Personal Injury Services

• Take photos of your injuries
• If you have not done so, visit a doctor.
• If you have visited a doctor, follow their care plan and attend all follow-up appointments.
• Write down a narrative of what happened while it is still fresh in your head.
• Make a list of witnesses and their contact information if you know it.
• Follow any additional instructions from your attorney.

You may be entitled to compensation if you have been injured as the result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person. The value of personal injury cases varies greatly. The value of such a case depends on the “damages” that you suffer and are entitled to be compensated for. Past and future expenses, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability, and loss of enjoyment are all factors that are considered in determining the value of your case.

Generally, accident and personal injury cases are handled on a “contingent fee” basis. Such an agreement is one where the attorney’s fees are based on the amount that is collected for the client. The fees are usually a percentage of the settlement or verdict. If the case is not successful, then the client does not pay legal fees. This allows the client to obtain legal representation if they do not have the money to pay for legal counsel.

In addition to the attorney fees, any costs related to the case will also be deducted from the settlement or verdict. During the legal process, the attorney will advance the costs to bring the case to a conclusion. Once a settlement or verdict is obtained, attorney fees and expenses will be deducted from the award or settlement, with the balance of the award or settlement going to the client.

It is recommended that you do not talk with the other party’s insurance company.  It is also recommended that you not sign any documents provided by the other party’s insurance company without having legal counsel review them first.  It is in the insurance company’s best interest to settle your claim for the least amount of money possible.  You do not want to provide the insurance company with information that would damage the value of your case.

The majority of personal injury cases are settled without the need for a trial. The cases that usually go to trial are ones where there is a fact or legal issue in dispute and a court is needed to decide. The goal of the attorney is to carefully build a strong case to maximize your settlement or verdict and to obtain a resolution to your case as quickly as possible.

There is no set time frame to obtain a settlement or verdict in a personal injury case. Cases that are strong and have no legal or factual issues can settle quickly. If a personal injury case requires litigation, it could take over a year to see a resolution.

Your right to recover compensation is not affected by any previous injury you may have received. If the current accident aggravated or re-injured your earlier injury, you may still be able to recover damages.

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury case is two years from the date of the injury. This gives you two years to try and reach a settlement in your case. If a settlement cannot be reached, then you have the right to file a lawsuit, even if it is the day before the statute of limitations expires.

State law requires every driver to maintain insurance on their vehicles. If the other driver does not have insurance, for whatever reason, then your insurance can provide coverage for your damages and losses under your “uninsured or underinsured motorist” coverage.

You are entitled to have your car repaired if the accident was not your fault. The responsible party or their insurance company is liable to make reasonable car repairs. You are entitled to the reasonable market value of your vehicle if your vehicle is considered a total loss.

You are entitled to a rental car if your car was damaged or is being repaired and the accident was not your fault.