What Does Contingency Basis Mean in Minnesota?

August 15, 2014  |  Adriel B. Villarreal

If you have suffered a personal injury or loss and would like to bring a case against someone but don’t have the funds to pay a lawyer to begin a lawsuit, it may be beneficial for you to find a lawyer who works on a contingency basis. This means that they will only collect a fee if they win the case, and if they don’t win the case for you, you will owe them nothing. This can be incredibly helpful for those who may not have the funds to secure legal representation but still want to pursue their civil right to bring a lawsuit against someone. Contingency Based Lawyers Generally, if you hire a lawyer with the understanding that they are working for a contingent fee, it means that they will require a payment only if they win the case through settlement or jury trial. This fee will generally be their normal hourly billing. Contingency Fees are Often a Win-Win The main advantage of contingency fee arrangements is that it provides access to the courts for those who cannot afford to pay attorney’s fees and the high costs of civil litigation. They also provide motivation for an attorney to work more diligently on a case. In cases where a person pays the attorney…

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Types of Car Accidents You May Be Involved In

August 12, 2014  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Car accidents happen in so many different situations and at such various angles that trying to quantify them all would be impossible. Roadway accidents can be caused by high rates of speed, traffic congestion, blind spots, poor conditions or carelessness. Although a vehicle can be struck in an infinite number of ways, there are just a few car accidents that are incredibly common: rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions, head-on collisions, sideswipe collisions, and rollovers. Describing Vehicular Accidents Rear-end collision – These types of accidents happen when one vehicle strikes the back of the car that is in front of it. They often happen when the vehicle in front decelerates and the driver behind them doesn’t notice, or doesn’t decelerate in time. Unless the vehicle in back hits the other at a very high speed, injuries of rear-end collisions are generally pretty minor such as whiplash, minor neck pain, and minor back pain. In almost all cases, the driver of the vehicle that causes the rear-end accident will be found at fault. Side-impact collision – Also known as a T-bone collision, side-impact collisions are caused when one vehicle hits their front into the side of another vehicle. These accidents generally happen in the middle of intersections when one vehicle is traveling perpendicular to another and…

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Should You Take Notes at the Scene of an Accident? You Bet!

August 6, 2014  |  Adriel B. Villarreal

Getting into a vehicular accident is overwhelming and stressful for everyone involved, but it can be even more stressful dealing with insurance companies. Taking steps to be prepared when it’s time to give your version of the events can help make the process easier, quicker and more accurate, which will assist in all aspects of your legal defense. What to do After an Automobile Accident in Minnesota First, you should always make sure that everyone who was involved in the accident is safe and receiving any necessary medical attention! Next, move obstructing vehicles out of the way of traffic, if at all possible, to ensure there are no further injuries. After everyone is safe and seems to be free from major injury, you should get out your notepad. You may be dealing with insurance companies for several months, and after that amount of time facts may become unclear, so having a record of the events while they are fresh can only help your case. Call the personal injury attorneys of Barna, Guzy & Steffen today at (763) 780-8500 if you have any questions about your accident What to Write Down at the Scene of an Accident Some of the most important items to record at the accident scene are: What happened prior to the accident…

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