Blog | Ahlander Injury Law

Can I Sue After a Motorcycle Accident?

June 7, 2018 by Erik

Motorcycles offer tremendous freedom to explore the open road, to feel more connected to your surroundings, and to save on gas costs. Riding motorcycles has long been a favorite pastime in the United States. In fact, motorcycle sales increased each year from 2011-2015 and rose over 75 percent from 1996 to 2006. Nevada alone has over 75,000 registered bikes.

In addition to the increasing popularity of motorcycles, there is the potential danger to riders. Motorcycle riders are 30 percent more likely to die from an accident than their counterparts in cars and trucks. But if you or a loved one is involved in a motorcycle accident, can you hire a motorcycle accident attorney to sue for damages afterwards?

Fault Matters

Motorcyclists have the same protections as other drivers. The main issue, when it comes to suing for damages, is who was at fault for the accident. If the motorcyclist is found to be at fault or was not obeying the law at the time of the accident, then his or her case will be hard to press. However, if the other driver is found to be at fault, then the motorcyclist can sue for damages.

Suing after an accident can include seeking damages for costs incurred that directly relate to the accident such as medical bills and motorcycle repairs. Other damages that can be sought include loss of wages and other indirect costs resulting from the accident. Documenting the accident, the cause and fault, as well as damages incurred is important.

Due to their greater vulnerability, motorcyclists must practice greater safety and vigilance on the road. They also need to have solid representation in the event they need to seek restitution for damages resulting from an accident. For the best motorcycle accident lawyer in Spring Valley, contact us today.

How to Avoid Garage Door Accidents

May 1, 2018 by Erik

Keeping your family safe from harm is something you probably take very seriously. But there is a large, heavy threat in your home that can be dangerous that you might not even realize. Your garage door may not seem dangerous, but it’s big, it’s heavy, and it moves. And if it’s not treated the right way, serious accidents could happen.

Garage door injury claims are on the rise. But you don’t need to be scared of such a functional part of your home. With a little care and maintenance, your garage door will do its job safely. Here are some garage safety tips to keep your family safe and your garage door in perfect working order.

1. Keep garage door controls out of the reach of children

This includes the opener button inside the garage and the remote controls you use in the car. Children see buttons to push and don’t realize how dangerous putting the door up and down can be.

2. Perform routine inspections on the various parts of the door and tracks

This also includes making sure the safety sensors attached to the bottom of the rails are in place and functioning properly. This will ensure that if a person or animal moves in front of the sensors when the door is closing, the sensors will automatically stop the door. You should also periodically check the rails, springs and door joints to make sure they are in good working order.

3. Exercise caution when the door is in motion

To avoid getting fingers pinched between the door panels don’t touch the door when it’s in motion, or be very careful if you do. Be sure to tell your children to keep a safe distance from the door when its moving. And never let anyone “ride” the door while it is opening.

Take care of your door

Your garage door is nothing to be afraid of. It’s a necessary part of your home that protects your vehicles and personal items. But like other machinery, it needs to be cared for and treated with respect. If your garage door is older or isn’t working properly, it might be time to think about replacing it. Although it can be a large expense, it will be worth it to have a safe and reliable garage door.

At Ahlander Injury Law, we specialize in helping you recover from accidents by getting you the compensation you need. Our talented staff knows the law and they will provide the help you need. Contact us today and see how Ahlander Injury Law can help you get back on track.

What to Expect in a Workers’ Comp Settlement

April 1, 2018 by Erik

You do your job. You clock in each day, and you take care of business, steadily checking items off your to-do list. Then something happens. Maybe some boxes tip over, maybe the package you received was a lot heavier than you expected, maybe a door comes crashing closed at just the wrong time. Before you know it, just another day at the office becomes the day that you are no longer able to work–at least for a while.

So what do you do now?

Once you seek the proper medical attention, you will want to file a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer has coverage that will help alleviate the financial strain that comes along with getting injured on the job.

What does workers’ compensation cover?

It will cover hospital bills, the ambulance ride, and other costs associated with the injury. It also covers a portion of missed wages associated with the injury, any attorney fees you may accrue in the claims process, and provides temporary disability for the time needed to recover from the work-related injury.

What happens after you file a claim?

Once your employer’s insurance company accepts the claim, it will likely offer money to cover medical bills along with a payment plan for the other costs covered. You can choose to accept the insurance company’s offer, or you can press for a lump sum settlement or a larger structured settlement. If you decide to seek a larger settlement, you and your attorney will negotiate with your employer’s insurance company. Your company is kept in the loop, but you would not be engaged in any direct negotiations with your employer.

Your attorney and the insurance company will negotiate, which can result in a compromise amount between their initial offer and the amount you subsequently seek. If you cannot agree on a settlement, you may engage in a workers’ comp hearing in which a judge will decide on the amount to be awarded. This could result in less than the previous offers, but with skilled representation, this is unlikely.

Whatever road your workers’ compensation claim takes, you want to have the best representation you can get. By having a skilled workers comp attorney like Ahlander Injury Law, you can get the settlement you deserve. With the right attorney taking care of your claim, you can focus on getting better.

When to Call an Accident Lawyer

March 1, 2018 by Erik

Getting in a car accident can bring on a state of shock that makes it hard to know how to move forward. Though some situations work out relatively smoothly, people often have difficulty with insurance claims, medical bills, and more. In the unfortunate event of a car accident, here are a few guidelines to help you decide when to call an accident lawyer.

At the scene of the accident

Before we talk about when to bring in a lawyer, it’s important to know what to do at the scene of the accident. If you do need a lawyer, the information collected at this stage is vital for your lawyer to be able to help you.

Be sure to keep your car at the scene of the accident, take photos of the damage, and collect insurance information from the other people involved. You should also immediately call the police, and an ambulance if necessary.

Bringing in a lawyer

Because complications can come up after an accident, it’s always good to run your situation by an accident lawyer. Car accidents can cause injury, loss of income, auto body damage, and even long-term disability. A car accident lawyer can help to negotiate the best possible outcome for you and work through the complicated red tape with your insurance.

Particularly, lawyers are important to bring on board if you’ve already talked with insurance and are struggling to work out a reasonable claim. If you’re over your medical limit from insurance and still need medical help, this is another time an accident lawyer is crucial to getting the attention you need.

Ahlander Injury Law serves the Las Vegas, Nevada area, and we are ready to help you resolve difficulties stemming from your car accident. Contact us today.

When to Call a Defective Product Lawyer

February 1, 2018 by Erik

If you were injured while using a product, do you have a legal case? If your situation possesses the following requirements, it’s time to hire a defective product lawyer.

If You Can Prove an Error, a Defect, or a Failure

To have a case, you must be able to prove that one or more of the following scenarios occurred:

Manufacturing Error: If a single product has a defect resulting from a manufacturing error.

Defective Design: If the inherent design of an entire line of products has a flaw and is unreasonably dangerous.

Failure to Warn: If the dangerous quality of the product is not obvious to the ordinary consumer.

If You Were Using the Product as It Was Intended

You must have been using the product in a way that the manufacturer intended customers to use it (or in a way that an ordinary consumer would use it) in order to have a defective product case. Also, the product can’t have been substantially changed from the condition in which it was originally sold.

One important note, you must be able to prove that you did not know about a product defect when you were using it. If you knew about the defect and continued to use it anyway, you have given up your right to claim injury damages.

If You Have Suffered a Direct Injury or Loss

You are not entitled to a claim if you didn’t suffer any form of direct injury, harm, or significant monetary loss caused by the defective product. By direct, it’s meant that the product itself caused the injury or loss, not if the product caused you to destroy something valuable.

Meeting All the Requirements

If you have met all of the above requirements, then you likely have a solid defective product case. If this is the case, contact an experienced defective product lawyer such as Erik Ahlander to get legal advice and a fair resolution for your injuries or loss.