Whether you sustained one or more injuries because of an accident or the negligence of another party, how you react following the incident determines how much compensation you receive from an insurance claim and possibly a civil lawsuit. The most important step in the process involves hiring an attorney who specializes in handling personal injury cases.
The ultimate goal of a personal injury lawyer is to get a claim improved by the client’s insurance company or the insurer representing the other party. If the other party committed one or more acts of negligence, hiring a personal injury attorney can help you win a legal judgment or be the beneficiary of a favorable settlement. The top five reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer are based on receiving compensation because of an accident or one or more acts of negligence. Interact with an Insurance Company The business model for insurance companies is quite simple: Receive as much in premiums as possible and pay as little as possible in claims. Even if an insurance claim you plan to file appears to be strong enough to get approved, the insurance company that you have to deal with might deny the claim based on a frivolous reason. Hiring a personal injury attorney provides you with much greater influence during the insurance claim process. Meet Deadlines A personal injury case involves meeting a few deadlines, with the most important deadline consisting of filing a civil lawsuit before the expiration of the statute of limitations. Most states have established the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit at between two and four years, but the deadline can be as short as one year (Kentucky) or as high as six years (Maine). Gather and Organize Evidence Submitting persuasive evidence represents the key to getting an insurance claim approved, as well as reaching a settlement or winning a legal judgment. A personal injury attorney knows how to investigate a case to collect and organize evidence such as photographs taken of the incident scene and obtaining video footage from a security camera. Interview Witnesses You have many responsibilities to assume after a personal injury incident, and acquiring the names and contact information of witnesses is one of the most important tasks completed to build a strong case. Personal injury lawyers interview witnesses to receive information that supports the physical evidence gathered for submission to an insurance company. Negotiate a Settlement Negotiating a favorable settlement helps you avoid going through a costly and time-consuming civil trial. A skilled personal injury attorney knows how to calculate a reasonable value for monetary damages that is presented as the initial offer. Presenting an overvalued submission for monetary damages can derail your case.
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In the United States, an average of nearly six million car accidents are reported each year that involve more than 12 million vehicles. The National Bureau of Transportation (NBT) statistics states there are certain times when and places where auto collisions occur most often.
When Do Car Accidents Happen Most Often? Cold weather and frozen precipitation make winter appear to be the most likely time of year for vehicle collisions. However, the distinction for the season with the most car crashes goes to summer when more car owners hit the road for family vacations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states August is the busiest month of the year for car accident reports. Motor vehicle collisions happen more times on weekends, with Friday representing the day when the most auto collisions are reported by drivers. Between 4 pm and 8 pm is when car accidents get reported the most from October to March, and then the time of day changes to between noon and 3 pm during the warmer months of the year. Holiday weekends keep law enforcement agencies busy responding to auto collisions because the volume of traffic increases significantly on days such as Labor, Memorial, and Independence Day. Car Accidents and Daylight Savings Time In March, most Americans move their clocks ahead by one hour to account for Daylight Savings Time (DST). Federal lawmakers established DST to provide more light during the early evening hours of each day. According to a study released by Current Biology that analyzed more than 20 years of statistics, the number of auto collisions increases for at least one week after the start of DST. Fatigue caused by the switch to DST is the factor attributed the most to the rise in the number of car accidents during the first or second week of March. Where Do Most Auto Collisions Occur? A majority of car accidents happen close to home for several reasons. Distracted driving, whether it is from texting and driving or switching the dial on a car radio, is the most common reason why motorists get involved in vehicle collisions near home. Other factors that contribute to the close-to-home car accident phenomenon include parked cars, rush hour traffic volume, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The specific locations where most car accidents occur are in rural areas, as well as in parking lots and high-volume intersections in more urban settings. Some of the most effective strategies for remaining safe on the road include following speed limit laws, paying attention to the road in front of you, and staying the recommended safe distance from the next closest motor vehicle. If you sustained injuries because of an accident, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you file a persuasive insurance claim. If the accident involved another party committing one or more acts of negligence, a personal injury lawyer helps you gather and organize the evidence you need to file a convincing civil lawsuit.
Most personal injury attorneys offer free case evaluations to potential clients. Let’s see what you can expect during the free case evaluation. Expect a Short Meeting A free case evaluation requires a meeting between you and a car accident lawyer. Expect the first meeting to last around one hour. Subsequent meetings can last much longer than that. Expect to Answer Several Questions The lawyer sitting across from you during the first meeting will ask several questions, most of which pertain to the facts of your case. You should be prepared to answer questions that concern what happened before, during, and after the accident. The attorney will want to know your insurance policy information, such as the amount of coverage for an accident. Discussing your physical, mental, physical, and emotional well-being is important because that is one factor in how a personal injury lawyer calculates a value for monetary damages. Expect to Provide Evidence and Witness Information You can expect to provide the attorney with physical evidence. The lawyer will not determine whether you should file a civil lawsuit until conducting a thorough investigation. You should provide the personal injury attorney copies of your medical records, as well as photographs of your injuries, property damage, and the accident scene. You can send the evidence you have collected before the case evaluation as well. Another important document for evidence is a copy of the official incident report, whether it is from a business or a law enforcement agency. The names and contact information of witnesses allow the car accident lawyer to schedule interviews. Witness accounts of an accident should support the evidence you hand over to the personal injury attorney. Expect an Evaluation Although the lawyer will conduct an extensive investigation concerning the accident, you can expect a short summary of the pros and cons of your case. For example, if footage from a traffic camera demonstrates the other party failed to yield at an intersection, the attorney has a compelling piece of evidence that strengthens your case. At the end of a short summary of your case, the attorney might agree to work on your case on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not have to pay an upfront legal fee. The car accident lawyer receives compensation when you receive an insurance claim payout and possibly a check from a legal settlement. Finally, expect to ask questions. You should ask questions that concern the timing of your case, as well as what else the lawyer needs from you before launching an investigation into the accident. If you are in the middle of a personal injury claim you may have been offered an insurance settlement by the responsible party’s insurance company. If you and your personal injury attorney feel that your case is a strong one and warrants a larger settlement, you may be considering taking your claim to trial. While a lawsuit may result in more compensation than a settlement, it can take longer and is not without risk.
If your case is borderline or weak, you could even receive less than an insurance settlement offer. A qualified personal injury attorney is in the best position to determine the strength of your case and a fair settlement offer. Even with a strong case, there are some things that you can do to strengthen your personal injury claim. Strengthen Your Burden of Proof in Personal Injury Claim If your personal injury attorney feels that litigation is in your best interest, there are some things that you can do to strengthen your case, or at least not cause any harm. You should know that even when able to prove liability in a personal injury claim, your actions could significantly affect the amount of settlement you receive. Here are some tips to strengthen the proof in your case: 1) Seek medical treatment right away – don’t delay in seeing a doctor, even if your injuries seem minor. A soft tissue injury may get worse over time, early visits to a doctor, ER or urgent care center will document your injury right after the incident. Be sure to continue with all recommended treatments and follow up appointments. 2) Save all receipts and bills to support your claim – you must show proof of medical bills, prescriptions, hospital records, pay stubs and all related documents supporting your claim. Make sure you get a printed copy before you leave every hospital or doctor visit as these are mostly stored online. 3) Don’t say too much following an accident – you may have been in shock following a car accident or any other type of injury. It’s best to not say too much or tell your side of the story at the scene, until you’ve had time to calm down or speak with a car accident attorney. Details could emerge that would help your case, but saying too much too soon can jeopardize your case. 4) Don’t talk to the other party’s insurance company – If you are contacted by the other party’s insurance company, you should know that their job is to find a weakness in your claim to reduce the amount of a settlement or deny it altogether. Say as little as possible to any insurance adjuster that contacts you and be aware that anything you say can come back to hurt your case. 5) Be careful what you post on social media – social media gets a lot of people in trouble for various reasons and public social media accounts can be a gold mine for insurance adjusters. Do not post any photos of activities that contradicts your claim such as playing sports or celebrating when you should be home recovering from your injuries. Images and posts can seriously damage the strength of your case. Follow these tips when in the middle of a personal injury claim and always work with an experienced personal injury lawyer. A capable attorney will be able to tell you what your case is worth and offer sound advice on what type of offer you should accept for fair compensation. Schiff & Associates has been recovering compensation for personal injury victims for more than 35 years. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for members of our community with skilled negotiation and litigation. Contact us to find out what your case is worth and what you can do to strengthen your personal injury claim. If you have been injured due to the carelessness of another person or entity, you have a right to file a personal injury claim in the state where the accident occurred. While a lawsuit can never make a person healthy or bring back a life, financial recovery for medical bills and loss of wages can help you recover physically and mentally. You are also entitled to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and future consequences of your injury.
A personal injury may occur due to the fault of another for many reasons such as:
This is just a short list of the many examples of potential injury that could occur through no fault of your own. If you have been injured, you owe it to yourself and loved ones to seek full compensation for damages. Be sure to speak with a personal injury lawyer or car accident attorney in your state to learn your rights and what a fair settlement looks like. Many factors come into play to determine whether or not your claim should go to trial. An experienced personal injury lawyer in your state will help to evaluate your claim, all damages and any insurance settlement offer. Never accept an insurance settlement claim without first speaking to a personal injury attorney. Personal Injury Lawyer in Ohio Schiff & Associates has been a trusted personal injury law firm in Ohio for over 35 years. We are skilled in all areas of personal injury including car accidents, workplace accidents, soft tissue damage, catastrophic injury and wrongful death. We prepare each case as if it’s going to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t go it alone when dealing with a personal injury, never accept a low ball offer from an insurance company without first speaking to a trusted, personal injury lawyer. Schiff & Associates is a personal injury law firm with a team of professionals and specialists to fight on your behalf. Schiff & Associates provides a team of investigators and skilled negotiators to get you the settlement you deserve. When trial is needed we are prepared to fight for your total financial recovery. Contact us to speak with a personal injury lawyer to get the maximum settlement allowed under the law. You may be reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney as you think it is too expensive and are seriously considering settling with the insurance company on your own. There are several reasons why this can be a bad idea.
To start with, just the fact that you have an experienced attorney representing you can make a difference in the outcome and be well worth the amount of money you pay the lawyer. The insurance company now knows you have an expert representing your claim who is someone who is not going to be persuaded to take an unfair settlement. Furthermore, remember the insurance representatives have been advised by their lawyers, which is all more the reason why you need one working on your behalf. Other reasons to hire your own attorney include the fact that personal injury cases can be complicated and involve complex legal rules that a lay person does not know anything about. Or it may be your injuries are so severe that your compensation should exceed the amount that is normally awarded. Also a skilled personal injury lawyer can help to get you a fair settlement when the insurance company was not willing to settle in good faith. Another thing to remember is that most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you will not pay any legal costs or fees unless there is a settlement. The law firm of Schiff & Associates has been providing our clients with quality legal representation and personal services in cases of personal injury and wrongful death for thirty-five years. Please visit our website for information on how to set up a complimentary case evaluation and consultation. The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. If you have been injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, it is recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid making costly and irreparable mistakes. Even if you belief your injuries will eventually improve, your recovery may take much longer than anticipated, and in the meantime you are faced with ongoing medical costs. In addition to your medical bills you may be unable to work and have other related expenses so the sooner you have on attorney working on your behalf, the better. Also please keep in mind that there are deadlines for filing personal injury claims.
In addition to recovering the actual costs associated with the accident you may also be entitled to compensation for your “pain and suffering.” The amount of money you receive “generally depends on the seriousness of your injuries, any aggravating circumstances, and the length of your recovery. For instance, if you suffer a broken femur and undergo multiple surgeries, the pain and suffering you experience is naturally going to be worse than that from a minor fender bender.” Schiff & Associates is a respected Columbus, Ohio law firm specializing in personal injury law. All of our attorneys have years of experience, and for every case, we aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation our clients are entitled to. In the event we cannot reach a settlement through negotiation, our attorneys are ready to take the case to trial. We know that it can be as important for a person to recover financially from an accident as it can be to recover physically. Please visit our website to learn more about Schiff & Associates. Your initial evaluation and consultation is free. The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. Source: alllaw.com/articles/nolo/auto-accident/pain-and-suffering-from-car-accident.html Have you or a loved one been severely injured or died as the result of a motor vehicle or job-related accident, or suffered a serious brain or spinal cord injury due to an accident? If you suspect that the injuries or death was caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer. Severe injuries can cause permanent disabilities and forever change the way you live and enjoy your life.
Firms such as Schiff & Associates understand the devastating effects such accidents can have not only on your health but on your ability to make a living now and in the future. We will put all of our years of experience to work on your behalf to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company or take your case to trial if necessary. The scope of our personal injury services includes determining the actual costs of your injuries by working with medical and rehabilitation specialists to ascertain the extent of your current and future losses. In the case of wrongful death, your settlement may include payment for any guidance, advice, or counsel you have sought to deal with your loss, as well as compensation for current and future income, loss of companionship, and in some cases, punitive damages. To help you determine if you have a viable claim, we invite you to visit our website to setup a free case evaluation and consultation appointment with one of our experienced attorneys. Also until we recover compensation for you and your family, you will not pay any attorney costs or fees. Please take a look at our website to learn more about our extensive professional legal services. The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. Schiff & Associates has been committed to providing the Columbus Ohio area with trusted legal services for over 30 years and proudly offers clients skilled personal injury attorneys who specialize in a variety of practice areas. Our firm was even recognized in 2013 by Time Magazine as one of the top personal injury firms in the U.S. In addition the founder of Schiff & Associates, Scott W. Schiff, was included in a 2014 article from Columbus Business First that was a list of “People to Know.”
Our team also includes James E. Arnold who is recognized as one of Ohio’s top trial attorneys. Since 2001, Arnold has been consistently named by Best Lawyers in America, which highlights the top 5% of practicing attorneys in the US. He has also been recognized as one of the state’s top litigators in commercial and personal injury litigation by Ohio’s Superlawyers. Columbus Business First named Arnold as one of “Central Ohio’s Top 100 Lawyers;” and in 2007 he was selected by Lawdragon as one of the “500 Leading Plaintiff’s Lawyers in America.” Several of Schiff & Associates’ attorneys such as Ryan Lauer have tried and won cases for both Plaintiffs and Defendants in counties throughout Ohio. Another one of our attorneys, Terry Hummel, has litigated a wide variety of personal injury claims and successfully tried them to juries throughout the State of Ohio. Our talented team also includes Todd Fitz who is a workers’ compensation expert. His background includes the perspective of representing injured workers administratively and in court as well as representing employers throughout the state of Ohio on workers’ compensation matters. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the exceptional team that comprises the firm of Schiff & Associates. Keep in mind that your initial consultation is free, and as we represent you on a contingency basis, there is no attorney costs or fees unless we successfully recover compensation. The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. The TV is inundated with flashy advertisements from personal injury attorneys, and the Internet is sometimes not all that helpful as many sites do not tell you much about the firm or the attorneys. While it can sound good, it is important to place your trust in the right attorney in order to get a fair settlement for injuries or death suffered as the result of someone else’s negligence. The NOLO website advises that you look for an attorney that has “experience handling your type of personal injury claim -- and whom you feel that you can trust.” They suggest if you already have a relationship with an attorney, that you ask them for a referral to a trustworthy personal injury lawyer. Once you have a firm in mind, do a little research such as finding out something about their background and philosophy. For example Schiff & Associates’ attorneys will tell you that the best part of their job is getting a fair settlement for their clients. As our attorney, Craig T. Smith, explains, “There’s a satisfaction that comes when I make a difference in people’s lives.” He adds, “With a staff of highly-trained and capable legal assistants and paralegals, we pull together as a team to make positive differences for families so they can go forward with their lives.” Another thing you should know about the firm is how many years have they been in business. At Schiff & Associates, Scott Schiff started the law firm in 1985, and began by specializing in civil litigation with an emphasis on catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Also when you consult with an attorney regarding your case, ask who will handle your claim and if they have experience in your type of injury. Furthermore, are they willing to go to trial if the case requires it? At Schiff & Associates, our team of attorneys specializes in various areas of personal injury law and is ready to go to trial if your case requires it. Finally find out if your lawyer has a record of winning. At Schiff & Associates, we are proud to let our clients know about our winning tradition and post a small sampling of case settlements on our website. Please contact us for more information regarding our firm. The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Contact us for more information on expert legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. Source: nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/finding-personal-injury-lawyer-29840.html |
AuthorSince 1982, the attorneys of Schiff & Associates have provided our clients with quality legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. Our clients benefit from the combined skills of a powerful legal team. Archives
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