The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C. Blog

Will I Lose My Driving Privileges? Loss of driving privileges is mandatory, ranging from 90 days to five years. If your job depends upon driving, you must get this penalty eliminated at a license revocation hearing. An Alabama DUI attorney such as the ones at The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C., is skilled in preserving driving privileges for those charged with DUI. Is There Really a Way to Fight a DUI/DWI Charge and Win? 
 The attorneys at The Shelnutt Law Firm know just how to obtain and use existing evidence and how to present it to the judge to defend you and your rights. We know the weaknesses of the system and legal angles you would never know about that could get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Will I Have to Go to Jail for a DUI/DWI? 
 DUI penalties carry jail sentences of up to ten years, so, jail is not mandatory. A jail sentence can be devastating to your career, reputation, credit history, and may limit future opportunities. A skilled DUI attorney might get your sentence reduced or eliminated. Do I Really Need a Lawyer or Can I Just Show Up in Court on My Own? 
 You really do need a lawyer because DUI attorneys know the law in a way that you cannot. We know how to handle these cases, and we know what your legal rights are following this charge. A DUI attorney can find evidence, or lack of it, and prepare a case that could get your charges dropped from your record. Defending yourself when your credibility is so low is not the wise thing to do. Please contact The Shelnutt Law Firm serving Birmingham, Anniston and Gadsden, Alabama for a confidential, no-cost consultation to learn more about the charge of DUI and your legal options.

If you are disabled and want to file for Social Security Disability income you can do so either online at the U.S. Social Security Administration site or at any Social Security Office. The application is long and requires a lot of information. Filing online takes time and the system times out during periods of inactivity. It is helpful to have the forms sent to you so that you can have all the information ready. Claim processing can take several months. Your claim is reviewed for completeness. It will be returned to you if any information is missing, delaying your filing date. Next, it's reviewed to be sure you meet basic eligibility criteria, such as having worked at least 40 quarters. If eligible it's sent to a medical review committee to ensure that your disability meets the criteria for your specific diagnoses. This process takes three to six months. If denied you'll have 60 days to appeal. Your appeal must be filed correctly and timely. While your appeal can be filed online, consider that your application wasn't convincing, so you might need to include some key elements that you don't know about. Upwards of 70% of all initial claims are denied. A disability claims lawyer knows the successful claim requirements for various disabling conditions, and can make the difference between getting an approval or another denial. Please contact the Shelnutt Law Firm, the experienced disability claims attorneys serving residents of Birmingham, Anniston and Gadsden, Alabama for a free consultation.

Seeing another car speeding toward you in your lane can be a terrifying experience. At high speeds you may have less than one second to decide what to do. Statistics show that "every inch off-center" can lower the impact significantly. This is the difference between colliding head-on and hitting off-center by turning your vehicle to the right The farther to the right you can pull before impact, the less damage and possibly fewer injuries you can expect. If you feel you will be involved in a wrong-way automobile crash, avoid the impulse to pull to the left. If the other driver decides to act, he will likely pull to his right to avoid you. If you're pulling left you’ll be headed right for him. Decelerating will decrease the impact. If you have to hit something, hitting softer objects, like a bush, will lessen the impact. Many intoxicated people get going the wrong way making them unpredictable. If you suspect intoxication, pull to the shoulder and just stop until they’ve passed. Use your turn signal whenever possible to let the other driver know what you’re doing. If you are the one going the wrong way, pull over and stop. Turn your care around when safe. More tips from professional drivers:

• Scan the road 1/4 mile ahead, continuously.
• Check all mirrors every 30 seconds.
• Assess the scene ahead.
• Decide what to do.
• Do it.

If you have been involved in a wrong way automobile accident please contact the Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C., serving residents in Birmingham, Anniston and Gadsden, Alabama today to schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation with our experienced auto accident attorneys.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 25 million students are in school with an average of 500,000 school buses on the roads. Although school buses are statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, more than twice as many children are killed while getting on or off the 500,000 school buses that drive along American roadways. In 2002, 26 children were killed while waiting at the bus stop, or attempting to board or exit the bus. The main reason for this is because other motorists often illegally pass a stopped school bus, even when the bus’ lights are flashing and stop sign is extended. But school bus drivers are not exempt. To drive a school bus, drivers must hold a Commercial Drivers License and must have completed a special school bus driver training. In addition, no one can drive a school bus without first passing drug and alcohol screening and required law enforcement background checks. Because they are trusted with the safety of our children, school bus drivers must abide by all transportation laws, such as not speeding or driving while under the influence. Unfortunately, not all drivers abide by these rules and the result can be tragic. At the Shelnutt Law Firm, our experienced lawyers take every case very seriously. We are dedicated to your claim and will fight to recover the damages you deserve. If you or a loved one lives in the Gadsden area and has been seriously injured or killed an accident, please contact our offices today.