Kansas Unemployment Hearings Process

April 24th, 2012

If you have received a letter or notice denying your eligibility for unemployment benefits, you should consider filing for a hearing with the Department of Labor.  In Kansas you only have 16 days from date any decision is mailed to file appeal for hearing, to the employment security board of review, or to district court and this timeline is jurisdictional.  It is advisable that you speak with a Kansas unemployment attorney to see if they can represent you in the hearing and asset in the formal request for a hearing.

Call for your free consultation.  If our law firm is able to help you with your case, we will help prepare you for the Kansas unemployment insurance hearing.  We will also represent you in the hearing, which is usually by telephone, to ensure your legal rights are protected.   In many cases, an unemployment hearing date may be within a few days of receiving your letter.

You are going to need time to prepare for your hearing, so act today by contacting our law firm for your free case review.

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Was Your Auto Accident Caused by a Defective Road Design?

April 23rd, 2012

There are a myriad of factors involved in automobile accidents and many are the result of driver error. In some instances, however, automobile accidents are the result of the careless design of a particular stretch of road, intersection or drainage ditch. Crucial maintenance can be neglected or signage can be defective or absent. When any aspect of a road, street or highway has flaws in the plan or upkeep which have been ignored, a person injured because of these issues may have the right to file suit against the responsible governmental entity. Most roads are planned, constructed and kept up by the state, county, city, town or village, and while they have a certain level of immunity for roadway planning and design, they can be held accountable under certain circumstances.

Examples of Dangerous Roadways

Roads which allow rainwater to accumulate due to lack of drainage planning can easily cause an accident when a car hits an unexpected puddle, skidding out of control. Dangerous roads which have no marked warning signs or those which lack guardrails or have flimsy or inadequate guardrails can be judged to have caused an accident. Roads which should be marked with a lower speed limit due to dangerous curves or other unsafe factors but are not or roads with shoulders which drop off steeply can also cause potentially fatal accidents. Even roads which have untrimmed trees or shrubs close to the edge can be responsible for an automobile accident. As far as maintenance goes, when the lines on the road have not been painted, signs are obstructed, traffic lights don’t function properly or potholes have not been filled, accidents can result.

Unsafe Design

While most roads must only comply with the engineering planning standards which were in place when they were built—rather than current standards—if a particular road has had many accidents then the responsible entity may be required to modernize and upgrade the design. In the same vein, when an entity engages in a substantial renovation plan or refurbishing, they may be required to improve the original plan at the same time in order to conform to current design or construction standards. While generally speaking governmental entities do not have to concern themselves with objects which are near to the roadway, this rule goes out the window when there has been a measurable history of collisions with such objects and the entity was aware of the potential dangers.

Defective road design cases can be difficult to prove, necessitating a highly experienced attorney who is able to successfully navigate the labyrinth of governmental red tape. Governmental entities are well known for their reluctance to settle roadway hazard cases and they may fight hard to make the case go away. Your attorney will need to be just as hard-nosed and aggressive in order to successfully take on the government. It is highly likely that your attorney will be required to bring in independent professionals such as road design experts, forensic scientists and accident investigators in order to prove your defective road design case.

In the case of a road design flaw, unless your attorney can prove a long history of accidents resulting from the flaw, he or she may have to prove that circumstances have changed substantially since the road was built, meaning the number of cars on the road have greatly increased or the speed limit has been raised. Depending on your specific set of circumstances, you may be entitled to reimbursement for all medical expenses, both present and future, damages to your vehicle, lost wages and possibly even pain and suffering depending on the extent of your injuries. You need solid and knowledgeable help, so contact a personal injury attorney who is highly experienced in defective road design cases.

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Kansas Unemployment Insurance Contact Center

April 22nd, 2012

The Kansas Unemployment Insurance Contact Center assists Kansans with questions and assists with their unemployment claims.  Unfortunately, many people are wrongly denied the Kansas unemployment benefits they are due.  This denial often occurs when the past employer makes false statements concerning the employee.  On average the KDOL completes 2,200 calls per day.  The KDOL is overwhelmed with 1,000s of phone calls every week and therefore it is advisable that you seek a Kansas unemployment attorney to review your case and help you navigate the unemployment insurance process.

Attorney Michael J. Joshi has been helping employees, who are fired, laid off or downsized throughout the State of Missouri and Kansas for over 20 years. If you have been turned down for unemployment insurance benefits in Kansas, we are here to represent you in obtaining the benefits you need during these tough economic times. Call for your free consultation today.

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Why You Need an Attorney Following an Auto Accident

April 19th, 2012

Many people decide not to hire an attorney following their auto accident based solely on the perception that the attorney will take a good portion of whatever settlement they get. While it is true that your accident attorney will receive roughly a third of your eventual settlement, what many fail to take into consideration is that the typical settlement when a lawyer is involved is substantially larger—research from the insurance industry reports that the normal victim of an accident will receive considerably more money when they have retained a personal injury attorney even after all costs are deducted. Insurance companies often try to step in the middle of an accident victim hiring an attorney simply to reduce the amount they will have to pay out. After all, insurance companies—contrary to the friendly insurance commercials we see on TV—are interested in their financial bottom line rather than whether or not you get a fair settlement.

Instances Where You Might Not Need an Attorney

There are a handful of circumstances where the services of an attorney might not be necessary following a car accident. If you were in a collision in which the other driver was cited, then liability is not in question. Once there is no question of liability, if the total of all your medical expenses was $2000 or less and you feel you have made a full recovery while missing less than a week of work, then probably don’t need to hire an attorney. In cases such as this, you are likely fully capable of settling your accident case on your own and an attorney would likely cost more than the settlement would be.

Instances Where an Attorney is Crucial

If your medical bills totaled $5,000 or more and serious injuries such as fractures, brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, amputation of limbs or any other such injuries were involved, then you definitely want to consider hiring an attorney. If the other driver was intoxicated when he or she hit you, then the punitive damages are likely to be quite large. A case such as this is so complex that only a highly experienced personal injury attorney could effectively present such a claim. In cases where you had pre-existing medical conditions which were further aggravated by the collision an attorney can definitely help you.

If your accident involved a large commercial truck or if there are uninsured motorist claims involved, then again, you definitely need a personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable attorney’s legal expertise can be critical in cases where liability is in question and a thorough investigation is necessary or when there are medical liens filed by health insurers or physicians who are claiming a right of reimbursement.  If there was a death as a result of the accident, then having legal representation is critical.

Any time there are highly technical legal or medical issues at hand, then an attorney can take that worry from you—after all, that is what they are trained to do and what they do on a daily basis. Should you have received a police report after the accident which you believe to be extremely inaccurate, then an attorney is mandatory. An attorney can get the justice you deserve whether by trial or settlement but perhaps more importantly, an attorney can handle all the complex legal details of your case while you concentrate on putting your life back together. Personal injury attorneys are well aware of how insurance companies work, and will work aggressively on your behalf in order to get you the compensation you need and deserve following your accident. You likely have huge medical expenses, have missed considerable time from your job and may also have significant levels of pain and suffering. Your personal injury attorney will ensure you are treated fairly by all those involved, and will not charge you until the case is settled.

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Getting the Help You Deserve After Suffering a Spinal Cord Injury from an Auto Accident

April 16th, 2012

Spinal cord injuries, commonly called SCIs are severe traumas to the cord which connects the spine resulting in unpredictable levels of paralysis, injury which impacts the function in the limbs or loss of feeling. Car accidents are the primary reason for spinal cord injuries and all spinal cord injuries can be split into the categories below:

  1. The cervical vertebrae hold up the neck, and when this area is injured the nerves which regulate the posterior of the head as well as affecting the arms, hands, diaphragm muscle and shoulder. Because the diaphragm is used to breathe, such injuries to the cervical vertebrae can be life-threatening.
  2. The thoracic vertebrae are below the cervical vertebrae and control the muscles of the chest, certain areas of the stomach and specific upper back muscles. Injuries to the thoracic vertebrae can render the victim unable to move on their own or even to breathe and may also limit the necessary functions of the gastrointestinal region.
  3. The lower back is supported by the lumbar vertebrae which also control the muscles in the buttock region, certain areas of the legs and genitals, the region of the back closest to the hips, and the lower stomach region. Injuries to the lumbar vertebrae are the most likely to cause paraplegia as well as cessation of bladder and bowel function.
  4. The sacrum at the base of the spine is formed by five fused vertebrae known as the sacral vertebrae. When this area is damaged, the victim may lose all capability of controlling the lower legs, thighs and feet.
  5. The tailbone has the medical name of coccygeal vertebrae and damage here controls the sensations in the lower back. While injuries here can be excruciatingly tender, they tend to be less serious than damage to the other vertebrae. The paralysis or damage to the spinal region will differ according to which area is damaged as well as whether the cord is severely bruised, fractured, partially severed or completely severed.

While the vast majority of spinal cord injuries are the direct consequence of an auto accident, the remainder stem from gunshot wounds, assaults, serious falls or as the result of a sports injury. Males suffer nearly 82% of all spinal injuries, and only about half of all those dealing with spinal injuries were covered by health insurance at the time of their accident. Whether the victim of a spinal cord injury has insurance or not it is likely that the financial expenses faced by someone who has been injured in this manner will be enormous.

The victim’s life—and that of his or her family—will be changed forever depending on the degree of paralysis suffered. Many victims of spinal cord injuries must spend the remainder of their life in a wheelchair, and in many cases expensive home and vehicle accommodations will be required. While the victim who suffers partial paralysis may be able to be self-sufficient to some extent, others may require round-the-clock caretaking.  This level of caretaking can cost astronomical sums of money and even if a family member intends to be the primary caretaker for the injured victim, they are also entitled to be paid for their time.

When you consider all the changes which will occur in the life of the victim of a spinal cord injury, it only makes sense that they should be compensated for the unexpected expenses as well as the changes to their life by the negligent party. An experienced personal injury attorney can advocate on the victim’s behalf, ensuring they receive compensation for the medical expenses, both present and future, caretaking expenses, lost wages as well as the pain and suffering experienced as a result of the accident. Don’t suffer the further financial harm in addition to the trauma of your accident and subsequent injuries, rather get the help you need and deserve.

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Auto Accident Wrongful Death Lawsuits Explained

April 12th, 2012

When a family suffers the loss of a loved one through an accident which was caused by the negligence of a person or entity it is called a wrongful death. Those who have never lost a loved one in such a tragic and unexpected manner find it hard to understand the devastation such a loss brings. At such a devastating time, calling an attorney may be one of the last things the family thinks of as they struggle to simply get through each new day. Unfortunately, the loss of a loved one, particularly if they were the primary breadwinner in the family, can also bring untold financial loss in addition to the emotional pain. The family of the deceased may have medical expenses as well as the cessation of income they relied on in order to pay their regular bills.

Why You Need a Wrongful Death Attorney

Hiring a wrongful death attorney at this juncture may be the single most important move a family can make during this difficult time. Families need time to heal without having to personally deal with a lawsuit, and a highly experienced attorney can remove that extra burden. The wrongful death attorney will likely first attempt to settle the case out of court, getting you an equitable settlement by demanding a fair amount of damages from the defendants. Should the defendants not wish to pay this amount, the next step your attorney will likely take is to file a document known as a complaint with the courts in order to set a wrongful death lawsuit in motion. This legal complaint will clearly list the reasons the defendant is being sued as well as noting the laws which support such claims. The complaint will also state what amount of money the plaintiff is seeking as compensation. The defendant or defendants in the case will have a specific amount of time in which to answer the complaint, usually from 20-30 days. The answer to the complaint will detail the defendant’s potential defenses to the claims and will usually ask that the case be dismissed.

How a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Differs From a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In a personal injury case the requested compensation is based on the needs of the victim. In other words, the amount being sought will depend on the victim’s medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering, while in a wrongful death lawsuit it will be the needs of the victim’s family in question. Some 150 years ago wrongful death claims did not exist as it was believed that the right to monetary compensation perished with the victim. New York was the first state to make it possible for family members to file a claim for a wrongful death, and California soon followed suit. Eventually all 50 states realized the wisdom in allowing loved ones to receive compensation when a family member who was also the primary breadwinner was killed through another’s negligence. Wrongful death compensation is intended to help heal—on a financial level—the devastation caused to the family by the sudden, unexpected loss, allowing the rebuilding of lives.

What are Wrongful Death Awards Based On?

Of course economic loss is the primary factor in a wrongful death award, and takes into consideration the loss of future wages the deceased would have earned, burial and funeral expenses and loss of inheritance. Non-economic losses such as loss of companionship or the suffering of grief can also be factored into the overall compensation while survival related damages such mental suffering which requires ongoing counseling will also be considered. Finally, punitive damages can be awarded as a sort of financial punishment for negligence. Punitive damages are meant to deter such negligent behavior in the future.

It is imperative that you have an aggressive, knowledgeable and compassionate attorney fighting on your behalf for what your family needs and deserves. Don’t wait in hopes the insurance company will offer a fair compensation—hire an experienced attorney quickly.

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Common Myths Regarding Personal Injury Claims

April 9th, 2012

It is to be hoped that you will never be required to seek out the services of a personal injury attorney, however if you or someone close to you has been involved in a serious accident and suffered significant loss then you will be relieved to know that a highly skilled personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Many people are unaware of the facts about personal injury claims and see them as something which only disreputable or dishonest people engage in. In reality those who have been injured through the negligence of another are entitled to compensation and these myths must be dispelled so those who are in need can get the help they deserve. Below are some of the typical myths associated with personal injury claims:

  • Hiring an attorney is extremely costly and there are few personal injury attorneys out there who won’t take advantage of your pain. In truth, there are many, many law firms with attorneys who fully understand the needs of clients while also offering compassion and understanding. Personal injury attorneys rarely require their clients to pay any money up front and take on the considerable expense of a personal injury lawsuit on their own—commonly known as a contingency case. Unless your personal injury attorney wins your case, they get no money at all, and are likely out a good amount. Additionally most lawyers offer a free consultation where you can get a knowledgeable answer about the viability of your particular case.
  • All plaintiffs are guaranteed compensation. Every personal injury case is unique in some aspect, and as such are judged on their specific characteristics. Simply retaining a personal injury attorney is no guarantee that you will receive any level of compensation.
  • A personal injury claim can take years to settle. The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits settle out of court in a relatively short amount of time without the necessity of the plaintiff appearing in court or a lengthy trial. In fact, most personal injury attorneys seek to obtain a fair settlement for their client without going to trial because they understand that personal injury trials often have a low chance of success at trial. Personal injury attorneys also realize that the cost of a trial as well as the length of the trial can be prohibitive and that an ongoing trial can disrupt their client’s life for a very long period of time.  Juries are known for being unpredictable and may have biases or be unsympathetic to the injured party despite the facts of the case.
  • Plaintiffs must settle their case prior to receiving treatment. This is simply untrue—all plaintiffs are legally entitled to appropriate and timely treatment and are not required to wait for a settlement before they can receive medical treatment. Victims must ensure they retain all bills and medical records and keep extremely meticulous records as the eventual settlement could hinge on these items.
  • Personal injury cases can be settled without benefit of a personal injury attorney. While a plaintiff is not legally bound to hire a personal injury attorney in order to file a lawsuit against a negligent party, it is highly advisable they do so. Think about it—would you make the decision to totally re-plumb your home if you had absolutely no plumbing experience? Would you pull the transmission out of your car to repair it if you had never so much as changed your own oil? Going into a personal injury lawsuit without benefit of a highly experienced personal injury attorney is much the same. Personal injury cases are extremely complex and require the knowledge and experience of a personal injury attorney in order to reach a favorable outcome.
  • The insurance company will treat you fairly. You may have images in your mind of all the insurance commercials you have seen in which the insurance adjuster is friendly and compassionate and only has their client’s best interests at heart. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Insurance companies have their own financial bottom line uppermost in mind when dealing with claims. Their goal is to pay as little as possible to their policy holders in the event of an accident and resulting claim. Personal injury attorneys are highly skilled in dealing with insurance companies and will ensure you are not taken advantage of.

There are more myths regarding personal injury claims, however these are the most common. If you are the victim of an accident with injuries, it’s important that you get the help you need and deserve.

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Paralysis Resulting from an Automobile Accident

April 5th, 2012

Over 43% of spinal injuries are the result of an automobile collision caused by traumatic injury to the spinal cord in the form of severed or damaged nerves or swelling and inflammation which cause compression. Loss of feeling and movement is usually immediate following such a traumatic injury. Less than half of those with paralysis resulting from a spinal cord injury will return to work following their accident, and at least six percent of those with severe spinal cord injury will live in a nursing home for the remainder of their life. Paralysis can be likened to an amputation regarding the loss of feeling and movement in the body’s limbs. Those who have suffered any level of paralysis will endure a huge physical and emotional toll not to mention the enormous expense of ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Types of Paralysis

The human spinal column transmits the nerve signals between the brain and the muscles of the body; any interference with that transmission will interrupt the communication between the brain and muscles causing paralysis and loss of feeling. When the spinal cord is completely severed complete paralysis is inevitable, while spinal cords which are partially severed may leave the victim with partial movement. The degree of paralysis is generally designated as paraplegia or quadriplegia. Paraplegics have generally suffered a spinal cord injury to the lower bag, resulting in paralysis of the legs and lower torso and requiring the use of a wheelchair for life.

The quadriplegic has generally suffered upper back or neck spinal cord injury, leaving them with little or no movement from the neck down. Victims of paralysis may also lose certain body functions such as digestion and excretion, and whatever the level of paralysis may need full-time care. In some cases a partially severed spinal cord can leave the victim with partial movement or feeling which may occur soon after the accident or may return later in time. If the spinal cord injury has caused extreme swelling, there is the possibility that the swelling will decrease and the paralysis may not be permanent, however this is not the norm.

Life-Changing Injuries

Whatever the level of paralysis, it is likely that the injuries the victim has suffered are the most life changing, traumatic injuries ever suffered from an automobile accident.  Victims of spinal cord injuries will face demanding challenges each and every day, and may be unable to return to a vast majority of their prior daily activities. Most victims of paralysis will endure months, years, or even a lifetime of medical treatments and rehabilitation, and extensive levels of therapy will likely be required. The normal day-to-day activities such as getting dressed or moving around the house are no longer a simple, rote process, rather become something that must be accommodated re-learned, or taken care of by a part-time or permanent caregiver.

Getting the Help You Need

Nothing is perhaps more frightening and life-changing than being involved in an automobile accident which results in paralysis. It is imperative during this incredibly difficult time in your life that you have a strong advocate who will fight on your behalf to recover the compensation you need and deserve for your current and future care. Although no amount of money can compensate you for such serious injuries, most especially in cases where your paralysis was the direct result of another’s negligence, you deserve compensation in the form of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages encompass loss of income, current and future medical expenses future estimated loss of income, replacement of damaged property and possibly loss of consortium if you were married at the time of the accident. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental trauma and the inconveniences you will suffer as the result of your serious injuries.

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Are your Vehicle’s Airbags Really That Safe?

April 2nd, 2012

Estimates put the number of lives saved by airbags on a yearly basis between 3000 and 15,000—this statistic fluctuates depending on which agency is reporting. The NHTSA states that front airbags in vehicles have an effectiveness rate of 11 percent when the occupant is also wearing a safety belt. Vehicle airbags have saved many lives and are an important part of your vehicle’s overall safety mechanisms however there are instances in which a product which is specifically designed to keep you safe turns dangerous.

In 2004 alone there were nearly a million and a half safety recalls regarding airbags which deployed unexpectedly, when there was no crash involved. 2008 saw Honda manufacturers issuing a recall on 830,000 vehicles due to the fact that the airbags opened with so much force that some of the metal portions of the airbag were being expelled, causing extremely serious injuries to those in the vehicle. Ford Motors recalled over a million F-150 trucks in 2008 because of airbags which deployed unexpectedly and in 2011 over 300,000 Chrysler and Dodge minivans were recalled for the same reason.

Problems with Technology

The newest generation of airbags is more sophisticated than most of us could ever have imagined since the vehicle’s computer takes a variety of factors into consideration such as the person’s weight, their position in the seat, whether or not a safety belt is worn and the speed of the impact before the airbag is deployed. While this sounds promising, the fact is that these incredibly sophisticated airbags are not offering the level of protection as those in older vehicle models.

One statistic shows that drivers who are wearing their seat belt properly have a 20% higher risk of death in a vehicle with a highly sophisticated airbag than a driver in a vehicle with an older style airbag. Although these results sound impossible, it is theorized that they may have something to do with whether a seat belt is worn. Even though we have all heard the warning that an airbag can do serious damage if the driver is not securely belted in, it appears that today’s highly sophisticated airbags are designed to accommodate a driver who is not belted in meaning they deploy with considerably more force than the older airbags.

This level of force can be very dangerous to the vehicle occupant who is legally and securely safety-belted in. Airbags typically deploy at speeds of up to 200 mph in mere milliseconds, and even though the airbag may look like a big cuddly pillow, the explosion of energy can cause serious or fatal injuries, especially for smaller adults or children. When the airbag explodes horizontally, the passenger’s head can receive serious or fatal brain, neck or spinal trauma.

Why All the Problems With Airbags?

There is presently not a standardized system for the manufacture of airbags, meaning each company who produces airbags may have a completely different set of components involved in the manufacturing process. Inflators, sensors, material used in constructing the bag and the wiring mechanisms vary widely from one manufacturer to another, and it is also speculated that many airbag manufacturers install the cheapest rather than the safest airbag components. The negligence related to defective airbags may be attributed to the airbag manufacturer or with the car manufacturer however if you’ve suffered injuries from a defective airbag it’s extremely important that you have a skilled personal injury attorney in your corner who can determine where the responsibility lies.

You Have the Right to Feel Safe

If you purchase a vehicle which has safety mechanisms installed you likely feel you are protected in the event of a crash. Unfortunately, in some instances the very device which makes you feel safe can end up causing injuries rather than protecting you and your family. When a product which is designed to keep you safe causes you harm, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Don’t wait to get the help you need—call an experienced personal injury attorney today.

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What is Negligent Entrustment?

March 30th, 2012

In some states the owner of an automobile could be held responsible for another’s accident under two separate liability theories. The first encompasses a driver who is carrying out business for the owner of the vehicle and is involved in an automobile collision. This usually occurs when an employee is operating his or her employer’s vehicle and is typically known as “respondeat superior.” Even though the employee is behind the wheel at the time of the accident—and could even be responsible for the accident—the employer can also be held liable for damages.

The second liability theory is known as negligent entrustment and is based upon the owner of a vehicle’s negligence in allowing another to drive their automobile when they have knowledge that the person is not a responsible driver or might operate the vehicle in an improper manner. Suppose you allow your cousin Henry to take your car on vacation even though you happen to know that Henry has a DUI and several speeding tickets under his belt. This means that you have specific knowledge of prior misconduct. Should Henry be involved in a high speed collision, or get behind the wheel after an evening at the beach bar and later have an accident, you can be held responsible under the theory of negligent entrustment.

The Increase in Negligent Entrustment Lawsuits

In our present society negligent entrustment lawsuits and verdicts are on the rise, with relatively large settlements and judgments which may include punitive damages as well. In addition to going after the insured in a negligent entrustment suit, allegations are being made against the insurance company employees who have knowledge of a bad driving history yet continue to insure a driver. Negligent entrustment is essentially charging another person or entity with a duty to prevent a careless driver from getting behind the wheel when there was prior knowledge that the person created a risk of harm to others.

Negligent Entrustment Regarding Truck Drivers

Negligent entrustment can also be stated rather than respondeat superior when an employee or contractor is dispatched without regard for their qualifications or their ability to safely operate the vehicle they are driving. This is usually an issue for truck drivers, and while the driver’s own negligence in causing the accident will certainly be at the forefront, an investigation of negligent entrustment charges will take a hard look at the trucking company’s policies as well as their actual practices. This means it will be determined whether the company’s policies and actual practices match up, or did the trucking company practice what they preached.

Driver selection and training processes will be under the microscope in such cases, although there are several additional elements which will be considered. If, in fact, it is determined the driver was incompetent, due to insufficient training, then presumably the trucking company was aware of these deficiencies yet still entrusted their vehicle to the truck driver. If that fact is established, then by extension the investigators will determine whether the driver was negligent or incompetent and whether those behaviors were the direct cause of the collision. Trucking companies can avoid their exposure to a negligent entrustment suit by careful driver recruiting and selection practices as well as ongoing driver review and training.

Personal Issues With Negligent Entrustment

The best way to avoid ever being hit with a negligent entrustment suit as an individual is to avoid lending out your vehicle to anybody unless you are absolutely certain that person is a completely dependable driver with a great driving record. Although it can be difficult to say “no” to a close friend or relative, if you have prior knowledge that the person is a less-than-responsible driver you should definitely refuse to loan your vehicle. If you find yourself in the unenviable position of being charged with negligent entrustment, hiring an experienced attorney immediately is the very best thing you can do to protect your future.

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