Popular social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn are growing every single day and there are over a billion users of these networks. Most social media users are active on these networks on a daily basis, and the activity is visible to friends and family members, and even their “friends” in some circumstances. Generally posts or “status updates” are relative to a user’s current lifestyle and what happens on a day to day basis. There is very little anonymity on social channels because it is a place where people network an communicate with each other.

With the increased use and widespread popularity of social media, it is not unlikely that attorneys will search the internet for information regarding their clients and the alleged negligent party. Insurance companies have also reviewed social media profiles to determine if the victim’s claimed injuries are consistent with their activity and their friends’ activity on social media sites.

This is a growing trend in the personal injury field, and this information is becoming usable evidence even in courtrooms. Recently, a judge in a personal injury case required access to the defendant’s private Facebook and MySpace postings. The defendant claimed to be confined to her bed from injuries she suffered. Her social postings revealed photos of her outside the confinement of her home with a cheerful smile. As a result, Facebook entered the lawsuit claiming this was a violation of the Stored Communications Act, however the judge ruled the information to be turned over and there is no expectation of privacy on the Internet.

It is recommended that when involved in a personal injury lawsuit, whether the victim or defendant, all social networking activity should be discontinued or kept to a minimum. It is the best way to avoid any type of misunderstanding or damaging evidence to the claim that is filed. If you have been injured and are in need of representation, contact Ray Arenofsky for a free consultation to get what is deserved and preserve your rights in your personal injury claim.

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If you have been in a car accident, you may be wondering if have a good case for a personal injury claim. It’s very common to be upset or angry when you’ve been involved in a car accident, especially if you were injured. From the beginning, it is important to stay as calm and objective as possible because you will need to document important information for your personal injury claim.

With a minor car accident, often the people involved file a police report, contact their insurance companies, or pay the damages out of pocket. In the event of a more serious car accident, you may be compensated not only for the damaged vehicle, but other damages including medical bills. There are several forms of loss and damages to claim from serious car accidents such as medical treatment, rehabilitation/therapy, rental cars or taxi fares, loss wages from work, and pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering is the emotional and physical pain that is a direct result from the initial physical injuries, internal injuries or medical procedures to treat those injuries. Personal embarrassment or humiliation caused by psychological pain, disfigurement, or post-traumatic stress from an injury are also forms of pain and suffering.

With auto accident claims there are a few types of compensatory damages, which are designed to put you back together in the same condition you were in before the accident. Compensatory damages can be economic or non-economic. Economic damages are recovered for out of pocket expenses, and non-economic damages are recovered for pain and suffering.

A personal injury lawyer can assist in determining the validity and value of your car accident claim. If the accident occurred very recently, your lawyer can also help gather the evidence, witness statements, obtain photographs, and document important information, which allows you to focus on your recovery. It is recommended to hire local representation for your personal injury case because they will be the most familiar with state laws and can point you in the right direction to filing your claim. Contact an injury attorney to find out if your car accident can be filed from any compensatory damages.

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Choosing a personal injury lawyer can understandably be daunting because personal injury cases are physically and emotionally stressful in the first place. There can also be an overwhelming number of attorneys in your area offering the same promises, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Remember, selecting the right attorney can be the difference between winning and losing your case, or how much compensation you receive in your settlement.

Aside from having a good relationship with your lawyer, you want to select the one who can best present your case to really show the court what you have experienced from your injury/ies. The lawyer must be incredibly dependable and offer total concentration on your case. Because the success of your case depends on your injury lawyer, it’s important you choose the right one. These 5 tips should help you choose the right lawyer for you.

Do Prior Research: You should know quite a bit about the lawyer before you make a decision to hire them for your case. Research as much as you can, and find out their history and experience before you hire representation.

Keep it Local: If possible, it is in your best interest to hire a local lawyer because they will have the most knowledge and understanding of the laws in your state. Local personal injury lawyers can ensure you’re taking all the correct steps for your claim. They can also point you to the exact location for filing a compensation claim, which is critical to the success of your claim process.

Seek Recommendations: The best way to choose your personal injury lawyer is through acquaintances or a lawyer’s previous clients. We suggest talking to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to find out if they hired an attorney recently. Then learn what their experience was like working with the attorney and if they would recommend their representation to you. Listen carefully and form your own opinion of a lawyer when you meet them before you hire them.

Search the Internet: The Internet is a great source for finding information about various personal injury lawyers before you even call or meet them. You can find out how much experience they have, the types of cases they practice, and what their credentials are. Additionally, there are also lawyer referral services which can provide you with several quotes for your case.

Payment Method Options: The last and most important step to selecting a personal injury lawyer, is finding a lawyer that charges a contingency fee. This means you will only be charged when the case is over, and you will only pay if litigation is won. As a result, they don’t get paid if they don’t win which is great incentive to work their hardest. Additionally, they likely will not take your case on if they don’t expect to win.

After doing some initial research, we recommend speaking to each lawyer in person. In conversation you can ask all the questions you need and express your primary concerns and then examine their responses. You will be working very closely with your lawyer so it is very important that you feel comfortable with them. It’s not required to hire a lawyer when filing your personal injury claim, but it’s an advantage to your case if you hire representation before you file. So keep in mind it is best to make your decision before you file your claim, plus your personal injury lawyer knows all the ins and outs and can help you with the filing process.

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