Tag Archives: michael c blickensderfer

Florida Auto Accident Claims

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Blick Law

Parties to an accident are often times contacted by insurance companies in an attempt to get personal injury victims to settle an injury claim quickly, and for a non-negotiated amount. Before a settlement offer is even discussed, it is extremely important to first know the extent of your injuries.

Usually, the severity of damage sustained in an accident is not easily determined, and in many cases an injured party may suffer soft tissue or latent injuries that do not arise until much later. However, once a settlement agreement is made and tendered, an injured party releases all further rights to recovery for injuries related to that particular incident.

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is always important to first seek medical attention. After an auto accident, it is best to go immediately to the hospital or other treatment facility to determine the extent of your injuries and pinpoint the necessary steps of rehabilitation that might be required.

Secondly, an injured party should always contact an auto accident attorney for legal consultation and general information on how to proceed following an accident. In the event an insurance company contacts you regarding your injury claim, do not offer any recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident and need legal advice, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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Effects of an Auto Accident while Pregnant

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Blick Law

Auto accidents can be devastating, and injuries sustained in an accident can begin a timeline of treatment and therapy that can take months to complete. In the event an injured party is pregnant, more complications obviously arise.

It is important to understand the possible trauma that can occur to a pregnant person in an auto accident, and the effect it could have on a fetus. Physical trauma can include negative effects such as Placental Separation, Bleeding, Premature Labor, and may even require an Emergency C-section to be performed.

Emotional trauma as a result of an accident can also have negative reaching effects on a pregnancy. The stress that results from involvement in an auto accident can cause pre-term labor, and negatively affect the health of the fetus. It is especially important to see a doctor following an auto accident in order to assess any potential trauma, as well as seek legal counsel pertaining to the potential claim for you and your unborn child. Signs of negative effects to the health of the fetus may include dizziness, fainting, vomiting, headaches, and stomach pain.

If you or a loved one are involved in an auto accident and have questions or concerns regarding recovery for your injuries, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840.Call to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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What is a Will? And do I need one?

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Blick Law

A Will is a legal document that provides direction for how a decedent intends to distribute their assets upon their death. Many times, people avoid considering the different options available through probate out of apprehension of thinking about their own death.

When a person dies without a will they are said to have died intestate. The State will then follow the intestacy guidelines governing how to distribute intestate assets to heirs based on relation and bloodline.

Realistically, executing a Will for the disposition of one’s assets is an important part of planning the future of your estate. It is always better to have your intentions memorialized in an executed Will than have the State determine the disposition of your assets. Probate is the process of identifying and gathering the assets of the deceased person, paying their debts, and distributing the assets to his or her beneficiaries.

Many considerations must be made prior to setting forth the distribution of one’s assets following their death, and often times other legal documents are more suitable for particular situations. It is important to discuss your situation with an experienced probate attorney, and determine what is best for you be it a Will or Trust instrument.

If you or a loved have concerns or questions about the future of your estate, call Blick Law Firm today. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer at 813-931-0840. Think quick, call Blick!

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Florida Boating Accidents

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Blick Law

Florida’s waterways are amenities of the state that bring family and friends together in a perennially sunny climate. However, the abundance of waterway use in Florida coupled with a variety of water recreational activities can lead to serious incidents of personal injury.

Boating accidents are extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries, and even death. With close to a million vessels registered in the state, Florida leads the nation in the number of vessels, and, as a negative consequence has the highest number of boating fatalities annually. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, there were 742 reportable boating accidents and 67 boating related fatalities in 2011. Many of these deaths were caused by victims falling overboard and drowning, and a large number of them could have been prevented if the victims had worn life jackets.

While utilizing Florida’s water resources, it is important to always employ safety measures to prevent injuries. However, in the event of an injury it is important to contact a Tampa personal injury attorney to determine your rights to recovery, and determine who may be liable for your injuries.

If you or a loved has been injured in a boating accident, call Blick Law Firm today. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer by calling 813-931-0840. Think quick, call Blick!

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Juvenile Crimes in Florida

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Blick Law

In Florida, persons under the age of 18 are considered minors and tried as juveniles for crimes they commit rather than as adults. The distinction in Florida, as in all states, is made to separate offenses perpetrated by those under a certain age determined as the age of majority. In certain cases, the court will still sentence a juvenile as an adult depending on the severity of the crime committed.

In contrast to the objective to punish adults for their crimes, the state seeks to rehabilitate juveniles and prevent future misconduct. With the focus of juvenile justice set on rehabilitation, the courts seek to assist minors in functioning properly in a normal adult society. However, many juveniles face strict sentences for their crimes, and often times detainment of the juvenile can last for extended periods.

Many people expect juveniles to receive a slap on the wrist for their offenses, but courts often times attempt to deliver a strong message to youths in order to enforce a positive awareness of the consequences of their decisions.

If your minor child has been arrested for a crime and you have questions or concerns about their rights, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

 

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Real Estate: IRS rule on excluding gain of home sale

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Blick Law

If you have made a capital gain from the sale of your main home, you may be eligible to exclude all or part of the gain from your income. The Internal Revenue Service issued a pamphlet, Publication 523, Selling Your Home, which provides directions, rules, and requirements for filing capital gains when selling your home. The pamphlet gives thorough instructions on how to determine whether or not you qualify for the exclusion.

The general requirements include:

  • The home sold is considered your main home – “main home” is defined in the pamphlet as the home you lived in the majority of the year whether it is a house, condo, cooperative apartment, mobile home, or houseboat.
  • You have lived in the home at least two of the past five years
  • Additionally, you are allowed to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain on the sale of your main home if you file as an individual; or up to $500,000 if filed jointly.

Generally, the income exclusion is allowed if these requirements are met unless: you have excluded the gain from a prior home within two years prior of the current sale; you only sold the land on which your main home is located, but not the house itself, or; you sold the remainder interest in your home to a related person.

If you or a loved has legal concerns regarding the sale of your home call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick.

For more information regarding the IRS Publication 523 visit: www.irs.gov/pub523.

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