Do I have a good personal injury claim?
Have you suffered an injury to your person or property? Was your injury the result of someone else’s fault? It is not always necessary to have a physical injury to bring a lawsuit; however, suits may be based on a variety of non-physical losses and harms. You also may have an action if someone has attacked your reputation, invaded your privacy, or negligently or intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon you.
How much is my personal injury case worth?
Although most lawyers may have a sense of the value of each case at the beginning, evaluation of many factors is prudent. At some point after a thorough evaluation of the evidence and a proper work up of the case, the Lawyer handling the case will provide information as to his opinion on value. Generally this occurs later in the case. The Lawyer’s opinion of value does not mean there is a guarantee of any recovery. People often want to know what they can win after being injured in an accident. Here are a few examples:
- Current Medical Bills – Being involved in an accident usually means significant medical expenses. As a victim, you are entitled to have these expenses paid in relation to your case.
- Future Medical Costs – Recovery is often a long-term process. We’ll fight to have your expenses covered now and in the future.
- Lost Wages – If you had to leave work due to your injuries, you are entitled to lost wages as part of your compensation.
- Future Income – Sometimes returning to your previous job or career is no longer an option. If this is a result of an accident, we can recover the money you may miss out on for years to come.
- Pain and Suffering – You are entitled to payment for your pain and suffering as a result of your experience.
Do I need to hire a personal injury attorney for my case?
Watching some of the movies or television shows these days can give you the wrong idea. Hollywood makes it seem like injury and accident cases are normal and that anyone can represent themselves in a court of law.
But those outside of the legal profession are rarely equipped to handle the complex issues that can arise when using our legal system. Make sure you have a trusted partner on your side to help with this process.
Frequently, you’ll find those at fault will have the backing of the insurance companies and an army of lawyers arguing on their behalf. Their main goal is to deny your claim, downplay your pain and suffering, and minimize your compensation. Without a tough attorney on your side, winning your case – or getting everything you may be entitled to – can be almost impossible.
The attorneys at The Sevey Law Firm know how to defend your rights, negotiate with the insurance companies, and get the results you want.
What do I need to do to prepare for my initial consultation?
For the initial meeting, it will be helpful to bring in all of the documentation you have regarding your claim. If you’re not sure if the information is relevant, bring it anyway – the more the better. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything you need right away. We can always gather whatever else is required afterwards.
A few things you may want to bring:
- Police Reports, or the card given to you by the police or CHP. If you do not have a report, bring all of the defendants’ information that you do have.
- Medical Reports from your doctors or hospitals that describe your injuries
- Insurance Information for the other driver
- Photographs from the accident scene, your vehicle, and your injuries
- Your Driver’s License
- Your medical insurance identification card
- Your automobile insurance policy
- The name and address of your current doctor(s)
- The name and address of the doctors you have seen in the past five years
After reviewing the information, our attorneys will determine whether or not you have a case. If so, you’ll be asked to sign a retainer agreement before we begin working together. We cannot represent you without this agreement.
