Posted on April 11, 2017 in Personal Injury

Consistent safe driving practices is ideal. However, at the end of the day, the reality is that accidents do happen. Additionally, when accidents involve large trucks, the destruction and ensuing injuries can be catastrophic.

Many regulations are in place to promote safe driving by truckers on our roads. These regulations include limits on driving hours, maintenance requirements, and weight limits. One factor which can also contribute to a deadly truck accident is the negligent hiring of a dangerous driver by a trucking company.

If you or a loved one was involved in a serious truck accident and you suspect the driver was driving in a dangerous manner that contributed to the accident, retain the services of an experienced truck accident attorney. Your attorney will make an assessment of your rights and potential to recover monetary damages for your injuries and losses.

Obligations of Trucking Companies

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 11, 2017 in Immigration

Many countries around the world, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have become signatories to what are called safe third country agreements. These agreements essentially restrict asylum seekers in terms of when and where they may apply, which can sometimes have little effect on individual cases. However, they can sometimes cause significant problems, especially if an entire family wants to immigrate or pass through. In the current climate, knowing your options is imperative if you intend to apply for asylum in the United States.

Differences in Ports of Entry

The United States has a safe third country agreement with Canada, classified as a treaty and implemented in 2004. Under this agreement, refugees or anyone intending to make an asylum claim in one of the two countries must do so in the country they enter first. The crux of the matter, however, is that the agreement only applies to those who choose to make their claim when entering via a land border, and even then, there are exceptions to the rule. If someone drives or walks across the international border, and wishes to make a refugee claim, he or she will be barred from doing so unless the individual meets one of the four categories of exception.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 06, 2017 in Family Law

Of all the assets that a couple owns, the family home tends to be the most emotional to negotiate in divorce. It can also make up nearly half of the couple’s assets, depending on where they are in the mortgage and depreciation scale. As such, it is crucial that couples fully understand the risks and potential pitfalls associated with family home negotiations – especially if one party plans on keeping it. The following information may help.

Approach Negotiations with a Clear Head

The first thing to keep in mind is that divorce, though often an emotionally wrenching situation, is more like a business transaction, and it should be treated as such. This means, no matter how irritated or angry you might be with your spouse, you will need to come to the negotiations with a clear head. Avoid being petty, disengage from arguments, and consider letting your lawyer handle the bulk of the communications to minimize contact.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 04, 2017 in Personal Injury

Large, intimidating, and capable of wreaking complete havoc, semi-trucks are one of the most formidable vehicles on the road. Indeed, they are involved in thousands of crashes each year—98 percent of which result in at least one fatality. Yet, even the victims who survive often have life-altering complications, such as paralyzation, permanent brain damage, and burn injuries.

In hopes of reducing the frequency of semi-truck crashes and the impact they ultimately have on the lives of victims and their families, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently teamed and proposed a new federal law.

Tech and Proposed Federal Law Would Limit Speed

One of the major contributing factors in semi crashes involve the speed at which the truck is traveling. Sometimes, it is simply that the truck is traveling too fast for road conditions. But speeding, in general, places the lives of other road users at risk. This is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently proposed a federal law that would require all trucks over 26,000 pounds to have their speed limited by a technological device.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 31, 2017 in Immigration

In recent days, several raids have taken place by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more specifically by Enforcement & Removal Operations (ERO). These raids were aimed at rounding up any and all undocumented immigrants, which is a departure from the policy of the previous administration.

Since the scale of these recent raids has been larger than usual, it has led to many finding themselves without counsel or without information about the rights they have in the United States. If ERO appears at your door, you may be too flustered to speak up then and there.

Before and During the Raid

It is pivotal to be prepared before any adverse event happens, by carrying the right information and by having steps in place in case the worst occurs.

Identification such as a driver’s license is a good item to have on you at all times. This form of documentation provides the information that you are required to give to law enforcement (your name and birthdate, in most states) without any identifying marker regarding your country of origin. Also, it can be helpful to ensure that your family has access to your relevant information and the contact information of an immigration advocate or group that you trust.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 24, 2017 in Immigration

Immigration law is complex. As one navigates through the process of obtaining visas and more permanent status, it is not uncommon to become confused about one’s rights and responsibilities. Nowhere is this more fraught than if one is awarded a green card, which confers lawful permanent residence (referred to commonly as ‘LPR status’) on the holder. Upon being granted your green card, you are also granted rights under the law which cannot be taken away unless you lose your status.

More Than a Visa, Less Than Citizenship

Rather than relying on immigrant visas like H1Bs or F1s, LPR status is very often a kind of intermediate status for those who have reasons to live or work in the United States, but may not wish to renounce his or her original citizenship. It is also common to see LPRs who received their green cards via relief applications, such as those who apply each year under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Either way, lawful permanent residents have rights and responsibilities that are enshrined in the law, and may not be taken away unless they are stripped of their green card. Many of these rights are things that citizens take for granted, but LPRs often do not have that luxury.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 24, 2017 in Family Law

As divorce becomes less stigmatized, and families grow more aware of the negative impact that family strife can have on children, more couples are opting for unconventional post-divorce family models. Some use birdnesting. Others choose a 50/50 split on the allocation of parenting responsibilities and parenting time. Still others have separate lives but continue to have family outings and vacations together. Which option is right for your family? The following may help you decide.

Live-In Parenting Models

Some parents get along well enough that they can use a live-in model after the divorce. This can range from all-out living together as a family, 24/7, to birdnesting – a model in which children stay in the family home but parents rotate in and out. How do you know if one of these options may be appropriate for your family?

First, families that have any form of live-in parenting should have an amicable situation. If spending time around your spouse or sharing space with them is simply too much to handle, then this model is unlikely to work for you. Further, live-in parenting models require a great deal of maturity on the part of both parties. You must be able to create and maintain clear boundaries while still focusing on the day-to-day lives of your children.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 23, 2017 in Personal Injury

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and estimated 1.7 million people suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those, approximately 52,000 experience fatality. Motor vehicle accidents are the third leading cause of those deaths. Thankfully, science is starting to make some headway in treatments—some of which may save victims that would have otherwise died from their injuries. The following explains further.

Improved Screenings for Injured Victims

Lack of early detection is one of the biggest reasons that TBIs become fatal. This is exactly why science has started focusing on methods for earlier and better detection. For example, rather than search for a brain hemorrhage in a CT scan, some victims might be better served through biomarker testing. MRIs may also be used to better detect if a victim has experienced mild traumatic brain injury. This can reduce the risk that less severe cases are missed, which can, in turn, reduce the risk for secondary injuries that could easily become life-threatening.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 17, 2017 in Immigration

If you have committed a crime, you ought to be aware (or become aware) that your actions have the potential to seriously affect your ability to stay in the United States, especially if you are undocumented or are present on a non-immigrant visa.

Normally, commission of certain crimes can render you deportable from the country, and many will come with a bar—a period of time where you must not re-enter the country.

However, in some cases, this may be avoided by making a deal or pleading guilty to a charge that will not render you deportable. Still, this can be a very complex undertaking.

The Process

If someone is found to have committed a crime, sentencing follows fairly quickly in the normal order of things. However, if the person is an immigrant, the judge must take into account the nature of the crime. There are two classifications—a crime of moral turpitude (CIMT) and an aggravated felony. A crime of moral turpitude (CIMT) is a crime that shocks the conscience of the public, while an aggravated felony is differentiated most often simply by the fact that its consequences are quite severe. If you commit either of these types of offenses, then you will almost certainly be held to be deportable.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 17, 2017 in Family Law

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimates that approximately 20 people are abused by an intimate partner each minute in the United States. That equates to more than 10 million victims per year. Some of them are married, unsure of how to escape, and afraid of what might happen if they try to pursue a divorce. An attorney may be able to help.

Guiding You Through the Process

When you are dealing with both domestic violence and divorce, it is crucial that you have someone to guide you through the process. You need someone who can stand up for your rights and protect them in every situation. You also need someone who can help you work through the financial discovery of any marital assets.

Helping You Stay Safe During the Divorce

Although some victims can and do leave their relationships without retaliation, others may be at risk for escalated violence. An attorney can help you pursue an order of protection. You should also know that Illinois offers certain employment protections to victims of domestic violence.

Continue Reading ››