Category General Article

Semi-trucks are a ubiquitous part of the nation’s landscape. Drive even a few miles along any highway in America, and you are bound to see a number of tractor trailers hauling freight at all times of the day.

You may instinctively try to keep your distance from these big rigs when driving alongside them just due to their towering size. If so, your instincts are correct. Eighteen-wheelers pose a significant danger to the motoring public. If you are ever involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you may want to meet with an auto accident lawyer in Columbia, MD to seek compensation for your injuries.

Have you ever thought about why these tractor trailers are so dangerous? Below are just some of the reasons why.

Semi-Trucks Are Heavier

The first thing that probably comes to mind is the weight differential. Big trucks are much, much heavier than passenger vehicles. Depending on what cargo it is carrying, the truck probably weighs anywhere from 50,000 pounds up to a maximum weight in the United States of 80,000 pounds dispersed over 18 wheels. In stark contrast, the typical passenger car weighs a mere 3,000 pounds, and the average pickup truck weights only 6,000 pounds. The size advantage gives truckers a far greater chance of surviving in a crash than passenger sin other vehicles.

Semi-Trucks Are Longer

Obviously, semi-trucks are not only heavier than passenger vehicles, but they are also much longer. This added length lessens their maneuverability and makes them more difficult to handle, thereby increasing the danger they pose.

Larger Blind Spots

The added length of a tractor trailer increases the size of its various blind spots. Given their massive size, blind spots exist on both sides of the truck, as well as in the front and back. Truckers oftentimes simply cannot see much smaller vehicles in close proximity to them leading to many “side swipe” accidents everyday on the nation’s highways.

These are only some of the reasons why big rigs are so dangerous. Caution should always be taken when sharing the road with them.… Read More

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows another person of your choice to make decisions for you and on your behalf. The limits of the ability for that person to make your decisions is often restricted and specified within the POA. Although many people believe there are only two types of power of attorneys available, there are actually four. Here are some of the differences.

A Durable POA

A power of attorney that is durable becomes effective when signed and stays in effect for the lifetime of the individual. The only way to withdraw the authority held under a power of attorney in St. Louis is if you cancel it in writing. Popular for agents, the authority given allows management of affairs to be inexpensively concluded. The document wording should include a phrase signifying it continues if you become incapacitated.

A Conventional POA

Used by music industry moguls, movie stars, middle-class people, and wealthy individuals, the conventional POA allows specific actions to take place in your name when you are unable to give your authority for the action. Sometimes the authority is used when people are traveling and need to sign a lease on a home, unable to be in town to close a redecoration deal, or in order to sell investments in someone’s name. The authorized power may be very specific, or the POA could grant broad access to your personal property. This type of permission only lasts until the specified event is completed or you are deemed unable to mentally make your own decisions.

A Medical POA

The medical POA is a healthcare proxy that allows another person to make decisions for you that could involve your life and death. As long as you are able to make your own choices, this type of POA does not over-ride your decision-making ability, but rather it takes effect only if you become unable to do so. Once you have recovered from your injury or illness, the POA is considered canceled unless needed again.

A Springing POA

Considered the most limited of all types of POAs, the springing power of attorney is only activated when a specific event happens – the most common is incapacitation. Since the triggering event is specific, this POA should be written by a legal representative that can craft it so that loopholes are limited.

As you can see, different power of attorneys can be beneficial under different situations. Which one is right for you? That depends on your situation and what event you are preparing for. If you have questions regarding a POA, contact an estate planning attorney for answers.… Read More

You have probably watched some type of police detective show on television and heard of people getting released on bail. In real life, bail is how people can sleep at home in their own bed while waiting for a trial that will hopefully prove their innocence. Regardless of the crime a person is charged is with, there will probably be a bail hearing of one sort or another. For particularly serious crimes, the judge may deny bail outright or may set it so high that the average person could never post it. However, the vast majority of cases will result in a bail amount that can be met. Continue reading to learn what happens after bail is posted.

Getting Bail Posted

The first thing that needs to happen is bail needs to actually be decided upon. Some courts will have a bail schedule that makes this easy, while others will hold a brief hearing. At this point, you will want to consider consulting with a bondsman Weld County CO in order to help get the funds or the security that you need to make bail. It is at that hearing that you will find out the amount of money that you will need, and the conditions that are set for your release.

Pay Attention to the Conditions

While there may times when you are just released from jail and asked to show back up at an appointed time, that would be quite rare. Instead, there will likely be some conditions attached. You may be asked, for example, to check in with an officer of the court from time to time. This would be similar to being on parole. Depending on the nature of your crime, you may be asked to give up your passport, meaning that you will need to stay in the country until your case is resolved. These are just a couple of the many stipulations that could be attached to your bail. Make sure that you do not violate these, or you could find yourself back in jail, and without the money that you put up to secure your release in the first place.… Read More