Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury

If you sustained injuries because of another party’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation with a personal injury claim. The difficulty around proving fault makes it important to consult with a personal injury attorney to determine if the injured party has a case and discuss the various options.

The amount of compensation available to victims of personal injury will vary depending on a number of factors. Generally, compensation will cover medical expenses, future treatment costs, rehabilitation costs, lost wages due to time taken off from work to recover, and pain and suffering including emotional distress. The overall severity of the case will largely determine how much you may be able to recover.

A statute of limitations applies to personal injury claims, limiting the amount of time you have to file your claim following the initial incident. This statute of limitations will vary from state to state, but it’s advisable to file a claim as soon as possible after sustaining the injury. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to reach a favorable outcome.

The duration of a claim will also depend on various factors pertaining to your case. Cases may take longer if there are certain complexities or legal issues, or if a large amount of money is involved. Long periods of recovery can also impact the amount of time it takes to settle a case. Generally, it will take around a year or two for a personal injury case to go to trial, though this time may vary depending on the state’s pretrial procedures.

While some may believe that working with an insurance carrier is sufficient, the fact is that insurance companies will work to avoid paying the compensation that victims deserve. The legal process can also be complicated, particularly in more serious claims. This is why you should consult with a personal injury lawyer to handle most personal injury cases.

People can be injured in many situations, whether these injuries result from accidents or malicious intent. From car accidents to dog bites and slip and falls on private or public property, many preventable incidents can result in injuries, which makes it important to understand the personal injury law process along with your rights in these situations.

For additional information about personal injury law or legal advice, you should consult with a reputable personal injury lawyer who has plenty of experience and expertise in this area. Working with a reputable attorney will help you determine whether or not you have a viable personal injury case, develop a strong case, and reach a favorable settlement.

Do not discuss the accident with an adjuster. Simply tell the adjuster that you are represented by an attorney, and that they should contact the attorney for any and all communication. If you do not have an attorney, have the contact your own insurance company. Adjusters will want to ask questions that may help the insurance company deny aspects of your claim—your attorney will handle their requests for information.

If the other driver does not have insurance, you may have to turn to your own policy to cover your costs. Your insurance policy may have uninsured motorist or under insured motorist coverage, which would be available to cover your personal injury damages from the case. A qualified attorney can help evaluate your options and navigate your claim with your carrier.

Most personal injury lawyers sign cases on a contingency basis, meaning that they will not receive compensation unless and until you win. Most personal injury attorneys will also advance case costs until a recovery is made.

No. Most cases are settled with the insurance carrier without filing a lawsuit. Your legal team will do their best to obtain an optimal settlement before filing suit. If a lawsuit is filed, most cases settle before actually going to court.

In general, information shared with your attorney is confidential and protected by attorney client privilege. This rule applies even before you’ve signed the retainer agreement. There are some limitations. If you are concerned, confirm with your attorney that the information that you are about to share is protected.

You should talk to an attorney to assess your case. As a passenger, you may have what’s called a “third-party” claim that may entitle you to compensation for your injury. The claim would be against the “at fault” driver’s insurance company. Have a qualified attorney review your case and help form your strategy.