Blog - Vacaville Attorney

How Hiring an Attorney Enhances The Success of Your Social Security Disability Appeal

When you have a social security disability hearing, it is not necessary that you hire an attorney. Nevertheless, attorneys have successfully assisted claimants win their cases before. Experience has shown that applicants who hire legal representation have a double chance of approval than those who are not represented. Normally, when your claim is rejected, as it happens in majority of cases, you have a right to appeal. The appeal goes before a judge who reviews your medical evidence, your own testimony as well as that given by others. This evidence should attest that you are a disabled person as defined by law.

Obtaining and Assessing Medical Records

Judges reject claims on grounds that a claimant has presented incomplete records; the treatment history is inconsistent or has some gaps in between. Nonetheless, an attorney will help you in gathering concrete records for presentation to the court. You are supposed to request for these records, but attorneys know how to get them faster. The attorney is also aware of sections that need to be updated. Once he gets the records, he will review them carefully and decide whether they are sufficient for submission. This results in watertight evidence.

Opinions from Doctors

A disability attorney contacts the doctors or physicians who treated you and requests them to furnish him with their opinions in writing. This should touch on the subject of whether you are able to continue working or not. Based on the respect professionals accord each other, doctors will most likely respond to attorneys than they would to individuals. On the other hand, if your attorney deems your medical report to be insufficient, he can compel the Social Security Administration to arrange for a physical or psychological exam.

Getting You Ready for Questioning

All witnesses get nervous when put to the witness stand. The same can happen to you. Nervousness makes you confused. It is very easy to give contradictory remarks when you are in this state. Social security attorneys are familiar with the way hearings are conducted. Your own will prepare you to answer questions a judge is likely to ask. He will practice the questions and give you tips on how to give the required answers. This boosts your confidence and reduces the likelihood of giving answers that could jeopardize your case.

Putting the Vocational Expert to Task

This is an expert hired to give evidence on whether you are impaired and cannot be able to work. If he confirms that you are capable of working, the judge will reject your claim. However, soon as the judge has completed his questioning, your attorney takes over. He asks questions that poke holes in the vocational expert’s testimony.

Filed Under: General Legal Advice

Trust Auto Accident Attorneys to get you out of Misery

Auto accidents claim hundreds of lives every year. You could also be injured to an extent where you are hospitalized for a long time. Other people lose their source of livelihood and are forced to depend on their next of kin. An accident could leave you traumatized. Suddenly, you are faced with a huge hospital bill. This coupled with the fact that you were the family’s sole breadwinner can lead to a lot of emotional pressure. There is reprieve in the knowledge that you are entitled to some form of compensation.

In order to wage a good fight for compensation, you need the help of auto accident attorneys. Here is a look at how an experienced lawyer can get you out of misery:

Legal assistance: An auto accident attorney is a professional who has gone to school and gained the relevant legal knowledge. Law is such a broad subject. Most attorneys prefer to specialize in respective areas such as divorce, personal injury and auto accidents. By engaging an accident attorney, you will get a chance to fight for your rights. The attorney will confront the insurance company as well as the vehicle owner. If no settlement can be arrived at, the attorney will push for the matter to go to court. Once the case is before a judge, your attorney can seek for compensation on your behalf.
Loss of income: When you are injured as a result of an auto accident, you may not be able to continue working as before. The injury requires medical attention. Upon leaving hospital, you have to stay at home in order to recuperate. All this time, your family will be deprived of an income which they rely on in order to survive. A good and experienced attorney will bring this to the attention of the judge and press for an adequate compensation. This is meant to cushion your family from the exposure of not having an income. It will also help keep all of you above the water.
Medical bills: Nowadays, most people use medical insurance to take care of their hospital visits. The nature of injuries sustained can deal a big blow to your cover or even exhaust it totally. Apart from the hospital fee, you have to pay doctors and finance the cost of drugs. Even after being discharged from hospital, you may require specialized care. All these should not have arisen had the person driving the car that hit you been extra careful. By extension, it is his/her responsibility to take care of you. With an attorney, you can claim a refund of what you have spent.
Suffering: Nothing can be equated to what you have been going through after the accident. You have been through a lot of pain, trauma and sometimes, feelings of hopelessness. In order to help you get back on your feet, auto accident attorneys will see to it that the courts award you a reasonable settlement.

Filed Under: Fairfield Attorney, Fairfield Lawyer

Why an Accident Attorney is Your Best Bet When Tackling Personal Injury Suits

Being involved in an auto accident is a harrowing experience. It leaves you with not only physical injuries but with mental trauma as well. Besides, there are hospital bills to pay which eats into your finances. If the injuries are serious, you could be out of work for weeks or even months. Some people may be quick to give you all manner of advice. There are those who will tell you to take whatever compensation the insurance company will offer. The best advice you should listen to is that from someone telling you to consult an accident attorney. Here’s why:

The Severity of The Accident

If the accident is a minor one, going to an attorney might not be necessary. You can negotiate between yourselves and agree. Such agreements can help resolve matters and end it there. However, where the accident is severe and you have had to be taken to hospital, you cannot just settle for any amount. You need the intervention of a legal expert.

Benefits Factor

A car accident attorney understands the legal aspects of personal injuries resulting from auto accidents. He can wriggle through the bottlenecks associated with insurers. You must always bear in mind the fact that insurance companies are out to make a profit. Much as they would be willing to compensate you, the amount may not be in proportion to the injuries sustained. With assistance from an attorney, you can get a fair amount. He will fight tooth and nail to see to it that you are adequately compensated.

The Contingency Element

Law firms normally charge their fees on a contingent basis. The attorneys who specialize in this area do not charge their clients any fees while the cases are in progress. However, they will wait until the aggressor or a court awards you compensation. Once the money is released, they take out a certain percentage to cover their legal and processing fees. This puts you at an advantage because the attorney will have a direct interest in your case.

Where You Are Accused of Responsibility

This can be very tricky for you. It is also ironic in the sense that you are the injured person yet the other party accuses you of being responsible. Before an insurance claim is paid, the company must first ascertain who was responsible. The severity of the accident does not matter. Without a lawyer to speak for you, chances of being compensated are almost nil. That is why you need to speak to an attorney immediately after you have been involved in an accident.

Filed Under: Fairfield Lawyer, General Legal Advice, Vacaville Attorney

Hiring an Attorney After You Are Hurt On The Job

Much as employers try to make workplaces safe, accidents do happen. At times, it may be due to sheer negligence on the employer. Regardless of the circumstances, you need to lodge a workman’s compensation claim. Usually, this comes about owing to the need for money to offset hospital bills, pay your doctor and future therapy clinics. The extent of injury could be severe resulting in your being away from work for several weeks or months. The law dictates that you should be adequately compensated for the loss of income, bills incurred and the trauma you have gone through.

When Hiring an Attorney Is a Must

Workplace injuries range from minor to severe. In the former case, you will head to the company clinic; have the injury checked ad get some medication. However, severe cases may result in hospital admissions where you undergo surgery. If you require surgery, are unable to get back to work or were denied medical benefits, you require assistance from an attorney. A personal injury lawyer, as these attorneys are also referred to, will help you lodge a claim and advice on other rights that you have against your employer.

When The Insurer Denies Your Claim

Insurance companies have this habit of relegating claims and refusing to award compensation. A claims assessor may investigate your claim and give feedback that there was no serious injury. At times, you file a claim and no investigations are done. Another way through which insurance companies frustrate claimants is by offering them compensation that is below par. You need the professional intervention of an attorney who will apply pressure on the insurer to investigate the case afresh. Your attorney will face the legal team from the insurance company and compel them to award you the compensation you deserve.

Delayed Compensation Checks

It is very frustrating when you are being hunted down by collection agents from the hospital and the doctors who attended to you. It is true that they gave you quality medical care and are on your way to recovery. Even after the insurance company has awarded you compensation, they keep delaying the release of these checks. At times, the checks come out in a haphazard manner at a time when you are struggling to put your life back together. Calls to the relevant persons may go unanswered leaving you frustrated. With a little help from your attorney, this will hasten up things leaving you to heal in peace.

Filed Under: Vacaville Attorney, Vacaville Lawyer

Do I Really Need a DWI Attorney in Vacaville, CA?

Dealing with a drunk driving case is a serious matter. It is important to review the charges against you to determine the severity of your case. Talking to a Vacaville DWI attorney is an important thing to do as you want to focus on staying out of jail, and hopefully keeping your fine low.

Dealing with an attorney has a number of benefits as they are used to the local court system and will be able to help reduce the charges. Their ability to navigate the complex DWI process will have a large impact on the outcome of your case. Here are just a few of the things you can expect when you hire a good attorney.

Pleading Guilty?

There are some people that choose to plead guilty without consulting with an attorney. This can cause you to take a deal that might not be the best option. If this is your first DWI case, pleading guilty might be the best option to avoid jail time. Individuals that have a high BAC level are at-risk for jail time and serious charges.

If the officer will take the stand to testify against you, pleading guilty is usually the best choice as they can show how you were driving recklessly. Talking to an attorney is the best way to find out what your options are, and if pleading guilty is the smartest choice. If you were intoxicated and driving with a minor in the car, the charges against you will be severe.

An attorney can negotiate a plea deal with the judge that is reasonable instead of having the maximum sentence. The judge in your case is another reason why it pays to hire an attorney. Most judges will hand down similar sentences for their cases. This is important to understand as you want to try and get a judge that usually shifts more toward the lenient side.

Bargaining

Do you have the right skills needed to bargain for a lesser sentence? Most lawyers are trained to debate, and they know how to bargain well. They can get your charges reduced to a lesser sentence, such as reckless driving over a DUI. For cases where an individual has a BAC that is over .15, you want to have an attorney on your side.

They will work hard to try and lessen the charges so you aren’t going to have to serve prison time, or get hit with a large fee. Trying to negotiate without an attorney is risky, especially since the judge may not truly listen to what you have to say. With an attorney, they are likely to listen to what they have to say and will take it into consideration before handing down their sentence.

Hiring an Attorney

If this is not your first case, hire an attorney. Second offenders are often hit harder with sentences from the judge as they feel they may have been too lenient with you in the past. An attorney will understand that the judge is not going to go easy on you, so they work hard to try and limit how extreme the ruling can be.

You should talk to your attorney about your case, and what you can afford. If you are struggling to meet the payments for their fees, negotiate a payment plan with them. A good Vacaville DWI will work hard to fight for your legal rights and limit the punishment you will face for DWI charges.

Filed Under: General

Compelling Reasons for Hiring an Injury Attorney

You do not need to be represented by an injury attorney every time you have an auto accident or other injury claim. There is always a threshold.

The injury must have been severe and you should not have been the one at fault. Nevertheless, hiring an attorney helps you push for a better settlement from the offending party’s insurance company. There are people who go ahead and lodge personal injury claims on their own. It is still possible to obtain settlement this way but you will be taken advantage of by the insurance people.

Below are the main reasons that should propel you to hire an injury attorney:

To increase the chances of obtaining fair compensation

The detriment of presenting your claim without any legal assistance is that the insurance people will exploit loopholes in personal injury law. As a layman, there are rights you may not be aware of. On the other hand, your ability to negotiate is limited. The story changes totally once you bring an experienced attorney on board. You should always know that insurance companies are in business. By under compensating you, they will be able to maximize on their profitability. Once they see that you are not represented, they automatically quote low compensation figures. Attorneys are able to push for an amount that is fair to you.

Personal injury lawyers have a vast understanding of the underlying laws

Every state has got its own personal injury laws. Ordinary citizens many not understand all personal injury laws as much as lawyers do. Personal injury attorneys are professional legal practitioners whose business it is to grasp all laws relating to their area of practice. They are able to tell you the kind of rights you have and will defend that on your behalf. A personal injury attorney can interpret the law as it relates to your resident state. Besides, they have a vast experience that has come about from their handling of similar cases before.

Fair representation

There arises a situation where, the insurance company has awarded compensation. In your opinion, you feel that the amount in question is too low.

If you believe that you have been given an unfair settlement, look for a lawyer who is ready to dispute the settlement in front of a judge. In most cases, insurance companies do not like such matters getting into the public domain. This may ruin their reputation. A personal injury attorney will use such techniques as putting pressure on the insurer to either increase the settlement or have the matter go to court.

Filed Under: General

Vacaville DUI Attorney: The Advantages of Having One

If you reside and drive in Vacaville California today, getting a Vacaville DUI Attorney might be an option to consider. If you have a lawyer of this caliber and you are suspected to be a DUI offender, the services offered by the lawyer will offer you a myriad of advantages.

Most DUI attorneys out there today possess good experience when it comes to dealing with DUI cases and again most of them are well acquainted with the laws used in the state.

So, why is having a DUI attorney necessary when you are driving within Vacaville CA? Here are some of the benefits of having a DUI lawyer:

The lawyer is often able to reach plea affectively deal with authorities on matters relating to taxes and other obligations. If you happen to be involved in an accident, the lawyer can ensure you are compensated and taken care of before the case commences.
The DUI attorney possesses the right skills and experience to help you find various ways through which the case can be dropped or even thrown out altogether.
A good attorney will also allow you to contact them at any time using any form of communication available.
In any case, everything that you discuss with your DUI lawyer will remain private and confidential and well protected by the advocate. In that case therefore, since your details will be private, it is good to be as honest as possible in order to allow the lawyer to build a strong case.
A qualified DUI lawyer may also able to delay court proceedings until that time when you are able to get a fair hearing. Since they have presided over such cases before, it is possible to get a fair judgment because you are dealing with someone who has the right skills and experience to handle the job.
Last but not least, a DUI lawyer will have an easy time going through the police report and finding out any inconsistencies. If any inconsistencies exist, they can seek clarifications from the authorities with a bid to build on your case. That is why having a Vacaville DUI attorney is not just something that you can choose to wish away.

Contact our law office today to schedule a consultation today!

Filed Under: General

What Makes a Good Vacaville, CA Attorney

There are many circumstances where you will need the services of a lawyer. Legal services come in handy when you have a business or family matter at hand. You will also need a lawyer when you have been accused of breaking the law. The relationship between a lawyer and client should be cordial.

If you want the best from a lawyer, you must bond with them and disclose any relevant information that you feel will help win your case. In order to get a good Vacaville CA attorney, ask your friends or business associates to recommend attorneys they have worked with before. Interview your prospects before making up your mind on whom to hire.

Nonetheless, a good Vacaville CA attorney should have the following qualities:

He should have a lot of legal experience: The kind of training attorneys go through prepares them to handle any type of legal case. In order to get the best person, focus your search on someone who has specialized in a particular area. If you are faced with a DUI charge for instance, look for a DUI lawyer. Similarly, if contemplating divorce, hire a divorce attorney.
He must be an excellent communicator: Good lawyers know that not everyone understands legal jargon. Each profession has got its own language and only those who are in it can understand. Therefore, your lawyer should take the liberty to explain in simple terms the meaning of legal terms or phrases that he has used.
He should always be available for you: When you meet a lawyer for the first time, you may get to like and hire him to represent you. Later on, you find out that he keeps postponing meetings or sends other colleagues to court. There is no problem with this so long as it is brought to your attention right from the beginning. Make sure you get this clear.
His fees should be reasonable: Different attorneys charge their fees differently. There are those who will charge you by the hour. Others charge per session while personal injury lawyers use a contingency method. This means that you pay them only when you win a case. Irrespective of the method a lawyer uses, the fee should be reasonable and commensurate with the services rendered.
He should have good client relationship skills: Lawyers are in practice for the sake of making use of the skills they learnt in school in order to earn a living. Without clients, a lawyer would not be in business. It is therefore fair that he treats you well. There should be good chemistry between the two of you. If you feel uncomfortable being around a prospective lawyer, then he is not an ideal choice. Hire a lawyer that you can blend with.

When comparing the services offered by different lawyers, do not base your choice on the cheapest option. Use other features highlighted above and make an informed decision.

You can also negotiate for a fee discount, there’s no harm in doing that. Contact David Knecht Law today to schedule a consultation with our experts!

Filed Under: General

5 Tips for Choosing an Attorney

Dealing with a criminal law case requires the help of a skilled and experienced attorney. While the law presumes a person innocent until proven guilty, it can often be challenging for ordinary people to prove their innocence when they do not have the right tools and resources at hand. An attorney not only understands the law, they will have experience with the local court system. When you are looking for the best criminal defense attorney to handle your case, here are some important things you need to look for.

Tip # 1 – Time

Does the attorney have the time to take on your case? Some attorneys are heavily sought after, which makes it difficult to hire them for your case. You need a person who can provide the right attention and time to your case in order to help you win. If you hire an attorney that you feel doesn’t understand your situation, or simply doesn’t take the time needed to call you back and answer your questions, move along. This case is important to you and you need an attorney that is willing to give your case plenty of time and attention.

Tip # 2 – Experience

The other area that makes an attorney qualified to take on your case is their overall experience. How long has the attorney dealt with cases similar to yours? What is their winning record? Have they been able to obtain fair outcomes for their previous clients? You need to look for an attorney that has plenty of experience with the local court system as well. This shows that the attorney has the right understanding you need for your case to move ahead properly. They know the judges in the area, and can easily work your case in a way that is favorable to what the judge likes to see.

Tip # 3 – Costs

Attorney fees are not going to be cheap. What is their standard rate? Can the attorney come up with an arrangement to make it easier on you to pay them? The costs are always a concern for clients going up against larger companies and other things. You want to be able to hire the best attorney, but if you cannot afford them, you could end up dealing with another legal battle as the attorney takes you to court for their fees.

Tip # 4 – Confidence

Even if you do plan on hiring an attorney that is new to the world of criminal law, you want to hire a person that is confident. Do they have all the right education, training, and knowledge to hold their own in the courtroom? Do you feel that they can easily stand up for your rights and get you a fair trial? Having confidence in your lawyer will go a long way in your ability to trust them. Take a look at their previous client’s cases to see what people said about their presence in the courtroom, and the overall outcome for the case.

Tip # 5 – Trust

For the relationship to work with an attorney, you need to be able to trust them. Talk to your friends, neighbors, and others who have worked with the attorney before. Educate yourself about the attorney as much as you possibly can before you meet with them. Having some information about their background can easily help you to forge ahead with a trusting relationship. You will know that the attorney cares about you and your case and wants to fight hard to win the case for you.

Contact David Knecht Law today to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal rights!

Filed Under: General

What to Expect for a Quality Criminal Attorney

If you are facing serious criminal charges, which could lead to time in prison, you need to ensure that you have the best criminal defense attorney on your side. The fact is that no two criminal cases are the same, which means that you need to find a criminal attorney that is well versed in the type of charges that you are facing.

Some of the responsibilities that your criminal attorney will take care of include:

Working with the prosecuting attorney to negotiate a plea agreement or deal. These plea bargains can typically reduce the sentence that is imposed and may even eliminate some of the charges that you are facing.
Work to create a better sentencing program. This typically involves serving a portion of your sentence in jail and the other at a treatment center or facility.
Informs you of the legal regulations and laws that pertain to your specific case. There are many aspects that you may not understand, which your attorney will be able to explain to you.
Ensure that investigations into your case are handled properly and fairly.

When you hire a criminal attorney there are also certain characteristics that you should look for. This will ensure that they meet the standards that are needed to win a case. Some considerations to make include:

What is their record of successfully won cases? Also, how many of these cases are similar to your legal situation?
Do they have any special training or education that would provide them with additional knowledge that may help you out in your case?
Are they available to talk and ask questions to when you need them? Or do they get back to you in a reasonable amount of time?
How many years have they been practicing law? Many times, new attorneys will not have the experience or relationships that those who have been practicing longer do.

A quality criminal attorney will provide you with support and guidance through this hard time. They have the training necessary to work with prosecuting attorneys and judges to ensure that the case comes out in the best possible way for your situation.

A Vacaville criminal attorney will provide you with all of the guidance and help necessary for a positive outcome to your case. This is essential in ensuring that your sentence is reduced or eliminated. It is also important to understand that in most cases, prosecuting attorneys are not willing to negotiate or deal if you choose to represent yourself. This is why it is so important to find a qualified and experienced attorney that will be able to represent you in your criminal case and ensure that the best possible outcome is reached.

Filed Under: General