What should I do if I have been injured in an Accident?

This legal information is not to be used as a substitute for the advice of an attorney. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, a police officer should be promptly called to the accident scene and a report of the incident made. Any injury, no matter how minor should be reported immediately to the police officer. It may become more significant later, even though it seems minor at the time of the accident. It is most important to seek prompt medical treatment. Do not sign any authorizations or give any statement to representatives of the other parties insurance carrier without the advice of your own attorney. Finally, faithfully follow your doctor’s advice.

In general, your health is of the utmost concern and any injury should not be ignored. You should always seek competent medical advice if you believe you have been injured. In the event the injuries seem serious, you should promptly consult an attorney in order to protect your legal rights before discussing your injuries with representatives of companies that insure those who have caused your injuries.

How do I know if I may need an attorney?

If you have sustained only minor injuries and you are certain that you are well and your injuries will not get worse, you may not need a lawyer. However, if you are not certain of the extent of your injuries or if your injuries disable you from performing your normal duties, experienced attorneys such as those at our law firm are crucial to you and your family.

When you or a family member are the victims of a serious injury, you are often at your most vulnerable. The insurance adjusters have been trained to understand the legal implications of an accident, and all too often offer smaller amounts of compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain, and suffering than you should receive. Their job is to obtain the best financial settlement and to obtain your signature on a release. Don’t start your personal injury case at a disadvantage. Our experienced expert law firm will be able to evaluate your case and advise you of your legal rights. It is important that you do not make a statement or give medical authorization to the insurance company if you think you need to ask an attorney’s advice. And remember, delay in contacting an attorney may be harmful to your case. The sooner you consult an expert attorney, the better the opportunity for a successful investigation and preservation of evidence for your case.

In order to protect your legal rights and your family’s future, you should consult with our law firm as soon as possible after an injury occurs.

There is a statute of limitations that requires you to file suit within a specific period of time, depending upon the circumstances of your case, or else you will be prohibited from obtaining any compensation for your injuries.

What is “Liability”?

The term “liability” generally means that an individual, company or some other entity may be obligated to pay damages or compensation to another.

The negligent driver, manufacturer or seller of a product, is responsible or “liable” to pay for damages including pain and suffering and financial losses if they are caused by his or her carelessness.

Liability or responsibility depends upon the duties imposed by the law. An attorney will be able to analyze who may or may not be liable in a particular case.

What is “Comparative Negligence”?

The term “negligence” denotes the failure to act as a reasonable, careful, and prudent person would act under the same or similar circumstances. Simply stated, negligence is carelessness.

Unfortunately, injuries can and do happen because of the negligence or carelessness of more than one person. This sometimes includes the injured party. In such situations the injured party is not prevented from obtaining compensation for his or her injuries.

The term “comparative negligence” means that the fault of all parties is compared and the amount of the recovery for damages sustained by the injured victim is reduced by the percentage of his or her own fault. In this way, each person is held accountable for the number of damages that they caused.