What do I do after an accident?
- If it is a motor vehicle accident, gather as much information as you can about the other driver’s insurer and your own insurer.
- If the accident occurred on someone else’s property, file an incident report with the owner (even if a few days later), and obtain the name and contact information of the person representing the property owner.
- Contact an attorney and describe what happened.
How do I know if I have a case?
The attorney you contact can evaluate your case. Most initial consultations are free, which is true for our office.
What if I had a pre-existing condition?
A liable party takes you as you are at the time of the accident. A pre-existing condition will not disqualify you from making a claim, though it is possible it may reduce how much you can recover.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
The degree of your fault will be compared to the degree of fault of the defendant and reduce by a percentage the amount of your recovery.
How long will it take to settle my claim?
Settlement can occur at any time, but usually it does not happen until you have recovered and all medical charges and the status of your recovery are known.
Do I have a case if I do not feel hurt?
Often an injured person’s body does not immediately react to an injury. The location and degree of injury may not be accurately known until several days or weeks later.
How long do I have to file a personal injury case?
Normally you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit; however, the sooner you get an attorney involved the better. Many difficulties, delays and expenses can be avoided if an attorney is contacted soon after your injury.
What do I do if an insurance adjuster calls me?
The best thing to do is inform them that you are in the process of retaining an attorney or have retained an attorney. Adjusters obviously have more experience and knowledge of the system than the average person, so it is wiser to have an expert deal with them.
What damages are available in a personal injury case?
This will depend on many factors: the seriousness of your injury, whether there is permanent damage, how much lost income resulted due to the injury, treatment and recovery, and how much pain and suffering the injury caused.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
That is different for every case. Even with similar injuries, other factors, such as those list in the previous answer, can significantly affect your recovery.