Archive for the ‘Wrongful Death’ Category

Don’t Text and Drive. Texting While Driving Leads to Death of Famous Plastic Surgeon. Do Not Become a Victim of Texting While Driving.

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

For months and months Las Vegas accident attorney and injury trial lawyer Craig Murphy of Murphy & Murphy Law Offices has been warning people not to text and drive. Even Oprah Winfrey has taken on the cause by making a number of public information commercials warning of the dangers and tragic results of texting while driving.  Now we have another example. Hopefully it will cause people to stop and consider the dire consequences of texting and driving.

On August 17, 2010 Dr. Frank Ryan, a famous Hollywood plastic surgeon, died when his Jeep plunged off of a cliff near his Malibu beach home. It has now been learned that he was texting while driving. It is believed that his texting while driving caused him to accidentally drive over a cliff and plunge to his death. At the time of his death, Dr. Ryan was sending a Tweet about his dog.

Take a minute to let that sink in. A famous doctor plunges to his death while Tweeting about his dog. What was so important about that text message that it had to be done while he was driving? Why couldn’t it wait until he got home? He was only minutes away from his house. This is another case where common sense was ignored. The rules of the road that apply to everyone are ignored. For some reason people think that their texts are so important that they and anyone else in their social network cannot wait to hear the latest bit of trivia in their lives and they text while driving. Well texting while driving has severe consequences. This is a prime example. There was absolutely no reason that the text message could not wait. The doctor gambled his life and lost. All for a text about his dog.

It does not matter what your text is about. It cannot be worth risking your life and the lives of all the other people around your car. Do not text and drive. Text when you get home. If it is so important that it cannot wait, pull off the road. Park in a parking lot. Just do not text and drive.

If you or a family member has been injured by a distracted driver, someone who was texting or using their cell phone instead of paying attention, call Craig Murphy, Esq. at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices in Las Vegas today. Craig Murphy and Murphy & Murphy Law Offices sues distracted drivers, drunk drivers and impaired drivers for the injuries and damages they cause. In addition, we believe that the injuries and damages caused by distracted drivers, drunk drivers and impaired drivers are so significant that punitive damages are also warranted in these situations. You can contact Craig Murphy, Esq. and Murphy & Murphy Law Offices at 702-369-9696 or through their web site at www.nvpilaw.com.

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Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Wrongful Death | No Comments »

Las Vegas Drunk Driving, Impaired Driving and Distracted Driving Can Ruin Your Life. Murphy & Murphy Law Offices Sues Drunk Drivers, Impaired Drivers and Distracted Drivers.

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Why do Las Vegas accident attorneys and injury trial lawyers at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices continually warn drunk drivers, impaired drivers and distracted drivers to stop driving? We hope that one or more will take a moment, think about what they are going to do and decide not to drive. If only one person follows our warning, it could mean one accident that does not happen in Las Vegas.

Why do we sue drunk drivers, impaired drivers and distracted drivers? Because so many people refuse to follow our warning. It is the only way to protect injured people who have been hurt through no fault of their own. It is the only way we can attempt to make our streets and roadways safer for everyone.

The Las Vegas attorneys at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices see the horrible injuries that happen in auto accidents. The lives of the injury victims  are disrupted in many ways. They have severe pain. They require medical treatment. They are unable to work. Their car is destroyed. Many have a lifetime of pain, discomfort and disabilities from their injuries.

But what about the drunk, impaired and distracted drivers? They also pay a significant price. So this is our warning:If you drive drunk, impaired or distracted, you risk destroying your life and the lives of your family and children. Think about that the next time you are about to drive in such a condition. It is not just me saying that. Here is a case in point. Miranda Dalton was sentenced to eight to twenty years in prison. Dalton killed a 28-year-old in a car crash where she was drunk. In fact, Dalton was more than two times over the legal limit when she caused the crash. The judge sentenced Dalton to the maximum penalty allowed by law. Dalton claimed that she was trying to escape her problems by abusing alcohol. Dalton said that all of her problems have now gotten much bigger. Dalton will not be able to see her daughter while she is in prison according to the father of Dalton’s daughter. What makes matters worse is that Dalton had a prior drunk driving conviction. Dalton did not learn from her prior drunk driving arrest.

Dalton refused to learn from a drunk driving arrest and conviction. Maybe eight years or more in prison will help her to let it sink in a little bit. That is why Murphy & Murphy Law Offices continues to warn drunk, impaired and distracted drivers. They refuse to learn. They continue until it is too late. Too late for their victims and too late for them. Lives and families ruined. Lifelong trails of tears. Lifelong questions of what might have been. Don’t let it happen to you. Stop before you drive drunk, impaired or distracted. If you are a victim of a drunk, impaired or distracted driver, call Murphy & Murphy Law Offices at 702-369-9696 or visit our web site at www.nvpilaw.com.

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Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes, Wrongful Death | 5 Comments »

Las Vegas Accident Attorney and Injury Trial Lawyer Tips: Murphy & Murphy Law Offices Sues Drunk and Impaired Drivers. Wrongful Death can Happen at Any Time in Las Vegas

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Las Vegas accident attorney and injury trial lawyer, Craig Murphy, here again with more practical tips to help keep you and your family safe and accident and injury free. The sad truth is that the streets and roadways in Las Vegas are not safe. Accidents can happen at any time or at any place. While always being aware of your surroundings and paying attention to traffic conditions and other drivers in Las Vegas can increase your safety and reduce your chances of being involved in a Las Vegas auto accident, some accidents in Las Vegas cannot be avoided. That is especially true when the Las Vegas accident involves a drunk, impaired or distracted driver.

I have repeatedly stated the risks and hazards caused by drunk, impaired and distracted drivers in my previous blog posts on the Murphy & Murphy Law Offices web site at www.nvpilaw.com. The blog posts are archived for all Las Vegas residents and web site visitors to review. Anyone who has been injured by a drunk, impaired or distracted driver in Las Vegas should seek immediate legal help. There are some auto accidents and other injury cases where the injured person may not need to hire a Las Vegas attorney. However, in cases of injuries or death from a driver in Las Vegas who was drunk, impaired or distracted the victim and the victim’s family need skilled and experienced legal representation. Not every Las Vegas lawyer or attorney is qualified to handle such claims. You must fully investigate and interview Las Vegas lawyers and attorneys before you decide who to hire. Deciding which Las Vegas attorney or lawyer to hire is the most important decision you will make about your case. It will impact every aspect of the case. You must make sure that the Las Vegas attorney or lawyer you hire has a track record of success at trial. You do not want to hire a settlement mil for your case. You must also hire a Las Vegas attorney or lawyer with whom you will have a good working relationship. Make sure that you can talk to the Las Vegas attorney or lawyer. You do not want to be forced to only talking to non-lawyers. Know who is going to be doing the work on your case, the Las Vegas attorney or lawyer, or some staff person. It is your case and you must know these things.

The news from today proves that serious injuries and wrongful deaths can happen at any time and any where in Las Vegas. A 27 year old man was riding his bicycle in Summerlin in Las Vegas at approximately 8:00 a.m. The bicyclist was riding on the right hand side of the road where he was supposed to be riding. The Las Vegas bicyclists was hit from behind by a drunk driver at 8:00 a.m. The bicyclist was killed in the accident. Unfortunately, when Las Vegas pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles are hit by cars or trucks, it is the pedestrians, bicycleists and motorcycle drivers who are seriously injured, often times killed. They are just no match for a car of truck.

Las Vegas residents do not expect drunk or impaired driving accidents to happen in Summerlin at 8:00 a.m. This is just another situation that proves drunk, impaired and distracted drivers can strike at any time in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas drunk, impaired and distracted drivers leave a trail of death, injury and destruction in their wake. Families are shattered. Children’s lives are ruined. Mothers, fathers and children are left with lifetime injuries, scars and wounds that cannot be healed.

That is why Murphy & Murphy Law Offices sues drunk, impaired and distracted drivers on behalf of Las Vegas accident and injury victims. Murphy & Murphy Law Offices does not seek pennies on the dollar quick settlements. We are not a high volume settlement mill. We do not advertise on television, radio, billboards or the sides of buses. We are not a “discount”, ”cut-rate”, or “half-price” law firm. We are Las Vegas injury trial lawyers. We will pursue your case for its full value. We will sue Las Vegas drunk, impaired and distracted drivers for the full amount of your damages for your injuries or wrongful death case. We will also seek punitive damages against the Las Vegas drunk, impaired or distracted driver. It is only through such cases that we can hope to change Las Vegas for the better. If by suing one person for injuries or wrongful death because of drunk, impaired or distracted driving we are able to get one or more people to decide not to drive in such conditions, we have succeeded in making Las Vegas safer for everyone.

Ifyou or a family member has been harmed, injured or killed by a Las Vegas drunk, impaired or distracted driver, call Murphy & Murphy Law Offices today. We will take immediate steps to protect your rights and provide you with the highest level of personal attention and legal representation.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes, Wrongful Death | 1 Comment »

Las Vegas Accident Attorney and Injury Trial Lawyer Tips: Always Ask for a Lawyer’s Experience and Track Record

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Las Vegas accident attorney and injury trial lawyer Craig Murphy here with more practical tips for someone needing to hire a Las Vegas accident and injury lawyer. I recently came across a press release posted on the Internet by a Las Vegas attorney. The Las Vegas attorney’s press release made a number of statements that I found somewhat hard to believe. The Las Vegas attorney claimed to be ”the most respected accident attorney” in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. That is a pretty big claim. It may be true. However, I have never heard of the attorney. During my many years as an insurance defense attorney in Las Vegas, I never had a case against the attorney. During my many years now representing accident and injury victims in Las Vegas, I have never had any dealings with the attorney and have never read that the attorney has taken any case to trial and obtained favorable jury verdicts. Based on that, I think that the attorney’s claim to be “the most respected accident attorney” in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada is somewhat questionable.

My point is that anyone can say whatever they want on their web site, in a press release, or in their firm literature advertising their law firm. How can a Las Vegas accident or injury victim tell what is true and correct as opposed to a bunch of hype? Ask for the attorney’s experience on cases like yours. Ask for the attorney’s track record of getting jury verdicts and substantial settlements on cases like yours. In addition to reviewing the Las Vegas attorney’s experience and track record, meet with a number of attorneys in Las Vegas. Don’t just tell them about your case. Interview the attorneys. Ask about their policies and procedures. Find out how the Las Vegas attorney will communicate with you. Find out who will primarily be handling your case. If you are considering hiring a TV lawyer, you must know that the TV lawyer will not be handling your case personally. The Las Vegas TV lawyers have too big of a case load to handle your case personally. Your case will be handled by a case worker or an associate attorney in the office. Find out who. Find out who you should talk to if you have questions. Find out who your contact person is. 

Once you have received the answers to these and other questions that you have, you should see the value in hiring a lawyer who will personally handle your case. You do not want to be shuffled around to a bunch of different case workers. Also, you want to be confident in knowing that the lawyer and law firm have a solid track record, experience, and success. You do not want someone learning on your case, do you? On the job training is not for a serious Las Vegas injury case. If you have been injured in a Las Vegas accident and you need to hire a Las Vegas attorney for your injuries, hire the skilled and experienced Las Vegas trial lawyers at Murphy & Murphy Law Offices. You will get close personal attention to your case. You will also be hiring a firm with a proven track record of success.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Insurance Bad Faith, Medical Malpractice, Motorcycle Crashes, The Truth About Lawyer Advertising, Trips/Slips/Falls, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death | 2 Comments »

Las Vegas Injury Lawyer tips: An Inexperienced Attorney Can Wreck Your Case.

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Here is another practical tip from Las Vegas injury lawyer and trial attorney Craig Murphy. An inexperienced attorney can wreck your case. Yes, that is true, and most people from Las Vegas would agree. But I do not merely mean an inexperienced attorney when I make this point. What I mean is that when choosing an attorney for a Las Vegas injury claim or a Las Vegas accident claim, you must hire a lawyer who has accident and injury experience. You just can not hire an attorney because he or she has been around for a number of years. The lawyer you hire in Las Vegas for your accident or injury claim must concentrate on accident and injury claims.

Why must you hire an attorney who is experienced in Las Vegas accident and injury claims? There a re a number of reasons. Let me give you some examples of people who went wrong in their decision to hire a Las Vegas attorney for their injury and accident claims. The first example comes from an experience I had. I had just taken a significant injury case to trial in Las Vegas. After presenting the case, the jury returned a very significant verdict in favor of my client. The trial had taken over a week to present to the jury. Shortly after the trial I received a telephone call from another Las Vegas attorney. The attorney did not normally handle accident and injury cases. The attorney was primarily a business attorney. The LasVegas business attorney thought that the case would be an easy case to settle. However, the attorney was wrong. The insurance company did not want to settle the case. I do not know the reason that the insurance company refused to settle. However, I suspect that it was due in part to the fact that the business attorney had not properly prepared the case. The Las Vegas business attorney did not want to pay all of the expenses that were necessary to properly prepare the case. As a result, the attorney just did not do it. The Las Vegas business attorney called me because the attorney wanted me to take the case over and take it to trial within two weeks. 

Upon questioning the Las Vegas business attorney, it was apparent that the case had not been properly prepared.  The attorney thought that the case would settle, so the attorney did not spend any money getting the case ready for trial.  The Las Vegas business attorney did not hire any expert witnesses. The Las Vegas business attorney had not properly identified the treating doctors as witnesses and a motion was pending to exclude all of the treating doctors from testifying at trial. There was nothing I could do and I was unable to take that case over for the LasVegas injury victim. In all cases there comes a time where nothing further can be done to salvage a case from improper or inadequate preparation. This case had passed that point long before the business attorney called me. The business attorney knew it and was looking for someone to come to the rescue. The case was beyond rescue and I never heard how the case was ultimately resolved.

Another similar example involves an experienced Las Vegas criminal attorney. The preparation of a criminal case is much different than the preparation of an accident or injury case. There is no or very little discovery in a criminal case. Discovery is a key element of a Las Vegas injury and accident case. The criminal lawyer had not conducted any discovery in the case. That, in and of itself, is not fatal to a case. However, it does not help. One of the biggest differences and problems that exist when a criminal lawyer tries to handle an accident or injury case is the differences in philosophy. In a criminal case the criminal lawyer does not bear the burden of proof. All the criminal lawyer has to do is convince one juror that reasonable doubt exists. The Las Vegas criminal lawyer only has to create doubt in one person. In an accident and injury case, the Plaintiff, you and your attorney, must convince at least 6 people of your case. You have the burden of proof. If you fail to meet your burden of proof, you do not win the case. This major fundamental difference can not be over come by a criminal lawyer. The criminal lawyer cannot over come the mind set. Many elements of the case can often be left out or overlooked as a result.

Similarly, attorneys who are insurance defense attorneys often try to pick up accident and injury cases. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas insurance defense lawyers trying to take an accident or injury case have divided loyalty. They often hire the same experts that they hire to defend cases or they are opposed to experts that they usually use. As a result, they are reluctant to aggressively challenge the expert witness during deposition or at trial. In addition, it is very difficult to automatically switch hats. That is go from challenging every accident and injury case that comes across your desk to all of a sudden accepting the statements and validity of the accident and injury case. There can often be lingering doubts and skepticism of your case. It is human nature. Yet your Las Vegas accident and injury attorney is your advocate. Any doubts and skepticism will be noticed by the jury. You cannot afford divided loyalty.

In a Las Vegas accident or injury case, you must select the proper attorney for your case. You have virtually unlimited choices. Choose wisely because the decision to hire a lawyer for your Las Vegas accident or injury case will be one of the most important decisions that you make about your case. The attorney you choose can affect the outcome of the case. The attorney you choose can affect the value of your case.

When choosing a Las Vegas attorney for your Las Vegas accident or injury case, choose a lawyer who only represents Plaintiffs in injury cases. Do not hire a Las Vegas attorney who also works for insurance companies. Do not hire a criminal, business, transactional, bankruptcy, or wills lawyer for your LasVegas injury case. Do not hire lawyer who says he or she does a little bit of everything. You cannot afford a “Jack of all trades and master of none.” Only hire an experienced Las Vegas accident and injury lawyer. A lawyer who only does accident and injury cases. Nothing else. In addition, make sure that the Las Vegas accident and injury lawyer that you hire has the proper amount of experience. You must hire a layer who has gone to trial a received significant jury verdicts for accident and injury victims. You do not want a settlement lawyer or a settlement mill. If you hire a settlement mill or settlement lawyer, you will not be on equal footing with the insurance company. The insurance companies know better than anyone else who will file a lawsuit and go to trial and who will not. If your lawyer will not go to trial with your case, it is like going to a gun fight armed only with a knife. You have little chances of winning.

Your lawyer is your weapon. Make sure that you have the right weapon for the battle ahead. For your Las Vegas accident and injury case, only hire a skilled and experienced Las Vegas accident and injury trial lawyer with a proven track record of success.

Posted in 18-Wheeler Crashes, Auto Accidents, Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries, Impaired-Distracted Drivers, Motorcycle Crashes, Wrongful Death | 13 Comments »

Injury Lawyer Las Vegas

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Hiring Injury Lawyers Las Vegas 

 

If you have sustained serious injuries or have been disabled as a result of an accident, it is advisable to hire an injury lawyer in Las Vegas who will be able to help you get compensation for your injuries or losses as a result of them. Try to hire a lawyer who only practices personal injury law and will therefore be completely focused on your case. A lawyer who only practices personal injury law will also be better qualified and have better experience with handling cases of this nature. Finally, find a lawyer who does not take every injury case they can get their hands on, but rather lawyers who only handle a few select cases at a time, who you know will be committed to handling your case.

 

Top Injury Lawyers Las Vegas

 

If you are a victim of an unfortunate accident which left you with serious injuries and would like to claim for your injuries from the party responsible for them, contact the top injury lawyers in Las Vegas on their website www.nvpilaw.com . A lawyer from Murphy and Murphy will be able to help you with your personal injury claim should it be large enough.

 

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Injury Lawyer Nevada

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Choosing an Injury Lawyer in Nevada

If you’ve been injured, it’s essential that you have the right injury lawyer in Nevada. While there are plenty of lawyers out there who will make claims to be the best, it can be hard to sift through them to find someone who really will have your best interests in mind. The first step is to find a lawyer who will carefully consider your case before accepting it. You want your attorney to accept only cases that they believe have merit and that they’re prepared to devout themselves to.

Looking for an Injury Lawyer in Nevada

You also want to find an injury lawyer in Nevada that has experience. This doesn’t just mean general law experience, but experience with your particular type of injury case. Look to a law firm like www.nvpilaw.com for an example. They should be a law firm that has dealt with other similar cases. This will both ensure that they do everything correctly and that they’re uniquely qualified to keep you up to date with what’s going on. Make sure you choose an attorney that you feel comfortable with, as you’ll be spending time with them over the course of your case.

Posted in Wrongful Death | No Comments »

Injury Attorney Las Vegas

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

What To Do When You Need Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas

When you find yourself sifting through the available injury attorneys in Las Vegas, it’s likely going to be difficult for you to know just who to choose. Some attorneys will make promises that they can get you the money you deserve, or that they’ll get your case taken care of quickly. Keep in mind that any reputable lawyer can’t make promises and won’t have quickness in mind. Their goal will be to take their time to understand your case and to only accept cases that they believe have merit.

Finding Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas

As you come across law firms like www.nvpilaw.com, the first thing you’ll want to do is to consider whether the firm you’re considering has the experience you’re looking for. Look not just for general experience but for specific experience that relates to your case. You’ll then set up a consultation, during which you will go over the basics of your case. This will give you an opportunity to make sure that you feel confident in and comfortable with the attorney in question, and will give them a chance to make sure that they believe in your case.

Posted in Wrongful Death | No Comments »

Injury Lawyer Las Vegas

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Searching For the Right Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas

If you’re in need of an injury attorney in Las Vegas, you’ve likely discovered that there are plenty of injury lawyers in Las Vegas from which to choose. This can be overwhelming for some, as they aren’t sure which attorneys they can trust and which one will best handle their case. Look for an attorney who doesn’t just accept every case they’re presented with. When you find an attorney who’s careful to only accept cases that they believe have merit, that’s a good indication that they’re a reputable attorney you can trust.

Choose From the Most Experienced Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas

There are many professions where a person can get through school, immediately begin work and be great at what they do. However, in order for an attorney to really be at the top of their game, they will have had to learn through trial and error. The more experienced an attorney is, the more likely they will have streamlined the process and know exactly how to present your case. Look for experienced injury lawyers in Las Vegas like those at www.nvpilaw.com. Set up a consultation to give both you and the attorney in question an opportunity to find out if they’re right for the case.

Posted in Wrongful Death | No Comments »