship they want to preserve. Consumer complaint cases, divorce proceedings, employer/employee conflicts, landlord and tenant disputes, neighbor disputes, and personal injury negligence cases may be a good fit for mediation. It’s important to note that mediation is a non-binding process, meaning that mediators cannot impose a decision on the parties.

There are five general steps in the mediation process:

  • Introduction: The mediator introduces everyone, explains the goals and rules of the mediation, and encourages each side to work cooperatively toward a settlement.
  • Statement of the problem: Each party describes the dispute and its consequences, financial and otherwise. While one person is speaking, the other is not allowed to interrupt.
  • Information gathering: This is a chance for each party to meet privately with the mediator. Each side will be placed in a separate room. The mediator goes between the two rooms to listen, discuss, and exchange offers.
  • Bargaining: The mediator might bring the parties back together to negotiate directly, but this is unusual. The mediator usually keeps the parties separate until a settlement is reached or the time allotted for the mediation ends.
  • Settlement: If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator will likely put the main provisions in writing and ask each side to sign the written summary of the agreement.

If you have any questions about this information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Types of Personal Injury Damages

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Often times when working with clients, we find that they didn’t know they could recover money for more than just medical expenses in a personal injury case. The truth is that there are two common types of damages for which one may be eligible.  

1. Economic Damages

Economic damages are costs associated with accidents that are straightforward. These damages are fairly easy for the jury to award because they are directly attached to a dollar figure and are usually associated with a bill.

Economic damages include expenses like:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Rehabilitation therapy
  • Property damage 
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses

You can also get economic damages for future expenses, like ongoing medical treatment or future lost wages if you can no longer work.

2. Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible costs that are associated with an injury and the aftermath. These damages are harder to calculate because unlike a bill from the hospital, the jury must come up with a number that seems fair. 

Non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering caused by the accident (especially if it was particularly traumatic) 
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life after an accident
  • Loss of consortium (familial companionship and sexual relations)

The purpose of non-economic damages is to recognize that injuries affect more than just your physical wellbeing. Serious injuries can cause emotional pain that disrupts your entire life–and even your family’s life. 

If you have any questions about personal injury claims or know someone who would benefit from our assistance, call our office today at 508-755-3202 to speak with an attorney right away.

For more information on our office visit ravosalaw.com.