Monthly Archives: March 2014

Driving with Suspended License | Criminal Traffic Offense | HTO

If your driving license is suspended or revoked, it is important that you proceed to have your license reinstated before you get behind the wheel to avoid a possible arrest. It is important to be mindful of the expiration date on your license, because driving with an expired license can also lead to an arrest. There are many instances where your license can be suspended, cancelled, or revoked without your knowledge. These types of arrests can cause complications in the reinstatement process.

Your license can be suspended for the following reasons:

  • Failing to pay child support
  • Multiple traffic violations or speeding tickets
  • Accumulating too many driving record points
  • Failing to appear in court or pay fees
  • Driving under the influence

There are serious penalties for driving with a suspended license. Whether you are aware that your license is suspended or not, you can still be arrested by law enforcement. This can cause complications when it comes to reinstating your driver’s license. Penalties for driving with a suspended license include but are not limited to; reinstatement fees, traffic school, and loss of driving privileges.

It is a criminal traffic offense if a driver operates a motor vehicle with knowledge that their driver’s license is cancelled, suspended, or revoked in the state of Florida.

Driving with knowledge of a suspended license may result in the following charges:

  • First conviction is a second-degree misdemeanor
  • Second conviction is a first-degree misdemeanor
  • Third, or subsequent conviction, is a third degree felony and can result in possible jail time

If you have been convicted of driving on a suspended license multiple times, you can be recorded as a Habitual Traffic Offender in the county or state. It is important to be aware of the consequences that result from multiple infractions for driving with a suspended license. Recurrent violations may cause you to loose your driving privileges as well as face jail time.

Michael C Blickensderfer holds over 25 years’ legal experience, and is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation for all of his clients. If you or a loved one has been arrested or issued a traffic citation for driving with a suspended license, call Blick Law Firm today to receive a case evaluation. Think quick, Call Blick!

Posted in Blog, Criminal Law | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Insurance Rates | Auto Accident | Personal Injury Attorney

Auto accidents can be very stressful, and many drivers are concerned their insurance rates may go up when involved in an auto accident. If you are involved in an auto accident and you are not at fault, your insurance rates should not necessarily go up however, there are many factors that insurance companies look at when considering a claim.

Florida’s no fault law requires your insurance to cover your medical bills no matter who is at fault, and all Florida drivers must carry no fault insurance. This insurance helps car accident victims to pay for medical treatment, and provides assistance in replacing property loss as a result of a serious auto accident.

The Florida no fault law does not apply to property damage, and it is important to seek a personal injury attorney following an auto accident to help you with this complicated process. An experienced auto accident lawyer can help you to pursue your insurance company, as well as the insurance company of the at fault driver. An experienced attorney can also make sure that you get the proper medical treatment for your injuries, as well as make sure that your bills are paid, and help you to get the best compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Senior attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer holds over 25 years of legal experience, and can help you through the legal and medical process that follows an auto accident. For a free case evaluation, call Blick Law Firm at 888-973-2776 or visit us at www.blicklawfirm.com.

Posted in Blog, El Blog de Blick Law Firm | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Child Safety | Car Accidents | Personal Injury Lawyers

CHILD-SAFETY, CAR-ACCIDENTS, PERSONAL-INJURY-LAWYERS, CAR-SEAT-SAFETY, CAR-SEATAccording to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly 250,000 children are injured every year in auto accidents. In the event that your child is injured in an auto accident, it is important to take the necessary steps needed to ensure the safety and well-being of your child and yourself. There are also many safety precautions available that can protect children from being severely injured in auto accidents.

Buckling your children in safety seats and seat belts can reduce the risk of serious injuries, and sometimes even prevent them.

To keep your child safe from injury, follow these tips:

  • Always use a safety seat, no matter how far the drive
  • Use the appropriate safety seat for your child’s size and age
  • Make sure that your safety seat is designed to fit your vehicle
  • Children younger than 13 should be seated in the back
  • 70% of car seats are not installed correctly, be sure that your safety seat is properly installed
  • If involved in an accident, have safety seat immediately replaced
  • Lead by example and buckle up before every drive, and make sure that all passengers are buckled in

Seek Medical Attention

Sometimes traffic accidents cannot be anticipated, in the event that your child is involved in an accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Signs of personal injury can occur immediately following an accident, but can sometimes appear several days or weeks later. Even if your child does not appear to be injured, personal injury symptoms are not always immediately apparent therefore, your child must always be examined by a doctor following an auto accident. This is particularly important for young children who are unable to communicate pain well, waiting for your child to tell you that they are in pain is not recommended.

Pursue Legal Counsel

CHILD-SAFETY, CAR-ACCIDENTS, PERSONAL-INJURY-LAWYERS, CAR-SEAT-SAFETY, CAR-SEATS

Waiting too long to seek medical attention can also make it difficult to prove that your child’s injuries are a result of an auto accident. Depending on the urgency of your child’s injuries, your child’s medical expenses can be quite significant. Many parents are unaware that they can make a personal injury claim on behalf of their children. Following an auto accident, it is very important to seek legal aid from an experienced auto accident lawyer.  An experienced auto accident attorney can help you to get the best compensation for your child’s medical expenses, and also provide general information on how to proceed

Call Blick Law Firm today for a free case evaluation regarding your child’s personal injury claim. Attorney, Michael Blickensderfer has over 25 year’s legal experience, and is dedicated to providing the best legal representation to all clients. Think quick, Call Blick! after the accident. An auto accident lawyer is also necessary to ensure the protection of your child and yourself against an insurance discrepancy. If your child needs medical treatment, a traffic accident attorney can also negotiate your child’s medical bills, as well as additional value to your claim.

Posted in Blog, Personal Injury | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Bankruptcy Class | Public Seminar | Free Legal Aid

Bankruptcy flyer quarter pager (2)
Blick Law Firm will be hosting a free informational bankruptcy seminar on Wednesday, April 9th from 3 to 5 pm. The seminar will be held at Blick Law Firm’s previous office at 4351 Gunn Highway in Tampa.  Bankruptcy paralegal Jill Starr, and attorney Alex A. Serrano will be providing in depth information in regards to what bankruptcy is, how it can be useful, and the distinctions between chapter 7 and 13. Information concerning what not to do preceding and during your bankruptcy case will also be discussed, along with a “life after bankruptcy” session, and more important and useful information.

What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal degree of a person or business that is unable to pay their debt to creditors. Bankruptcy is appointed by a court order that is generally proposed by the debtor. Filling for Bankruptcy is common in the state of Florida, and can safeguard and provide comfort for those overwhelmed with debt. What Bankruptcy laws do is liquidate assets, so that debts can be paid. Repayment plans are also made in order for those in debt to have a new financial beginning.

Bankruptcy cases are generally filed under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Chapter 7 or Straight Bankruptcy, eradicates all debts excluding the following:

  • Child support
  • Alimony
  • Most student loans
  •  Most recent back taxes
  • Recent large purchases of more than $550 for luxury goods bought within 90 days of filing
  • Fraudulent debts
  • Cash advances of $825 within 70 days of filing
  • Fines or penalties of government agencies

Chapter 13 or Wage Earner Bankruptcy creates a repayment plan that allows you to pay back your debts over several years’ time.

It is very important that the information and paperwork are filed correctly to ensure that your bankruptcy claim is successful. The experienced bankruptcy attorneys at Blick Law Firm can assist with your bankruptcy claim, and help to make sure that the proper steps and precautions are being made when filing.

If you or a loved one is thinking about filing for bankruptcy, Blick Law Firm can help you secure the full benefits to which you are entitled, and help to maximize your recovery.

Posted in Bankruptcy, Blog | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Day | Drunk Driving | DUI Lawyers

st Patrick, st patrick day, dui lawyers, drunk driving, saint patricks dayIn the United States, many Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by consuming alcoholic beverages. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, DUI enforcement is being intensified for St. Patrick’s Day; and there has already been over 200 DUI arrests statewide that occurred on Friday and Saturday. If you are planning on celebrating the Irish heritage this year, it is important to practice safety and make sure that you plan accordingly in order to avoid a possible arrest. Make the necessary arrangements ahead of time to get home safely, and be aware of others and your surroundings.

Many Americans are unaware that the definition of a DUI is not limited to alcohol. If you are driving under the influence of illegal drugs or any substance that can affect your judgment, you can be arrested for DUI.

In Florida, a blood alcohol concentration of.08 or higher constitutes impairment beyond the legal limit. However, you do not need a highly elevated blood alcohol concentration to create a threatening situation that may lead to an accident. If your blood alcohol concentration is below the legal limit, you can still be arrested for a DUI if law enforcement suspects that you are driving impaired.

According to the national institute of health, 40% of traffic deaths are alcohol related.

How alcohol effects you’re driving:

Reaction Time

Even in small amounts, the consumption of alcohol lowers your reaction time, this causes a delayed reaction to unexpected situations that occur when driving.

Vision

The consumption of alcohol has many negative effects on your vision. One of the ways in which alcohol affects your vision, is by making it very difficult to decipher how far away objects are.  Furthermore, alcohol causes the eye muscles to loose precision, resulting in blurred vision and inability to focus. Alcohol also impairs your eyes ability to adapt to light and darkness, headlights from oncoming cars will shock an impaired driver more severely than a driver who is sober.

Judgment

Alcohol is a depressant that impairs your ability to make rational decisions. It is extremely important to be alert and aware of your surroundings when driving, alcohol makes it difficult to do this by negatively affecting your comprehension.st Patrick, st patrick day, dui lawyers, drunk driving, saint patricks days

Coordination

Alcohol reduces the hand, eye, and foot coordination that is needed when operating a motor vehicle.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, it is important to immediately seek legal counsel. Call Blick Law Firm today for a free consultation. Think Quick, Call Blick!

Have a Safe and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Posted in Blog, Personal Injury | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Give Back | Ryan Nece Foundation | Tampa Bay Law Firm

Grounded in Christian values, Blick Law Firm’s mission of “Helping the Hurting” is evident in the ways in which the firm makes a consistent effort to give back to the community. Blick law firm is truly “Helping the Hurting” by actively participating in community outreach and missionary work.

Blick Law Firm gives back to the community by having silent auctions, attending events, pro bono work, and donating to charities and organizations in the Tampa bay area. One of the charities that Blick Law Firm recently supported is the Ryan Nece Foundation. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ryan Nece, started this foundation to empower teens in the Tampa Bay community. According to Nece, Blick Law Firm holds the same Christian values that the Ryan Nece’s Foundation embodies.

Ryan Nece says, “I want to thank the Blick Law Firm for all of your support for our foundation……thank you for your Christian values.”

Blick Law Firm strives to not only meet the legal needs of its clients and their families, but also to provide physical and emotional support. More than just a law firm, Blick Law Firm aims to support and help all those in need. In addition to providing exceptional legal counsel, Blick Law Firm helps the hurting in various ways whether it be through prayer, counseling, community outreach, or missionary work. Blick Law Firm upholds Christian values, and these values are a strong reflection of the firm itself.

Helping the Ryan Nece Foundation is just one way Blick Law Firm plans to support outreaches in Tampa FL. The Ryan Nece Foundation was presented with a charitable donation this past November at the Blick Law Firm’s Open House. The firm recently moved to 3812 Gunn Highway Tampa FL 33618. To learn more about the firm’s community outreach check out their community page or call 888-973-2776 and ask to speak with one of our staff members today to get involved! Think quick, call Blick!

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment