When we lead busy lives, it is often hard to find time to comparison shop. But it can usually pay off, especially when it comes to car insurance. Sure, it’s easier and faster to just keep paying your auto insurance premium when it comes due rather than contact other insurance companies and compare coverage and rates. But making a couple of short phone calls to get quotes can save you hundreds of dollars, especially if you insure multiple vehicles.

Shop Around

Many drivers end up saving money – 10, 15, 20 percent and more – when they change insurance companies.  When shopping around, always have your current coverage/policy in front of you and the amount that you are paying so that you can make a direct apples-to-apples comparison. But be aware – with some insurance companies, you save money (pay less every year) by staying with them for a long time. You can ask your company if they practice this annual premium-reduction method if you are a good paying customer with no claims.

Review Your Drivers Record

Here’s a tip you probably never thought of—obtain a copy of your driving record and review it. The insurance companies look at it so you should, too. Otherwise how will you know if there is an error on your record that you need to fix?

Know Your Minimum – carry more if you can

Another tip is to make sure that you know your state’s minimum liability requirements. Any good insurance company should have the minimum policy requirement amounts on their website but you can always call and inquire. The more important tip is to, if at all possible, carry coverage higher than the minimum the amount required by law because in a serious accident these amounts often are not enough.

Question Premium Increases

If your existing insurance company informs you that they are raising your premium, ask them what the reason is for doing so. Sometimes they do not have a legitimate reason and yet they raise premiums knowing that most consumers will not fight it or question it. There are a few unethical insurance companies that actually hire companies to provide fake data on you in order to justify a premium hike.

Tell the Truth

Always be honest and forthcoming if you are in any type of motor vehicle accident. This is because all of the information is recorded and if it is later determined that you were untruthful about something, you will pay for it in the long run with higher auto insurance costs.

Check Rates for your Make & Model

If you are considering purchasing a different vehicle—whether new or used—take the time to make a call to your insurance company to find out the costs of comprehensive and collision—full coverage, or liability only if you are not taking out a loan to purchase the vehicle. If money is a concern, you need to know which vehicles to rule out due to insurance costs. Certain makes and models will have a substantially higher premium.

Pay the Full Premium if you can

When you are paying for your car insurance, remember that you will pay slightly more if you divide your payments. Paying your full annual premium all at once is the money-saving way to go but if you need to break up your payments and make them every quarter or every six months, the insurance company will add what they call a convenience fee—an administration fee for the additional invoicing and payment processing.

Carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Note that uninsured motorist coverage is more important than ever before because the poor economy has led unemployed or low- earning consumers to go without car insurance. This means if you are in an accident with them you will foot the entire bill.

As an experienced auto accident law firm, we understand how important your insurance coverage is should there be an accident. Protect yourself with the right coverage at the right price.

Hope this information was helpful to you all. Have questions or comments? Don’t be shy, we would LOVE to hear from you!

A personal injury case is a methodical and somewhat complicated process. Knowing what to expect and being informed about what happens in an injury case means you will be ready (and know what to do) should you ever find yourself involved in an accident or injury caused by another. Here we share the steps that a personal injury case follows. What you do after an accident or injury and how you handle these steps directly affects the outcome of your claim.

Get Medical Attention, Document & Save Everything

Immediately after being injured in any type of accident, you should seek medical assistance. You could have injuries that are not immediately obvious so it is wise to get examined thoroughly by a doctor. A visit to a medical facility results in the injury being recorded by a professional, which is to your advantage. Write down everything you can remember about the occurrence, and provide pictures if possible. Also collect records of the medical bills and hospital visits that occur as a result of the injury.

Consult with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

How do you know if you have a case? Take advantage of a free consultation. Choose an experienced personal injury attorney and bring all details with you when you meet. When you see the attorney, your case will be evaluated to determine the likelihood of reaching settlement, or the possible need to take the case to court. The lawyer will consider the facts of the case, the case merits, possible financial expenses and results, possible trial length, and the litigation costs. The attorney will advise you on how to proceed. Bear in mind that any and all evidence that you collected will help the attorney assess your personal injury case.

Paperwork & Initial Filings

Of course with a legal case there is paperwork to be done, which your attorney will explain to you. He or she should also explain what happens at the beginning of a lawsuit. The first papers filed in a lawsuit are called pleadings. There will be additional papers involved with this process, however all cases follow this same initial step. You will first have to fill out a Complaint/Petition, which gives a basic premise of what the plaintiff knows or heard from someone else as to what took place at the accident. The Summons and Service of Process is sent to the defendant, which notifies the party of a lawsuit being filed. When the defendant responds to the Summons, this is known as an Answer. The Answer will be influential as to how the rest of your case proceeds, because it requires either one of the three responses: “admitted,” “denied,” or “insufficient knowledge to admit or deny.”

Discovery Phase

At this time, the Plaintiff and the Defendant share all their facts about the case (sending them to each other through their attorneys). The exchange and review of all facts is called the discovery phase of the case. This is when medical records, personal information, extent of injuries and any long term side effects, and any other related material are exchanged. Written questions and answers from the injured party and witnesses are also placed on record. It is always best to give all information to your injury attorney and not withhold any detail.

Settling a Case vs. Going to Trial

Most personal injury lawsuits never go to trial. It is less costly and less time-consuming to reach a settlement agreement between the two parties. Waiting for a trial can drag the case out for a year or longer. After the discovery phase, the plaintiff (the injured party) will most likely be offered a settlement – your attorney will alert you to the settlement offer and advise whether it is acceptable.

If You Go to Trial

In cases where no settlement is offered or the settlement is rejected, the plaintiff’s attorney will file for a court trial. Keep in mind that it can take many months, a year, or even longer, before your trial happens. At trial, your attorney will present your case, while the defense will attempt to deny or reduce responsibility by the defendant and keep the compensation, if awarded, to a minimum. At this time, the experience and abilities of your injury attorney are critical if you are to prevail. The trial follows these steps: jury selection, opening statements by the plaintiff and defendant, plaintiff presentation of facts, defendant presentation of facts, closing statements, jury deliberation, and finally the verdict.

If you’ve been injured in the state of Texas due to another party’s actions or negligence, it is in your best interest to obtain legal representation. You will want a skilled legal advisor to help you navigate through the complicated process of a personal injury claim. Familiarizing yourself with the process and being prepared should this ever happen to you or a loved one is a good idea. Because as we all know…unfortunately…accidents happen.

Serious car crashes happen every day on our streets. How you and those in your vehicle react—and the steps that you take both immediately following the crash and over the weeks ahead–can make a marked difference in your finances, the repair of your vehicle, your medical care and your overall recovery. Read on to discover some tips regarding what to do after a car crash.

First and foremost, if there is any possibility of injury, an ambulance should be called. Contact the police as soon as the crash happens. If you have passengers, check them for injuries. If possible, you or whomever is not injured should take down the license plate number of the other vehicle or vehicles involved immediately, before anyone has a chance to leave the scene.

If your phone is also a camera, take pictures right away of the scene—the position of all the vehicles and any debris or items around you that could have contributed to or affected the outcome of the crash. Some places require you to move your vehicle, but if safe, leave it where it is, so that the investigating officer can make a proper determination of how the crash happened. .

Do not speak to the other driver or any of their passengers about what happened or whose fault it is. It is ok to make sure everyone is safe it is also important for you to obtain insurance information from the other driver at this timeIf you give any statements about how the crash happened, do so only to police, but do not admit fault if you are not at fault. Make a quick sketch of the scene if you can and immediately write down all the details that you can remember. This is a good thing to do while you wait for the police to arrive—note road conditions, lighting, approximate speed of vehicles involved, any hazards or distractions on the road, etc. Be honest with the police when questioned.

Do not agree to settle the dispute privately, as this is only to bring another set of problems and more likely than not, you will regret this decision later. Reporting the accident to the police and speaking to legal counsel will ensure that everything is handled properly and that you should obtain justice after a car crash. If you need to report the crash to your insurance company, do not agree to provide a recorded statement without your attorney present. You need time to assess injuries and damages and speak to an attorney. Conditions can appear days or weeks after the crash.

Do not accept payment or sign any documents for the insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney. Most drivers are unaware of their full legal rights and the insurance companies can sometimes take advantage of this fact.

In the weeks following the crash, keep all receipts and note all activity pertaining to the crash. Keep written notes about medical treatments and concerns or problems and keep good records of any and all doctor visits and physical complaints.

Remember, always keep your auto insurance policy up to date and it is wise to carry uninsured motorist protection (UM), underinsured motorist protection (UIM) and personal injury protection (PIP). If you don’t know what these are, we will cover this in our next article. In the meantime, make sure you ask your insurance company for these coverages. If you have questions about auto insurance in our state or any of the above items, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm.

You live in or are visiting Texas, and you or a loved one is injured while shopping at a store, or on another’s property. Do you have a case? You may, but there are many factors that must be taken into account and explored to find out. . When these sorts of injuries occur, it is often referred to in the legal industry as a Premises Liability case.

Many people have not heard the term ‘premises liability’ until they are involved in some type of accident or injury that occurs somewhere outside their own home. In common terms, the phrase “premises liability” refers to the liability or responsibility that a landlord/property owner (also called the “Defendant” in this article) owes to the people who use his/her property—their responsibility to maintain their premises in a safe manner, so as not to cause injury to a visitor. These cases however may also include injuries that occur on a sidewalk or bridge owned by the county/state that causes an injury.

So how do you know if you have a premises liability case? First, someone is injured. Next, the injury must have been caused due to a defect or dangerous condition that existed that contributed to the injury. Examples include: water or food left for long periods of time at a supermarket, scaffolding that wasn’t properly secured and that falls; Old floorboards that were rotted and gave way causing someone to fall through; A malfunctioning automatic door that caught someone’s leg; lack of sufficient lighting causing someone to trip over something, or the lack of lighting (lack of security) contributed to a mugging. Maybe there were no signs or improper signage warning someone of an unsafe condition.

There are countless scenarios like these that could potentially develop into a premises liability case. The burden or proof lies on the attorney hired by the injured party (or their family, if they are deceased) to show that the defect or dangerous condition existed and that the Defendant did not do anything to remedy or prevent that condition. In Texas, we have to prove that the condition or situation on the Defendant’s property caused injury (or death) to the visitor. We have to show that the Defendant knew or should have known that there was risk of harm.

Another factor in these types of cases is the right of the injured person to be on that property. When it involves a worker who is at their workplace, a vendor who is servicing a business, or a shopper who comes to a retail store when the store is open for business – these people have every right to be there, and the landlord cannot deny responsibility. It gets tricky, however, if an employee comes by the workplace after hours to retrieve something, or if a trespasser is injured, like a curious person peeking in the windows of a building that’s for sale when nobody is there, and they fall and break their leg. Aside from trespassers, there’s something else called an “uninvited licensee” – this is someone who has the privilege of entering a property for convenience, pleasure, or some benefit. Such as a bicyclist taking shelter under a roadside pavilion in a rainstorm, or a hunter who has been given permission by a land owner to hunt on his/her land.

The amount of factors that come into play are too many to incorporate them into this article, . The bottom line is that the judge will be looking for evidence that shows whether or not a property owner has made reasonable efforts to maintain the safety of those who visit the property. With any injury case, it is important not only to seek medical treatment immediately, but to document all symptoms, conditions, and treatment received. The victim of premises liability can receive compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Keep in mind that statutes of limitation apply so anyone who believes they have a potential premises liability claim should file the claim in a timely manner. It is always wise to speak to a personal injury attorney with premises liability experience to determine whether you have a case and what your potential outcomes could be. The right attorney can make a difference in the success of your claim.

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Mizuno USA Inc. Recalls Baseball and Softball Gloves Due to Presence of Mold

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Mizuno Supreme Series and Ballpark Pro baseball and softball gloves

Sold at: Walmart and Target stores nationwide from April 2010 through May 2011

for between $24 and $60.

Hazard: Some gloves were found to contain a variety of molds that could cause respiratory or other infections in individuals with chronic health problems, or in individuals who have impaired immune systems.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled items are leather Mizuno baseball and softball gloves. The gloves have a sewn-in white label on the heel of the glove with the words “Made in Vietnam” and the model number. Supreme Series gloves affected are further identified by the date code imprinted on the heel of the glove near the thumb opening. The following models are affected by this recall:

Model Description Date Code

“SUPREME SERIES” : GSP1251TG, GSP1300T,GSP1401TG

“BALLPARK PRO SERIES”: MMX122P, MMX115PWM , MMX130

Consumers should immediately stop using the gloves and contact Mizuno USA to receive a full refund or contact Mizuno USA Inc. Any additional product information you may call Mizuno USA Inc @ (800) 451-7913 between 8:30 am & 5:30pm ET Monday through Friday.

WOMAN’S DRESS RECALLED

Sold Exclusively at Macy’s

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Women’s dresses
Importer: Topson Downs of California, of Culver City, Calif.
Hazard: The dresses fail to meet the federal flammability standard for wearing apparel, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The dress is a Bar III brand dress, and is fully lined with a sheer rayon outer layer. There is a white label with “Bar III” written in black on the inside back of the dress. The dress has a checkered, multi-colored, and black pattern called “Mint Chili Combo” and was sold in five adult sizes, ranging from extra small to extra large.

Sold exclusively at: Impulse Department of Macy’s stores nationwide and on Macy’s.com from March 2011 through May 2011 for about $60.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dresses and return them to any Macy’s for a full refund.

At Tijernia Law Firm, we work diligently to inform our clients and the general public of their individual rights and consumer alert information designed to keep people safe and from harm.  We will bring you a variety of consumer recalls in the months to come so that you can make educated purchases and decisions, keeping your family safe and secure.  Knowing what to do when a good situation goes bad is where our firm comes into play.

Don’t complain about your job until you read about the most dangerous jobs.  Some of the positions that made the top most dangerous list are right in our own city streets. This may give you a little perspective in thinking, maybe the coffee isn’t the greatest and you don’t like your boss, but at least the threat of death or injury isn’t hanging over your head on a daily basis. Each year, new professions make the list while others fall further down the list because of changes in safety and industry standards, but these are typically the most dangerous jobs in America.

1. Logger
2. Pilot
3. Fisher
4. Iron/Steel Worker
5. Garbage Collector
6. Farmer/Rancher
7. Roofer
8. Electrical Power Installer/Repairer
9. Sales, Delivery, and Other Truck Driver
10. Taxi Driver/Chauffeur

Should you get injured on the job, Tijernia Law Firm, fights for their clients to receive the maximum possible benefits so that you have the ability to continue with the lifestyle that you are accustom.

As in any legal matter you do not automatically receive money damages as a matter of right. What you do have is the right to make a claim and a chance to prove that the incident was solely caused by others. In addition you have the chance to prove your injuries and damages.

We make every effort to settle your claim without the necessity of litigation; however, some cases ultimately must be litigated. If injured on the job, workman’s compensation has rules and regulations in place to protect each and every employee.  If injured outside of the work environment, we work to notify the person or entity at fault and their insurance company. Then there will be a period of time in which further investigation will be made by both sides. During this time, we may ask for periodic medical reports so that we can follow the progress of your physical health. Also, during this period, you may be asked to give your statement, to us or an adjuster, concerning the facts surrounding your case. We will explain this to you in greater detail when this is scheduled and of course, we will be with you when you give your statement.

Courtesy of: The Columbus Dispatch
By Tim Feran

Abercrombie & Fitch faces a lawsuit alleging that it fired a Muslim employee at one of its Hollister stores for wearing a head scarf.

The lawsuit filed yesterday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said that 19-year-old Umme-Hani Khan started working at the Hollister store in San Mateo, Calif., in October 2009. Khan, who worked mainly in the stockroom, was asked to wear head scarves only in Hollister colors.

However, in February 2010, she was told that her scarf, or Hijab, violated Abercrombie’s employee dress code, and she was fired for refusing to remove it. “Ms. Khan held a low-visibility position, willingly color-coordinated her head scarf with the store’s brand and capably performed her stockroom duties for four and a half months until a visiting manager flagged her Hijab as a violation of their ‘look policy,’” said Michael Baldonado, director of the federal anti-discrimination agency’s San Francisco District, in a statement. Abercrombie said it did nothing wrong. “We comply with the law regarding reasonable religious accommodation, and we will continue to do so,” Abercrombie’s general counsel, Ronald A. “Rocky” Robins Jr., said in a statement.

Comments from Tijernia Law Firm: Obviously, the problem in proving a wrongful discharge is examining the true reason for the firing. In the case as above, the obvious reason seems one of wrongful dismissal based on attire. Many employers present a dress code policy prior to employment. Whether or not that is your case, having a knowledgeable attorney review a potential case requires work on the clients part as well. Proof can take the form of not only explicit statements but can also be based on timing of the discharge and patterns of similar history. If you feel that your employment will be threatened because of an on the job injury you have sustained, or even a charge in your current family situation we would suggest that you make every effort to write down and/or record statements by supervisors and/or other employees that you feel may have a bearing on your case. The better prepared you are, the better prepared your case will fair in a court of law. We are here to assist in determining if you have a case and how to approach your situation. Having to deal with the burden of lost wages is stressful enough. Having to deal with a potential lawsuit is why one leaves it to the experts.