If you’re just dealing with property damage, then you can probably handle it yourself. If you’ve suffered serious injuries, however, then a claim can get much more complicated and it may be more difficult to recover what you deserve. An insurance company is trying to make a profit, like any other business, and it will try to settle a claim for as little as possible as soon as possible. Sometimes the prospect of legal action, or even an actual lawsuit, is required before an insurance company will make a fair offer. Additionally, only a lawyer who has experience dealing with these claims can accurately gauge what a fair offer might be given the facts of your case. It doesn’t hurt to at least consult with a personal injury lawyer.

This really depends on the specific facts of your case and every personal injury case is different. There are a number of legal defenses that could apply. It’s hard to know if you’re not a lawyer and/or haven’t dealt with these cases a lot. Again, you should consult with an experienced injury lawyer. You have nothing to lose, especially since these consultations are typically free.

The sooner the better. Insurance companies begin their investigations immediately when notified of an accident. The sooner your lawyer can get involved in this process the more likely he or she can make sure the investigation is fair and any favorable evidence is preserved.

There are also strict time limits, known as statutes of limitation, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. It is important to contact an attorney well before these time limits so that there is time to fully prepare the case.

Each case is different. Personal injury cases usually take at least a few months to resolve and possibly much longer, especially if you end up going to trial. You don’t want to rush into a settlement. Ideally, you shouldn’t settle a case until you have completed any medical treatment or at least have a good idea how your injuries will affect you in the future and what kind of care you might need in the future.

Yes you should. Your policy probably requires prompt notification, whether or not you were at fault. However, if your insurance company requests a recorded or written statement about the accident, you should probably consult with a lawyer first.

It’s never a good idea to provide a statement to the other person’s insurance company. Anything you say in such a statement can and will be used against you, whether it pertains to the facts of the accident or to your medical condition. The insurance company will get police reports and do their own investigation, so they have other sources of information. If you are represented by a lawyer, tell the insurance adjuster. They will then be required go through your lawyer rather than communicate with you directly.

If you have health insurance, you should use it. This is the best way to get the treatment you need. Although you may be required to reimburse your health insurance company for these expenses if you recover from the other party’s insurance company, this is usually negotiable. A good personal injury lawyer can often reduce the reimbursement amount so that you end up with more of the recovery.

If you don’t have health insurance but have a valid injury claim, there are many health care providers who will treat you on a medical lien. In other words, they will treat you in exchange for a lien against any recovery you get on your claim.

In this situation, the person may be covered by another person’s policy. Also, if you have uninsured or underinsured coverage under your own policy, you may be entitled to recover from your own policy. It’s important to search for every possible source of funds to compensate you for your injuries and losses.

There are many factors involved and no honest attorney can accurately answer this question until the claim is thoroughly investigated and prepared. You can recover actual compensatory damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. You can recover estimated compensatory damages and pain and suffering. In egregious cases, you may also be able to recover punitive damages.

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, they take a percentage of any recovery they get for you. You pay nothing up front and the lawyer doesn’t get paid unless they win your case.

Different lawyers charge different percentages of the recovery as a contingency fee and sometimes the percentage depends on whether the case goes to court or not. At Leonardo Law Offices, unlike at many firms, we ensure that our fee is never more that what the client receives.

Most personal injury cases settle without going to trial. Often, however, the case must be prepared such that it is clear to the insurance company that we are ready to go to trial if necessary. We always discuss any settlement offers with you and you are the one who ultimately decides whether to accept or reject an offer.