Should I Accept the Insurer’s First Settlement Offer?

 

Personal injury can be stressful and traumatic. In fact, it can turn your life upside down if the injuries are life-threatening or make you disabled. It could cost your life, and being the victim of an accident is high, and medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs can all take a toll on your finances and family.

 If you have been in car accident, probably you would have filed a personal injury claim. Once you do that, you’ll be dealing with the insurance companies, and in many cases, insurers are quick to offer a settlement. Although it might be tempting to accept the offer without the legal assistance of a personal injury attorney in Belen, remember, you’re not receiving the amount that you truly deserve.

So, it’s not a good idea to accept your insurer’s first offer, because:-

It’s a Low Offer

If the claim is in your favor, the insurance adjuster will always try to pay out as little as possible. Not only this will devalue your personal injury claim, but the insurer will offer you less than what it is worth. The first offer is always low and requires negotiation. That’s why it’s a good idea to get the assistance of car accident lawyers in Belen as they know how to negotiate and claim that settlement you truly deserve.

The Insurer Doesn’t Care About You

You’re not in the best interests of insurance companies. They work for their company and try to save company’s fund, and don’t consider your priorities and sufferings. Always be mindful about what you say to the insurance adjuster and never accept the offer without speaking to a personal injury lawyer.

You’ll Get More

Based on the losses incurred by a car accident, you’ll probably get more. Insurance companies will negotiate and try to settle out rather than go through litigation. Hence, the insurer will try to provide a better offer during the negotiation.

The Offer Isn’t Worth Your Sufferings

The offer from the insurance company should be more than the cost of your medical bills, missed wages, property damage, and other expense. Even if you receive a fair settlement, remember, you’re entitled to compensation for the pain and sufferings you’ve gone through.

Hire an Experienced Legal Attorney to Handle Your Claim

If you sustained injuries in a car accident, you’d need the assistance of a lawyer. A lawyer knows and can provide tailored solutions to help you receive the compensation you truly deserve.

So, it’s not advisable to take the offer unless the amount quoted can cover your medical bills, vehicle repairs, loss of pay, and other losses incurred by a car accident.

For further queries or to set up a consultation, please call our personal injury law firm Belen nm. 

What Happens If You Are Caught with Drugs in NSW?

 

Despite the popularity of many drugs in movies and TV shows, there are many which are considered harmful and therefore – illegal. If you are caught with illicit drugs in NSW, what happens next? Here is a basic overview of the current drug laws.

Illegal drugs and drug offences in NSW

Not all drugs are illegal. Some, like alcohol or tobacco, are regulated. While others, like cannabis and cocaine, are considered harmful. We explore more on which drugs are illegal in our previous blog.

Any person who is caught with illegal drugs is likely to be charged with one or more of the main offences in NSW: possession, use, cultivation or supply/trafficking. We explain these charges in more detail in our blog on drug law in NSW.

Any charges will mostly depend on the type and quantity of the drug found. It is also relevant if this is a first or repeat offence and whether the alleged offender has a previous criminal history. So, if you are caught with illegal drugs – what is likely to happen next?

In any situation, it is recommended to seek the advice of qualified drug lawyers who can explain your options and help you achieve the best outcome for your case.

On the spot fines an option for small amounts

Since early 2019, the NSW Police have been authorised to issue on the spot fines, or penalty notices, for possession of a ‘small amount’ of drugs. The fine is $400, and you will not be required to attend court – this means it will not be on your criminal record. The current definition of small amounts are:

• Less than 0.25g MDMA/ecstasy in capsule form
• Less than 0.75g MDMA/ecstasy in other forms
• Less than 1g amphetamine
• Less than 1g cocaine
• Less than 2.5g ketamine
• Less than 0.0008g LSD
• Less than 1g methylamphetamine

It is at the discretion of police as to whether they issue a penalty notice or not – even if the amount of drugs found is considered small. Notably, cannabis is not featured on this list. This is because there is an existing Cannabis Caution Scheme in place allowing police warnings for less than 15g of cannabis. Neither of these schemes means illicit drugs are now legal. If you are found with any amount of illegal drugs, you may face criminal charges.

What if you have more than a small amount?

If you have more than these small amounts or if the police deem it appropriate, you may be charged with an offence and given a Court Attendance Notice. If you are found guilty or plead guilty to these charges, the offence will appear on your criminal record.

Contact Powerhouse Law’s experienced drug lawyers

If you or someone you know has been caught with illegal drugs, contact Powerhouse Law’s drug possession lawyers. Based in Sydney, our lawyers attend all the NSW courts from Paramatta to Campbelltown, Blacktown, Penrith and more. For 24/7 legal assistance, call 1800 100 529 or use our online form to arrange a consultation.

Strong Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney after a Car Accident

 

Do you or your loved one hurt in an accident caused by another's recklessness? You may be entitled to compensation through a Belen personal injury claim! For this, hiring a lawyer is the smart way. In fact, a lawyer can be a valuable asset during this stressful time. But, some people try to settle these claims on their own to avoid paying the lawyer and finally end up causing trouble. So, if you've been hurt or injured by another person, company, or driver, seek compensation for your medical bills and other related expenses. It is essential to hire a professional personal injury attorney in Belen. Here we have listed the strong reasons why you should hire an attorney after a car accident.

Reason 1: Personal Injury Attorneys Will have Enough Knowledge about Your case Claim.

The personal injury attorney will be updated with the law and claiming process. This will be helpful with claim money from the insurance companies. That makes the insurance companies more likely to reach a fair deal with you in a timely way.

Reason 2: They Will Prevent Errors

A skilled car accident lawyer in Belen has the ability to protect you from errors. This will help your case is not over before it has even begun. As you know, personal injury claims can be compromised by small mistakes, such as accidentally saying something that could be used against you, missing deadlines, and more. No matter how we check, it doesn't meet the level of a professional touch. So, hiring a professional and experienced lawyer here is a smart move.

Reason 3: The Personal Injury Attorney in Belen Can Level The Playing Field:

A skilled personal injury attorney knows all of the strategies of Insurance companies (To limit or deny the amount of compensation you may receive, insurance claims adjusters are trained in tactics) and can help ensure that you are not manipulated into getting less than what you deserve.

Reason 4: The Car Accident Lawyers in Belen Can Handle the Details

You can focus on healing by hiring one of the best car accident lawyers in Belen. The lawyer you hire will know what it takes to build a solid claim and can do all of the legwork, and they will do the needful from your side. Also, it will be hard for gathering the relevant information by yourself. Your lawyer will do it for you and gather strong evidence like eyewitness statements, photographs, accident reports, medical records, and more.

Conclusion

So, met with an accident? Looking for the best personal injury law firm Belen nm to hire an experience personal injury attorney? Look no further than The Lucero Law Office.