Dallas Drivers Beware as Security Increases for U.S. Presidents Visit

Dallas drivers need to display extra caution when driving Dallas roads today, Thursday and throughout the weekend, as many roads will be closed or altered due to the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library taking place at SMU on Thursday.

All living U.S. Presidents will attend the prestigious event in Dallas on Thursday, including current U.S. President Barack Obama, George W. Bush, George H. Bush, Sr. and Jimmy Carter. Therefore, Secret Service agents and extra security will be prevalent all over the area.

Here are the specific road closings announced by the Dallas Police Department:

Wednesday, April 24 Road Closures

• SMU Blvd., between Airline Road and Central Expressway
• University Blvd. will be closed between Hillcrest Avenue and Airline Road from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Bishop Blvd. on the SMU campus

Thursday, April 25 (Dedication Day) Road Closures

• The southbound access/service road of Central Expressway, between University Blvd. and Mockingbird Lane
• SMU Blvd., between Airline Road and Central Expressway
• University Blvd. between Hillcrest Avenue and Airline Road
• Boedecker Street between Dyer Street and SMU Blvd.
• Airline Road between Dyer Street and Binkley Avenue
• Bush Avenue, formerly Airline/Dublin
• Bishop Blvd. on the SMU campus

Friday, April 26 Road Closures

• SMU Blvd., between Airline Road and Central Expressway
• Bishop Blvd. on the SMU campus
• These closures are expected to continue to late into the evening.

Anytime there are road closings in busy areas of Dallas, it increases the chance of accidents along the roadways because of the extra stress, pressure and confusion it causes.

If you or your loved ones are involved in an accident or any other type of personal injury, experienced personal injury attorney Sean Chalaki at the Law Office of Sean Chalaki can help you. Call our office toll free at 877-9DFWLAW or 972-793-8500. Read our website for a better understanding of what to do in the case of an accident at www.DFWLegalAdvice.com. 

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What is Personal Injury Protection and Why should you purchase it.

What is Personal Injury Protection and Why should you purchase it.

PIP stands for Personal Injury Protection:

This coverage is regulated in the Texas Insurance Code, Sections 1952.151 thru 1952.161.

Section 1952.153 requires that the minimum for PIP coverage be $2500. There is not a maximum required by law. A maximum is left to the discretion of the insurance company.  In Texas PIP coverage is mandatory unless the named insured rejects the coverage in writing.

PIP provides coverage to policyholders, members of the policyholder’s household, authorized drivers and passengers.

PIP Coverage includes:

Medical Expenses – These may include medical and surgical treatment; dental and optometric treatment; ambulance and nursing services; necessary medications, medical supplies, and prosthetic devices.

Lost Wages – If you or your passengers are unable to work due to accident-related injuries, PIP helps you recover your lost wages.

Substitute Services – Should you or your regular passengers need help performing household or other tasks due to accident-related injuries, PIP also helps pay for such substitute services.

Funeral Expenses – If a covered individual dies from accident-related injuries, PIP helps pay for related funeral expense.

Why should you purchase PIP?

People who don’t have health insurance that would adequately cover the expenses listed above. People who carpool or frequently drive with passengers. PIP benefits are payable without regard to the fault of a person seeking coverage. PIP is payable without regards to whether or not there is other insurance to cover the loss. In other words, it allows you for a "double recovery".

 

If I use my PIP coverage does it affect my premiums?

Filing your first claim from an at-fault accident no longer guarantees that your rate will go up. Some insurers offer an "accident forgiveness" benefit, for which they'll go easy on your first claim. Ask your insurer whether it offers such a service and whether you qualify. Also, filing under your Personal Injury Protection or other no fault provisions of your policy will not increase your premiums, contrary to popular belief. If you're a good driver with a clean record, you'll pay less for car insurance than others. This can make a considerable difference. If you're a "high-risk" driver laden with tickets and/or accidents, you can expect to pay at least 15% more than a good driver on average. If your policy costs you $1,500, that's an extra $225 per year. Having a good credit score can also help your chances of getting a good deal.

If you were injured in a car accident or have any questions concerning your accident, contact our office. At the Law Offices of Sean Chalaki, our goal is to protect you and your loved ones before the incident and protect your rights after the incident.For more information, call our office at 972-793-8500 to schedule a free case evaluation.

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Warren Jeffs Sentenced to Life in Prison

Warren Jeffs, president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has been convicted of child abuse and sexual assault. As of today, he has consequently been sentenced to life in prison. Jeffs, the leader of a polygamist sect was convicted of two separate cases of sexual assault last week with underage females who he argued were his “spiritual partners.”  The jury sentenced him to life in prison for the first case, which was considered aggravated sexual assault. For the second case, he was sentenced to twenty years plus a $10,000 fine. Both sentences were the maximum possible sentencing for each offense. Jeffs’ first charge occurred in 2008 after a ranch that his church operates on was raided near Eldorado, Texas.  He is on the list of the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives. In July of 2007 he was charged with eight counts of sexual conduct with minors and incest in two separate cases. Later that year, he was found guilty of two separate counts of rape as an accomplice. 

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Burglary suspect accused of ramming Dallas patrol car into home

On the evening of Tuesday, August 2, a suspect of a burglary in Dallas stole and drove off in a Dallas patrol car. He ran into a home while there was another officer inside of the vehicle trying to regain control. He was soon arrested and was identified as 37 year old Jesus Ronald Ramos. Because of the speed of the car, the impact of the vehicle on the home caused several walls of the home to collapse. Ramos was being arrested for attempted burglary. The officer called for backup when he was dealt with faulty handcuffs, and after Ramos' belligerent and violent behavior. The officer also asked for the backup to bring a caged police car. While the officer was waiting for backup Ramos leaped from the backseat into the driver’s seat. The officer was able to chase after him, leaping into the car attempting to regain control. However by that time the car had crashed into the home. Neighbors of the home claim that this is the second vehicle to have hit the home. Ramos will be faced with charges for burglary, defiance of a police officer, and destruction of the home.  

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Diversity Lottery Scams and Government Computer Errors

Please be aware of Scams that are circulating requesting payments through western union for Diversity Lottery Winners.  Always remember that government e-mails and websites end in ".gov" and not ".com" In addition, government usually mails you at the address you provide to them and rarely ever emails you regarding visa matters.  http://www.uscis.gov and http://travel.state.gov/ provides you with a website where you can check your visa status electronically using your receipt number.  Always refer to the original government websites for the most current and accurate information.

The state department recently issued this important notice:
"

**IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE 2012 DIVERSITY LOTTERY PROGRAM** We regret to inform you that, due to a computer programming problem, the results of the 2012 Diversity Lottery that were previously posted on this website have been voided.  They were not valid and were posted in error.  The results were not valid because they did not represent a fair, random selection of entrants, as required by U.S. law.  If you checked this website during the first week in May and found a notice that you had been selected for further processing or a notice that you had not been selected, that notice has been rescinded and is no longer valid.  A new selection process will be conducted based on the original entries for the 2012 program. If you submitted a qualified entry from October 5, 2010 to November 3, 2010, your entry remains with us.  It will be included in the new selection lottery.  Your confirmation number to check results on this website is still valid. We expect the results of the new selection process to be available on this website on or about July 15, 2011. We regret any inconvenience this might have caused. " Call our office if you have further questions regarding your immigration status. At the Law Offices of Sean Chalaki, our goal is to protect you and your loved ones before the incident and protect your rights after the incident.  For more information, call our office at 972-793-8500.

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