Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Getting your Car Fixed After a Car Wreck

2011-06-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

If you are in a car accident, one of the first things on your mind, after your physical injuries, is getting the damage to your car fixed. If your car is drivable, then your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer will advise you to continue to drive your car while your car repair is being coordinated. If your car is unsafe to drive or if it is totaled, then you should store your car in a place where you do not have to pay for storage fees.

Most people think that their car will be repaired immediately. However, your Las Vegas Auto Accident Lawyer will tell you that the insurance company will have to first send someone to come out and look at your car, to determine the extent of the damages to your car.

If the insurance company is unsure about who was at fault for causing the accident, then there is going to be a delay in getting your car repaired and a car rental. What the insurance company will want to do, is have your statement taken. That statement will be taken while you are in your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer's office, with the insurance company on the telephone. When you are giving your statement, you will be asked questions as to how the accident happened, your injuries, medical treatment so far and other accident related questions. Please remember though, to not speak with the insurance company (including yours), until you have spoken with your Las Vegas Car Wreck Lawyer first and gotten the okay! Next time, we will talk about the settlement process.

Should I get an Advance on my Personal Injury Case?

2011-03-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

A common question your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer gets asked is: Should I get an advance on my Personal Injury case? It can be very enticing to get money up front and many lawyers in Las Vegas promise a check very quickly. But, you have to ask, what price are you actually paying for a small check up front? A lot!

In your Las Vegas Injury Lawyer's experience, most cash advances are in the $500 to $3,000 range. Most funding companies charge a 4% interest rate. 4% sounds really low doesn't it? But, what they don't tell you is that, that 4% is added monthly, not yearly. That means, if you get a $3,000 cash advance, you will probably pay the cash advance company $10,000 or more when your case is over!

In cases where your Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas has been able to convince clients that a cash advance is not the way they want to go, they are very thankful at the end of their case, since they have more money left over for them! When some of your Personal Injury Lawyer's clients do get cash advances, they are disappointed at the end of their case, because most of their money ends of going to the cash advance company and not them!

The lesson, do not get a cash advance! If you are having financial difficulties, temporarily moving in with family or friends is a good idea! Next time, we will discuss the process of getting your car fixed and getting a rental car after a car accident.

What Is Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage and Why Should Have It?

2011-03-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

What is Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage and why should I have it? This is common question that your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer gets asked frequently. UIM stands for "Under Insured Motorist" coverage. UM stands for "Uninsured Motorist" coverage. What does that mean? It means, if the person who caused your accident does not have any insurance or has very little insurance, UIM and UM coverage protects you. If you have just basic insurance, you are protecting everyone else on the road, except you! Most people think that they are "fully" covered, but if you do not have Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage, you are driving around naked!

When this happens most frequently is when someone else causes an accident you are in, and drives off, resulting in a hit and run. If you do not have Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage, you will recover nothing. It is also very common for people to let their insurance lapse, so if they are in an accident, the only part of your policy protecting you is your Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage. Also, if the other person who caused the accident had low insurance limits and you need more coverage, Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage will kick in once the other person's insurance is maxed out.

So, your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer will tell you to look at the Declarations page of your insurance policy, the page that tells you what types and how much insurance you have. If you do not see UIM or UM listed, contact your insurance agent and add it. Your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer recommends Underinsured (UIM)/Uninsured (UM) Motorist Coverage limits of $50,000 or above. Next time, we will discuss advance on your potential settlement.

What Happens When you Lose your Job as a Result of an Accident

2011-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

Losing a Job.

This is a rough economic time for a lot of people in Las Vegas, where the unemployment rate is almost 15%. If you were one of the lucky ones with a job, but you lost your job because of the injuries you suffered in your Las Vegas accident, you may feel that you have suffered twice. However, in your Las Vegas personal injury case, your Las Vegas accident lawyer will make sure that you get the money you lost as a resulting of losing your job.

If you are so severely injured that you can no longer work at your job, your Las Vegas injury attorney will also make sure than an expert witness is hired who can testify as to your loss of future earnings. For example, if you are in the construction industry and hurt your back in the Las Vegas car accident and can no longer practice your trade, your future income will likely be greatly affected. So, your Las Vegas injury lawyer will make sure that they fight for you to receive that lost future income.

Keeping your Medical Appointments in your Injury Case

2011-01-20T13:19:00.000-08:00

After you have been injured in a Las Vegas Accident, one of the most important things you can do is seek the appropriate medical care. Although your life has been turned upside down, your number one job is to get better. Many people tell their Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer that although they are in pain, they don’t feel that they really need to go to the doctor. There are a couple of major problems with this. First and foremost, most of the time, it will delay or stunt your healing, if you do not get the medical care you need. Secondly and also very important, is that your medical treatment is a window into your injury. If you do not go the doctor, the insurance company and juries will simply assume that you weren’t really that injured in the accident. So, if you have medical appointments, keep them.

Relatedly, if you are going the doctor and are not getting better, you need to let your Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas, know about what is going on with your treatment. Your Las Vegas Accident Lawyer will talk to you about alternatives in treatment and coordinate you getting an appointment with a specialist, to further evaluate your condition. Communication is key with your Injury Lawyer Las Vegas, for your health and your case.

Expert Witnesses for your Injury Case

2010-12-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

Although many cases settle out of court, we at von Magdenko & Associates, PLLC, are prepared to go to court, to fight for what you deserve. If your case does not settle and you need to file a lawsuit. One of the most important parts of your case, is having an "Expert" testify on your case. There are two major Experts that your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer may retain.

The first major Expert, may be one in a specific field of expertise for how you sustained your accident. For example, if you were injured as a result of a defective product, your Las Vegas Accident Lawyer would retain an Expert Engineer to help prove your case. The Expert Engineer would review the case, prepare a report and provide testimony on their findings to support your case.

The second major type of Expert your Las Vegas Injury Attorney may retain, is an Expert Economist. If you are so severely injured that you can no longer work, your past lost wages and loss of what is called "earning capacity" i.e. what you would have made in the future, had the Las Vegas accident had not occurred, would be addressed by the Expert Economist. Next time we will discuss why it is important to keep your medical appointments.

Do Not Accept Offers from Insurance Companies

2010-11-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Insurance companies are around to one thing: make money. A very common situation playing out today is that the insurance company might offer you a couple thousand dollars right after your accident. When the offer is made, you might think that it is a great idea to accept a couple thousand dollars right now. The economy is tough right now. Rent might be due. You think that your neck is hurting, but it's no big deal, a couple grand is a lot of money. One of things that might be running through your mind after have been injured in a Las Vegas Accident is whether you need a Las Vegas Injury Attorney. If you accept the money the insurance company is dangling in your face, you reason that you do not need a Personal Injury Las Vegas Lawyer.

You accept the money. But, you pain does not go away. Best case scenario, you have health insurance. So, you get a scan done of your neck and find out that your neck is messed up from the accident and your pain will not get any better without surgery and will probably never be pain free. Worst case scenario, you do not have health insurance and you live with your neck pain for the rest of your life, making the insurance company very happy they gave you such little money, signing away your rights. Your Las Vegas Accident Attorney will make sure that you are given a fair amount of money to compensate you for your injuries and if there is enough insurance coverage, ensure that you have money available for future medical care. The lesson is to make sure that you contact your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer immediately after your accident.

Personal Injury: Living Out of State

2010-09-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas is an exciting city and a vacation destination for many people. Unfortunately, while visiting Las Vegas, you may be involved in a Las Vegas Injury Accident. Commons types of Las Vegas Injury Accidents that vacationers are involved in, occur when they slip and fall at a local Las Vegas casino, are in a car accident, while in a rental car or while riding once of Las Vegas' area buses. A common question asked of people who live in other states, is whether they will have to return to Las Vegas for their Las Vegas Personal Injury case. Many cases do settle out of court. So, if your case is one that settles out of court, you will not have to come to Las Vegas, as everything can be handled by your Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney.

However, if a lawsuit is required to get the fair amount for your case, your Las Vegas Injury Attorney will tell you that you may have to come to Las Vegas. If you live out of state, will likely be required to travel to Las Vegas to personally give what is called a "deposition". A deposition is simply a statement under oath. Although you could give a formal statement over the telephone, the Las Vegas courts generally require that you give your statement in person, to allow the other side to meet you. Many cases settle sometime after your deposition is given. However, your Las Vegas Injury Attorney will tell you that if your case does not settle at this time, you will be required to appear at an Arbitration (a private trial) or Trial. In both cases, the person making the decision on your case will want to personally hear what happened to you in your Las Vegas Accident.

Personal Injury: Paying for your Medical Treatment

2010-08-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

A common question many people have for their Las Vegas Injury Lawyer after they are in an a Las Vegas Car Accident, is how they are going to pay for their medical treatment. If you have health insurance, you can use your health insurance to pay for your medical bills, related to your Las Vegas Car Accident. However, some people do not have health insurance and they wonder how they are going to pay their medical bills.

If you do not have health insurance, your Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas will direct you to doctors who treat Las Vegas Car Accidents through what is called, a medical "lien". If you are treated through a lien, you sign an agreement with your doctor, stating that your doctor will be paid out of the proceeds of your Las Vegas Personal Injury case. So, there is no out of pocket expense to you. Once you case is settled or resolved, your Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney will directly pay all of your medical bills through your settlement proceeds.

Some people have Medicare or receive Nevada state health benefits. If you receive your health care through one of these programs, your Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney will tell you that it may be better not to use these programs and instead simply use a lien to pay for your medical treatment. In the end, the most important point to keep in mind that your treatment and healing are the most important parts of your Las Vegas Injury case. You should always keep your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer updated of your treatment and talk to your Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer anytime you have questions concerning your medical treatment.

Personal Injury: Talking to Your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer

2010-08-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Communication with your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer is at the heart of your case. To make sure you are receiving the care you need and that you doing are everything possible for your case, you must call, email or set up appointments with your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer, to discuss how your treatment is going or if you may need a different type of treatment. In addition, your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer be receiving updates from your doctors to make sure you are getting the care you need and that you are improving with treatment.

Another important point to keep in mind, is that your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer must always be able to get a hold of you. So, if you are planning to move, change your email or change your phone number, you need to tell your Las Vegas Injury Attorney, before you do so. That way, your Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney can reach you at all times. In our next discussion, we will talk about how your medical bills get paid in your Las Vegas Personal Injury case.

Personal Injury: Car repair and Car Rental

2010-08-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

Immediately after a Las Vegas car accident, the one of the first questions you may have for your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer is how you are going to get your car fixed. After you call your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer, they will notify the insurance company that they can contact you directly to view your car, take pictures and coordinate the repair of your car. At that time, you will also be able to drive a rental car until your car is repaired. Of course, if you car was totaled in your Las Vegas car accident, then the insurance company will normally pay Kelly Blue Book value for your car.

Your Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney will tell you that you may experience some frustration during this time period, since every hour you are without a car, affects your life greatly. But, your car issues are usually resolved smoothly and without too much delay. If you do experience problems, please contact your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer to discuss your issue in more detail and to potentially resolve the issue sooner. Next time, we will discuss other areas in which you will need to contact your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer to make sure you are getting the best possible representation and care you need.

Personal Injury: Time Missed from Work

2010-08-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest parts of being injured in an accident is the time you may have to miss from work. At the start of your case, if you need to be off work for an extended period of time, your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer will tell you to that you need to have your doctor give you an "off work slip", documenting your need to be off work. If you have a very labor intensive job, requiring a lot of lifting or carrying, your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer and doctor will let you know that by engaging in those activities, you may delay healing and may prevent a full recovery from your injuries. Also, an "off work slip" is necessary to prove your need to be off work. So, if you take off from work without a doctor's note saying you needed to be off work, you will likely not get the money you missed from work.

Another issue that comes up in the area of missing work due to your injuries, is when someone is salaried. There is a rule in Las Vegas Personal Injury cases called the "Collateral Source Rule". When it comes to your time lost from work, it means that whether you are salaried or not, does not matter, you are still entitled to compensation for the time lost at work. All you need is the note from your doctor and the note from your company stating your rate of pay and the days you missed. Later on, your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer will discuss the more serious consequences when you have suffered an injury that prevents you from working at your normal job.

Different types of Las Vegas Personal Injury Cases

2010-05-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

In looking for a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer, you need to know the difference between similar types of lawyers. If you are injured at work, you will need two different lawyers, one for your Las Vegas Personal Injury case and the second for your employment related case. In the employment related case, you will need, what we call in the legal field, a "Worker's Compensation" attorney. The reason for that, is because different laws and procedures govern employment related cases. But, since your case has two parts, you need two lawyers. Although some Las Vegas Lawyers do both areas of law, I recommend using two different lawyers for your case, so you can have an expert in each field.

The second type of case that is typically confused with personal injury cases in the general legal sense is when you are injured as a result of the actions of your doctor. Those types of cases are referred to in what I like to call the "legal world" (as opposed to the "real world", as "Medical Malpractice" cases. In that instance you only need one Las Vegas attorney, one whose specialty is in medical malpractice. Although some Las Vegas Lawyers do both personal injury and medical malpractice, I again recommend hiring a Las Vegas Attorney who specializes in medical malpractice, if you were injured as a result of your doctor's actions.

In the end, you want the best possible Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney for your case. You would not go to the same doctor to deliver a baby and do brain surgery! So, select different Las Vegas lawyers, for your particular needs.

How do I choose a Las Vegas Personal Injury and Car Accident Attorney?

2010-05-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Many people do not personally know a lawyer let alone a personal injury lawyer. Even if you do know a great lawyer, if they are not a personal injury lawyer, do not hire them for your Las Vegas personal injury case. The example I give to people, is that while you may know a wonderful brain surgeon, you would not want that doctor delivering your baby!

I know what you are thinking: How do I go about choosing a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer? The answer: Ask your prospective Las Vegas personal injury lawyer how many years have they been practicing in the field of personal injury. They may have a decade of experience, but if it is not in the personal injury and car accidents realm, do not hire them for your personal injury case.

Another very important question to ask is the number of Las Vegas personal injury cases they have handled. It may be great that they have been “doing” personal injury for 10 years, but if they have only handled 5 accident cases, you may not want them doing further experimentation on your case. In a related vein, you should ask your potential Las Vegas personal injury attorney, what percentage of their current practice is related to injury cases. You want an attorney whose law practice is one third to 100% personal injury. Next time, we will talk about other areas related to personal injury, but which are really separate areas of practice: medical malpractice and worker’s compensation cases.

Car Accidents: Lawsuits

2010-02-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

If the insurance company will not give a reasonable settlement offer to your Las Vegas personal injury lawyer, then your lawyer will file a lawsuit against the person you caused your injury. In Las Vegas, Nevada, there are two paths that your lawsuit can take. The first potential path is for larger cases, where if the insurance company is being unreasonable with your Las Vegas car accident lawyer, your lawyer will take your case to the jury.

The other potential path is reserved for small to medium sized cases. In the second potential path, your case will be put into Nevada’s non-binding Arbitration program. In the Arbitration program, an Arbitrator, essentially a private judge, will oversee your case. Once an Arbitrator is appointed, your Las Vegas accident lawyer will meet with the attorney hired by the insurance company and devise a discovery plan (i.e. let the other side discover what your case is about, the treatment you received and your injuries). An Arbitration Hearing date will also be selected, which will be sometime within 6 months after the Arbitrator came into your case. An Arbitration Hearing is an informal hearing on the matter, in the Arbitrator’s conference room, where you get to tell the Arbitrator what happen in the Las Vegas accident and how it affected you. Thereafter, the Arbitrator will render a non-binding decision on your case. If either party is dissatisfied with the Arbitrator’s decision, they can have a jury trial on the issues (putting you back on path No. 1). However, after having an opportunity to review your case in full the insurance company’s lawyer may issue a settlement offer to potentially resolve your case, prior to the arbitration hearing going forward.

Car Accidents: Recorded Statement

2010-02-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

As part of the settlement process with the insurance company, they may request that your recorded statement be taken. Do not worry, your Las Vegas accident attorney will be with you every step of the way and explain everything to you. The recorded statement will usually be taken in your accident lawyers’ office, with your accident lawyer present. A day or so before your recorded statement is set to take place, your accident lawyer will go over the potential questions which may be asked during the recorded statement session. A recorded statement is simply your account of what happened in the accident. A representative from the insurance company will ask you questions related to your Las Vegas car accident. As such, you may likely be asked to tell your story of how the Las Vegas auto accident took place, what damages to your car were present, what injuries you sustained and what treatment you received. A booklet containing all of the questions asked, together with your answers will be prepared by the insurance company and forwarded to your accident lawyer. At that time, you may review the questions and your answers.

Car Accident: Settlement Negotiations

2010-02-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

The settlement process is probably one of the most exciting, yet potentially frustrating times in your case. What may help, is to remember that the insurance company is looking out for their best interest, not yours. That is why you decided to hire a Las Vegas accident lawyer, to aggressively represent your interests and who would put your own interests first. What usually happens is that the insurance company may offer to settle your case for an amount so low, that you are insulted. Typically, the first offer the insurance company gives to your Las Vegas car accident lawyer is so low, it does not ever cover the costs of your medical bills. Do not worry though, your Las Vegas car accident attorney has participated in hundreds of settlements and will fight to get you the maximum amount that your case is worth. Your accident lawyer in Las Vegas will issue a reasonable counteroffer to the insurance company’s initial offer and will not settle your case until a reasonable offer from the insurance company is received.

Car Accident: Settlement

2010-02-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

One of the major purposes of this blog is to answer your questions concerning your personal injury case. A very common question your Las Vegas accident lawyer gets is how long will it take to settle my case? The answer to that question, depends in large part to how long it takes you get better. Generally speaking, if the insurance company accepts the claim and is reasonable, you case can settle within a few months of you stopping treatment. However, many times, the insurance company denies the claim or is being unreasonable. That is why you hired an accident lawyer in the first place, to be your advocate. If the insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement, in a timely manner, your Las Vegas auto accident attorney will be aggressive and file a lawsuit against the person who caused your injuries. A lawsuit typically lasts between 9 months and 2 years. Of course, the more injuries you have sustained, generally the longer it takes to fully resolve your case. Rest assured that your Las Vegas car accident attorney will fight so you receive the maximum settlement possible. Additionally, you Las Vegas injury lawyer will go to trial for you.

Car Accident: Surgery

2010-01-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Surgery is one of the most invasive types of treatment you may undergo after being in a car accident. You may not want to have surgery, but after exhausting all of the alternatives and fully discussing the matter with your Las Vegas car accident attorney and doctor, it may be the best option for you. It is important to note that your Las Vegas auto accident attorney will make sure that you get all of the treatment you need, including surgery, without any out of pocket expense on your part. So, all you have to think about is getting better.

The first procedure which may be discussed is a Diskectomy. This involves removal of the herniated portion of a disk to relieve irritation and inflammation of a nerve. It's done as an open surgery and typically involves full or partial removal of the back portion of a vertebra (lamina) to access the ruptured disc.

The second type of procedure you may hear about is a Laminectomy. This procedure involves the removal of the bone overlying the spinal canal. It enlarges the spinal canal and is performed to relieve nerve pressure caused by spinal stenosis, a type of narrowing of your spinal column.

A third type of common surgery is a Fusion. Spinal fusion permanently connects two or more bones in your spine. It can relieve pain by adding stability to a spinal fracture. It is occasionally used to eliminate painful motion between vertebrae that can result from a degenerated or injured discs. One problem with a fusion, is that it may make the discs above and below the fused discs weaker. However, the pros and cons of the procedure will be discussed in detail with your Las Vegas accident lawyer and doctor, before you make a decision on how to proceed.

Lastly, implanted artificial discs are a treatment alternative to spinal fusion for painful movement between two vertebrae due to a degenerated or injured disc. These relatively new devices are still being studied, however, so it's not yet clear what role they might play in treating spinal disc disease.
These are just some of the surgery types you may discuss with your accident lawyer and doctor. However, you may not need surgery right now, but may need it the future. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer will make sure you have the money you need to pay for any surgery you may need in the future.

Car Accident: Pain Management Treatment

2010-01-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

Once you have sought urgent care or emergency room treatment, have seen you primary doctor who has coordinated all of your care, including chiropractic care, physical therapy and any diagnostic testing, you may need additional treatment, if your pain still will not go away. The additional treatment your Las Vegas injury lawyer and doctor may recommend is pain management. Pain management may consist of injections in your neck or back to stop the pain at its source. A common type of injection is an epidural steroid injection, which can alleviate your pain for up to weeks at a time. A type of typical pain management treatment which you may undergo, after talking it over with your doctor and Las Vegas personal injury lawyer, is a rhizotomy. Rhizotomy is a medical procedure where the nerves are burned, to inhibit the sensation of pain from reaching your brain. Many of your Las Vegas car accident lawyer clients choose rhizotomy, so they can avoid taking pain medication daily. If you have tried all of the above treatments and you still are getting better, then surgery may be the best alternative for you. Next time, we will discuss types of surgery you may undergo.

Car Accident: Diagnostic Testing

2010-01-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

There are three very common types of diagnostic testing that you may undergo after your Las Vegas car accident. Your Las Vegas car accident attorney and the physicians she works with are very knowledgeable in the types of testing you may need to fully evaluate your health. The three major types of diagnostic testing you may review are (1) X-rays; (2) CT scans; and (3) MRIs. Each one will be looked at in turn.

X-rays are great to see if you have any broken bones (commonly done at the emergency room or urgent care) or to look at the alignment of your spine (something your chiropractic will be looking for). If your car accident was minor and you recover from your injuries within 3-4 months, an x-ray is all that you will undergo. However, if you are not recovering at a pace that your Las Vegas accident lawyer and doctors feel is not normal, you may need additional testing to determine what is wrong.

Computed tomography scanning (“CT scan”) also called computer axial tomography (CAT) is a more sophisticated type of x-ray. The CT scan can see things the normal x-ray cannot see. So, if you are still in unexplained pain and an x-ray did not show anything, you may need a CT scan. If the CT scan does not show anything, but you still have pain that will not go away with chiropractic care and physical therapy, your Las Vegas personal injury attorney and doctor may recommend that you receive an MRI to see what could be wrong with you. An MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. An MRI can be done with or with a contrasting agent to help see inside your body. If the space between your spine’s discs have been damaged in any way as a result of your Las Vegas car accident, the MRI will show it.

After the Accident: Physical Therapy

2009-12-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

In connection with chiropractic care, your primary care doctor may refer you to physical therapy. Physical therapy is important to retrain muscles or strengthen muscles after you have been in a Las Vegas car accident or have had surgery as a result of your injuries. Going to physical therapy has a lot in common with going to the gym. However, at the physical therapist’s office, it is like you have your own personal trainer, with a medical background. Your Las Vegas Attorney highly recommends physical therapy as part of an overall wellness program to get you back on your feet and feeling well. Commonly, after surgery, the muscles may have atrophied (shrunk) from not being used and need a help in getting their full strength back. Physical therapy will help you recover from your Las Vegas auto accident. Similar to all of your other treatment, your Las Vegas personal injury lawyer will communicate with your physical therapist to make sure you are progressing at good pace. If for whatever reason, you are not getting better, as expected, your accident Lawyer in Las Vegas and your treating doctors will make sure you get the diagnostic testing needed to figure out what needs to be fixed. Next time, we will discuss what types of testing you may expect.

Chiropractic Care

2009-12-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

After you have seen your primary care physician, you may need chiropractic care. As part of your chiropractic care, your spine may need to be realigned after the jostling you experienced in your Las Vegas car accident. As part of your chiropractic treatment from your Las Vegas auto accident, you may need treatment three times a week for the first three weeks, with a gradual tapering off of visits, to twice a week and then to once a week or once every other week. One of the biggest problems with chiropractic treatment is: Time. Prior to your Las Vegas car accident, you were pressed for time to get everything done. Now, you have to add medical treatment on to that, and it can be a stressful time in your life. Your Las Vegas lawyer will tell you that going to your treatments is one of the most important things you can do, for two reasons. First, if you don’t get the treatment you need, you might not get better. Second, your treatment helps your Las Vegas car accident lawyer prove your case. Without the doctor’s treatment record, your accident lawyer will not be able prove your case properly. So, get the treatment you need, when you need it.

Las Vegas Auto Accidents: Primary care treatment

2009-12-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

After your initial emergency and urgent care treatment from your Las Vegas car accident, your Las Vegas car accident lawyer may refer you to a primary care doctor, who can coordinate all of your treatment. Your primary care doctor will be responsible for your initial medications (after the ones from the Urgent or emergency care facility run out) and referrals to other doctors who are needed for your care.

One of the most important things you can do for your case and your Las Vegas car accident lawyer, is to tell your primary care physician all of your complaints. For example, if you have pain in your lower back, that radiates down into your legs, with numbness and tingling, your Las Vegas auto accident lawyer, needs you to tell your doctor all of your complaints. You might simply want to tell your doctor that you have lower back pain, but if your pain is radiating down your legs, it means you may have something structurally wrong with your spine, that needs additional medical care.

Auto Accident Tip

2009-12-04T11:17:00.000-08:00

After you have been injured in a Las Vegas car accident, it is important to seek medical treatment. The responding police officer may ask if you need an ambulance. If you feel that is it unsafe for you to drive and are in severe pain, your Las Vegas auto accident lawyer high recommends that you take the police up on their offer for a medical evaluation at the Las Vegas car accident scene. Otherwise, if you feel well enough to drive your car safely, you can go to an Urgent Care Center. However, your Las Vegas car accident lawyer would counsel you to call your lawyer first, to help direct you to the best urgent care facility, where you will receive the best treatment. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer works with caring doctors, who are knowledgeable in the field of car accident injuries and who will provide you with the highest level of care possible. Next time, we will talk about what to expect after your initial emergency and urgent care treatment.

Auto Accident Tip

2009-12-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

One of the most important jobs your Las Vegas personal injury attorney will do for you is coordinate your medical care. After a car accident you are in a lot of pain. You seek emergency care treatment and as time goes on you try to live with the pain. Work, family and the everyday stresses and demands of life seem to take over, while you put your medical treatment on the back burner. Although you are still in a lot of pain after your Las Vegas auto accident, you try and just live with it for the time being. Your Las Vegas personal injury attorney at von Magdenko & Potucek, will make sure that you receive the continued care you need. You may need physical therapy, pain management, chiropractic care or even surgery. The last thing you want is being unable to pay for the medical care you need. Your personal injury attorney will make sure that you get the care you need without any out of pocket expense. During my next series of blogs, I will discuss the different types of treatment you might receive after a car accident and what you can expect from it.

Car Accident Tip

2009-11-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

One of the most important things you will face after being involved in a car accident in Las Vegas, is dealing with the insurance company. If you do not have an attorney representing you for your car accident, the insurance company will contact you and pressure you into signing documents, limiting your right of monetary recovery against them. However, if you have an attorney in Las Vegas, the insurance company will not be able to take advantage of you. Some people believe that they do not need a lawyer to represent them in their auto accident. They think that they just want what they deserve and nothing more. The problem with that thinking, is that the insurance company will try and give you less than you deserve. Hiring a lawyer to be your advocate in your Las Vegas car accident case is the best thing you can do to make sure you do not get put in a bad predicament twice.

STEP EIGHT: GETTING THE CARE YOU NEED

2009-11-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

STEP ONE: Called 911. 

STEP TWO: Move or Leave your Car  

STEP THREE: Talking with the Other Driver. 

STEP FOUR: Talking to Witnesses.

STEP FIVE: Taking Pictures.

STEP SIX: Talking to the Police

STEP SEVEN: Contacting your Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas

STEP EIGHT: GETTING THE CARE YOU NEED

Your Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas will coordinate your care and be the advocate that you need to put you on the road to recovery. Usually, the first doctor you will see, will be at an Urgent Care, on the day of the accident. X-rays may be taken to make sure that you have not suffered from any broken bones, however injuries to parts of your body will not show up on the x-rays. So, even if your x-ray is normal, that does not mean you are not injured. After seeing an Urgent Care doctor and getting x-rays done, your Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas will schedule an appointment with a chiropractor, physical therapist or general physician, depending on your needs.

A vast majority of people get better after 1 to 3 months of treatment. However, if you are going to your doctor and not seeing an improvement in your symptoms, it may be a sign that you may have a more long term injury to your spine. Your Personal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas will make sure you receive a CT Scan or MRI, which can look more closely at your spine, to see what is wrong. Your Car Accident Attorney Las Vegas will make sure that you receive the care you need.

STEP SEVEN: CONTACTING YOUR CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER LAS VEGAS

2009-11-19T10:30:00.000-08:00

STEP ONE: Called 911.

 STEP TWO: Move or Leave your Car  

STEP THREE: Talking with the Other Driver. 

STEP FOUR: Talking to Witnesses.

STEP FIVE: Taking Pictures.

STEP SIX: Talking to the Police.

STEP SEVEN: CONTACTING YOUR CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER LAS VEGAS

Contacting your Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas is easy. You can call, email or just stop by our office for a consultation. If you are in too much pain, in the hospital or for any other reason, cannot come to your Accident Lawyer Las Vegas office, we will come to you. When meeting with your lawyer, the process of pursuing a claim will be explained to you. The first thing your Personal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas will do is determine what additional care you need and refer you to caring and thorough doctors.

Your lawyer will contact the other driver’s insurance company and well as your insurance company, so you can focus on healing, instead of dealing with the insurance companies. Your Accident Lawyer Las Vegas will help with fixing the damage to your car and getting a rental car so you can get to where you need to go. From there, your lawyer will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you are receiving the care you need and that you receive the maximum amount of money your case is worth.

Peronal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas -STEP SIX: TALKING TO THE POLICE

2009-11-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

STEP ONE: Called 911.
STEP TWO: Move or Leave your Car
STEP THREE: Talking with the Other Driver.
STEP FOUR: Talking to Witnesses.
STEP SIX: TALKING TO THE POLICE.

Once you have talked to witnesses, the police will have likely arrived. It is important to tell the responding police officer everything about the accident, including whether you had to move your car and any statements the other driver made, such as admitting they were only their cel phone, on medication or not paying attention while driving. Also ensure that all witness names, statements and contact information are given to the police officer. By doing these things at the accident scene, you will ensure your Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas, has the best foundation with which to pursue your case. The police officer will talk to you, the other driver and all witnesses independently.

Once the police have completed their investigation, including measuring any skid marks and talking to all those involved, they will prepare a written report. Your Accident Lawyer Las Vegas will request a copy of the traffic accident report prepared by the police officer, which is usually available within 1 to 2 weeks after the date of the accident.

Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer - Step 5

2009-10-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

STEP FIVE: TAKING PICTURES.

Once you have:
STEP ONE: Called 911.
STEP TWO: Move or Leave your Car depending on safety.
STEP THREE: Talked to the Other Driver.
STEP FOUR: Talking to Witnesses.

You can now move onto:

STEP FIVE: TAKING PICTURES.

One of the most important things you can do to assist your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer is to take pictures of the damage to your car and the other driver’s car. Since you have already determined that you and your vehicle are safe, start taking pictures. You may have a camera on your cell phone. If you do, use that. If you cell phone does not have a camera, I suggest storing a disposable camera in your glove compartment to use during an emergency.

Once you have your camera ready, take pictures of both cars up close to get a good view of the damages, as well as far away, to get an overall view of the damaged cars. You can also take pictures of the other driver, any passengers or witnesses to the accident. Your Las Vegas Auto Accident Lawyer also suggests that you take pictures of the intersection or other area where the accident happened, to give others a good view of where the accident took place. If you are so badly injured, ask a witness to take the above photographs, including pictures of yourself. Once you have taken those pictures, you can give those to your Accident Lawyer Las Vegas, to help with you case. Next time, we will talk about conversations with the responding police officers.

Car Accident Attorney Las Vegas

2009-09-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

STEP FOUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Once you have:
STEP ONE: Called 911.
STEP TWO: Move or Leave your Car depending on safety.
STEP THREE: Talked to the Other Driver.
You can now move onto
STEP FOUR: Talking to Witnesses.

One of the most important things you and only you can do after an accident, is to talk to the people who witnessed the accident. Even if you were rear-ended by another driver and you think they are clearly at fault, you still need to have witnesses. It is very common for a driver who slams into the back of an other car (you) to later claim that you cut them off and therefore caused the Las Vegas Accident. By having witnesses, you can make sure no false accusations are made against you.

The reason why you are the only person who can talk to witnesses, is that by the time the police arrive, which can take up to 15-30 minutes, any witnesses may have left the accident scene. Also, by the time you talk to your Personal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas, the witnesses will be long gone.

So, when talking to a witness make sure you talk to them about what they saw and get the following information: a. Name, b. Home/Cel Phone Number, c. Work Phone Number, d. Home and Work Address. People move and change jobs a lot, so by getting their work and home information, you increase the likelihood of being able to contact them months down the road when their clear view of the accident is important. Next time we met, we will discuss STEP
FIVE: TAKING PICTURES.

Car Wreck Lawyer Las Vegas

2009-08-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

STEP THREE IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ACCIDENT: TALKING TO THE OTHER DRIVER.

After you have 1. Called 911 and 2. Decided whether it is safe to leave your car where it is or move it, the next step 3. Is to talk to the driver of the other car in your Las Vegas Car Accident. The first thing you want to do when talking to the other driver, is to get their license plate number and their insurance information. In getting their insurance information, be sure to write down a. the other driver’s name, b. their insurance company, c. the insurance company’s phone number, and d. the policy number the other driver has with their insurance company.

Although you may in shock and your emotions are riding high, try to stay calm when talking to the other driver. Your first inclination may to start swearing or yelling at the other driver, but just remember that you have a Personal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas, who will make sure you made as whole as possible after the accident. You may simply want to wait for the police to arrive and not talk anymore with the other driver. However, if the other driver says they are sorry, was on their cel phone or doing something other than paying full attention to driving, be sure to tell the police everything the other driver said to you after the accident. The police officer will write down your side of the story and other driver’s comments in the police report.

Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas

2009-08-21T12:54:00.001-07:00

STEP TWO…. CONT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN ACCIDENT
Following up on what to do after you have called 911 and assessed that it is safe to leave your vehicle were it is after an accident. You may want to LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE WHERE IT IS AFTER A WRECK. A good Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer will tell you why you may want to do so.

There is one time when you do want to leave your vehicle where it ended up after a crash: to assist the police in reconstructing the accident. Once you have determined it is safe, you can leave your vehicle in the road after an accident. Once the police arrive, they may do an “Accident Investigation”. In an Accident Investigation, the police will measure skid marks, note where the vehicle’s ended up after an accident and create an outline of what potentially happened to cause the accident. If you move your car, the police cannot do an Accident Investigation.

In a common rear-end car accident, this is usually not necessary to leave your car where it ended up after the accident. However, when your vehicle was hit an angle or thrown 10-20 feet as a result of the impact, knowing where you ended up is important for your Las Vegas Accident case.

Next time we talk, I will go over the third step after a car accident: talking to the driver of the other car.

Personal Injury Las Vegas

2009-08-16T12:13:00.001-07:00

STEP TWO
ASSESS SAFETY BEFORE EXITING YOUR VEHICLE AND MOVE YOUR VEHICLE IF NECESSARY TO AVOID FURTHER INJURY. After you have called 911 then you can get out of your car, only if it is safe to do so. If you are on the freeway when an accident has happened, be very careful not to cause any more damage to your vehicle or any harm to yourself, as a result of oncoming traffic. When you have an accident, your safety is the number one concern. Having a Car Accident Las Vegas Lawyer is also important. Your Personal Injury Las Vegas Lawyer knows what to do to ensure your health and safety needs are met. We hope this blog gives you information to make informed decisions after an accident, when you may be in shock and uncertain on what to do.

Once you are certain that you are safe, you can exit your vehicle. However, if you feel that it is not safe to exit your vehicle or to leave your vehicle where it is, you may want to consider moving your vehicle and yourself out of harm’s way. There is a classic case in Nevada where the driver of vehicle and a would-be helpful Samaritan decided to leave a disabled vehicle in the road to wait for help. It was dark out. The car’s headlight’s were left off. A semi-truck, not seeing the car in the dark, rammed into the car, with passengers inside. There was considerable injury to the passengers, as a result of leaving the car in the roadway. Don’t cause more damage by leaving your car on a potentially dangerous area of the road. Next time we talk, I will go over why you may want to leave your vehicle were it is after an accident, after you have determined it is safe to do so.

Car Accidents Las Vegas

2009-08-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

It has been another good week and I would like to inform you on what you should do when you are involved in a car accident in Las Vegas. My blog over the next several weeks will go over, step by step, what you should do after a car wreck and how to best start your case for Injury Lawyers Las Vegas.

STEP ONE:

If you are unfortunate enough to have been hit by an inattentive driver, the FIRST thing you should do is CALL 911. Although you will need a Personal Injury Attorney Las Vegas, calling the police needs to be done first. Do not call your spouse or a friend. The reason? You’re cel phone records can be subpoenaed (the other side’s attorney can request them from your cel phone company). So, if your case goes to Court, the other side’s attorney may review your phone records looking for ways to deny you any recovery. If you call someone else first, the other side may argue that you were on your phone when the accident happened and try and blame you for the car accident.

There is another important point about calling the police after you have been in a Car Accident in Las Vegas. All 911 calls are recorded, so whatever you say on the phone may be used against you. So, just state (1) that you were in a car accident; (2) the location of the accident; and (3) that you need police and medical attention.

During my next blog, I will talk to you about what actions you should take once you have called 911.

Auto Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas

2009-07-19T19:08:00.001-07:00

Thank you for coming back to my Personal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas blog today. I had a very busy week. I had a trial with my law partner on Tuesday. We won!! I also have an upcoming trial on Monday . Two trials in one week! Since my last blog, I had a client who was so happy with my service, calling him back to check on him, seeing him at his convenience, he referred a friend of his to my office for a Personal Injury Attorney in Las Vegas.
The new client was making a left hand turn, when another car ran a red light, resulting in a t-bone collision. I spoke with my new client on the phone and he was very upset about the situation. As he was making his left hand turn, he had a green arrow. Oncoming traffic had a red light. The person who struck my client was given a citation. However, with a completely wrecked car and a hurt body, my client did not know what to do. My new client has a full time job and has a family to support. Once he visits his own Auto Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas, he will be on the road to recovery. I will coordinate his medical care, as he hasn’t even gone to the doctor yet, even though the accident was a week ago! I will also make sure he has a rental car so he can get to and from work. I will focus on getting him medical treatment and a replacement care, so he can focus on getting better. Until next time, have a safe and productive week.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas

2009-07-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you for coming back to my blog for Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas. I had a new client call this past week after he was rear-ended in a car accident in Las Vegas and needing a lawyer for his Auto Accident in Las Vegas. My client, “Alfonso” (all names on the blog have been changed to protect my client’s identities) is a car salesman and was sitting in the passenger seat of a car, when the car was hit from behind by an inattentive driver.
Not knowing what to do or who to turn to, Alfonso called me. I was able to get a same day appointment with a general doctor for him as well as with a chiropractor. Alfonso was given prescriptions to help with his pain as well as a note from both treatment providers that to allow him to be off work for a week, so his body could heal. Alfonso is already feeling better and appreciates that he has someone working for him. I am more than happy to help and will be glad when he is pain-free.
It is people like Alfonso, hard working people, injured through no fault of their own that need the help of a lawyer. That way, they can focus on getting better, while their personal injury lawyer, will focus on getting them care and compensation they need.
Until next time have a safe and happy week.

Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Advice

2009-07-08T15:28:00.001-07:00

This is our Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Blog. We hope you find it informative and very helpful. We pride ourselves on delivering honest and positive results for our clients.