Tag Archives: blick law firm

DUI conviction remains on your record for life!

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

No one can drink alcohol and still drive safely. Drinking and driving causes accidents and deaths every day and therefore the penalties in Florida are tough.

If you drink and drive the result may be:

  • Jail time
  • Loss of your Florida drivers’ license
  • Heavy fines
  • Increased auto insurance rates

A conviction will stay on your Florida driving record for life.

If it is going to stay on your record, why hire a DUI criminal attorney? While the conviction can not be dismissed, a DUI attorney advocates on behalf of the client for a better outcome, which will impact life as it relates to school, work, insurance rates, etc.

Florida has a Zero Tolerance law for drivers under 21. This means that any driver under 21 that is stopped by law enforcement and has a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher will automatically have their Florida drivers’ license suspended for 6 months. The .02 limit really means that you cannot have a single drink and then drive.

For drivers over 21 the legal limit in Florida is .08. Regardless of your age be aware that drinking and driving is a serious offense. Below summarizes the penalties in the state of Florida for a first offense DUI.

Florida Penalties for DUI First Conviction:

  • Fine – $250 to $500
  • Community Service – 50 Hours
  • Probation – Not more than 1 Year
  • Imprisonment – Not more than 6 Months
  • Imprisonment with BAL of .08 or higher with a minor in the vehicle, not more than 9 months
  • License Revocation – Minimum of 180 days
  • DUI School – 12 Hours

For more information regarding Florida DUI conviction’s penalties and seeking legal representation to better the outcome of your situation, contact Blick Law Firm today! 813-931-0840.

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PIP Law Changes Affect $10,000 Coverage in an Auto Accident

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Thank you for watching Minute with Mike, free legal advice answered by attorney Michael C. Blickensderfer every Wednesday at Noon.

Blick law Firm is a local Tampa Bay legal firm specializing in personal injury, criminal, bankruptcy and real estate law all across the state of Florida.

In recent Legislation news, the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law was recently changed to ensure auto accident victims seek medical treatment quickly to qualify for full insurance coverage.

Florida’s PIP insurance law as adopted by House Bill 119 now requires those injured from an auto accident to seek medical treatment within 14 days of their injury.

If an accident victim does not seek treatment within the 14-day window, they will loose access to full PIP coverage.

The practical effect of these changes will be to limit most PIP claims to only $2,500 in benefits, as most auto accidents involve soft tissue cases not falling under the “emergency medical condition” definition. Everyone is required to obtain and pay for the $10,000 in PIP coverage, but the insurance companies will limit claims to $2,500, resulting in a windfall to the insurance companies and an injustice to the policy holder/ accident victim.

For further information regarding PIP Law changes in Florida please visit our website at www.blicklawfirm.com or call 813-931-0840.

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Common soft tissue injuries from an auto accident

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

The most common result of personal injury from an auto accident are neck and back injuries. Because muscles and ligaments in the back and neck go into shock during the accident there is unnecessary pain creating the necessity for continuous medical expenses including doctor visits, prescriptions and physical therapy.

The frequent treatments and remedies needed to recover from these injuries will take place over six to eight week period. In addition, there are numerous side effects the patient will endure including:

  • chronic pain
  • sleepless nights
  • headaches
  • diminished sex life
  • inability to lift heavy things
  • depression

Failure to seek treatment for such injuries will result in symptoms persisting. Accident victims have legal rights including the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses. 

Also recent legislative news, the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law was recently changed to ensure auto accident victims seek medical treatment quickly to qualify for full insurance coverage.

Florida’s PIP insurance law as adopted by House Bill 119 now requires those injured from an auto accident to seek medical assistance within 14 days of their injury.

With current soft tissue injuries resulting from an auto accident and these new changes in the law it is imperative to seek legal council after an auto accident to maximize your recovery and receive protection from insurance companies.

Call Attorney Michael Blickensderfer who has over 25 years legal experience. As a former prosecutor and a former Marine, he will fight for your rights and defend your claim. call 813-931-0840 today!

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Por qué contratar a un abogado de bienes raíces?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

En el pasado, se pensaba que un agente inmobiliario era la única persona que se necesitaba para la venta de su propiedad. Una tercera persona, tan necesaria como el agente inmobiliario, es un abogado de bienes raíces. Mientras tu agente puede asistirte con la logística de venta/compra, junto con la negociación del precio y fecha del cierre, Michael Blickensderfer puede revisar cualquier oferta que usted haga o reciba y asegurarse que sus derechos y deberes sean protegidos.

Usted y Michael pueden discutir y llegar a un acuerdo con respecto a cuanto usted desea que el este envuelto en la transacción y los precios/cargos serán expuestos antes de cualquier decisión final.

Si compra una propiedad, Michael puede:

  • Ayudarlo a entender el contrato de venta y compra, incluyendo como a usted le gustaría tomar titulo de la propiedad.
  • Verificar que no haya deudas o problemas registrados contra la propiedad que impida el uso de ella.
  • Preparar y registrar todos los documentos legales.
  • Clarificar los términos de la hipoteca y trabajar con el banco, si es necesario modificarlos.
  • Inspeccionar los ajustes, incluyendo los impuestos que se deben y costos de utilidad pagados, antes del cierre.
  • Revisar e inspeccionar el cierre y los documentos que usted debe firmar.
  • Manejar el seguro de titulo para protegerlo de pérdidas debido a problemas con el título de propiedad.
  • Asegurarse que usted reciba una registración valida de su propiedad sujeto a las obligaciones que usted aceptó.

Si usted vende su casa, Michael puede:

  • Revisar o preparar el contrato de venta y compra, incluyendo la negociación y términos.
  • Preparar el titulo y poder, si es necesario.
  • Trabajar con los asuntos/problemas del título y ayudar a corregirlos.
  • Revisar e inspeccionar el cierre y todos los documentos que usted debe firmar.
  • Arreglar la transferencia de depósitos de seguridad.
  • Manejar los certificados de seguro, si es necesario.

Otros servicios reclaman que pueden hacer todo el trabajo legal por usted pero cuando se refiere a bienes raíces no es el momento de ahorrar algo de dinero o “hacerlo usted mismo”. Michael conoce todos los estándares que se deben llevar a cabo.  Aunque muchos documentos de bienes raíces son similares, el acuerdo/contrato de venta y compra pueden variar de acuerdo al estado/lugar.

Aun más, algunas compañías de titulo y bancos requieren el uso de un abogado para asegurarse que el titulo este correcto, no haya obligaciones en contra de la propiedad y la transacción se complete.

Si usted está listo para hacer o aceptar una oferta de una propiedad llame a Blick Law Firm hoy y hable con uno de nuestros miembros del  equipo de bienes raíces. Usted todavía puede firmar la oferta con la seguridad que Michael lo ayudara.

 

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Can I lose my home if I file bankruptcy?

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

There are ways to keep your home in bankruptcy. “Automatic Stay” is one of the first advantages of bankruptcy, which will prevent creditors from taking collection action against you. If you are facing foreclosure, the filing of a bankruptcy petition will temporarily suspend the foreclosure action. While the automatic stay will not last forever, it will give you more time to review all of your options.   Attorney Michael Blickensderfer of Blick Law Firm can help you review all of your options before deciding which type of bankruptcy is best for your situation.

Personal circumstances, such as the type of bankruptcy you file, the amount of equity in your home, and whether you own the house jointly with someone else are all factors to consider.  In a Chapter 7 case, while you will lose assets but get rid of debts, you can either formally reaffirm the mortgage loan or, in some judicial districts, just keep making payments. If you fall behind on payments, and have some equity in your home, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be a better choice for you because it allows you to pay off the arrearages (mortgage) over time and therefore face less risk to losing your home. A critical consideration in a Chapter 13 case is whether a debtor whose home loan is in default can make the larger mortgage payments (the missed payments plus resuming the original payments) over the repayment period.

For more information regarding keeping your home when filing for bankruptcy or general questions about qualifying for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840.

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Tampa Bay DUI Check Points

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Blick Law Firm

Tampa Bay deputies and police officers are dedicated to values of integrity, professionalism and community involvement. As a result of their commitment the county’s overall crime rate dropped in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Blick Law Firm assists efforts by posting DUI checkpoints to help enforce safety amongst the community.

What are DUI checkpoints? DUI checkpoints consist of police roadblocks at busy thoroughfares at which motorists are randomly selected for screening.  These stops help keep all parties safe so they can continue on with their life, without any tragic or fatal interruptions.

Sobriety checkpoints reduce alcohol-related crashes by about 20 percent, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control report combining the results of 23 scientific studies.

Although they tend to be controversial, DUI checkpoints have survived most legal challenges; even in some states where statutes require an officer to have reasonable suspicion of intoxication before initiating a traffic stop. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1990 that sobriety checkpoints are legal under federal law (Michigan Dept. of State Police v. Sitz), leaving it up to the individual states to decide.

Should you find yourself unable to drive because of intoxication, please call a friend, cab driver or ask the bartender to call someone for you. Do not drink and drive.

If you have been arrested for a DUI or other related incident, call Blick Law Firm today to assist you and seek legal representation you deserve! Think quick, call Blick! 813-931-0840

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