San Antonio Legal Advice

Source : ABC News

It is illegal for debt collectors to make empty threats about serving people with a lawsuit or seizing their home. And it was especially galling to Mey, who says she is debt-free.

“They threatened to take legal action against our property and it wasn’t even our debt,” Mey said.

Millions of Americans are victims of this kind of mistaken debtor identity, partly because of a new breed of collectors called “debt buyers.” They purchase old debts for pennies that the original creditors have given up on and then try to collect them for a big profit. Critics say debt buyers sometimes use outrageous tactics to get the money where others have failed. RFA is a debt buyer.
See: Bankruptcy Lawyer NC

Mey said she immediately called 911 to report that someone had threatened to sexually assault her. She says she was terrified because she believed the call was from a local number. Mey said she then bolted the door and got her husband’s gun out of the dresser and hung it on the bedpost in her bedroom.

When “Nightline” went to RFA’s Orange County, Calif., office to ask about the case, it was abandoned. RFA is actually a fictitious business name for a company called Global AG, LLC. Records show it is just one of several collection companies run by the same people that often change names and move. “Nightline” also visited other offices registered to people named in Mey’s suit, but employees refused to talk and asked us to leave.

RFA’s lawyer later told “Nightline” that RFA made the first collection call to Mey, but denies making the second, obscene call. He said he was speaking on behalf of company principals Thai Han, Jim Phelps and Stewart Phillips.

“My clients say it is not their policy to engage in conduct that violates the law,” he said. He characterized the $10 million judgment as “unfair.”

As for Diana Mey, she says she knows she may never be able to collect the money, but that her lawsuit still serves a purpose.

“I hope that it sends a message to other debt collectors out there that you have to follow the law,” she said. “Because if you don’t, there are going to be people out there that are going to stand up against you.”

The N.C. Bar Association held its fifth annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day in March, and more than 460 attorneys from across the state worked together to field 8,648 calls over a 12-hour period. Each year, lawyers participating in the event generously volunteer their time to discuss a wide variety of legal issues with callers, providing general advice and guidance where possible.

The 4ALL Statewide Service Day aims to help those who would otherwise not seek legal advice, and to make them aware of the resources available to them to get the help they may need. This worthy program serves a real need, as many people just need a little guidance to point them in the right direction.

But sometimes, more than advice is needed. Those who have suffered a personal injury as a result of an accident or negligence may need experienced legal representation to fight for compensation that is provided under the law. See :
Attorney In Raleigh

When we speak with potential clients at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, sometimes we find that they are not seeking representation, but rather just want a little advice. However, after our attorneys have had a chance to talk with them about the particular aspects of their case and their rights under the law, we’ve found that by the end of the call, many are eager to be represented.

Before they call us, most clients have already discussed their claim with the insurance adjuster for the at-fault party in their accident, and they often believe their case to be a simple, straightforward matter that can be settled directly. When they call us to discuss their lingering concerns and receive their initial consultation with one of our attorneys, many of these people come to understand how complicated the process of seeking compensation for their injuries can become and how important it is to have a personal injury attorney working on their behalf. Insurance companies are working for their own interests – and they have teams of lawyers fighting to reduce or eliminate what they have to pay accident victims for their injuries. See Full Story

As a client, once you have completed your initial consultation, our North Carolina Board Certified Bankruptcy attorney will advise you on the next steps for filing bankruptcy in the state of North Carolina. You will be required to file your petition in the United Stated Bankruptcy Court in the district that has jurisdiction over you. In Raleigh, Cary, and surrounding areas, the court is the Eastern District of North Carolina. In Durham and surrounding areas just west of Durham, the court is the Middle District of North Carolina.

New bankruptcy rules require you to complete an approved credit-counseling course in the six months leading up to your filing. Options for this requirement will be discussed, such as the ability to complete the briefing online or over the phone. A general timeline for completing the bankruptcy process will also be presented, including the forms that need to be filed and schedules for hearings and judgments. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file and the unique circumstances of your case, the timeline may be anywhere from a few months for a Chapter 7 filing or three to five years for a Chapter 13 filing. Our attorney will appear in court on your behalf and will negotiate with your creditors to relieve your debts.

Read How to File for Bankruptcy North Carolina

Story By LawWireNews

An Inside View of the Veterans Benefits Claims Process

After ten years of the United States’ military engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan, most Americans have heard about the types of wounds that Veterans are facing-and surviving-with head injuries being the most common. What most people don’t know about is the staggering number of injuries that are taking place.

The Congressional Research Service, a branch of the Federation of American Scientists, issued a report in September 2010, stating that, as of that month, Operations New Dawn, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom had resulted in a total of 178,000 brain injuries, 87,000 cases of PTSD and 1,600 amputations. See: Veterans Disability Benefits

While modern medical technology is saving more lives than ever before in military history, the result is that our men and women who serve overseas are often left with debilitating, if not lifetime, health problems. In addition to the physical and emotional burdens they must carry, returning Veterans frequently find themselves shocked by the financial impact of recovery. In many cases, the veterans may need an advocate, such as a veterans benefits lawyer, to help them pursue the compensation and benefits they deserve.

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Drivers and passengers in cars have safety features in place such as airbags and seatbelts to protect them. Bikers typically have nothing but their clothing and a helmet between them and the pavement. Bikers are 300 percent more likely to sustain a motorcycle injury than someone inside of a car in a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcycle injuries can be catastrophic, ranging from back injuries to paralysis or traumatic brain injuries.

Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to shift blame to the motorcycle rider, even when a driver is clearly at fault. In many cases, we hear about drivers who fail to “see” the motorcyclist. Motorcycles have a right to share the road with other vehicles. See Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Napa Failing to see the biker is simply negligence. The driver needs to be held responsible. At the Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman, we’re dedicated to our clients and pursuing the maximum compensation allowed under state law.

Last week, a truck driver who was walking on a highway entrance ramp while on the job was hit by another driver and was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The truck driver, an Apex man, was delivering a replacement cab to a transport truck that had broken down near the Jones Sausage Road interchange with I-40. As he was trying to cross the highway, the driver of a Mitsubishi struck him. See :

Contact James Farrin Law For Workers Comp Claims

At the end of the day, the truck driver was still listed in critical condition.
No charges were filed against the driver of the Mitsubishi.

Experienced Legal Representation

Accidents such as these that occur on the job can lead to serious or even fatal injuries. Workers who are involved in these accidents may be entitled to compensation under the law for their injuries and other losses – even if no charges were filed in the case.

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The National Safety Council, a leader in promoting Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) to reduce the number of crashes among teens, feels that it is important to regulate risky driving behavior and encourage the development of safe driving skills. In an aim to reduce the number of teen auto accidents, the NSC urges all states to adopt seven rules for teenage drivers:

– minimum age 16 for a learner’s permit

– six months before unsupervised driving

– minimum 30 hours supervised driving during learner’s stage

– intermediate licensing at 16? minimum

– intermediate night driving restriction beginning no later than 10 p.m.

– no more than one non-family passenger for intermediate drivers

– minimum age 17 for a full license.

If all states adopted these suggested rules, an estimated 2,000 lives could be saved each year nationwide. According to the National Safety Council, states with stronger, comprehensive Graduated Driver Licensing systems see a higher reduction in teen crashes.

In an effort to enhance safety on Pennsylvania roads, Governor Corbett and the Legislature recently agreed on changes to the Vehicle Code involving Graduated Driver Licensing requirements, passenger restrictions for junior drivers and passenger restraint laws. The new rules took effect on Dec. 27, 2011. The changes to the law were initiated to help junior drivers receive more comprehensive training, ease young driver distractions through limiting the number of passengers they may carry and to improve general highway safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an car accident, contact Metzger Wickersham. One of our Harrisburg auto accident attorneys can answer your questions and take every step to ensure that your rights are protected

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One of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients is regarding how they should handle damage to their vehicle when they have been involved in a car accident. Typically, the at-fault insurance company should accept responsibility for paying for repairs for your vehicle or for paying the fair-market value of your car if it was totaled. See : Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers There are times, however, when the at-fault insurance company does not accept liability, leaving you to wonder how your vehicle will be repaired or replaced.

Collision coverage offers you a way to protect your vehicle when the at-fault insurance company has not accepted liability. While there are certain exclusions from coverage, collision insurance usually provides that when your vehicle is involved in an accident, your insurance company will pay the lesser of actual cash value of the damaged property or the amount necessary to repair or replace the property. The actual cash value of the vehicle is not the amount it would cost to replace it, but rather the car’s value after taking into consideration the depreciation and physical condition of the car at the time of the accident. Any payment made by your insurance company will be reduced by any deductible on the policy.

In the event that the damage to your vehicle was caused by the wrongful act of another person, your insurance company may be subrogated to the claim for relief against that at-fault party. Simply put, this means that your insurance company who paid for the property damage may be reimbursed by the at-fault insurance company to the extent of its payment to you for your vehicle. Likewise, you may also be reimbursed by the at-fault party for any deductible you paid.

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What you should know about pursuing a personal injury lawsuit

Each year, more than 2 million people are injured in car accidents in the United States. About 40,000 people are killed in auto accidents every year. Tragic accidents happen in communities big and small throughout the country, including Bristol Township, in Bucks County. If you or a loved one was injured due to someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. You may need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. For more information, contact a lawyer at Flager & Yockey. We provide aggressive representation for people injured in Bristol and elsewhere in Pennsylvania. Call 1-888-470-1099 or (215) 953-5200 to talk to a car accident lawyer for Bristol today.

Many people who are injured by defective products or in truck accidents in Bristol may face debilitating injuries. They may find the insurance companies are low-balling or denying a claim. They may realize they need to file a personal injury lawsuit in Bristol, but don’t know where to begin.
Steps in filing an accident claim in Bristol See: Lawyers Bristol PA

Vehicle Crash Snapshot Of The Day

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