World

The South Australian Government Has Increased Speeding Fines By Up To 500%

Published

5 years ago

August 7, 2019

Governments can often change the laws for many reasons, some to help their citizens interest’s and some to help their own interests.

In this article, we’re going to learn about how the South Australian government has increased driving related fines by up to 500% – in order to fill their recent state budget loss of over AUD $500m due to unpaid GST (taxes).

The increase in fines is reported to generate an extra AUD $79m in revenue for the government. Starting from July 1st, 2019.

Here is an infographic that covers the specific fines and how much they’ve increased by:

Source: Scammell.com.au

Corporate companies are hit the hardest, with original speeding fines being $300 AUD and now an astonishing $1,500 AUD – which is a little over $1,010 USD.

Some of the biggest increases are to fines for speeding more than 30 kilometres per hour over the limit, which will increase by 60 per cent.

The speeding fine for traveling at 30–45kph over the limit will increase from $920 to $1,472, while drivers going more than 45kph over will face a fine of $1,658 — up from $1,036.

The state’s Treasurer, Rob Lucas said the Government would also significantly increase the fine for people who were caught speeding in a company car.

So this begs the question – how do the people of the affected state respond and deal with these matters? Especially when they’re struggling financially, as paying any fine within itself is frustrating – especially when the fees have soared by up to 500%.

So although the SA government is making an attempt to recover their recent financial losses, they are still over $400m short – it will be interesting to see how they will recover the funds.

As with all matters, it’s important to also see the other side of the coin – in this case, it’s the opposing government. We will see what they have had to say about this –

The former Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the Liberal Party (current state Government) had broken its 2018 election promise to lower costs.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a motorist, a public transport user, a tradie or a hospital worker, no South Australian is safe from this massive hike in fees and charges,” Mr Mullighan said.

“This is an attack on households, an attack on businesses and an attack on South Australians who are just trying to manage their cost of living at a time of low inflation and low growth in their wages.”

South Australian Council of Social Service CEO, Ross Womersley said people on low incomes would be the hardest hit.

It’s a strong reminder to take caution on the roads and put your phone away, the fines will keep on increasing and it’s not going to be great when we’re faced with an exorbitant fine to pay.

World

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Michelle Langton

Are you dealing with injuries, loss of income, and hefty medical bills because of an accident that was not your fault? If yes, you need the services of an excellent personal injury lawyer. But how do you determine if a lawyer is a perfect match for your personal injury case when you have so many options? This step-by-step guide aims to teach you the critical steps to hiring the best personal injury lawyer in your state.

1. Know Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Typically, you must hire the right personal injury lawyer if you are pursuing a lawsuit for personal injury. As defined on Forbes, a personal injury lawsuit is a civil action that an injured person takes against a person or company responsible for an accident that resulted in injuries.

For instance, you get into a car crash or slip and fall incident in the workplace because of someone else’s fault. You can sue the party responsible for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and mental anguish.

But there are instances you may not need a personal injury attorney despite being in an accident. For example, a minor fender bender where no one sustained injuries or had their property damaged is easy to resolve without involving lawyers. So, after an accident, evaluate the damages incurred. If they are severe, search for a personal injury attorney.

2. Do Extensive Research

Where do I begin my search? Referrals are valuable because you can ask specific questions regarding the lawyer’s communication style, availability, litigation experience, and fee structure. So, ask family and friends to recommend someone they have worked with. Search for attorneys in your area online if you need referrals. You can type a simple search query like ‘personal injury attorney near me’ on Google. Alternatively, look for a lawyer through online directories.

3. Schedule Free Consultations

You want to know what a personal injury lawyer will do for you. Therefore, schedule a free consultation meeting and ask questions like:

What will you prioritize in my case?

The right attorney will focus on getting justice and fair compensation to ensure your stress-free recovery. Communication should also be a top priority. The lawyer should communicate with you using simple terms to help you understand your legal rights. More importantly, they should update you about the case progress on time.

Do you have experience handling cases like mine?

As lawyers at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo law firm mention, experienced personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process. Even more interesting, they will handle negotiations on your behalf to safeguard your rights. So, make sure your lawyer has experience in personal injury law.

It would be better if they had specialized experience handling cases like yours. For example, if you are pursuing a truck accident lawsuit, you will want a personal injury lawyer with expertise in dealing with trucking accident claims.

What is the value of my personal injury claim?

After evaluating your case, a skilled attorney should tell you the worth of your personal injury claim. What you should be cautious of are unrealistic estimates and guarantees. There are no assurances in personal injury claims. If a lawyer promises a higher settlement that sounds too good to be true, do not fall for it because they are lying.

How much are your legal fees?

Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. Based on Cornell Law School, a contingent fee structure allows lawyers to receive a certain percentage of the total settlement value a client wins. As a result, you do not pay your legal representative any upfront fee.

4. Check Testimonials

Aside from experience, work with a trustworthy and reputable attorney. You can quickly determine a lawyer has an outstanding reputation by reading testimonials from past clients.

Find out if the clients feel happy about the outcomes of their case. How about the style of communication? Does the lawyer explain legal terms in simple language?

A reputable lawyer will receive positive feedback from clients and respect from peers. Also, check with your local bar association to ensure your preferred lawyer doesn’t have disciplinary actions against them.

5. Select Your Lawyer

At this point, comfort matters a lot. Do not choose a lawyer you feel uncomfortable discussing your legal issues with. Also, ensure they have the experience and resources to win your personal injury claim. Equally important, they should have an excellent reputation.

Conclusion

When you are a victim of an accident that someone else caused out of negligence, you need to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. There is only one way to achieve these goals. You must work with the best lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim. True, choosing the right one can be challenging. But you can make an informed decision if you follow this step-by-step guide to hiring the right personal injury lawyer.