“Personal Injury” is a legal term of art that encompasses several different types of cases including, but not limited to, professional negligence, car accidents, slip and fall, dog/animal attacks, and premises liability. Although the types of cases vary a great deal, the underlying issues in all personal injury actions are (1) negligence, (2) causation, and (3) damages. We get asked a lot of recurring questions and offer the following for informational purposes:
Q: If I am contacted, should I try to settle with the insurance company without an attorney?
A: Al lot of people say that they do not contact a lawyer because they are not “the litigious type” and subsequently fall prey to very skilled and ruthless insurance adjusters. Insurance adjusters are experienced in not paying you what a claim may be worth. Insurance companies have become billion dollar corporation because they utilize their experience to underpay claims to individuals who do not have an attorney. They may be very nice and seem very helpful, but remember they do not work for you. They work for the insurance company and do not have your interests at heart. Therefore, you should not attempt to negotiate your case on your own.
Q: What is a statue of limitations?
A: Every lawsuit must be filed in the correct court of law within certain time limitations or it will be barred forever. In addition, other time deadlines may apply to your case. Therefore, you should contact an attorney immediately, as the passage of time could prohibit you from having any right to file suit and be compensated for your injuries.
Q: Can I afford to hire a personal injury lawyer?
A: First, all consultations are free. In addition, at Webb & Zagoria, LLC we handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. Put simply we do not get paid our attorney’s fees unless we collect an award for you either from a jury trial or settling your case.
Q: Why do I need a lawyer for a personal injury case?
A: Only by retaining a lawyer can you ensure that your rights are being protected. The adjuster protects the insurance company’s interest, while your attorney protects yours. Most people think their only interest in a personal injury suit is the monetary settlement. To the contrary, there are several other interests that an attorney can help you with. For instance, we regularly negotiate reductions in the amount of money our clients owe to medical providers. Every dollar for which the medical provider agrees to reduce its bill is paid directly to our clients. In addition, your attorney can help make sure all of the proper evidence on your case is presented to the adjuster or a jury so that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Q: I am injured and can not drive to your offices, what should I do?
A: With all of the new technology, we are often retained by clients via e-mail or facsimile. Having said that, we are always happy to meet with prospective clients and try to be as flexible as possible. if you cannot leave your home, please call, and we will do our best to arrange a meeting at your home, place of business, hospital, or other mutually convenient location.
Q: Will we have to file a lawsuit?
A: A large number of our cases do not require filing of a lawsuit. That is, we are able to successfully negotiate a fair settlement for our clients without initiating formal litigation. However, if an insurance company fails to offer fair compensation for your loss, we are happy to file suit.
