​by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

After a motor vehicle accident, it is commonplace for the at fault party's insurance company to quickly offer a small amount of money to an injured party who is not at fault.  They do this for one reason and one reason only, to serve their own financial best interest.  Don't be fooled by this insurance company ploy, as it usually results in a regretful and careless financial mistake.

In my almost 30 years of practice, I have had countless clients retain my services after an insurance company offered them anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to settle their case quickly without hiring an attorney.  I have never had even a single one of those clients who did not end up with more money than that which was offered, even after paying the legal fee.  The insurance companies often coerce injured parties to accept their nominal offer, by stating it is better than retaining a lawyer "who will take one third of your money."  What they don't say, is that if a good lawyer is retained they know it will likely result in a significantly higher pay out.  They also don't always adequately explain that in exchange for the money offered, a Release must be signed forfeiting all rights and precluding the ability to ever go back for more money.  That is the case regardless of any future developing injuries, surgeries or disabilities.

Accordingly, if injured in a motor vehicle accident or any other type of accident, it is always in your best interest to speak to a lawyer and have them review all paperwork before ever agreeing to any settlement or signing any paperwork.  There is a very good reason why personal injury lawyers receive the standard one third of any recovery as their legal fee, because it is by utilizing the services of a good attorney that will very likely yield the most money in pocket.  In general, since the legal fee is contingent on getting a recovery (money), there is also no legal fee to be paid if there is no recovery.

All too often I have had people come to me after being involved in an accident and injured through no fault of their own, only for me to uncover that they had already signed, unwittingly or otherwise, a Release forfeiting their rights in exchange for some quick money.  This is a grave mistake that virtually always cannot be undone.  Accordingly, these are people I cannot represent and they are forced to live with their mistake no matter what the future reveals as to the seriousness of their injuries.  In order to protect your best interest, always consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident and don't sign your rights away.  If you have been injured in any type of accident, call our office today for your free consultation. 

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
​631-928-1430
​www.liattorney.com   

by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a new  law requiring presidential candidates to submit five years of income tax filings in order to appear on the primary election ballot.  This law was passed in contradiction to a prior U.S. Supreme Court decision.  In that decision the Supreme Court determined that states cannot impose qualifications on political candidates that are stricter than those provided in the Constitution.  Accordingly, it is unlikely that California's new law will be upheld in litigation.  If that is the case, then why did Newsom push for such a law to go through the state legislature and into effect?

Many suggest that Newsom did so to advance his own personal agenda and to feed his well known and ever growing animosity for the current President.  Unfortunately, the improper use of political action to weaponize a Governor's personal bias has become somewhat of a modern day trend.  In the state of New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo is also accused of advancing his own personal agenda by passing a new law that strips New York residents of their constitutionally guaranteed right of free exercise of religion. 

Perhaps these Governors forget that they are elected to represent and advance the best interest of all of the people of their state in an objective, equitable and a non-partisan manner.  They are not elected to abuse the power of their office by advancing their own personal predilection.

Governors are supposed to be the proverbial adult in the room and not carry on the duties of their office in vendetta-like fashion.  When Governors compel the passage of laws that fly in the face of of federal law and established legal precedent, they are not upholding the sworn duties of their office.  Rather they are throwing caution to the wind at the expense of the very people that elected them to office.  If politicians are not prepared to uphold their oath and live up to the responsibilities that go with it, they should step down or be removed from office forthwith. 

We are the UNITED States of America and as such and pursuant to the supremacy clause in article six of the Constitution, federal law is the supreme law of the land to which every state is bound.  Governors who do not personally agree with federal law or the rights guaranteed by our Constitution, should not attempt to circumvent same by passing individual state laws that suit their own personal bias.  Such actions are beyond their gubernatorial scope and authority and are fodder for ill will and discontent.  We the people expect more from our Governors and elected officials and we the people deserve more. 

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
​www.liattorney.com