Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of hiring a personal injury attorney varies based on what you receive from the insurance company. In most cases, it is a percentage of the total amount you receive as a settlement. This means you pay nothing out-of-pocket, and your attorney is not paid unless you receive money. He or she will negotiate a settlement that ensures you receive a fair amount of money that compensates you for your medical bills, as well as other costs associated with your injuries and payment for his or her work. This means you do not need to worry about affording a personal injury lawyer.  If the matter cannot be settled and must go to trial, your attorney your attorney will be paid a percentage of the total amount you may receive from a final judgement. 

This is a complex question.  Ultimately, you are responsible for paying your own medical bills.  However, if you are injured in an accident, the party at-fault for your injury and/or his or her insurance company are responsible for your medical bills by paying through a settlement or final judgment. Since it might take some time to receive this money, you should first pay the bills using your own personal injury protection or medical insurance coverage.  If you have no medical insurance, some doctors will allow you to defer payments until you receive compensation from your settlement or lawsuit. Working with a personal injury attorney is essential for handling medical bills and other issues following an accident.  Once your case is resolved, your attorney will hold the settlement funds in trust, confirm and negotiate the remaining balances (if any), confirm and negotiate any liens claimed (e.g., health insurance, MedPay, Medicare, Medicaid), and resolve those outstanding bills using the funds held in trust.

In order to prove a personal injury case, you must demonstrate though evidence (e.g., medical records/bills) that you were injured (i.e., suffered damages) by the defendant's actions (e.g., driving carelessly), and that the defendant is legally responsible for what occurred. This requires showing that the negligent person had a duty to not harm you, the person breached that duty through actions that were not reasonably prudent, that what the person did or did not do caused you harm, and that the harm you were caused was actual and measurable. Essentially, we need to show that what happened to you caused you monetary harm and that you deserve to be compensated for what you lost.

Compensation for "pain and suffering" is a financial award that goes beyond the monetary value of your medical expenses and lost earnings. It typically has an emotional link. For instance, if an event caused you injury and, additionally, you now suffer from grief, worry, insomnia, or anything similar, you could be eligible for compensation for pain and suffering. You and your attorney will discuss what you could potentially receive for pain and suffering, as well as how to show that you have experienced pain.  This is often called your 'non-economic' damage.

The most important thing you should know about social media is that anything you post can be used against you. This means the defense can use your posts to hurt your case. If you choose to keep your social media accounts active, you should check that your settings are private and refuse any friend or follower requests from anyone you do not know. Remind friends not to share or post any information about you as well. Keep in mind, any social media posts can be used against you, even if you are being honest and your injuries are legitimate.

If you are unable to travel to our office, one of our attorneys can meet with you in the hospital, at your home, or in another public location where you feel comfortable. We have worked with numerous clients whose mobility was limited due to their injuries or other issues. Meeting outside of our office has no bearing on your case, and we are happy to make things as convenient as possible for you and your loved ones. We can also communicate with you online, by email, by telephone, or by video via computer or cell phone. If you have concerns about traveling and meeting in our office, just let us know when you schedule your consultation.