Archive for September, 2010
Know the cause of the accident before you file a case
September 23rd, 2010 | 
Author: Ascertaining responsibility is of utmost importance after an 18-wheeler accident in Houston. The particular cause of the incident helps in this regard. Suppose a wheel blowout was what happened. A sudden tire failure may cause a terrible accident. The vehicle could skid at a greater speed, crushing other vehicles on its way or rollover or make a sudden stop.
In such circumstances, other vehicles may face damages. Whether you were in your car or just walking by, any injury to you is not your fault. The law gives you the right to ask for compensation. The question is whom do you seek compensation from if something like this happens. Only a capable 18-wheeler accident lawyer has the expertise to determine fault, and prove it too.
Perhaps the owner or operator of the vehicle was negligent to check the condition of the tires. Perhaps the tires were faulty. In the first instance you need to file a case against the operator while in the second, the tire manufacturer or dealer is at fault. Discuss the possibilities with your Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer before you take any legal action against anyone.
Whatever you do, don’t delay on this – Texas laws give you two years to file a personal injury case.
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5 Things that a debt collector is prohibited to do as per law
If you are knee deep in debt and are being constantly harassed by debt collectors, then it is time that you should consider various solutions for debt reduction. However, before you think of debt reduction it is advisable that you should make yourself aware of debt laws that are actually meant to protect you from the harassing calls of creditors. Most consumers like you are not aware of laws that are meant to protect against troublesome collection calls
The nation’s consumer protection agency, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), enforces an act that is called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This law prohibits debt collectors from treating any consumer badly or indulging in any sort of misbehavior.
There are certain things that the collector can not do or say as per the law. Some of these are as follows.
1. Use obscene language: The collector is forbidden by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to use obscene, abusive or profane language. The use of such language is considered as harassment and is punishable by law.
2. Ask for more: You can not be asked for more than what you owe by the collector. If he misrepresents the amount that you owe, then he is liable for punishment.
3. Add on extra fees: Your creditor is not supposed to add on any extra fees that is not a part of your original loan agreement. Asking you to pay expenses, fees or interest that are not meant to be paid by you is also punishable by law.
4. Calling at inconvenient times: If your collector calls you before 8.00 pm or after 9.00 pm, then that is considered to be a form of harassment. The collector should also not call you at work if you have a problem with that and call you at home or at late working hours. Calling you repeatedly or continuously is also not what your collector is supposed to do.
5. Inform a third party about your debt: Your debt collectors are not to inform any third party about the debt that you owe, as per law. They can only contact a person to take your address or phone number but not divulge the details of your debt. However, they can contact your attorney, the creditor and the creditor’s attorney.
These are a few things that the collector can not do or say to you. An awareness of this law protects you from troublesome debt collectors. Knowledge on this law can save you unnecessary harassment.