FAQs About Personal Injury and Accident Claims
If you've been hurt, an attorney is here for you in Massachusetts & Connecticut
We know that personal injury cases can be incredibly confusing, and our personal injury lawyers in Massachusetts and Connecticut are here to help. These questions and answers have been complied by our experienced personal injury attorneys to give you an idea of how your case might proceed.
- What is a contingency fee?
- How do clients benefit from using a contingency fee arrangement?
- What is the benefit of having a lawyer represent me?
- What else can a lawyer do for me?
- How much does it cost to speak with a lawyer?
- How soon after an accident should I contact a lawyer?
- What should I bring when meeting with a lawyer?
- Should I accept the insurance company settlement?
- Should I give a recorded statement to the claims adjuster?
- Can I file a personal injury lawsuit?
- I was injured while visiting from out of state. What can I do?
- What is my case worth?
Remember, every case is unique. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone in Massachusetts or the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli in Connecticut. Give your case an advantage – The Salomone Advantage. Call today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights.
A: A "contingency fee" refers to the way we get paid. Instead of billing hourly for our services, we charge a percentage of the money our clients obtain after settling or winning the case. This means that attorneys' fees and your other case-related expenses do not apply unless you receive a successful judgment or settlement. The percentage is a pre-determined amount that allows you to recover financially from your accident or injury and compensates us for our services. To put it another way, you owe us nothing unless you win!
Q: How do clients benefit from using a contingency fee arrangement?
A: Under our arrangement, the "contingency" is the recovery of money for the client. If that contingency doesn't occur, the client owes the firm nothing for its efforts. The benefit to the client is that he or she does not have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses or attorney's fees. This is especially helpful to clients who do not have the ability to pay for attorneys. We believe that you have a right to legal advice and the state's courts regardless of your financial situation.
Q: What is the benefit of having a lawyer represent me?
A: If you're injured or a loved one is injured or dies in an accident, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation from the insurance company for the at-fault individual or company. But the insurance company might not necessarily offer you the money you may need. Remember, insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to make money, and they win when they pay people as little as possible or outright deny claims. They have attorneys working behind the scenes to keep money out of the pockets of injury victims. By hiring a lawyer, you have a trained legal professional who can negotiate on your behalf with the claims adjuster. If necessary, your attorney can take your case to court. You can give your case an advantage: The Salomone Advantage.
Q: What else can a lawyer do for me?
A: Your attorney can answer questions and explain laws. He or she can help evaluate your legal options, and serve as your legal advocate when negotiating with insurance companies or mediating conflicts with other people. In addition, lawyers can help file paperwork, court forms and other legal documents on your behalf and ensure deadlines are met.
Q: How much does it cost to speak with a lawyer?
A: At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli, we offer a free case evaluation to all potential clients. You don't have to worry about out-of-pocket expenses just to find out if you have a legal case. There is no pressure. After you offer a few details about your case, we can tell you how to best pursue your legal matter.
Q: How soon after an accident should I contact a lawyer?
A: You should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident or after a loved one has been injured or killed because of negligence. There are several reasons why it's critical to act promptly. It's important to begin a prompt investigation on your behalf. We must provide timely notice of claims. Evidence starts to disappear soon after accidents. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to track down witnesses. Your lawyer may also want to speak with the witnesses sooner than later because they may lose details of what happened. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to initiate a legal case. That's because you only have a limited timeframe to start a case under the Statute of Limitations. Call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 right now to get started on your case.
Q: What should I bring when meeting with a lawyer?
A: Injury and accident victims can help the lawyer get a head start on the case by bringing the following information to their first meeting:
- Medical papers given to you at the emergency room and/or doctor's office
- Papers given to you at the scene from the police
- Photos taken of the scene of the accident
- Photos taken of the vehicles in the accident
- Information that you have about any/all parties in the accident
- Papers showing vehicle insurance coverage
- Papers or a card showing health insurance coverage
- A list of any questions you have
- Matters of great urgency to you
Q: Should I accept the insurance company settlement?
A: No. Soon after your accident, you may find that the insurance company is quick to offer a settlement. Just because a claims adjuster made an offer doesn't mean you have to accept it. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to negotiate significantly more compensation for your losses than the insurance company is offering.
Q: Should I give a recorded statement to the claims adjuster?
A: NO! Don't offer any statements to the at-fault party's insurance company. Even if you think you're being helpful and not saying anything controversial, your statement to the insurance company can jeopardize your chances of getting a fair settlement. It may even result in the denial of the claim. The insurance company often use anything you say against you. You have a right to say no to the adjuster. Simply tell them to speak to the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone in Massachusetts or the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli in Connecticut.
Q: Can I file a personal injury lawsuit?
A: Yes. You may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the negligent party that caused your accident. At your discretion, and only after all legal options have been explored, we can file a personal injury lawsuit in the appropriate court.
Q: I was injured while visiting from out of state. What can I do?
A: Contact us immediately. Each state has specific rules and regulations surrounding specific legal matters. We're familiar with the nuances and procedures of Massachusetts and Connecticut state law. Our attorneys have a long track record of obtaining out-of-state clients the compensation deserved for their accident.
A: The value of a case is one of the most frequently asked questions, and also one of the more difficult ones to answer. That's because each case is different. Many factors come into play in determining compensation for an injury victim or a family who lost a loved one, from insurance coverage of the at-fault party to the nature of the injuries and property damage. You may be entitled to compensation to pay for damage to your property as well as medical bills and lost income. In addition to these economic damages, you may be entitled to receive noneconomic damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress and other conditions that are often difficult to quantify.
We work with clients one-on-one to build the most solid and successful legal strategy possible. That way, we can work to ensure you receive the compensation you need after your accident. Call us today to tell us about your case: 1-800-WIN-WIN-1.