Denver Legal Malpractice Blog

If you suffer a head injury, ask what you should expect

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

You didn't expect to become the victim of a serious car crash. No one ever does. Unfortunately, your injuries were extensive. You have serious head and neck injuries caused by the collision. You're not sure how the future is going to look for you.

Head and back injuries are among the most serious injuries that result from car crashes. They can range from concussions to whiplash to skull fractures. The kind of injury you have may give you an idea of what to expect, but your personal experiences may vary from what other patients have gone through.

What types of jobs can qualify as 'community service?'

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Monday, June 22, 2020.

Often, people who are convicted of a criminal offense are ordered to do "community service." It may be part of their sentence in addition to serving time in jail and/or paying a fine. Sometimes, an attorney can negotiate with prosecutors for a person to do community service instead of going to jail and/or paying fines.

Community service is monitored by the court. People have to maintain records of the hours they put in signed by those supervising them. They have to complete the number of hours ordered by the court.

What to do if you’re struck by a motor vehicle

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in personal injury on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.

As a pedestrian, your biggest concern is being struck by a motor vehicle. This holds true no matter who you are or where you are. You know that this type of accident can (and probably will) result in serious injury or even death.

Even if you take steps to protect yourself, there's always a chance you could be struck by a motor vehicle. Should this happen, here's what you need to do (if possible):

Move to safety: This is easier said than done, but if you're able to move to safety, such as to a sidewalk or parking lot, it makes sense to do so. Of course, don't attempt to move if it can result in additional injuries.
Call 911: If you're able to do so yourself, immediately make the call for help. If not, ask a witness or bystander if they can do so on your behalf. The goal here is for a police officer and ambulance to quickly arrive at the scene.
Receive treatment: Above all else, make sure you receive treatment at a local hospital. Even if you think you only have minor injuries, you could be wrong. A professional evaluation and treatment is a must.

How to protect yourself after a car accident

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in personal injury on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

If you're involved in a car accident, your first thought is to get out and exchange information with the other driver.

While this may be something you do eventually, remember this: Your safety and well-being must always come first.

When does force by police officers become excessive?

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. on Monday, June 8, 2020.

Police officers are charged with keeping their jurisdictions safe. They will sometimes have to take actions to get control of a situation. They must do this by using as little force as possible. The Fourth Amendment and Eighth Amendment outline what use of force is appropriate in these cases, so it's imperative that officers abide by the proper protocol.

It is possible that excessive force can lead to the victim suffering great harm. In extreme cases, victims have passed away. These incidents should never happen. When they do, the person who was harmed may opt to pursue legal action if the situation didn't warrant the force that was used.

Follow these tips when crossing a busy city street

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in personal injury on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

As a pedestrian, there will be times when you need to make your way to the other side of the street. This may sound easy enough -- until you take a look around and realize that there are cars everywhere.

There are a variety of tips you can follow to reduce the risk of an accident:

Always cross at a crosswalk: Unless you absolutely have no choice, you should only cross at a crosswalk. Drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians. Furthermore, they're more likely to take notice of you here.
Don't dart into traffic: For example, if you're late for a meeting, you may be tempted to cross the street at your first opportunity. But if you do this, you greatly increase the risk of being struck by a motor vehicle.
Follow the traffic signals: At a crosswalk, there may be a light that tells you when to walk and when to stay where you are. Don't ignore these signals, as they're designed to keep you safe. When you're told you can walk, it means that traffic is stopped.

What impact does a criminal conviction have on employment?

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, May 28, 2020.

It can be difficult for anyone to secure gainful employment. It's especially hard for those with criminal records. Crimes disappear off a person's record like a bankruptcy after a few years in other countries. They never do in the United States, though. A criminal conviction sticks on a person's record for the rest of their life here.

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) data shows that some 77 million Americans, or one-third of U.S. adults, have criminal records. Competition for jobs is fierce under the best of circumstances. Individuals who have a criminal record may liken landing a job to something akin to winning the lottery. The thought of them securing a position requiring an occupational license may be completely out of reach.

A glimpse into legal malpractice trends

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

Legal malpractice is a serious issue because it directly impacts the client's life, but some clients might not realize that they have any recourse. They may believe that the improper representation they received is normal and that there is nothing they can do to recover the damages.

It's also possible that someone will misconstrue cases that don't end in their favor and instead call it legal malpractice. There are no guarantees in the legal industry, so clients must realize that there is always a chance things won't be resolved according to their wishes. This isn't an issue unless they were promised a specific outcome by the attorney. Making unsubstantiated claims or false promises about the outcome of a case would be considered legal malpractice.

How to bicycle in close proximity to traffic

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in personal injury on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

With summer weather upon us, there's a good chance you'll be spending as much time outdoors as possible. And for many people, this means jumping on their bicycle and taking to the road.

Riding a bicycle in close proximity to traffic is dangerous, as you always have to concern yourself with a driver who could cause an accident.

Beware of these summer road risks

On behalf of The Viorst Law Offices, P.C. posted in personal injury on Thursday, May 14, 2020.

It's easy to believe that driving during the summer months is the same as any other time of the year, but that doesn't necessarily hold true.

There are a variety of unique risks that typically come to light during the summer season, including the following:

Increased animal activity: Animals, such as deer, are active during the summer months. So, keep your eyes peeled, as one of these could run out in front of your vehicle.
Construction: Roadwork can occur at any time of the year, but it's much more common in the summer. This calls for you to change your driving habits, such as slowing down and taking special caution around construction vehicles.
Heavy rain: Even though summer brings higher temperatures, it also brings heavy rain. If this happens while you're driving, slow down, turn on your lights and keep an eye out for standing water.
Bicyclists: Warm weather brings people out of their homes, and that definitely holds true of bicyclists. For example, if you're driving on a city or country road, you're likely to come across one bicyclist after the next.