Category: Blog

Lane splitting is a motorcycle maneuver that’s highly contested. As it becomes a more common practice, some states are adopting lane splitting policies. Here’s where Missouri stands on lane splitting.

What Is Lane Splitting?

Also known as lane filtering, lane splitting happens when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of same-direction traffic. Instead of staying in one lane behind other cars, they split the lane and filter through other vehicles. Most motorcyclists lane split to avoid traffic and save time on their commute. It can also help drivers because the motorcycle isn’t in their blind spot.

Lane Splitting in Missouri

Missouri doesn’t have any traffic laws regarding lane splitting, meaning it’s technically legal. It’s a gray area that’s under constant revision. While it’s not illegal, lane splitting isn’t the best practice for motorcyclists. If the driver lane splits in a dangerous or reckless manner, they can cause accidents and face traffic citations or fines.

Lane Splitting Accidents

The main reason lane splitting is controversial is because it can lead to a wreck. Since it requires motorcyclists to get close to other vehicles, it removes space for drivers to get out of the way of hazards. This could result in severe injuries or even fatalities. Liability becomes complicated in Missouri because lane splitting doesn’t automatically place liability with the motorcyclist. It depends on the results of the investigation and if the cyclist was acting dangerously.

Trusted Missouri Car and Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Lane splitting is a dangerous practice that can lead to serious injury for motorists. If you’ve been injured in a lane splitting accident, you’ll want to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They’ll be able to help you navigate the claims process and get the compensation you deserve. For car or motorcycle accidents in Missouri, contact the legal professionals at Lanzotti & Rau at 573-335-9300.

If you’re filing an appeal for your Social Security disability claim, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will bring in a vocational expert to testify at your hearing. While it may sound confusing, this expert provides critical information that could make or break your case. Here’s a breakdown of what the role of a vocational expert involves and how they affect your Social Security disability claim.

What Is a Vocational Expert?

Vocational experts are witnesses hired by the SSA. They are knowledgeable about the employment trends, the labor market, and the skills required for most jobs. It is important to remember that while vocational experts are paid by the SSA, they’re supposed to remain impartial. Instead of favoring one side over another, they must provide an objective viewpoint.

What Will a Vocational Expert Testify About at My Hearing?

The vocational expert will meet with you and your lawyer before your hearing to discuss your case’s evidence. They’ll also want to know your prior work history. At the hearing, the administrative law judge will question the vocational expert, and your attorney will be able to cross-examine for further information.

The vocational expert will likely discuss your work history and whether you can still perform your duties. If they decide you can’t, the vocational expert will then discuss what job skills are transferable and what jobs you could perform pending your disability.

The Importance of a Social Security Disability Claim Lawyer

During cross-examination, a Social Security disability lawyer will fight on your behalf. If the vocational expert supports your claim, your lawyer will provide evidence and ask further affirmative questions to solidify your claim. If the vocational expert does not support your claim or state that you can perform other jobs, an experienced Social Security disability lawyer can challenge this opinion by arguing that you cannot perform any of the other suggested jobs.

Expert Legal Assistance for Your Social Security Disability Claim

Most Social Security disability claims are denied at initial filing, and appealing a claim in front of a judge can be an intimidating process that often requires expert legal counsel to be successful. If your Missouri Social Security disability claim is denied, you’ll want a legal expert on your side. Fortunately, the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau are ready to help.

The lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you pursue legal action to receive compensation for your disability. To learn more about our Social Security disability legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.

Nearly half of car and motorcycle accidents every year result in injury, some of which are serious. If you’ve been in a car accident, you may walk away thinking you’re uninjured. However, there’s a chance that you simply haven’t felt your injury yet. Here is why it is always a good idea to see your doctor after experiencing a car accident.

Why Should I See a Doctor for My Car Accident Injury?

In the aftermath of a car accident, your body produces an excess amount of adrenaline that can mask pain. However, once the rush of adrenaline subsides, pain can quickly appear from an injury you didn’t know you suffered. Most delayed injuries don’t immediately have symptoms but still require treatment. Not addressing such injuries could worsen your health and cause additional issues over time. While you may be experiencing what seems like minor injuries like bruises or a headache, they may actually be symptoms of more serious injuries like internal damage or whiplash.

Can I File a Claim if I Don’t Go to the Hospital?

Missouri’s statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is five years, but you should begin keeping record of any injuries as soon as you notice them. Just because you have a long time to file a claim for your car accident injury, doesn’t mean you should. Seeing a doctor soon after an accident or as soon as you feel pain helps you gather x-rays and documentation to build your case.

Can Not Seeing a Doctor Hurt My Claim?

If you’re filing a claim for your car accident injury, you’ll need to show your proof of injury as well as any treatment that took place. The longer you delay seeking medical treatment, the weaker your case will be. The negligent party will be able to claim your injuries weren’t from the car accident but from something else that occurred afterward. This means you will receive less money for your pain and suffering than you deserve.

Contact Your Missouri Car Accident Lawyers

After seeking treatment, the first thing you’ll want to do is contact a legal professional to begin building your case. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Missouri, rely on the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau. To learn more about our legal services or how we handle our car accident injury cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule your free consultation.

The Social Security disability program helps those who have experienced injuries that leave them unable to work. Unfortunately, scammers know how to take advantage of this program and have tricks up their sleeves to prey on people at their lowest. If you’re a Social Security disability applicant, keep an eye out for these common Social Security scams.

Common Social Security Scams

• Phone fraud

One of the most common Social Security scams, phone fraud involves a scammer impersonating someone from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain your private information and sell you a service the SSA provides for free. Scammers will use names of real employees or disguise their phone number to show up as the SSA on caller ID. To avoid this scam, listen to the caller’s tone of voice and be wary if they sound threatening or urgent. Keep in mind which services the SSA provides, so you don’t get duped.

• Mail fraud

With mail fraud, scammers will replicate official correspondence from the SSA and send it to you via mail. Older individuals are usually victims of this scheme. The letters will be sent on official-looking letterhead and usually contain forms that explain how targets are entitled to “extra benefits.” However, if the letter is asking for a check or bank account number, it’s a scam.

• Phishing

Phishing is one of the newer forms of Social Security scams. Instead of sending physical mail, the scammer can send an email from an address that looks official. They often use email signatures or attachments that have the SSA seal. To identify a phishing scam, look at the sender’s email address. It will usually have typos or alternate spellings, such as “b3n3fits@ssa.gov” instead of “benefits@ssa.gov.” Also look out for grammar or spelling issues within the email’s message.

Protect Your SSD Claim with Experienced Legal Services

Navigating a Social Security disability claim by yourself can be overwhelming. With scammers lurking at every corner, it’s important to have someone on your side. If you’re filing a Social Security disability claim, you’ll want an experienced lawyer to help you avoid being scammed. Fortunately, the team at Lanzotti & Rau is here to help. Our legal experts are ready to help you gain compensation for your disability. Schedule your free consultation today by calling us at 573-335-9300.

Driving a car is an everyday necessity for a large majority of Missouri residents. While accidents happen all the time, most motorists pay attention while behind the wheel with the hope of avoiding a wreck. Unfortunately, there are others out there who are intent on causing an auto accident in an attempt to scam their way to a payday. Here are a few instances of auto accident fraud and some ways you can avoid becoming a victim out of such dangerously staged incidents.

3 Common Signs of Auto Accident Fraud

The goal of an auto accident scammer is to stage a non-fatal car accident, so they can sue you for potential damages or minor injuries. Here are three common signals that your car accident might be a staged event.

1. Slamming on the brakes.

   While this may occur for a legitimate reason, individuals that stage accidents like to pull in front of you and slam on their brakes, causing you to hit them. This scam may even involve multiple vehicles blocking you on all sides, ensuring there is no way for you to avoid hitting the car in front of you.

2. Waving you through a left turn.

   Staged with multiple cars, this is usually done at a 3- or 4-way stop. A driver on the opposite side will wave to you through to make your turn, then proceed to pull out in front of you, all while a third car crashes into your right side while you are looking the other way. This scenario puts you at fault.

3. Sideswiped by another car while merging.

   This type of fraud usually occurs out of the blue when you attempt to pull into traffic from a parked position on the side of a road. Suddenly, another car appears out of nowhere and slams into you, turning it into a case of your word against theirs.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer to Combat Auto Accident Fraud

After being involved in a car accident, you will likely be dazed and confused and experience a range of swirling emotions that often cloud exactly what happened. Unfortunately, auto accident scammers are prepared to take advantage of such chaos and escalate the situation by angrily yelling, finger-pointing, feigning injury. They also like to bring false witnesses to the scene to help back their story and blur reality. Having an experienced car accident lawyer by your side can help expose the truth about a staged auto accident and gain your due compensation.

Trustworthy Missouri Car Accident Lawyers

If you suspect you were involved in auto accident fraud in the Missouri area or suffered an injury in a staged car accident, rely on the professional auto accident lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau to fight on your behalf. Our team of experienced lawyers can help you compile evidence to submit a car accident insurance claim and pursue legal action to win you compensation for your personal injury.

To learn more about our car accident legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.

Applying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits requires careful attention to detail. The majority of SSD claims are denied at initial filing, so avoiding any mistakes is essential for your approval. Additionally, compiling relevant medical evidence to back up your case can make all the difference when the time comes to approve or reject your claim.

Why Medical Evidence Is Important

Verifiable medical evidence serves as the backbone of every Social Security disability claim. Since you are claiming that you are unable to work for a living, you must provide medical evidence to back up that claim. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will thoroughly review all of your records to verify their legitimacy and accuracy, and that they are sourced from acceptable medical professionals.

SSA-approved medical record sources include:

1. Licensed physicians
2. Licensed psychologists
3. Licensed optometrists
4. Licenses/certified speech therapists
5. Licensed podiatrists
6. Documents/records from hospitals and professional health facilities

It will take more than a single statement from your primary care physician for the SSA to approve your claim. Usually, a combination of medical records, evidence, and statements will be ideal for your claim to go through. You must also ensure that your medical records are up=to-date, so they align with your current health status.

The Importance of a Social Security Disability Lawyer

The process of filing for SSD benefits can be a long, energy draining process, especially if you must file multiple times. Although it is possible to successfully file an application on your own, first time approval is much more likely with an experienced attorney helping you throughout the process. Trust the lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau to help you expedite the Social Security disability claims process and pursue legal action to receive compensation for your disability.

Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyers

If you are filing for SSD benefits in the Missouri area, turn to the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau for help. Our team can assist you in gathering the necessary medical evidence so you can quickly file your claim and receive your temporary or permanent social security disability benefits.

To learn more about our Social Security disability legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

Because a majority of Social Security Disability (SSD) claims are denied at initial filing, applying for SSD benefits should be completed with a strong attention to detail. Unfortunately, there are common mistakes that people often make when filing for SSD benefits. To expedite an approval, you should be aware of which mistakes to avoid and ensure that you have all the required materials for a complete application.

Common Mistakes when Filing for Social Security Disability

Knowing common SSD application mistakes will keep you ahead of the game and allow your application to have a higher chance of approval. Here are eight common mistakes to avoid:

1. Conflicting and incomplete information
2. Missed deadlines and appointments
3. Collecting unemployment at the same time
4. Incomplete descriptions
5. Failing to get adequate medical care
6. Not filing an appeal in time
7. Failing to check your application status
8. Doing it alone

Seeking Social Security Disability Filing Assistance

The process of filing for SSD benefits can be a long, energy draining process, especially if you have to file multiple times. Even after taking time and attention to detail, you may still make a common mistake that, once again, delays your benefits.

Because you are not an expert, you should not navigate the claims process alone. By hiring an experienced SSD attorney to help you throughout the application process, you are much more likely to successfully receive compensation for your disability.

Experienced Social Security Disability Lawyers Near You

If you need to file for SSD benefits in the Missouri area, look no further than the professional Social Security Disability lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our knowledgeable team can help you avoid common filing mistakes so you can quickly receive your temporary or permanent SSD benefits.

To learn more about our Social Security Disability legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

Workers’ compensation is a vital system designed to protect employees in the event of an on-the-job injury or illness. It serves as a safety net, ensuring that employees receive necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement while they recover from work-related accidents. In Missouri, however, there are time related conditions and deadlines that workers must meet when filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Time Limits on Workers’ Compensation Cases for Missouri Workers

Workers’ compensation cases involve crucial deadlines that are often shorter than people realize. To give you a general time frame, an on-the-job injury should be reported within 30 days, while a formal workers’ compensation claim must be filed within two years of the date of the incident.

Workers’ Compensation Claim Conditions

All workers’ compensation cases involve the injured individual, the insurance company, and an administrative law judge. To file a workers’ compensation claim, you must also meet the following conditions:

1. The individual filing the claim must have been an employee at the time of injury
2. The injury must have been sustained during the course of employment
3. The injury/medical condition must be diagnosed by a medical professional
4. The injured individual must have incurred an economic loss because of the injury

The Benefits of Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

The biggest reason injured employees lose out on entitled benefits is because they wait too long to report the initial incident and file a formal claim. Hiring an experienced attorney can help you communicate between each party, navigate the claims process, and file in time.

Experienced Workers’ Compensation Legal Services

If you have been injured on the job and need professional assistance filing a formal workers’ compensation claim in the Missouri area, rely on the experienced workman’s comp lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau. Our team of knowledgeable lawyers can help you pursue legal action to successfully receive compensation for your on-the-job injury.

To learn more about our workers’ compensation legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 and schedule a free consultation.

Driving a car is as close to an everyday necessity as it can get in 2023. However, for the safety of everyone on the road, it is the responsibility of every car owner and operator to have car insurance. While car insurance is supposed to safeguard drivers from accidents on the road, there are numerous ways car insurance can be used as a means to scam you.

What Is Car Insurance Fraud?

Car insurance fraud can be defined as deceptive activities and false claims made by individuals to exploit insurance companies or policyholders for financial gain. Auto insurance fraud accounts for billions of dollars in losses each year and is a clear problem that scammers routinely take advantage of. Ultimately, consumers are paying the price for car insurance scams through rising insurance premiums that have nearly doubled from $400 to $700 per year for the average American family.

Two Types of Common Car Insurance Scams

Car insurance scams can be separated into two main types of fraud:

• Hard fraud

  Is when scammers use overtly illegal behavior for financial gain. An example of hard car insurance fraud is filing a false report of a stolen vehicle. To receive an insurance payout, the scammer will find a way to make the vehicle “disappear” by either destroying it or leaving it abandoned in an unknown area. Another common example is staging or planning a car accident. In this scenario, a driver will deliberately manufacture an accident by either backing into a car or slamming on their brakes in order to get rear-ended, whatever will make them seem like they were the victim of an unavoidable situation.

• Soft fraud

  Typically involves withholding, falsifying, or exaggerating information on a car insurance claim to save money or increase a payout. Scammers will omit information to get cheaper rates on their insurance. They will also exaggerate claims, fake an injury, or overvalue the price of the vehicle that was damaged in the accident to generate a higher payout.

Attempting any and all types of car insurance fraud could land you in prison or leave you with hefty fines and legal fees. Therefore, it is best to hire a car accident lawyer to help you avoid mistakenly committing car insurance fraud and ensure that your insurance claim is filed correctly.

Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Near You

If you have been in a car accident in the Southeastern Missouri area and suspect that it may have been the result of common car insurance scams, turn to the professionals at Lanzotti & Rau. The experienced car accident lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau can help you avoid common car insurance scams and pursue legal action to receive just compensation for your car accident injury.

To learn more about our car accident legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.