Posted on June 15, 2020 in Personal Injury

Car accidents seem like a common occurrence, right? We are always hearing about some sort of collision on the news, but many of us may have never been in a vehicle crash ourselves. When you are in a traumatic event, such as an auto accident, adrenaline begins to flow through your veins, which can temporarily alter your thought process. Your judgment may be off or you may be feeling scared or confused. Although these are all normal feelings, they can pave the way for mistakes to be made that could affect your rights after an Illinois car accident. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid making after an accident:

• Leaving the scene. In Illinois, you are required to stop and exchange insurance and contact information with all other parties if you are involved in a car accident. If people are injured or hurt, you should also call emergency services for medical attention. Leaving the scene of an accident in Illinois is actually a crime for which you can go to jail. Sticking around at the scene also helps you, however, as it allows you to exchange information and file a police report, both of which can aid you in receiving compensation for the accident.

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 Posted on June 12, 2020 in Immigration

The immigration process involves many forms and steps. To those who have never gone through it, it can be confusing. Depending on the type of immigration benefit the applicant is seeking, he or she may be required to pass a medical examination. For example, those wishing to receive adjustment of status or K or V nonimmigrant visas must have an exam performed by an authorized physician or civil surgeon. It can be performed abroad or within the States. During the exam, the doctor reviews the applicant’s medical and vaccination history. In addition, a new physical, blood test, and chest X-ray will be conducted. However, immigrants who are under 15 years old are typically not required to have a chest X-ray or blood test.

Medical Grounds of Inadmissibility

Although it is not considered a comprehensive physical examination, the exam that is used for immigrant visa applicants does screen for certain conditions. The physician checks different areas of the applicant’s body to identify any condition that would designate him or her as inadmissible to the United States. The doctor can administer any required vaccinations that the individual may be missing. The applicant must agree to be vaccinated and submit proof of the vaccination.

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 Posted on June 11, 2020 in Family Law

Whether you ask a neighbor who is divorced or a financial expert who specializes in this area, they will tell you one thing for certain: Nothing turns your financial life upside down quite like a divorce. Even those who live very modestly, with little to no sizable assets, can expect some level of financial upheaval. You may be searching for a new place to call home, or struggling to find a way to afford the home you currently live in, all while doing so without your ex’s financial help. All too often, divorcees see a major portion of their savings and income go right out the door once the divorce is underway, as settlements take root and assets are divided.

Add any debts that you have accumulated during – or since the end of – the marriage, and suddenly your financial life might appear to be in shambles. As grim as this can seem, there is always hope for a better, brighter financial future, especially when we educate ourselves and are open and willing to make changes moving forward.

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 Posted on June 08, 2020 in Family Law

There are few major life events that will wreak more havoc on one’s mental health than divorce. Divorce is another kind of loss that involves a grieving process that is unique to everyone, as every situation has different circumstances. Even couples who decide to split amicably, with little contention, will experience some level of grief as they say goodbye to one relationship dynamic and learn to adapt to a new one. Stress levels can quickly escalate, especially when the circumstances are particularly distressing or the process itself is taking place amidst other major changes, such as adjusting to life during the current virus pandemic.

Whether you are in the beginning stages of the divorce process or are nearing the finish line, research shows that ongoing stress can affect both your physical and mental health. There are numerous techniques for managing the stress that our bodies and minds undergo during a divorce, but the key is to utilize positive techniques instead of negative coping mechanisms, as managing stress in negative ways can take even more of a toll on our overall health.

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 Posted on June 05, 2020 in Personal Injury

Being in a car accident involving multiple vehicles can be an extremely frightening experience, especially if you are injured in the accident. Crashes with numerous automobiles, also known as chain reaction accidents, can end up causing relatively serious injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or even death in some cases. Chain reaction accidents typically involve three or more vehicles that collide, which was initially caused by one primary incident, often a rear-end collision. Chain reaction accidents are often chaotic and occur quickly, which is one of the reasons why it can be difficult to determine who is at fault for the accident. Recovering compensation from the accident can be tricky, which is why experienced legal counsel can help.

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 Posted on June 05, 2020 in Immigration

Every year on Memorial Day, we honor our veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Recently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that U.S. service personnel and veterans can now file an Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, online. The USCIS is the federal agency that oversees legal immigration to our country.

What Is Naturalization?

Anyone who is born in the United States or who is born abroad to parents who are U.S. citizens is automatically a U.S. citizen through birthright and can claim that citizenship at any point throughout his or her lifetime. The other way to become a legal citizen is through naturalization. Naturalization is the legal process by which a non-citizen or lawful permanent resident can acquire citizenship or nationality.

Online Filing for Naturalization

USCIS is meeting the needs of today’s applicants, petitioners, and employees by using technology to streamline many of its processes. Filing applications online allows aliens to submit application forms electronically, receive updates from USCIS, and check the status of their case. Regardless if an application or petition is done electronically or the old-fashioned way with paperwork, USCIS is dedicated to ensuring a secure and efficient process for everyone.

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 Posted on May 22, 2020 in Personal Injury

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), Americans only do about one-quarter of their driving during nighttime hours. However, these same night hours are when around half of all traffic-related deaths occur. Nighttime driving is not something that can always be avoided. There are a variety of factors that are often present that increase the dangers of driving at night, some of which are in the motorist’s control, and some of which are not. For example, there tend to be more intoxicated and/or fatigued drivers on the road at night than there are during the day. If you have been involved in a nighttime car accident, you should reach out to a personal injury attorney to discuss your options for seeking damages.

Staying Safe When You Are On the Road at Night

One of the biggest obstacles that a driver faces at night is the darkness itself. This increases the chances that a motorist will not see an obstacle in his or her path and end up not having enough time to stop or veer out of the way. Because driving at night is so much more dangerous than driving during the day, there are steps you should take to make sure you are being as safe as possible:

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 Posted on May 19, 2020 in Immigration

Immigration can be a complex process that involves many legal steps. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages the nation’s immigration system by safeguarding its integrity. USCIS fairly adjudicates requests for immigration benefits while protecting American citizens and securing our country. U.S. immigration laws include different rules governing whether non-citizens may be deported back to their native country or prohibited from entering the United States. The laws separate these grounds into two distinct categories: grounds of inadmissibility and grounds of deportability. It is important to understand what actions constitute both of these since it can significantly alter the outcome of an immigration case.

Grounds for Inadmissibility

These grounds apply to an individual who would like to be admitted to the United States, including entry and the right to remain in the country legally with a Green Card, also known as lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.

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 Posted on May 14, 2020 in Family Law

While it is true that the effects of divorce vary from person to person and family to family, psychology experts reveal that certain circumstances, such as the environment created by a contentious divorce, can be particularly detrimental. This is especially true for children, and high levels of conflict between parents can affect their development. Having a positive co-parenting strategy in place as you move throughout the divorce process can make a big difference when it comes to your child’s mental health. However, for many couples, it is not always easy to enforce such a plan when the relationship is a contentious one.

Negative Effects of Divorce on Kids and What You Can Do to Help

It can be difficult for parents to face the reality of the negative impact of divorce on their kids, but the good news is that studies show that healthy co-parenting cannot only help your kids, but it can help you too. When parents attempt to collaborate peacefully during their divorce, this will lessen their child’s distress, and it can reduce stress for parents as well. Here are some major ways that a high-conflict divorce can impact your child and what you can do to ease the burden:

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 Posted on May 08, 2020 in Family Law

Amid the coronavirus crisis and the many stay-at-home orders in effect across the country, families everywhere have been struggling with stress at home on unprecedented levels. Time magazine reports that other countries, such as China, have seen a major spike in divorce filings now that people are able to go out and about again, and in many places, domestic violence has been on the rise for those who are still stuck at home. This is all very grim news, but experts have pointed out some key observations about these troubling trends, and this may offer some insight and help for those currently struggling in their own marriages as the pandemic continues.

Factors Currently Contributing to Marriage and Family Stress at Home

The reported surge of divorce filings in China following recent stay-at-home orders suggests that couples who were already experiencing tension and potential separation likely felt an even greater strain once confined to the home together for an extended period of time. The same circumstances are undoubtedly arising right here in Illinois and across the United States. Experts highlight the fact that not only are families currently experiencing major financial stress due to job loss, they are also limited in living space and in alone time. This is especially true for those who share children and are now forced to manage and cope with the kids being home every day, around the clock. Additionally, there is anxiety circulating throughout the home about family members getting sick, when normal routines will resume, and a general sense of uncertainty about the future.

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