Hit-and-Run Drunk Driver Leaves Pedestrian for Dead in Middle of Road

A man has been charged with drunk driving in a hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a 21-year-old pedestrian.

According to a cab driver that witnessed the crash, the driver of a Kia Sorrento fled the scene after hitting a pedestrian attempting to cross the street. The victim was rushed to the hospital with extensive trauma to his head, including an inoperable brain bleed. He remains in critical condition; doctors said he is unlikely to recover.

The cab driver called 911 and pursued the driver for seven miles until police set up a roadblock. When police pulled the man over, they were hit with a stench of booze. The man was glassy-eyed and slurring his speech. A breath test revealed that he was intoxicated above the legal limit. He later charged with drunken driving, vehicular assault, driving without a license and leaving the scene of an accident. He also has a case pending from last month, when he was charged with menacing and weapons-possession charges.

Drunk drivers who cause car accidents face not only criminal penalties, but can be sued in civil court as well. A civil case comes in the form of a lawsuit filed by the injured victim, or in the case of a fatality, filed by the victim’s next of kin, to recover damages. But, drunk driving cases such as this one, are not a slam dunk as most people might think. Insurance companies are somewhat creative in defending drunk drivers’ cases. That is why victims should seek advice from an experienced auto accident attorney. Even then, it may take months if not years to reach a settlement. If money is tight, one solution is to secure a lawsuit cash advance, known as lawsuit funding.

These financial agreements offer litigants cash now in exchange for a portion of the future proceeds of the case. At Lawsuit Financial, there is no need for a credit check, employment verification, or monthly payments. This is risk-free funding because repayment is contingent upon a successful recovery. If the plaintiff loses the case, repayment is completely waived. After a contract is approved, funds can be available for immediate use within 24 – 48 hours, and tere are no restrictions on how the money is used.

If you are injured by a drunk driver, a civil suit could be your only recourse when attempting to recover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, damaged property or other economic damages. After filing a lawsuit, if you are in need of fast cash, call Lawsuit Financial to learn how lawsuit funding can help your case and keep you financial afloat.

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.
 

Vegas Extreme Adventures Denies History Of Problems After Fatal Flight

Air combat maneuvers are inherently dangerous, even for trained stunt pilots who put in hours of the training and practice required to perform aeronautical acrobatics. Yet, there are companies that offer air-to-air combat flights for anyone wanting to be the “Red Baron” despite little or no flight experience. Are these companies and their pilots taking too many risks and neglecting safety?

Last month, twelve men traveled to Las Vegas for a bachelor party. Nine members of the group were supposed to take part in simulated, air-to-air combat flights on Sky Combat Ace planes with an “instructor” pilot in the back seat of each of the three aircrafts. Sky Combat Ace allows paying customers — even those without any previous flight experience — to fly and control its acrobatic planes. According to the company website, two planes at a time would engage in “air combat” maneuver against each other while the other airplane observed from a safe distance. The Federal Aviation Administration allows anyone to fly a plane as long as there is a licensed pilot alongside to provide instruction.

On the afternoon of April 30, thunderstorms were lurking in the area so the men questioned the company’s refund policy which basically states that customers must go on the flights with the company’s instructor pilots or forfeit their fare money. Rather than lose more than $8,000 due to the non-refund policy, three of the men departed in three of the company’s planes.

Information provided by a company representative revealed that after the simulated air-combat maneuvers, all three aircraft were returning to the airport. When only two planes arrived, the company launched an airplane to conduct a search. The wreckage was discovered a short time later near a hilltop about 12 miles south of the airport, leaving an 800-foot-long path of debris. A 37-year-old company pilot and a 32-year-old customer from Rohnert Park, California, died in the crash of blunt trauma injuries, according to the Clark County coroner’s office.

A representatives of the parent company, Vegas Extreme Adventures, said the company has been providing instructional aerobatic airplane rides to the general public since 2011, and has conducted more than 15,000 incident-free flights during the past five years the business has been in operation. On the contrary, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board identified multiple safety issues on similar acrobatic flights in the past five years the business has been in operation. None of those cases resulted in injury, though one incident in March 2015 involved the same Sky Combat Ace airplane that crashed April 30.

A preliminary report in this latest incident did not mention a probable cause, but it was noted that visibility was found to be sufficient at the time. There was no flight plan filed. All major parts of the plane were recovered and will be examined for the final accident report, but a probable cause of the crash is expected to take eight months to a year to complete. The FAA is also investigating Sky Combat Ace on legal grounds to see if the company was in compliance with its regulations at the time of the accident.

Lawsuit Financial extends its condolences to the families of these deceased young men.

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Jury Awards Record-Setting Verdict in Nursing Home Lawsuit

When elderly loved ones are no longer able to live on their own, many family members turn to an assisted living facility or nursing home. While many of these facilities provide excellent care, there are times that the system fails. If you have lost a loved one because an assisted living facility or nursing home was negligent or failed to fulfill its care obligations, you may have the right to seek compensation for damages.

The family of a 77-year-old resident who died while living at a Colorado nursing home received $5.5 million in damages, in what was believed to be a record-setting verdict.

According to the lawsuit, the woman was first admitted as a resident of Life Care Center of Pueblo in April 2013. During her residency, she endured repeated instances of abuse and neglect that led to multiple infections, bed sores, unexplained severe bruising, dehydration and malnutrition. Testimony from caregivers and family members revealed that the woman was often found lying in her own urine and feces, and the neglect was so extensive that at one point, after having been transferred to the emergency room, hospital staff notified the woman’s family that her vagina was packed with dried feces. She died on November 20, 2013 – nearly 7 months after she was first admitted to the facility.

The family’s attorney, Brett Moss, pointed out that state inspectors cited the facility for deficiencies relevant to the woman’s injuries and argued the facility was chronically understaffed. The jury award included $500,000 in damages related to the woman’s death, $57,000 in economic damages for negligence and another $5 million in punitive damages. Absent from the trial was any corporate representative or witness on behalf of Life Care Centers of America, Inc., which Moss said may have impacted the jury award.

 

If you believe that a loved one may be the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you may be entitled to compensation. Choosing the right attorney in this situation is also a vitally important decision. If you do not know an attorney who specializes in nursing home abuse, Lawsuit Financial has excellent legal referral sources all over the country and our professional staff will locate you a top-notch legal specialist, in your city or state, within 24-48 hours. This is a free service for injury victims and their family members.

 

Lawsuit Financial will also devise a legal finance plan to assist victims and family members through the difficult financial issues facing them. Victims do not want to conduct settlement negotiations when they are struggling, financially. If they do, they will, almost always, accept an offer that is less than full case value. Strategic lawsuit funding can often be the difference between a mediocre settlement and a large, injury appropriate settlement. Leveraging money from Lawsuit Financials may be the best solution to hold out for full case value. Apply online or call us toll free 1-877-377-SUIT (7848) to discuss your financial needs.

Lawsuit Financial Can Add Value To Your Case When You Believe You Can’t Afford Fight For Justice

Imagine you were injured in a auto accident caused by someone else. You have medical expenses and are unable to return to work. The pain you suffered continues daily. Paying even the monthly household bills is becoming a burden. What do you do?

Millions of Americans who could seek personal injury lawsuits choose not to do so, even when they suffer serious injuries. Why? In many cases, it is due to a lack of information; they may not be aware that they have a valid personal injury case. Some people believe filing a lawsuit may not be worth it, especially if they are financially stable. However, no one should pay the price of an injury if it is not their fault. Also, lawsuits are not just about the money; they can help prevent such negligence from happening in the future. Others worry that the cost of litigation might leave them bankrupt if they don’t win. What they don’t realize is that attorneys don’t receive money unless their client wins. More often than not, victims lack the financial resources to withstand a lengthy litigation process. In simple terms, they do not have the time or money to fight for justice. But, the real question is whether you can afford not to fight.

Most people don’t know how much money they can receive from their personal injury claims and going up against an insurance company is like preparing for battle. A personal injury attorney cannot only help you understand your legal rights, but can add more value to your case; an experienced attorney also understands deny, delay, and defend tactics by the insurance company. Hiring a personal injury attorney allows you to leverage their tools and experiences to achieve the highest possible settlement. Since attorneys handle cases on a contingency fee basis, there are no up-front obligations in retaining their services. But, what about your financial situation during the pending lawsuit? After retaining an experienced attorney, you would be able to apply for lawsuit funding. For those unfamiliar with the term, lawsuit funding is a cash advance that helps with short-term financial needs during a pending claim. It exists to level the playing field and prevent insurance companies from forcing you to settle too soon, for too little.

Lawsuit Financial is an experienced provider of lawsuit funding. We will review case material provided by your attorney, and, if your case qualifies, provide immediate cash needed to wait out the long legal process. With lawsuit funding, you will be able to pay your bills, focus on healing, and not worry about monthly payments; we will wait until the case settles for our repayment. If the case is lost, our repayment is lost. We take the same risk as the attorney; we charge no fees unless you collect compensation in your pending lawsuit. Bottom line – do not be forced into accepting an inadequate offer. With an experienced attorney and lawsuit funding, you do not have to fall victim a second time.

Lawsuit Financial is a pro-justice legal funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. If you or someone you know can benefit from our services, contact us today.

Teen Hit By Car Shares Safety Message

A 12-year-old Texas girl was on her way to school when she was hit by a car. The teen said she looked both ways as her mother always taught her to do, but was hit by a speeding driver. Although banged up, bruised and bandaged, she is alive and expected to make a full recovery. Now the teen shares a simple message – Be Careful!"

Police said the teen tried to cross the road from behind a city bus when she was hit. The driver was not cited after police determined he was not speeding. But, what happened serves as a safety reminder.

Any time pedestrians are on the road, they can be at risk of an accident with a motor vehicle – even when walking in marked crosswalks. Children and young teens don't have the same ability to judge distances, speed, and noise direction of traffic and vehicles as older teens and adults. Therefore, it is important to ensure that children have a good understanding of basic street safety when walking around city streets, especially when alone. To lessen the chances of our children becoming an injury or death statistic, it is important not only to educate, but continuously reinforce road safety.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

• Cross the street only traffic lights, pedestrian crossings or marked crosswalks; continuously watch for traffic as you cross.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street – even if it is not a busy intersection. Check right, left and right again before walking out.
• Do not cross in the middle of a street or between cars or buses; if you are getting off a bus, wait until the bus has moved away before checking for traffic.
• Never step out from behind any vehicle, such as a bus, where you can’t see the oncoming traffic.
• Always make sure a motorist is not turning even if there is a “No turn on red” sign.
• Avoid walking on roads without sidewalks and crosswalks, but if you must, walk facing traffic.
• Follow crosswalk signs/signals; do not cross when the sign reads “Do Not Walk” even if there is not oncoming traffic.
• Do not assume that cars are driving slowly enough for you to cross or for them to stop.
• Do not run or dash into the street.
• Stop and look whenever passing a driveway.

Drivers can help too.

• Pay attention to crosswalks; make sure pedestrians are not crossing the road before passing through the crosswalk.
• Pay attention to traffic controls.
• Yield to pedestrians already crossing the road even if not at the crosswalk.
• Be attentive especially around schools and neighborhoods where children present.
• Do not assume the pedestrian sees (or hears) you.

Most importantly to pedestrians and drivers, alike – obey traffic laws and use common sense. Remember, too, that safety doesn’t stop with the last school bell for the year. Discuss pedestrian safety with your children especially during the summer months when kids are outside with more free time.

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Common Questions By Personal Injury Victims In A Pending Lawsuit

How long will my case take? When will I receive my settlement? Why should it take years to get compensation for injuries caused by the wrongdoing of another? These are not uncommon questions from personal injury plaintiffs, especially those worrying about finances. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answers. Every fact, injury, and party involved differs.

The personal injury litigation process begins when you retain an attorney. Your attorney will then contact the insurance company for the negligent party and begin the process of investigating your case. This could include conducting depositions, hiring accident reconstruction experts, interviewing witnesses and a host of other time-consuming steps designed to prove that the defendant was at fault.

Another reason a settlement can take a long time is determining the extent of injuries incurred and the necessary treatment. It is important to fully evaluate your injuries because once you accept a settlement offer or achieve a verdict, the decision is final. You can't go back and request more money if you later discover your injuries are more extensive than you first thought.

The defendant’s insurance company owes you no duty to settle quickly. If liability is hard to prove, the insurer is not likely to make a reasonable settlement offer until your attorney can prove fault. Even then, insurance companies know most plaintiffs are typically in a hurry to settle, especially if financially strapped. They will use this to their advantage by denying and delaying a claim hoping you will settle for far less than full case value. They do this by requiring document after document to support your injuries and treatment and to prove your case. You will be grilled over the smallest details – anything to deny the claim.

If your case goes to trial, it may take years to be scheduled; two to three years is not uncommon. Let’s assume you finally get a court date and ultimately win your case. There could quite possibly be an appeal, starting a whole new series of legal proceedings that can last several more months or years. In any scenario, a long legal process can drain an injured victim emotionally and financially. What if you simply can’t wait; you need money now? 

In today's marketplace, lawsuit funding companies can help you obtain a lawsuit cash advance on your future settlement. Lawsuit funding is a cash advance to help litigants maintain financial health while waiting for a case settlement or verdict. The only conditions for eligibility are a serious injury, a strong case and attorney representation. Approval of a cash advance is not contingent on your credit or employment history, and there are no monthly payments. When the case settles, the funding company is repaid - not a day sooner. A lawsuit cash advance is provided on a non-recourse basis, meaning that if the case does not settle, the lawsuit advance is forgiven and you are not obligated to pay a cent. 

Applying for lawsuit funding is quick, easy and free! Once approval is determined, funds can be wired within 24-48 hours and available for immediate use. The money advanced can be used anyway you wish, but is usually for necessities such as the mortgage, rent, auto payments, medical bills and monthly household expenses.

It is important to note that lawsuit funding is not a solution for every case, but it has helped thousands stand on solid financial ground while awaiting a settlement. Talk to your attorney to determine whether it is an option you should pursue. If so, contact Lawsuit Financial today for a free case evaluation. 

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Lawsuit Funding Supports Cases When Government Entities Appeal

Poorly designed roadways, intersections, or means of controlling traffic, such as a traffic light can cause or contribute to an auto accident. When this happens, government entities can be held liable. The issue in any lawsuit is whether the government failed to fulfill its obligations of making sure a dangerous road is somewhat forgiving of driver error. Successful cases not only benefit the client, they directly force changes in dangerous road conditions that can save lives. Challenging the government is a daunting task that can take years, but demanding accountability is critical to obtaining justice.

On March 1, 2013, Thomas Guilmette, a scientist with Northrop Grumman, sustained massive injuries after his motorcycle collided with a SUV making a left turn at an intersection. Guilmette was transported to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.

The investigation revealed that Guilmette was riding his motorcycle east on Summerland Avenue. The driver of the SUV had stopped at the stop sign northbound on Cabrillo Avenue at Summerland. Unable to see around the line of parked cars that blocked his view of oncoming traffic, the driver of the SUV slowly inched forward. Guilmette, who was traveling 30 to 35 mph and not speeding, according to witnesses, clipped the front end of the SUV.

Guilmette’s family filed a lawsuit alleging the city of Los Angeles had received complaints for years that the intersection was dangerous but did nothing to make it safer. The lawsuit alleged that the intersection was inherently flawed; drivers trying to turn left from Cabrillo onto Summerland were forced to pull into the intersection because of impaired visibility due to a hill and parked cars. The claim alleged that the crash could have been avoided if the city had followed through and made changes to the intersection that had been planned for more than a decade. After Guilmette’s death, a stop sign was added to make the intersection a four-way stop. Additionally, curb parking was restricted to improve visibility.

Following a two-week civil trial, a 12-member jury unanimously ruled that the city of Los Angeles was 95 percent responsibly and ordered to pay $23.7 million to the plaintiffs. The city plans to appeal.

An appeal could take up to a year-and-a-half to file. Until then, no payout will be made to the family. With an appeal, the plaintiff may face the legal process and waiting period all over again. There may be just one problem – the bills must be paid. Times like this, lawsuit funding can help.

When a government entity doesn’t do the right thing, Lawsuit Financial will continue to provide non-recourse cash advances to plaintiffs who are fighting without adequate resources to do so. Simple complete an online application and we will do the rest. There are no application fees, credit checks, employment verification or monthly payments. The only time we ever receive money is when the case has successfully settled and funds are dispersed. Because our funding is on a non-recourse basis, if there is no settlement, even on appeal, there is no repayment; the cash advance is waived in its entirety.

If you are a plaintiff experiencing financial hardship while waiting for resolution from your lawsuit or an appeal, a lawsuit cash advance may be your solution to avoiding financial implications. Call Lawsuit Financial toll free at 1-877-377-7848 for a free, no obligation consultation or complete our online funding application.

Justice For Jason: Was Sentencing Enough?

Jason Schultz died on January 15 after his tow truck was hit as he was pulling a vehicle out of the ditch. According to news reports, 18-year-old Trent Sheldon pulled onto the shoulder of the roadway to pass the tow truck and struck Schultz. Cody Hilliker, the driver of the vehicle being pulled out of the ditch, was in his vehicle at the time and was also struck. Hilliker was treated at the hospital for his injuries; Schultz was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the hearing on May 1, Jason’s wife Amanda said, “I realize this was an accident and not intentional and it was a horrible mistake. “We all want justice for Jason, but we don’t want a crucifixion. We just want justice.” Sheldon pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of marijuana. He was sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution to Hilliker.

For the Sheldon family it was like deja vu all over again. Trent’s sister, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in a Feb. 8, 2010, car crash that killed Tommy Thomas. Fifty-two-year-old Thomas was driving a SEMCO van through an intersection when Abigail Sheldon ran a stop sign. She was 17 at the time and sentenced to three years' probation with her driving privileges suspended, to 100 hours of community service and to counseling.

The loss of a loved one in a fatal accident can be one of the most painful and difficult things in life. There is no sentence that could heal the hurt and pain these families are going through. There are no reports that the Schultz family will file a wrongful death claim, and granted in doing so will not bring Jason back, but it can help the family recover financially. If the family does pursue a wrongful death claim, they would be the perfect candidate for lawsuit funding.

Lawsuit funding is emergency cash received in advance of a settlement that, hopefully, permits victims to deal with their critical expenses, while enabling them to wait out the long, legal process and achieve appropriate justice. A lawsuit cash advance is often the only financial lifeline to paying medical expenses, funeral expenses, mortgage, and other important bills. It costs nothing to apply for funding and the money often arrives within 24-48 hours by wire or check. There is no need to have a job and there is no credit checks required. Best of all, a lawsuit cash advance is risk-free; if the case is lost, the funded client keeps the advance and owe us nothing.

Lawsuit funding is a smart strategic move to give plaintiffs and their attorneys time needed to obtain maximum results. If you or a family member have been directly affected by an auto accident and struggling financially while awaiting a settlement, call Lawsuit Financial toll-free at 1-877-377-SUIT (7848) to learn more or click here to apply online.

About Lawsuit Financial
Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.