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Your friends aren’t the only ones reading your status – an insurance company might be watching your Facebook account for evidence that would contradict the facts of your Texas car accident claim.

Insurance companies have caught on to the trend of over-sharing made popular by social media and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and others that have begun to crop up in the past few years.

In some cases, insurance companies have even submitted subpoenas and requests to pull the contact information of a claimant’s Facebook friends (although to date, those requests have been largely denied, they do indicate the dangerously invasive trend that insurance providers are pursuing in an attempt to deny claims).

If you’re involved in a car accident, your claim could be jeopardized by something you post on Facebook or any other social networking website. In some cases, one photo of a claimant – even someone who has already been awarded benefits – relaxing on a beach, having a good time on a social outing with friends, or doing anything that looks like it might belie or disprove the veracity of an injury claim could result in denied benefits, or even benefit payments being cancelled.

Speak with a Texas car accident claim attorney who will help you protect your privacy and your claim for the duration of your case’s arbitration. Just because your insurance company is on Facebook, looking for information against you, that doesn’t mean that you have to hand it over to them by playing fast and loose with your privacy.

Insurance Company Watching Your Facebook? Call a Texas Car Accident Claim Attorney

When you have experienced legal representation on your side in a Texas car accident claim, you can rest assured that your attorney will fight for all compensation to which you may be entitled, including past, current and future medical expenses; pain and suffering; lost earnings or earning potential; or wrongful death benefits. To an insurance company, Facebook is just another way to get evidence against you, so speak with your attorney about protecting your privacy online.

While you focus on your recovery and emotional wellbeing, you should have a personal injury claims and settlement attorney at the Houston personal injury law offices of The Kahn Law Firm advocating for your rights. Contact us today – 713-999-6549 or toll-free at 1-844-301-KAHN.

Texas, like most states, requires its drivers to hold insurance policies on their vehicles. This law is designed to protect drivers, vehicles, and pedestrians involved in a Texas car accident. If you are pulled over or involved in a car accident and your insurance does not meet Texas auto insurance laws or minimums, you may face a steep fine, could lose your license, your vehicle may be impounded, or you could even face jail time. That is why it is imperative that drivers in the state are aware of the state insurance laws and are in compliance with them at all times.

Texas Auto Insurance Laws & Minimums

Texas requires all drivers carry liability insurance, which covers repairs of the other party’s car, as well as any medical costs due to injuries when you are at-fault in a Texas car accident.

As of August 2011, the current minimum coverage amount is 30/60/25 for every driver in the state. This means your insurance policy must allot for $30,000 in coverage per injured person, up to $60,000 per auto accident, and $25,000 for property damage per car accident.

Unfortunately, liability does not cover the cost of your own car repairs or injuries when you are at-fault in an accident, so you may consider purchasing additional insurance coverage. Good options for this type of protection include collision, comprehensive and medical payments coverage.

Some find themselves in a car accident in which the other party does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for all the damages and costs incurred from the accident. This is when it would be wise to carry  unisured and  underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you from paying for damages caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Though it is not required by state auto insurance law, it may be helpful in certain situations.

In the event of a serious auto accident with a driver who does not have the required insurance to cover for the injuries and damages you have endured, seek a personal injury lawyer at the Kahn Law Firm: 713-999-6549 or toll-free at 1-844-301-KAHN.

Unsecure Wi-Fi Access And Child Pornography Charges – Houston Criminal Defense Lawyers

Houston criminal defense attorneys have come across a number of instances recently involving men charged with accessing child porn on the Internet after their Wi-Fi servers were compromised and illegally accessed.  These instances should serve as a warning to Houstonians who believe in leaving their Wi-Fi routers unsecured.

In New York and Florida, FBI officers have conducted raids on homes where they traced downloaded child porn.  However, the officers soon found after investigations that the homeowners were not the ones who had downloaded the images.  Neighbors who managed to gain access to the Wi-Fi routers, downloaded thousands of images of child porn, alerting the FBI.  In most of these cases, the officers were able to investigate and determine that other people had accessed the porn through Wi-Fi routers.

Leaving Wi-Fi routers is a widespread practice in Houston.  Most people who do so believe they are being generous to outsiders who wish to access the Internet by leaving their Wi-Fi routers open.  However, this habit is isn’t without its pitfalls.  Your Wi-Fi router could be used for illegal activities, including downloading child pornography.  According to the Computer Emergency Readiness Team, users can make their networks invisible by disabling a function that announces the presence of wireless access points to others.  If you have an open wireless router, you must know that you will not be able to quickly determine if someone else is accessing your router for illegal activities.

Child pornography charges are some of the most serious crimes that you can be charged with.  These belong to a category of crimes in which persons may be assumed by society to be guilty until they are proved innocent.  Secure your Wi-Fi routers, and protect yourself from unauthorized access to your WI-Fi networks.

When you understand what to do after a car accident in Houston or surrounding areas, you may be able to maximize the value of your personal injury claim.

Lawyers in Houston, TX, will review your case and possibly help you acquire compensation for the following damages that may be applicable:  

• medical expenses;
• lost wages;
• pain and suffering; and
• other incidental expenses related to your accident – if negligence can be proven.

Additional Steps to Take Following a Car Accident

In addition to speaking to witnesses, calling police and seeking medical treatment, which is of utmost importance, what you need to do after a car accident is complete a series of steps. 

• Exchange information. Get contact information from all drivers involved in the accident. Jot down their names, phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses, license plate numbers, and insurance information. Be sure to get the same information for passengers also.
• Watch what you say. When you speak with the drivers and passengers of other vehicles, be cordial, but under no circumstances should you apologize for the accident. An apology could be considered an admission of guilt that will damage your injury claim. Resist the urge to say, “I’m sorry.”
• Call your insurance company. You’ll need to inform your insurer that you’ve been involved in an accident. Be honest about the accident and the extent of your injuries, but don’t guess if you don’t know the answer to any of their questions. If you lie about anything and the insurance company finds out, you could lose coverage for the accident.

You should also acquire the guidance of an accident attorney in Texas. When you have good legal counsel coupled with the fact that you know what to do after an accident, you’ll have a good chance at obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Contacting Lawyers in Houston, TX

Not sure of what to do after a car accident? When you have experienced legal representation on your side, you can rest assured that your attorney will fight for all compensation to which you may be entitled, including past, current and future medical expenses; pain and suffering; lost earnings or earning potential; or wrongful death benefits.

While you focus on your recovery and emotional wellbeing, you should have an accident attorney in Texas at The Kahn Law Firm advocating for your rights. Contact us today – 713-999-6549 or toll-free at 1-844-301-KAHN.

A new study shows that children, who have suffered a traumatic brain injury, are much more likely to commit crimes as they get older. The results are not exactly surprising to Houston criminal defense lawyers, because earlier studies have also shown a similar link between brain injury and adult crimes. This new study however, which was conducted at The University of Exeter School of Psychology, is the first such study linking brain injury and a higher incidence of crimes among youths. In both the adult and youth studies, the researchers also found a link between brain injury and an enhanced risk of reoffending.

As Houston car accident attorneys, we often come across patients who have suffered a brain injury in an accident or fall. Brain injuries are some of the most life altering injuries, because they have repercussions that go beyond the physical limitations. A person with a brain injury may have his powers of concentration affected. He may suffer from a much lower attention span. There may be behavioral changes. Sometimes, these changes may be dramatic. All of these can have a profound impact on a person’s emotional and mental well-being. A brain injury can cause behavioral changes, which if not treated properly, can lead to the development of antisocial behavior or susceptibility to criminal tendencies.

What the study does show is that brain injuries in children must be taken seriously. This is true even if the child has suffered a minor concussion, which leads to a momentary lapse of consciousness. A child with a brain injury must be given access to neuropsychiatric treatment, and must be monitored carefully over the next few years. Look for falling grades, disinterest in studies, or aggressiveness at school. These could be effects of the injury.

Texas DUI laws impose harsh penalties on those convicted of drunk driving in the state, and to best avoid the harshest possible punishment, it’s advisable to acquire the services of a Houston DUI attorney who has handled cases like yours before. However, it can be difficult to find the right attorney in Houston for the specific circumstances of your case.

Finding the right attorney in Houston can, itself, be a challenge – you’ll want to first assemble a list of the potential lawyers in your area who you want to consider hiring. You can start with either the Yellow Pages or online sources, and you can add to your list through the recommendations of friends and family.

Hire Attorney Who Understands Texas DUI Laws

It’s important to point out that when you are seeking legal representation, you should be looking for a criminal defense attorney who has specifically had experience defending against DUI charges. Lawyers, like doctors, have practice areas in which they focus, and although an attorney can give you general legal advice about any matter under the auspices of the law in the same way a doctor could give you general medical advice about health, you’d still probably go to see a podiatrist instead of a cardiologist when you have foot problems.

In the same way, you want an attorney who has specific experience handling cases involving DUI laws, so your cousin’s divorce lawyer is probably not going to cut it.

Once you have assembled a good list of potentials, it’s time to start meeting with them and asking questions. To schedule a consultation with a Houston DUI attorney today, reach out to our law offices and speak with an attorney in Houston who has handled cases like yours and knows what kind of representation you need to get past this and move on with your life.

When you have been arrested for a Texas DUI, the sooner that you involve a Houston DUI lawyer in your case, the more likely you are to reap the benefits of counsel, like maintaining your driving privileges or mitigating the extent of your charges.

Lawyers often provide free consultations in which you can ask questions, ranging from “What are the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI)?” to “How many cases like mine have you handled?” It’s your opportunity to learn more about the challenges of your case and how the attorney will rise to meet those challenges.

More Questions to Ask During Your Consultation with a Houston DUI Lawyer: How many cases do you handle at once?

Some attorneys charge steeply discounted rates for DUI cases and, as a result, handle many cases at once to compensate. When this happens, the care and attention paid to each individual case may suffer. In general, a lawyer shouldn’t be going to court for more than 1 client per day.

What are the best possible, worst possible, and most likely outcomes for my case?

A Houston DUI lawyer may be reluctant to answer this question until he or she has received detailed information on your Texas DUI case, and may not be able to give you any answers with significant certainty until after a thorough case review has been conducted, which typically takes place after a retainer has been paid and the attorney has been formally hired.

Be suspicious of attorneys promising or “guaranteeing” best-case scenarios without knowing very much about your case. If you suspect your attorney is anything less than perfectly honest with you, leave the office.

Do you belong to any professional associations for DUI defense?

While it’s not necessary that your attorney be a member of the National College for DUI Defense, it does indicate the commitment to handling DUI defense cases that he or she possesses. The requirements for the College mandate that member attorneys devote at least 50 percent of their practice to DUI cases and have been handling DUI cases for at least 2 years, attend 1 DUI law seminar annually, and can provide references from judges or other DUI attorneys.

What are the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) and how can a Houston DUI lawyer help?

If you’ve been charged with a Texas DUI, schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a Houston DUI lawyer and receive a free evaluation of your case. The sooner that you involve an attorney in your case, the better your chances are in having your charges minimized or outright dismissed. Contact the Houston DUI lawyer team at the Kahn Law Firm today. 713-999-6549 or toll-free at 1-844-301-KAHN.

Theft cases have the potential for serious consequences whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony because theft cases are considered a “crime of moral turpitude.’  A conviction of theft can effect your credibility and ability to get a job, loan, or housing. It is important to

Types of theft in Texas:

Theft is a crime of fraudulent and dishonesty. In Texas, theft crimes include-

• Shoplifting – Shoplifting is an offense when a person steals property or goods from a retail store without the intention of paying for the property. Shoplifting is a common crime in Texas.
• Identity theft – Identity theft occurs when anyone use and disclose your personal information as his or her own information. For example, using your financial information such as credit card and PIN number etc; using your address, name, social security number etc. Statistics shows that in the year of 2010, about 24,000 people became victims of identity theft.
• Forgery- The false making or altering of other’s signature, documents or writings are considered as forgery.
• Unauthorized use of motor vehicles- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, or auto theft, is when someone takes a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
• Welfare and insurance fraud- Welfare and insurance fraud occurs when a person uses tricks or false identity to receive benefits or for taking advantages from something he does not deserve.
• Possessing stolen goods or property– Possession of stolen goods or property is a crime when a person uses, buys or acquires others stolen goods or property in other way.
• Robbery- Robbery is a severe crime, usually robbers use arms for robbing.
• Burglary – Burglary is a crime when a person enters into a home, office or building without consent of owner to commit theft.

Theft charges in Texas depend on the value of theft goods or property.

• If the value of property is at least $200,000 or more, it is considered as a first degree felony.
• If the value of property is between $100,000- $200,000, it is considered as second degree felony.
• It is considered as third degree felony if the value of goods or property is between $20,000- $100,000.
• If the value of theft property is between $1,500- $20,000, penalty will be a state jail felony.
• It will be considered as class A misdemeanor, if the value of theft property is between $500- $1500.
• If the value of property is between $50- $500, it is considered as class B misdemeanor.
• If the value of property is less than $50, it is considered as class C misdemeanor.

Sometimes people are accused for theft, though they are not involved with this crime. To protect your property, to get justice and to protect you from false convictions you can consult with the experienced and professional lawyers of The Kahn Firm.

When you work on construction sites for a living, you are surrounded by risks and dangers. You work in unstable conditions around powerful tools and often at high heights. The threats are numerous – and real. If you are injured in on-the-job construction accidents, you could have serious repercussions, including broken bones, severe head injuries and even death. If you suffered serious injuries in Texas, Workers’ Compensation may be pursued. A Houston injury lawyer at the Kahn Law Firm can evaluate your case and determine your legal options.

The injuries you may suffer are not only painful, but they also can be life-altering. With a severe injury, you can expect endless medical bills, countless days of lost work and huge financial stress on you and your family. That is why, if you are injured in on-the-job or construction accidents, it is important to learn about your rights.

Overview of Texas Workers Compensation

Workers’ Compensation is a type of state-governed insurance program that provides payment for employees who are injured on the job. It could include payment for medical bills and lost wages, in the event that the injured employee cannot continue working.

There are 4 types of Workers’ Compensation benefits:

• Medical – These benefits pay for the medical bills and costs of your work-related injuries;
• Income – These benefits reimburse you for a portion of the wages you lose by being injured or unable to attend work;
• Burial – These benefits pay for the funeral and burial expenses of someone killed in a work-related accident; and
• Death – In the event someone is killed on the job, these benefits pay lost income to the surviving family.

Keep in mind that not all Texas employers provide Workers’ Comp insurance because it is a choice for many. In order to file for a claim for on-the-job injuries, the company you work for must carry the insurance option.

If you need help proving your injury, unsafe working conditions that led to your accident or navigating the complicated process of filing a claim, call a Houston injury lawyer from the Kahn Law Firm at 713-999-6549 or toll-free at 1-844-301-KAHN.