We Know the Law!

The good news is that according to statistics from the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), fatal crashes involving large trucks decreased by 5 percent in 2013.  The bad news is that there were still 3,744 deaths that occurred as a result of such accidents during that year in the U.S.  In addition there was a 21 percent increase in injury crashes with large trucks in 2013 totaling 88,000 incidents.     

To try and lessen these often horrific accidents, the FMCSA, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, imposes regulations on large trucks and busses that are aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities.  Regulations include requiring all drivers to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and regulating the hours drivers can be behind the wheel.  They also impose rules for transporting hazardous material, weight limits on loads, and regulation on how cargo is loaded.  Furthermore, FMCSA has strict regulations regarding maintenance and inspection standards for vehicles.

If you or your family has been injured or killed in an accident that involved a large truck, the attorneys at Schiff & Associates are not only well-versed in FMCSA’s regulations but are experienced in handling these types of cases.  Our team knows how to do a thorough investigation of the accident and understands how to determine if there were any violations of the rules.  If we establish negligence, we then use this information to help us secure a fair settlement for our clients. 

By knowing the law, thoroughly preparing a case, and having extensive experience dealing with insurance companies, Schiff & Associates has become a respected name with a winning tradition.  We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our team and our legal services as well as to set up a free consultation to meet with an attorney who has a background in truck accident cases.  

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading personal injury attorneyscan help.

Source: fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2014

Involved in an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle?

If you have had an accident in which the driver of a commercial vehicle was at fault, you may find it is difficult to prove liability on your own without the help of an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer.  Commercial vehicles include delivery vans, semi-trucks, utility vans, garbage trucks, commercial and chartered buses, contractor-owned pickups, taxis, limousines, and others.  Most of these types of commercial carriers are insured through big insurance companies who are extremely challenging to go up against.    

Also you need to remember there may be a number of reasons for the accident such as a sleepy driver, a driver who had driven over the legal limit, or one with a poor driving record. Furthermore, the accident may have been caused by mechanical failure or a driver rushing to make a delivery, picking up their next customer, or other deadlines that can lead to negligence.  However all of these things can be hard to prove on your own.

Whatever the reason, if a driver of a commercial vehicle hit you and caused you or a family member injuries or even death, you need the legal services of a personal injury attorney who can sort it all out and get you the help you need.  With decades of experience behind us and a winning record, the attorneys at Schiff & Associates know how to go head to head with the large insurance companies that typically represent commercial carriers.  Our team conducts a thorough investigation and carefully sifts through the evidence to prove who is at fault.

We can help you recover the costs from the accident including on-going medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other life-changing circumstances.  After collecting all of the facts, we skillfully negotiate and litigate on your behalf.  Please see our website for contact information, and remember your initial consultation is free.

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

Trust a Personal Injury Law Firm with a Broad Range of Expertise

The law office of Schiff & Associates has been in business for over thirty years.  Scott Schiff began Schiff & Associates Co. LPA., in 1985 specializing in civil litigation with an emphasis on catastrophic injury and wrongful death.  Over the ensuing years we have earned a reputation for winning cases for our clients and have experience handling many different areas of practice within personal injury law.  In fact in 2013, Time Magazine recognized Schiff & Associates as one of the top personal injury firms in the United States.

Our seasoned attorneys bring a wide range of expertise to the firm and offer skilled legal representation on everything from wrongful death, workers’ compensation, serious injuries, auto, motorcycle and truck accidents to dog and animal attacks, impaired driving accidents and more.  We take each case extremely seriously as we recognize that while the outcome is important to us, it can truly impact the lives of our clients.

When you visit our website, please be sure to read the bios of our attorneys as you will certainly be impressed with their credentials and breadth of experience.  Additionally with such a well-rounded team, you can feel confident that you will be paired with the best attorneys for your type of case.  By concentrating on certain areas of practice, they are experts in their fields such as Todd Fitz, who handles many of our workers’ compensation cases.  He has extensive background representing employers as well as injured workers so he knows the complicated rules governing BWC claims as well as anyone in the state.

Schiff & Associates’ team also includes a staff of highly-trained and capable legal assistants and paralegals; an attorney who is also a CPA; and an investigator who was a former highway patrolman.  When needed, we work with respected specialists including vocational rehabilitation counselors and medical experts of all kinds to ensure your case receives the best professional recommendations.  Please see our website for contact information, and keep in mind that our initial consultation is free.

The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.

 

Tips for Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

We have all heard stories about someone who hires a personal injury attorney and then is sorely disappointed by the lack of attention their case gets and the overall quality of the representative they receive.  Poor communication, missed deadlines, and a general sense that your case is not going anywhere probably means you chose the wrong attorney or law firm to represent you.

So how can you prevent that from happening?  To start with, you can ask friends or acquaintances for referrals, and if they had a positive experience with a particular lawyer or firm, you may want to consider them.  In addition if you have had a good experience with an attorney in another area of practice, ask them for a referral to a personal injury attorney.  However just remember that before you agree to have anyone represent you, you need to meet face to face.  This allows you to determine if the lawyer is someone you would feel comfortable working with and whether they seem prepared to take the steps you need to achieve a successful outcome.

Another way to select the best attorney for your case is to visit their website and read the background material about them and the firm.  It is important to know how long the firm has been in practice and how successful are they in winning cases.  Also do they have experience with your type of case?  Furthermore, you can contact your state bar association to see if they are in good standing.

At Schiff & Associates your initial consultation is free.  If we take your case, it will be on a contingency basis so there are no attorney costs or fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.  We recommend before your scheduled consultation you take a few minutes to write down details of your case and any questions or concerns you wish to discuss.  That not only saves time but ensures we cover everything you want to know. 

The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982.  We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery.  Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer.