The Law Offices of
Brandon L. Law, PLLC
When you need the LAW on your side
The Law Offices of
Brandon L. Law, PLLC
When you need the LAW on your side
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Injury Questions
Personal Injury Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
What should I do right after a car accident?
Following the procedures below makes sure you’re protected, supports your car accident claim, and overall, will strengthen your case.
1. Dial 9-1-1 to Report an Accident: Reporting an accident and getting an official accident report is important. The police will conduct their own investigation at the scene, and this will help when it comes to insurance settlements or in a personal injury lawsuit. The police will help you file an incident report but be sure to request a copy.
2. Get Prompt Medical Attention: If you or your passengers are injured, stay stationary and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. If you do not receive medical treatment at the scene, head to the hospital afterward just to get checked out, get copies of any X-rays/MRIs taken, and save all receipts for medical bills.
3. Document Everything: Pull out your phone and take as many photos/videos as you can. You are seeking to document the entirety of the accident scene. All of this information can be crucial to achieving maximum compensation for your car accident claim.
4. Collect Contact Information: as stated above, you are seeking to document the pertinent information of the crash so either take a picture/video or physically write down license plates, names of parties involved and eyewitnesses, and everyone’s addresses/phone numbers.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company: You should report the crash to your insurance company; however, you should be careful what you say to the insurance company when making an initial report. Your own insurance company will use what you say against you to limit the amount they have to pay out on a given claim. Therefore, it’s best to speak with a qualified Florida attorney for advice on how to handle communications with all parties involved including your insurance company.
6. Never Sign Anything with Your Insurance Carrier: NEVER sign any release with the insurance company before speaking to an attorney specializing in Florida car accidents. By signing, you may be unwittingly giving up your right to additional compensation.
7. Never Admit Fault: Do not apologize or say that the accident was your fault. This can come back to be used as evidence against you in a personal injury lawsuit. Always let the investigators put together everything that transpired and let your attorney handle communications.
8. Talk to an Attorney: After an accident, an experienced attorney can handle all of the details of the case and more so you can simply focus on getting better.
What Should I Say if the other Party’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?
What Should I Say if the other Party’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?
It is important that you do not speak to the other party’s insurance company if they reach out. Instead, direct them to your personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies will contact you soon after an accident so they can record statements, take your words out of context, and potentially even try to gain access to your medical records. It is crucial that you do not allow them to do this, as it could hurt your case. If you are working with a lawyer, they will ensure you do not say anything that could be used against you and that you do not sign your rights away.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Florida?
For most personal injury cases in Florida, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, you may not know about your injuries until well after the accident. For example, if your employer exposes you to a toxic substance in the workplace, you may not develop symptoms for months or years after the incident. Even after the discovery, you may not associate the injury with the incident until later. In these cases, Florida law can extend your window for filing a lawsuit. Florida has separate statute of limitations requirements for medical malpractice cases. Medical malpractice lawsuits involve negligence by a medical professional. It can occur through misdiagnosis, improper treatment, botched surgeries, and many other harmful actions. Medical malpractice lawsuits are subject to more complicated statutes of limitations. You have two years from the date of injury discovery or at most four years from the date of the malpractice to file a lawsuit. If the medical professional concealed the malpractice from you, you have two years from the date of discovery and seven years from the date of the malpractice to file. Children are exempt from the statute of limitations if the case begins before the child turns eight. If you do not file your personal injury lawsuit within the statute of limitations timeframe, it is unlikely that the court will hear it.
Criminal Defense Questions
Criminal Defense Questions
What types of consequences can I expect from a criminal conviction?
What types of consequences can I expect from a criminal conviction?
All criminal convictions come with certain consequences. The type and severity of consequences faced, however, depends on the type of conviction, the person’s prior record (if any), and several additional factors. Consequences of a criminal conviction are often categorized into two categories: direct consequences and collateral consequences. Direct Consequences of a conviction are those penalties that most people think of when they think about what a conviction brings. They may include imprisonment, probation, rehabilitative programs such as drug treatment and anger management, payment of fines and loss of privileges like driving or keeping a firearm. Other direct consequences, such as community service, may be imposed in certain situations.
Once entered, a criminal conviction stays on a person’s record, where it can have ongoing impacts on the person’s life even after time has been served, probation completed, and any other requirements of the direct consequences are met. These effects are typically called “collateral consequences,” and they include: Ineligibility for employment, Ineligibility for public benefits, licenses, or permits, and loss of certain civil rights such as voting. Even during probation or parole, a person may be subject to random searches of their person or property. Both direct and collateral consequences can have a significant impact on a person’s life.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
Misdemeanors can mean no jail time to up to a year in jail. Felonies in Florida usually involve time, typically over a year, in state prison. There are different levels of both misdemeanors and felonies: first, second and third degree. Traffic violations are most often misdemeanors. Assault charges and drug charges can be either misdemeanors or felonies.
When should I hire a criminal defense attorney?
When should I hire a criminal defense attorney?
As soon as possible. Without a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side, your chances of successfully fighting your charges are very slim. You will have no control over which attorney represents you unless you hire your own. Do not hesitate to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney of your choice if you have been arrested for a crime of any kind.
Family Law Questions
Family Law Questions
I am getting divorced. Do I need an attorney?
I am getting divorced. Do I need an attorney?
It is a good idea to consult with a lawyer when undertaking major life events or changes, such as a divorce. They will protect your rights, as well as the rights of your children. They also keep current with the laws in your state concerning marriage, divorce, marital property, child custody and visitation, and family support. However, not every divorce is one that produced children and oftentimes, a divorcing couple may not have marital assets to split and have been married for a short period of time. People in that situation are able to get divorced without hiring a lawyer for full representation, but still, they should consult with a lawyer who is well-versed in Family Law to prepare the paperwork for them. At the Law Offices of Brandon L. Law, PLLC, you are able to get a free consultation where we will discuss your specific case and draft a plan that suits your needs whether it is preparing the documents for dissolution of marriage or providing you with full representation.
My ex is not letting me see my child. What should I do?
My ex is not letting me see my child. What should I do?
If the parents cannot agree on custody of their child, the courts decide custody based on "the best interests of the child." Determining the child’s best interests involves many factors, no one of which is the most important factor.
How do courts determine who gets custody of children in a divorce or paternity case?
How do courts determine who gets custody of children in a divorce or paternity case?
The state of Florida has moved away from the term "custody," and now uses the term "timesharing." This change was made because both parents are viewed as having custody and the time they spend with the child is allocated based on what is in "the best interests of the child." Determining the child’s best interests involves many factors, no one of which is the most important factor. It is important to have a lawyer who is knowledgeable of Florida Family Law to represent you when the court is determining what's in the best interests of your child. Attorney Brandon Law has handled many divorce and paternity cases involving timesharing issues and is prepared to fight for you and your child in court and obtain the best possible outcome.
Legal Disclaimer
Legal Disclaimer
The content on this site does not constitute legal advice. Each case is specific and you should always consult a lawyer in relation to your own case. There are different laws in different jurisdictions and states, so the information given here may not apply to your jurisdiction. Laws can and do change frequently. The laws may have been changed or revised after this content was published. Please consult a lawyer to learn about the most updated laws in your jurisdiction. Comments or messages are public information. Please do not post private information in regards to your case in the comments section. Also, leaving a comment does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor is considered a private attorney-client communication. Attorney is only licensed to practice law in the state of Florida. Attorney may associate with other attorneys on your case and will inform you when doing so.
Have Questions?
Have Questions?
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please feel free to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Law to discuss your legal issues.
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please feel free to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Law to discuss your legal issues.