INSIDE THIS ISSUE
SEPTEMBER 2018
It’s the Law TCSD Contacts Board Members
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TRIATHLON CLUB OF SAN DIEGO
IT’S THE LAW:
Welcome New Members Weekly Workout Calendar You’re a Half Ironman
AQUATHLON Thursday, September 13th Location: La Jolla Shores see page 6 for details
SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETING Sunday, September 16th Special Guest
Mike Ergo
presented by Babbittville Radio Location: Function Smart 10803 Vista Sorrento Parkway, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92121 (858) 452-0282 map: http://tinyurl.com/29z7587 see page 3 for details
TCSD Conversation 7 Pendleton Cycling Access 13 From The Couch 17
Tri News
By Richard L. Duquette, Esq.
Why It Makes
SEPTEMBER TCSD EVENTS
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to Hire a Lawyer Fast! All too often I see prospective clients delay in hiring a bicycle injury lawyer. They have a lot of reasons for doing so, ranging from uncertainty about the merits of their case to wanting to avoid the appearance of being overly litigious. However, injured bicyclists should keep in mind that (1) the risks of hiring a bicycle injury attorney are minimal, and (2) delays can prejudice their case. So, let me offer you a few tactical reasons to quickly hire a trained trial lawyer.
1.Zealous Representation and Contingency Fees Minimize Risk When you hire a lawyer, you authorize him or her to act on your behalf. In fact, a lawyer has a fiduciary duty to zealously protect your interests. (CRPC 3-110). A zealous and competent advocate brings many benefits to a client.One of the most important things a good lawyer knows to do is to strike while the iron is hot. It is important to combat a misconception common to the “wait and see” approach. Part of
an attorney’s role is to assess the strength of your case. It’s only after they do this that they can begin to craft the best arguments and strategy. This is one reason why personal injury cases are generally handled on a contingency fee basis. The client pays nothing up front, and the attorney takes the case knowing that they will only get paid if they obtain positive results for the client. A personal injury lawyer is therefore just as invested in the outcome of the case as the plaintiff is. So while an injured bicyclist’s first instinct might be to wait until you know more about whether you have a good case before they talk to a lawyer, this instinct is wrong. Call a lawyer first. An experienced lawyer will be able to evaluate your case early and decide whether it is worth taking. If someone is willing to take on your case on a contingency fee, it means they believe it’s a good case. An attorney with the confidence and the resources to immediately start work on your case is a tremendous advantage.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering There’s a reason why delaying a claim is one of the three key strategies of insurance companies. Delays benefit defendants, not plaintiffs. Trained continued on page 14