Meet the Best San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, an in-person meeting with the best San Antonio personal injury lawyer can tell you all you need to know before one word is spoken.

 

 

 

You’d never walk into a job interview unprepared, so it’s important to do a bit of homework before you arrive for your initial consultation. Not because he or she is the boss—you are.

 

Choose a specialist.

Word-of-mouth is one way to find a trusted San Antonio personal injury lawyer, but before you take your uncle’s or best friend’s advice—and potentially waste everyone’s time—make sure you aren’t calling up an estate attorney to handle your injury case.

 

Even within the personal injury specialty, you may find lawyers who tend to handle a majority of a certain kind of case like car accidents, bites from uncontrolled pets, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries.

 

If friends, family, and associates don’t have ideas for you, and the sheer number of listings in the phone book is overwhelming, pick up the phone and call the local bar association for recommendations.

 

Research your choices.

Look at online reviews from a number of different sources. Don’t rely on just one review on one website; cross-reference to weed out biased feedback.

 

Once you have a few candidates narrowed down, go to each lawyer’s website to check out their educational background and experience, how active they are in professional organizations, and what they’re doing to maintain their credentials.

 

Make an appointment.

Write down any questions you want to ask, such as:

  • Do you work hourly or for a flat rate? What costs are involved?
  • How easily can I reach you, and during what hours?
  • Bring any relevant documents with you to your first meeting.

 

Remember, you’re the potential boss. If for any reason you don’t feel comfortable—the lawyer doesn’t talk to you on your level, seems rushed, or doesn’t ask you any questions—look for a different lawyer.

 

We get it. Looking for a good San Antonio personal injury lawyer can seem as daunting as finding a needle in the proverbial haystack. Call us today to learn why we’re the best at what we do.

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A San Antonio Work Injury Attorney Cares About Your Accident

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You get along well with everyone at work, from your colleagues to your boss, and his or her boss. So well, in fact, you may be reluctant to file a report when you get hurt on the job. You don’t want to cause trouble for the people you like, and that’s admirable. That would also be a mistake—just ask any competent San Antonio work injury attorney.

 

 

 

 

Workers’ compensation laws were enacted for your protection, and to make sure employers can’t wiggle out of paying up when they’ve failed to provide adequate preventive training and workplace safety measures. Sure, your boss may like you personally and be satisfied with your job performance. Once you file an injury claim, however, you’ll find out who your real friends are on the job.

 

Even if you trust your employer to do right by you, it makes sense to be aware of what you need to do and your deadlines in order to cover your legal bases. That’s why there’s no better protector to have on your side than a qualified San Antonio work injury attorney.

 

What should you do when you’ve suffered a work-related injury?

 

• Report the incident. In most if not all incidents, you have a very narrow window of time to report your injury. So even if your back strain or twisted ankle seems minor, don’t wait to report it to your boss and/or human resources department. A delay could end up hurting you more.

 

• Check the bureau of workers’ compensation website for your state. While each state is slightly different, the website should have the proper procedures and forms listed.

 

• Retain a San Antonio work injury attorney. If all the procedures, forms, and rules seem overwhelming—and they probably will—don’t wait to contact a San Antonio work injury lawyer to not only guide you through the process, but relieve you of some of the burden so you can concentrate on getting well and getting back to work.

 

Need a San Antonio work injury attorney? Pat Maloney has some of the best. Contact us today!

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Searching for a Truck Accident Lawyer? San Antonio Has the Best

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Not every truck accident lawyer in San Antonio is the same. If you’ve been involved in a collision with a careless truck driver, it’s crucial that you know the difference between a good and bad lawyer, or you could end up on the short end of a settlement.

 

 

 

 

The Bad: Anatomy of a Trucking Company’s Lawyer

 

• They’re quick. As soon as a trucking company learns one of their drivers has been involved in an accident, they hit speed dial to their insurance company. It’s amazing how fast an insurance company’s rapid-response team can get to an accident scene—often before first responders have finished stabilizing the victims. Claims investigators waste no time scouring the accident scene for evidence, and you can be sure they’re not on your side. They’re looking for “evidence” to prove the truck driver was not at fault. In a worst-case scenario, evidence crucial to the victim’s claim might go missing.

 

• They’re smooth. Before you’ve even been transferred to a hospital room from the ER, lawyers for the trucking company could be pushing a document under your nose for you to sign. In soothing tones, they’ll try to convince you it’s in your best interest to sign, that the case is open and shut, so don’t bother retaining a lawyer of your own. Don’t fall for it.

 

• They’re sneaky. They know the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations inside and out, and they know how to appear to follow the letter of the law while skirting its intent. Most trucks carry “black boxes” just like airplanes, and if you don’t hire a fast-acting truck accident lawyer in San Antonio, evidence contained on it might be “accidentally” purged.

 

The Good: Anatomy of Your Trucking Accident Lawyer

 

• Your lawyer will immediately file a lawsuit to preserve evidence favorable to your case. No evidence will be destroyed on your lawyer’s watch.

 

• Specializes in the trucking industry and thoroughly knows its practices and the local, state, and federal laws that apply. Keeps updated on the latest regulations and industry news.

 

• From many years of experience, is aware of the multiple ways a truck driver can push and outright violate regulations designed to prevent accidents. Uses this knowledge and experience to advantage when preparing your case and gathering evidence.

 

• Has your best interests at the forefront, not the trucking company and its insurance company. Will fight on your behalf until you receive the compensation you’re due.

 

Don’t be sweet-talked or bullied into accepting a less-than-adequate settlement. Our experienced truck accident lawyer in San Antonio is ready to help.

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Suffering from Head Trauma? A San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

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Just because your accident didn’t result in you lying unconscious in bed for weeks or months doesn’t necessarily mean you haven’t suffered a serious head injury. That’s why you need a San Antonio personal injury lawyer who is up to speed on all the latest research into the symptoms and treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

 

 

 

Outward Signs of Possible Brain Injury

A medical diagnosis of any degree of brain injury can be difficult, particularly if the patient has a pre-existing condition that might mask the symptoms of mild impairment.

 

Here are some of the signs first responders and doctors look for that indicate they could be dealing with head trauma:

 

  • Bleeding scalp wounds
  • Facial fractures, open or closed
  • Facial bruising
  • Loss of consciousness for any length of time
  • Nasal discharge, whether bloody or clear
  • Stiffness in the cervical spine

 

Timely documentation (written and images) are critical not only for diagnosis and treatment, but to provide a solid foundation on which a San Antonio personal injury lawyer can build your case.

 

Subtler Symptoms to Watch for

Some symptoms of brain injury can be deceptively mild and too easily brushed off. The symptom may depend on which of the brain’s six main regions are affected. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

 

Frontal lobe (forehead/crown)

  • Inability to perform a common, multi-step task in sequence
  • Fixation on a single thought or idea
  • Mood swings
  • Sudden onset of ADD-like behavior
  • Unable to come up with the words to complete a sentence

 

Parietal lobe (sides)

  • Difficulty reading or writing
  • Can’t tell left from right
  • Inability to solve simple math problems
  • Loss of eye/hand coordination
  • Lack of awareness of personal hygiene

 

Occipital lobe (back)

  • Visual disturbances
  • Hallucinations
  • Inability to distinguish colors or recognize a written word
  • Reading/writing impairment

 

Temporal lobe (above ears)

  • Inability to recognize familiar faces
  • Memory loss
  • Constant talking
  • Unusual increase in aggressive behavior

 

Brain stem (core of brain)

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Decreased breath control
  • Balance disturbance
  • Insomnia

 

Cerebellum (base of skull)

  • Decrease in fine motor skills
  • Muscle tremors
  • Slowed reaction time
  • Slurred speech

 

Because the brain can take several months to heal, the effects of a brain injury can impact almost every area of a victim’s life, from personal relationships to their ability to hold on to a job. These same symptoms can make it nearly impossible to gain adequate compensation through insurance or the court system.

 

That’s why it’s critical to contact a San Antonio personal injury lawyer as soon as possible—before you think you need one. The Law Offices of Pat Maloney offer an experienced team of personal injury lawyers ready to help. Contact us today!

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4 Reasons a San Antonio Car Accident Attorney Is Worth Your Time

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We know what many people think when they hear “car accident attorney.” Trust us. We know. Misconceptions that include the word “ambulance” and some form of the verb “chase.” But stereotypes aside, if you’re ever in a serious wreck, a San Antonio car accident attorney could literally be a lifesaver.

 

 

 

 

Here are four main reasons it’s worth your time to research a good San Antonio car accident attorney:

 

1. Your injuries are serious. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, your adrenaline is pumping. That’s why you may not realize until later that what you thought were a few bumps and bruises are actually the outward signs of more serious injuries. These injuries could impact your job, your personal relationships, even your life. So when the first responders arrive at the scene, don’t waive the option to be transported to an emergency room. Start covering all your bases from day one—even moment one.

 

2. Recovery will take longer than you anticipated. What you thought was a simple broken bone turns into a complicated mess of pins, plates, surgeries, months of physical therapy, and an eye-crossing morass of bills and insurance claims. Trying to handle it all yourself while recovering from a serious injury is a nightmare. An effective San Antonio car accident attorney can relieve you of a significant amount of that burden so you can concentrate on healing.

 

3. The insurance company uses delay tactics. The insurance company for the at-fault driver will do everything it can to avoid making a payout. It will claim you don’t have enough proof that their client caused the accident. Meanwhile, your bills are mounting.

 

4. You receive unfair settlement offers. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may attempt to rush you into accepting a lump-sum settlement that won’t make a dent in your medical bills, claiming that if you push for a fair settlement, the answer could be “no” and you’ll get nothing. Don’t fall for it. Sign nothing until you have a San Antonio car accident attorney on your side.

 

Don’t settle for less than you deserve! Give your San Antonio car accident attorney, Pat Maloney, a call today. Don’t wait!

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Demand Justice with an Experienced San Antonio Truck Accident Lawyer

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The words “minor” and “truck accident” seldom appear in the same sentence. Trucks are big and heavy; most cars don’t hold up well to what a truck would consider a love tap. Trucks are notorious for having major blind spots, but before you let a truck driver shrug it off with a “Sorry, I didn’t see you,” get on the phone with an experienced San Antonio truck accident lawyer.

 

 

 

 

How can a San Antonio truck accident lawyer help you?

 

Gathering Evidence

 

Chances are, the driver of the truck you tangled with is backed by a trucking company, and trucking companies won’t hesitate to use their lawyers to twist everything around to make it look like the accident was your fault. With an experienced San Antonio truck accident lawyer on your side, you can concentrate on healing from your injuries while your attorney:

 

• Studies reports and documentation generated by police and other first responders.

• Tracks down witnesses and gathers their statements.

• Determines if any nearby security cameras captured any video or photographic evidence.

• Contacts specialists, such as computer graphics experts, to re-create the accident using available evidence.

• Represents you in settlement negotiations with the trucking company’s legal team.

• Collects information about the truck driver’s training, prior driving record, and possible criminal record.

 

Knowing the Law

 

An experienced San Antonio truck accident lawyer knows which trucking companies tend to travel more on local, regional, state, or interstate roads, and which laws apply. He or she also knows what kinds of logs truck drivers are required to keep, including driving hours vs. rest hours, routine drug testing, vehicle load, and maintenance records. In addition, if the truck was subject to a recall, the ultimate fault may rest with the manufacturer.

 

If you need a San Antonio truck accident lawyer, contact us today. One of our outstanding team members is ready to back you up.

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Being Sued? A San Antonio Car Wreck Attorney Can Protect You

Many a San Antonio car wreck attorney wishes more clients would have followed a few simple steps after a car wreck. What you say—or don’t say—can come back to cause heartache and headaches after the dust has settled.

 

 

 

 

At the Accident Scene

 

• Don’t say anything incriminating. Other than asking the other driver if they are all right and exchanging contact and insurance info, don’t talk about the accident at all. Don’t say what you were doing when it happened, what you think caused it, and how the other driver was driving. Don’t even say you’re sorry for what happened. “Anything you say can and will be held against you” applies here.

• Call the police or highway patrol. Even if no one appears injured and the vehicle damage seems minor, call the authorities. In most cases, if you wind up on the wrong side of who’s at fault, the court and the insurance companies will require an official record of the accident.

• Take pictures. Your cell phone will come in handy to take quick pictures and video of the accident scene in general, along with details of injuries and damage to the vehicles. Noting malfunctioning traffic signals, poor signage and pavement markings, and weather and road conditions can all add up to evidence in your favor.

• Gather witnesses. If anyone stops to help, get their names and contact information as possible witnesses.

• Be detailed. Don’t withhold any information from the police when they arrive on the scene. Don’t admit fault, but be detailed in your account.

• Notify your insurance company. Before you leave the scene, or as soon as you can afterward, call your insurance company to let them know what happened.

 

In the Aftermath

 

• Be seen by a doctor even if you don’t think you were injured.

• Check with your insurance company or the police to determine if your state requires that you file a report with the department of motor vehicles.

• Call a San Antonio car wreck attorney to make sure everything is being done to protect you if you are sued.

 

If you learn that the police have determined you’re at fault in an auto accident, call a San Antonio car wreck attorney today.

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Recover from Your Burns with a San Antonio Work Injury Lawyer

Out of all the wounds a San Antonio work injury lawyer sees from day to day, burns are among the most painful to witness.

 

 

 

 

The ways you can be burned on the job are wide and varied:

 

• Thermal (heat). This is the type most people think of when they hear the word “burn.” Some industrial environments require workers to be in close proximity to flames, steam, hot metal or other objects, or heated liquids.

• Cold. When workers are chronically exposed to cold, wet, and/or sub-freezing temperatures on a job site, the resulting frostbite is classified as a burn.

• Electrical. Indoor workers who come in contact with electrical wiring or outdoor workers who are exposed to lightning can get electrocution burns.

• Chemical. Among the most horrendous and damaging burns, chemical burns can quickly penetrate all layers of the skin, or work slowly and insidiously while the employee works to contain a spill before taking the time to rinse off a substance.

• Radiation. Outdoor workers exposed to the sun or medical workers exposed to x-rays can incur radiation burns. (Yes, sunburn is classified as a radiation burn.)

• Friction. Also commonly referred to as “road rash,” a friction burn is a combination of a scrape and a heat burn generated from sliding across a solid object or coming in contact with a moving object such as an assembly line belt.

 

As with any work-related injury, make sure you are seen by a doctor as soon as possible, even if the burn seems minor. In general, a minor burn may hurt more than a burn that has penetrated so many layers of skin it may have killed the nerves that send pain signals to the brain.

 

Proper treatment for a burn is imperative. Without it, scar tissue can form during the weeks and months following the incident. Depending on its location, scar tissue can interfere with joint movement, crack and become ulcerated, and—at the very least—be unpleasant to look at.

 

Be an active participant in your recovery by following your doctor’s instructions to the letter, and contact a San Antonio work injury lawyer to ensure you receive full and fair compensation.

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Don’t Ignore Your Pain, Hire a Serious Personal Injury Lawyer in San Antonio

A serious personal injury lawyer in San Antonio won’t usually see the accident as it unfolds. What they too often see, though, is the result—and what happens when a victim tries to “tough it out” to avoid the inconvenience and expense of seeing a doctor.

 

 

Don’t Ignore Your Pain, Hire a Serious Personal Injury Lawyer Today!

 

 

When you don’t give your body a chance to heal, not only can the original injury worsen, more injuries can result from your body’s attempt to compensate.

 

The old song about the knee bone being connected to the hip bone has more than a kernel of truth to it. If your knee hurts, everything in your lower body shifts to take pressure off the injury. As time passes, you’ll notice the opposite knee start to hurt. Your ankle. Your hip. Even your back. All can be traced back to the original injury that was never addressed.

 

A serious personal injury lawyer in San Antonio knows all too well that pain can be elusive and tricky. You might be in an accident—even a serious one—and rejoice because you seemingly walk away unscathed thanks to seat belts, air bags, or job-site safety equipment. But then a few days or weeks later, you find yourself in debilitating pain that seems to come out of nowhere.

 

The problem is, by the time the pain makes itself known, the narrow window of time the law allows for you to report the accident may have passed, and you’ve made it much more difficult to receive compensation from whoever’s at fault.

 

There’s no prize for toughing it out. When you’re involved in any kind of accident:

• Be seen by your primary care doctor as soon as possible.

• Ask for printed copies of all doctor’s visit notes, diagnoses, treatments, x-rays, MRI results, and bills.

• Keep in mind that the number of specialists in your area who are willing to handle personal injury or workers’ comp cases could be small. Don’t wait for “someone to call you back” with a test result or appointment date. Be polite, but be persistent.

• Get legal help from a personal injury lawyer in San Antonio.

 

Have you been hurt? Don’t wait to get help. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a serious personal injury lawyer in San Antonio.

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Facts and Stats from Auto Accident Lawyers in San Antonio

Auto accident lawyers in San Antonio know the statistics, but they don’t have to look at numbers to know the amount of victims asking for representation is on the rise.

 

 

 

 

It might surprise you to learn that the National Safety Council sees a correlation between the economy and the number of traffic deaths. When gas prices fall, the economy perks up, and jobs become more plentiful, more people hit the road, both for work and leisure. Unfortunately, more drivers equal more accidents, and more injuries and deaths.

 

Other statistics show an alarming increase in distracted-driving traffic accidents. According to a recent survey conducted by AT&T, more than 70% of drivers admit to using their smart phones while driving. Texting, selfie-ing, video chatting, Facebooking, Instagramming—even hands-free talking on the phone—raises your chance of being in an auto accident many times over.

 

Auto accident lawyers in San Antonio have some advice to lessen your chances of being in a wreck. Or, if you are, to decrease the likelihood you’ll be seriously hurt.

 

• Stay out of the fast lane. If you’re not passing someone, move to the center or right lane of the highway to allow others to safely pass.

• Turn off your cell phone. Don’t even allow yourself to be tempted when it rings or dings with a notification. It can wait until you reach your destination or until you’ve safely pulled over and stopped away from traffic.

• Avoid target fixation. Keep your eyes moving and scanning ahead. Don’t fixate on the tail lights in front of you, or on any one object. Good drivers (and most motorcycle riders) know that what you look at, you aim for.

• Avoid blind spots. If you can’t see the other driver’s eyes in their side mirror, they can’t see you. Move promptly to where you can be seen—and be aware of your own vehicle’s blind spots. Get in the habit of glancing over your shoulder, and don’t rely on your mirrors alone.

 

Among all the choices for auto accident lawyers in San Antonio, we have some of the best. If you need us, call us!

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