Posted on April 15, 2016 in Personal Injury

Blind spots continue to be a great concern on roads and highways. Statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that in each of the last 5 years there were about 850,000 reported blind-spot accidents with between 300 to 500 deaths. Yet despite these numbers, some drivers have yet to master the basics of road safety.

Distracted drivers, impaired drivers, speeding drivers, and drivers under the influenced all contribute to accidents and tragedies on the roads. However, the most simple safety precautions are not being utilized.

The Blind Zone or the Twilight Zone?

Drivers now have vehicles equipped with several new features to help avoid accidents, yet these vehicles are not designed solely to eliminate the need for driver attentiveness.

What is a blind spot or blind zone?

Blind spots are "areas near the left and right rear corners of your vehicle that you cannot see in your rear-view mirrors." AAA has expanded upon this definition to include the area directly behind a vehicle which cannot be seen in the rear-view mirror because it is too low and /or too close to the back of the vehicle. Hence, the blind zone requires a driver to actually turn his or her head in order to see the other vehicle in that blind spot.

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 Posted on April 14, 2016 in Family Law

Divorce is never an easy process, but mediation can sometimes help couples reach an agreement faster, and with less stress. Of course, it might not be for everyone – particularly those that have a history of domestic violence or simply cannot be in the same room together – but for those that choose to pursue it, some information about the divorce mediation process, and about how to successfully reach an agreement, can be helpful.

About the Mediation Process

Mediation is most beneficial for couples who are willing to at least attempt to communicate about the particulars of their divorce in an effort to reach an amicable agreement. All aspects of the divorce may be mediated, including the division of debts and assets, child-related issues, and spousal or child support. This can be a particularly effective method for those who have uncomplicated divorces, or for those that already have at least some common ground or, at the very least, agree that the needs of their child should come first. But even still, there are strategies that each party should employ during the mediation process.

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 Posted on April 13, 2016 in Immigration

Most people are aware nowadays that there are several different varieties of criminal conviction. However, when dealing with immigration law, the lines blur. It can be a rude awakening to learn that in some instances, even misdemeanors can result in your being declared inadmissible or deportable.

While it is possible to obtain waivers or other decisions that result in your being permitted to stay in the U.S., your best defense against being found deportable is to be aware of what kind of conduct is proscribed.

The Myth of the Aggravated Felony

U.S. immigration law centers around what are referred to as aggravated felonies, though not all the crimes on the list are actual felonies under U.S. criminal law. If you are convicted of an aggravated felony, you are immediately deportable, and in many cases, you will not be permitted to return. Or, you will have to face a long bar before re-entry is possible. The only real characteristic that these crimes share is being on the list that labels them as aggravated felonies–which, as one might imagine, makes it difficult to accurately know what constitutes an aggravated felony and what does not.

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 Posted on April 08, 2016 in Personal Injury

Big cities can present several different dangers—busy streets, heavy traffic volume, people rushing to their next destination, construction sites dotted through neighborhoods. Pedestrians are at a very high risk of injury from erratic drivers, dangerous intersections, and falling debris from buildings that have code violations.

However, what happens when you slip, trip and fall in a situation which was preventable—one in which a building owner should have been aware? You may have a legal case to pursue.

Over 700,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often resulting in a head injury or hip fracture. If you have fallen and suffered an injury, retaining a personal injury attorney is a crucial first step to make. If your legal team can prove a solid claim, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries.

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 Posted on April 07, 2016 in Family Law

Senate Bill 57 has brought about a lot of changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA); focus is now clearly set to ensure that the best interest of children take priority, and removal of certain terms and legal barriers are meant to reduce anger and squabbling during proceedings. However, there are still some matters that fathers should address with due diligence once the papers have been served.

Read (and Make Sure You Understand) Everything

Divorce paperwork can be lengthy, boring, and a little confusing at times. But this packet outlines all the information submitted by your soon-to-be ex-spouse, including their terms of relocation, child support, and the allotment of parenting time. Failure to thoroughly read and understand this paperwork can have drastic consequences, especially for those with a disgruntled or vindictive spouse; knowing what you are up against is your first and most important line of defense.

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 Posted on April 07, 2016 in Immigration

It is quite common in this day and age for foreign nationals to live in the United States for long periods of time without naturalizing their citizenship, primarily for professional and financial reasons. However, for the average person, many simply do not realize the benefits that come with becoming a U.S. citizen. If you have the choice before you regarding whether or not to naturalize, it is very important that you know the positives and negatives both before making any decisions.

Advantages

One might imagine that many advantages of becoming a U.S. citizen are self-evident, especially if one has business interests in the country. Citizenship is the only way to entirely avoid the spectre of deportation, as even lawful permanent residents (LPRs, or ‘green card’ holders) are susceptible to being deported if they are found guilty of certain crimes. Citizenship may be taken away, but there is a very specific, narrow set of circumstances that would need to occur for one’s naturalization to be revoked. Also, a citizen does not have to assiduously maintain a residency in the country; if he or she wishes to spend time abroad, he or she may do so without facing any kind of immigration penalty upon his or her return.

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 Posted on March 30, 2016 in Family Law

Even under the best of circumstances, divorce proceedings are stressful for all involved. If you plan appropriately, however, it is possible to minimize that stress. As an added bonus, proper planning can help save money and, in many cases, encourage a more amicable divorce. Reap all of these benefits using the following divorce planning tips.

Take an Asset and Expense Inventory

Child support, division of marital assets, and other financial particulars of a divorce are based upon what you and your spouse own as both individuals, and as a couple. Unfortunately, once the proceedings start, this information may be difficult to locate (this is especially true if your spouse is trying to hide any assets to keep more of the money for themselves). Avoid this hassle (and reduce your risk of losing out on money that may be owed to you) by taking a preemptive approach prior to filing.

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 Posted on March 25, 2016 in Personal Injury

On any given day, there are approximately 1,000 automobile accidents per day. In those accidents, somewhere around 3,287 people are killed, and another 55,000 or more are seriously injured. However, those numbers may be higher immediately after daylight savings time, researchers say. Because of this, some suggest we forgo the age-old time jump tradition.

History of Daylight Savings Time

America has not always sprung forward or fallen back; in fact, prior to World War I, daylight savings did not exist. By the 1960s, it became the national standard. However, experts say that the presumed and expected energy conservation benefits are either unclear or completely non-existent. To make matters worse, it seems to be affecting the health of Americans everywhere.

Sleep Disruption Pose Numerous Health Consequences

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 Posted on March 25, 2016 in Family Law

Many parents begin saving for college when their children are young, giving their children a head-start on the ever-increasing cost of tuition. Unfortunately, some may eventually go through a divorce and, even though the college savings is ultimately for the child, it can become yet another bitter point in the battle. It does not have to be this way, though. In fact, many divorcing parents manage to co-save; the key is simply knowing how to discuss some important points.

Who Will the Child Live with Most?

Senate Bill 57 made quite a few changes to Illinois divorce laws, including the voiding of terms like "custody" and "visitation." However, one parent will likely still have the child more often. Knowing (or maybe even agreeing) which parent this will be ahead of time can save you a lot of trouble in the long run, and it can provide some important insight as to what each parent’s financial responsibilities will be in the years to come. This can help couples determine if their child may qualify for financial assistance, and it can provide a launching point for determining which parent will contribute more to the college savings plan.

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 Posted on March 22, 2016 in Immigration

When a person comes to the United States for work purposes, he or she may utilize either an H1B visa or an L1 visa, depending on the nature of his or her work and the specifics of his or her time in the country. However, given the similar nature of these visas, it is not uncommon for an individual to become confused as to which one is best for his or her situation.

While most of the time, an incorrect visa application will simply be denied by the relevant authorities, in rare cases it can get an applicant into trouble if fraud is suspected. It is best to simply be well aware of which visa best fits your situation the first time around.

H1B Visas

While both types of visas must be applied for not by the worker, but by the U.S.-based employer, and both permit dual intent (that is, a holder may have or develop the intent to immigrate without jeopardizing the visa itself), the similarities end there.

An H1B is designed for a worker with no prior relationship with a U.S. company, and it must be requested in advance by the company planning to employ the worker—the worker cannot simply show up at the border. The visa must be applied for far in advance, usually, because unlike L visas, H1Bs are subject to a yearly cap of 65,000, with no room for exceptions afterward.

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