Personal Injury – Berkowitz & Myer

How Much Does Filing for Bankruptcy in St. Petersburg Cost?

Debtors who are considering filing for bankruptcy in St. Petersburg area already facing financial concerns, and may be worried about how much the process will cost. There are various application and administrative fees necessary if you want to pursue chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy. These expenses may include credit counseling, debt management education, professional assistance, filing fees, and procedural expenses.

Mandatory Pre-Filing Credit Counseling

Before filing for bankruptcy in St. Petersburg, you have to attend mandatory pre-filing credit counseling. After completing your session, which usually lasts about 90 minutes and often can be done online or via phone, you will receive a certificate. If you file with a spouse, you must both obtain a separate certificate, but you can attend the same session. The fees for credit counseling sessions average about $50 to $75, but this can vary. It is possible to get a fee waiver or reduction before attending. The credit counselor must be court-approved, so check with the court before enrolling.

Preparation and Application Assembly Costs

When filing for bankruptcy in St. Petersburg, you will have to fill out many forms that provide details regarding your income, debts, assets, expenses, collateral, and more. Printing and completing this paperwork, which can amount to around 50 pages of forms, can cost about $30 if you do it yourself. However, because bankruptcy rules are so rigid, any mistakes can set you back, so many people choose to hire an attorney for assistance. This will increase your expenses, but it is worth it for the peace of mind and professional help.

Filing for Bankruptcy with the Bankruptcy Court

The fees for chapter 7 and chapter 13 differ. Chapter 7 fees include a $245 filing fee, a $46 admin charge, and a $15 trustee surcharge, equaling $306. Chapter 13 fees include a $235 filing fee and a $46 admin charge, adding up to $281.

Compulsory Debt Management Education

After filing for bankruptcy in St. Petersburg, before you can receive the discharge paper that declares you free of your debts, you have to complete a debt management course. The purpose of this course is to help debtors learn how to manage their finances and to hopefully help them avoid ending up in bankruptcy court again in the future. Check to see if you qualify for fee waivers or reductions, which can eliminate this additional cost.

Contact Berkowitz & Myer When Filing for Bankruptcy in St. Petersburg

Filing for bankruptcy in St. Petersburg can cost thousands of dollars with added fees and expenses. To make sure that you are organized, on time, and prepared, trust an attorney at Berkowitz & Myer for assistance. Call us today at (727) 344-0123 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation

Injury Attorneys Report: St. Petersburg Area is Most Dangerous for Cyclists

According to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, Tampa Bay is one of the most dangerous places for riding a bicycle. In fact, Pinellas County, home to St. Petersburg, was reported as the deadliest of all. With 108 cyclist fatalities in Florida in 2017, that number is only expected to increase. Not every accident ends in a fatality, however. Many victims end up with extensive injuries and benefit from the counsel of experienced injury attorneys.

What to Do If You Are in a Bicycle Accident in St. Petersburg

If you are in an accident while riding your bicycle in St. Petersburg, the first thing you should do is check for injuries and seek medical treatment. As a bicyclist, you are more vulnerable than motorists, so the risk of injury is higher. Even if you don’t believe you have any major injuries, you should still visit a medical professional. It is best to document the treatment you received in case you decide to file a claim.

Gather Evidence

You should also file a police report after the incident. Take care only to report the facts of the case, even if you are angry or stressed by the events. You may say something the at-fault party could use against you. While you are at the scene, take pictures or video of the accident scene, injuries, and property damage. Don’t forget to collect the insurance and contact information for any others involved, including their name, address, phone number, driver’s license info, insurance info, and VIN. It is important to gather contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident as well. If you go to the hospital before you can gather evidence and information, ask a trusted individual or contact your injury attorneys for assistance.

The more evidence you can document from the accident in St. Petersburg, the better your injury attorneys may be able to defend your case if you file a personal injury claim.

Contact Insurance

After you seek treatment and file a police report, the next step is to contact the insurance company of the responsible party and file a claim. Often, the at-fault party’s insurance will concede liability, which means the next step is to determine how much compensation the victim will receive. The insurance company may attempt to settle, but consult your injury attorneys before accepting any settlement or signing any agreement. Accepting a settlement will disqualify you from bringing a claim in the future.

Work with the Injury Attorneys at Berkowitz & Myer

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact the injury attorneys at Berkowitz & Myer in St. Petersburg, Florida. Our team can help you understand your legal options as well as help you file your personal injury claim. We will use our experience and skills to help you receive fair compensation. Call us today at (727) 344-0123 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Top 3 Reasons to Hire Accident Lawyers After a Crash

If you are in an accident in St. Petersburg, do not wait to seek help. The accident lawyers at Berkowitz & Myer can help you with the legal complexities. The time following a car crash is often characterized as very stressful and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Hiring legal aid can alleviate a lot of the pressure placed on you and let you focus on recovery. It is especially vital to hire an attorney if you received an injury in the incident. In that case, your lawyer can help you sort all the necessary paperwork intended to help you recover compensation. Do not allow a collision to disrupt your life; instead, call us for help.

1. A Lawyer Ensures You Know Your Rights

You might not be aware of everything you are legally entitled to after an incident like a car crash, but that’s what accident lawyers are for. Your legal team consists of professionals who have dealt with numerous auto accident cases in St. Petersburg. Our experience makes us better attorneys because we know what elements make up a successful case. During your consultation, your attorney can give you an idea of what to expect and can help you determine how much you may be entitled to in reparations. Considering all the factors and possible outcomes help make a successful attorney.

2. Attorneys Provide Experienced Representation

Many people in St. Petersburg are not familiar with the inner workings of the legal system. Without experience, you may be nervous or unsure about what to expect and how to act. Our accident lawyers are veterans of the courtroom, and we work our hardest to defend our client’s interests and desired outcomes. Injury victims have a lot to focus on after a collision (including medical appointments, property damage, insurance claims, and more), and do not have the time and energy to devote to preparing for court appointments. Our attorneys may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve while easing your burden.

3. Your Lawyer Can Offer You Professional Assistance

Aside from the emotional stress and physical injuries, paperwork can be one of the most significant sources of frustration after a crash. There are insurance forms, medical forms, medical bills, and any legal paperwork, which all needs to be filed correctly and on time. Unless you have filled them out before, you may accidentally forget a deadline or fill something out incorrectly. Your attorney can offer their professional experience to guide you in filing everything necessary so that you don’t have to stress over it. Our accident lawyers in St. Petersburg are here to help you in any way we can.

Choose Berkowitz & Myer’s Accident Lawyers in St. Petersburg

If you have been in an accident in St. Petersburg, you may benefit significantly from legal counsel. The accident lawyers at Berkowitz & Myer are here to help you with every step of the process. Get in touch to schedule a consultation by calling our office at (727) 344-0123 or leaving a message on our website.

Understanding Pure Comparative Negligence in Personal Injury Cases

If you are in a car accident in St. Petersburg and suffer injuries that max out your personal injury protection coverage, your personal injury lawyer may help you to sue the at-fault party for punitive damages. Punitive damages provide extra compensation for victims whose injuries were caused by the extreme recklessness or negligence of the at-fault party. This extra compensation can help cover your expenses.

Many drivers in St. Petersburg fight back against these claims, however. Not only do they not want to admit fault, but they also do not want to pay for their negligence. The higher the medical bills and other expenses, the more likely they are to fight back with a personal injury lawyer of their own.

In fact, during a case like this, the defendant may even turn the blame back on you and claim that you are responsible for the accident. With your personal injury lawyer, you can disprove this claim. If the evidence doesn’t disprove the claim, the court may find that neither driver is entirely to blame. Instead, they may determine you both acted in ways that contributed to the accident.

Florida’s Pure Comparative Negligence

Should the court find that two drivers are partially to blame for an accident, Florida’s comparative negligence laws will come into play. This “pure comparative fault” system does not let your level of negligence prevent you from getting the compensation your injuries need. Instead, the fault charged to the claimant is proportionate to the amount awarded in damages. For example, if you are found to be 40% at fault for the crash, you can still recover 60% of your losses from the other party. In this example, if you initially requested $100,000, if you win your case, you will receive $60,000 because you were 40% at fault.

How Fault is Determined in a Personal Injury Case

To determine the percentage of fault for each responsible party, judges examine many different factors. Drivers may contribute to fault by:

Speeding
Driving recklessly
Driving under the influence
Texting and driving
Running red lights
Failing to stop at a stop sign
Not using turn signals

Prepare for a Case with a Personal Injury Lawyer at Berkowitz & Myer

The best way to prepare for a personal injury case is by working with a personal injury lawyer at Berkowitz & Myer. Our St. Petersburg firm has been helping clients recover compensation for their injuries for nearly twenty years. Our excellence and passion make us a strong opponent in the courtroom. To schedule a consultation in St. Petersburg, call us today at (727) 344-0123 or contact us online.

Do’s and Don’ts After a Personal Injury Accident

There are hundreds of vehicle accidents in Tampa Bay every day. In 2017, Pinellas County saw 17,966 total crashes with 11,111 injuries, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. This means that many St. Petersburg residents are at the risk of being in a collision at some point. If you sustain an injury, call a personal injury attorney and keep the following do’s and don’ts in mind.

Do: Document the Scene

After a collision, once the scene is safe, you have checked for injuries, and everyone has the necessary medical attention, call the St. Petersburg police to file a police report. You should then begin to document the scene thoroughly. Take pictures of the vehicles, the scene of the incident, the road conditions, debris, injuries, skid marks, and any property damage. Gather the contact information of anyone else involved as well as any witnesses. Record information like the location, the weather, and what you were doing before the incident. The more detail, the better. Take pictures with your phone, record video, and use a notepad to write things down like license plate numbers, driver’s license numbers, vehicle make and model, and more. However you can, record the information and hold onto that data. Your personal injury attorney will be able to use it to help build your case.

Don’t: Post on Social Media

You may be tempted to post online that you were in a fender bender to alert friends and family, but use caution when it comes to posting about your accident. Once something is online, it can’t be erased completely. Avoid talking about anything related to the accident, including your car, your personal injury attorney, the other people involved, or your injury. Insurance companies may have investigators and claims adjusters looking at your social media to find evidence that can diminish the value of your claim.

Do: Call a Personal Injury Attorney

After an accident, call a personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg as soon as you can. The other party may ask you for in-depth information like how much insurance coverage you have, what your deductibles are, and more. Instead of providing them with this information, your lawyer can advise you to give them only the necessary information and the basic details of the accident. This goes for the insurance companies as well. In fact, before you talk to any insurance companies, talk to your lawyer. You do not have to speak with insurance companies if they contact you. Anything you say, even if it is to your own insurance company, can be used to lower the settlement you may eventually receive.

Call Berkowitz & Myer in St. Petersburg for Professional Legal Help

If you were in a car accident in St. Petersburg, call a personal injury attorney to discuss compensation for your injuries. You may be able to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. To speak with a professional at Berkowitz & Myer, call us at (727) 344-0123 or contact us online.

Category: Personal Injury