Blog - Schaar & Silva LLP

06Jul 2020 by Pat Geddie

Do You Need a Lawyer to File an Injury Claim?

Following an injury, the medical bills and other losses can pile up quickly. It is only natural to want to take action against the parties liable for the accident and your injuries as soon as possible. You likely want to start the insurance claim process right away, and you might wonder whether you need the help of a personal injury lawyer to do so. Technically, there is no requirement that injured claimants have legal representation when they file a claim. That being said, it is often wise to have the right attorney on your side throughout the insurance process. The following are only some reasons why hiring an attorney can help. Insurance companies are businesses that aim to increase profits, and the less they pay to claimants, the more revenue…

21May 2020 by Pat Geddie

RV Accidents Can be Serious

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There is one industry that is not experiencing losses due to the COVID-19 crisis, and that is the RV sales business. As Europe trips and other summer vacations are canceled, many families are turning to recreational vehicles for new summer plans. RVs allow families to avoid planes, hotels, and other high-risk situations and basically let them take portable homes on the road. We are certain to see an increased number of RVs on the highways in the coming months, as families set off for new adventures that still allow them to self-isolate. With all the fun and convenience that comes with RV vacations, there are also risks of serious accidents. RVs are large vehicles that can be significantly more difficult to maneuver than our regular cars and SUVs. In most…

20Apr 2020 by Pat Geddie

Household Products Can Cause Injuries

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We are trying to keep ourselves and our families safe during shelter in place orders by staying at home as much as we can. However, you might not realize there are injury risks right in your own house. Our homes are full of various products we use on a regular basis, and many of us are bringing out recreational equipment, tools, and more that we do not usually use because of the extra time on our hands. There is always the risk that a product is defective and can malfunction, causing serious injuries to someone in your household. Some common products that might be defective and lead to accidents include the following: Child products - Your children are likely playing with many toys and games at this time. If a…

30Mar 2020 by Pat Geddie

What Will Happen to Your Injury Claim During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Personal Injury

If you sustained serious injuries in an accident in the previous months, you might have lost income and are likely staring at a pile of medical bills. If you have a pending injury claim, it is natural to wonder what its fate might be due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. While the pandemic has definitely halted many businesses and industries, it is important to ensure that your case is moving forward as much as possible during this time. With today’s technology, many insurance companies have switched to telework to stay running. Many law firms have done the same, using paperless technology, teleconferencing, and video conferencing to keep advocating for their injured clients. This all can mean that your injury claim can continue to progress in this uncertain time. Experienced injury…

25Feb 2020 by Pat Geddie

Auto Defects Can Result in Injuries

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Drivers can take every precaution to operate their vehicles defensively and in accordance with the law. However, even the safest driver can lose control of their car if a defect causes the vehicle to malfunction. In addition, some vehicle defects cause additional injuries to motorists, even though they were supposed to protect them. Some common auto defects that have resulted in accidents and injuries include: Defective tires that blow out Ignition switches that turn off when the car is moving Steering systems that fail Brakes that fail Airbags that fail to deploy or that explode when deployed When a tire blows out or brakes fail, it is not the driver’s fault that they crash. When a driver expects an airbag to protect them, but it instead causes them injuries, they…

22Jan 2020 by Pat Geddie

How a Truck Driver’s Health Can Put You at Risk

Personal Injury

When you think of common causes of commercial truck accidents, you might immediately think of truck drivers speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, driving while intoxicated, and other driver errors. You likely do not consider how the health of a truck driver might put you at risk of an accident and injuries, though it can do so in different ways. CDL Requirements The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state laws set out many requirements for individuals to obtain their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). One requirement is to undergo a thorough health examination and have a designated medical professional sign off that you are in good health. Drivers must undergo additional health exams to renew their CDLs. Some health issues that might disqualify a driver - especially if they…

20Dec 2019 by Pat Geddie

What to Do if a Drunk Driver Hits You

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It is important to recognize when a driver might be intoxicated and stay away from the driver on the road to protect yourself. However, some drunk driving accidents cannot be avoided, and you should always know what to do in the event you get hit by a driver who seems to be impaired. Call 911 Calling the authorities is critical after a drunk driving accident for several reasons. First, you will get immediate medical attention at the scene of the crash. Next, it is important for police officers to identify when a driver who caused an accident has been drinking. If the officer has probable cause to believe the driver is in violation of the law, they can place the driver under arrest, and the driver might face criminal charges,…

11Nov 2019 by Pat Geddie

Keep Yourself Safe During the Holidays

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As the end of the year quickly approaches, most of us are thinking about our busy holiday schedules, travel and family gatherings, buying gifts, baking cookies, and more. In this busy time of the year, it is easy to let your guard down when it comes to safety. The following are some risks of the holidays and how to stay safe whenever possible. Traffic Crashes There are more drunk drivers on the road during the holidays, and the most important thing is to ensure that you never drive while impaired. Watch out for drivers who are driving erratically or showing other signs of intoxication, and give them plenty of space on the road. Call the authorities to report the driver if needed. If you are planning a road trip, make…

09Oct 2019 by Pat Geddie

Braking Systems Might Not Detect Pedestrians

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Many people purchase vehicles based on the safety features provided by the manufacturer. A common safety feature in recent years is automatic braking systems that are supposed to hit the brakes on your vehicle when it approaches an obstacle. One important purpose of this technology is to prevent pedestrian accidents. However, AAA recently conducted research on four different 2019 vehicle models sold by Tesla, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Honda. The research involved a dummy walking in front of a moving car and seeing whether the automatic sensory and braking systems would safely stop the car before hitting the dummy. The results indicate that you cannot always trust braking systems to protect pedestrians from collisions. Specifically, the braking system tended to fail under the following circumstances: At night When pedestrians were of…

16Sep 2019 by Pat Geddie

Your Rights after a Multiple-Vehicle Crash

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In August 2019, a multi-vehicle crash closed U.S. Highway 101 in San Jose. The crash involved a 2011 BMW, a 2015 Ford, a 2017 Subaru, a 2017 Toyota, and a 2019 Toyota. While reports did not state exactly how the crash occurred, they did indicate that one man did not survive, and two men needed to be transported to the emergency room by ambulance due to their injuries. The unfortunate reality is that crashes involving numerous vehicles happen on a regular basis in California and across the United States. Injury claims following such crashes can often be more complicated than claims resulting from a two-vehicle collision. This is often because determining liability for the crash can be significantly more challenging. An Example To illustrate liability issues in a multi-car crash,…