Frequently Asked Questions

 What should I do after a car accident?

1. Get a copy of the police report. Sometimes the police do not make a report if there aren’t any injuries reported, so it is important that you speak up if you feel you have been hurt or injured because the existence of a police report is crucial documentation of the accident.
2. Seek medical treatment.
3. Take pictures of your vehicle before it is repaired;
4. Make sure that you get multiple estimates to repair your vehicle, and that the car is repaired to pre-accident condition (often it is diminished in value);
5. If the car is totaled, make sure you are provided with comparable fair market values for similar cars to ensure that you are getting top dollar for the vehicle;
6. Try to see your doctor according to the prescribed regimen of treatment for the recommended duration of treatment;
7. Keep documentation of all out-of-pocket expenses and statements of insurance coverage (i.e. bills, receipts, statements, etc.);
8. Obtain copies of all of your medical records for treatment received for your accident-related injuries;
9. Document daily how you feel (i.e. whether you’re affected by pain, medications you’re taking, inability to perform activities, etc.);
10. Do not speak with the adjuster or anyone investigating the case until you’re ready to discuss settlement. Anything that you say will be documented and used later on.

What if I cannot pay for medical care?

Many medical providers will accept cases on liens. This means that if you are involved in an accident they will wait to get paid for their services until the case resolves. Your own insurance policy may also have “med-pay” coverage which affords you a limited medical benefit when you are injured. We can help arrange for you to see a medical provider if you do not otherwise have access or cannot afford one.

When should I seek medical treatment?

Immediately.

When should I retain an attorney?

Immediately.

Should I speak with anyone after the accident?

Only your medical provider and your attorney. Insurance companies will always try to obtain a statement from you, but you should not give any statement until you have sought the advice of counsel.

What if I don’t feel pain for a few days or so after the accident?

This happens occasionally. It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as you begin feeling pain, discomfort, or something wrong. Any delay in seeking treatment could adversely affect your case. Insurance companies always try to use this as a reason to minimize your injuries and delay and deny you compensation.

What sets you apart from other personal injury firms?

Our firm is dedicated to providing aggressive representation for the inception of your case. We anticipate and plan as though every case will proceed to trial. In that respect, we ensure that all evidence necessary to make the case, as well as negotiate a possible settlement if possible, is obtained early in the case. We also provide a number of services as courtesies to our clients, and for which we do not charge attorney’s fees. Examples include, negotiating the best possible settlement for property damage and discounts with medical providers to maximize the amount that our clients receive.

How do you charge for your services?

We charge a contingency fee for most of our personal injury cases. This means that we get paid a recovery only when a settlement or judgment is obtained for our clients.

Who is responsible for costs?

Our firm advanced costs in most cases. When the case resolves or there is a disposition, we will get reimbursed for all costs advanced.

How long will my case take?

This is a difficult question as numerous factors affect the length of time for your case to resolve. The most important is the length of treatment. A case cannot be adequately evaluated until you’ve completed treatment or future treatment can be determined. You do not want to shortchange your case by negotiating and resolving it too early. If your case cannot be satisfactorily resolved, it will have to be litigated in court, and this process may take up to a year or more (depending on the jurisdiction) once the case is filed. In most cases, however, your case can be resolved within approximately 3-4 months.

BONUS: Has the economy affected the resolution of cases?

In our experience, yes. Insurance companies have tightened their belts and have made it much more difficult to timely resolve disputes. They seem to be much more likely to risk litigation because they know it can be costly and time consuming. As trial attorneys, we are prepared for this turn of events. If an insurance company does not seem reasonable, we will not hesitate to file and litigating an action in court in order to avoid any delays in bringing the case to conclusion.