Frequently Asked Questions – Personal Injury Law
Why should I hire a lawyer?
Hiring a qualified personal injury lawyer is the first step toward getting maximum justice for your pain and suffering after an accident. I have more than 26 years of experience handling personal injury claims in the Fort Lauderdale – Wilton Manors area of South Florida. I will take as much time as necessary to listen to you and to help you understand anything you might think is confusing.
Do I have a case?
I had an accident, but I didn’t take pictures and there were no witnesses. Do I have a case?
There are many different kinds of evidence that can support your accident case in addition to photos and witnesses. The best thing to do is complete our free initial consultation form or call 954.626.0727 so we can meet to look at the particular details of your accident or other personal injury case.
What happens after I hire you?
The first step in building a strong case for you is to investigate your accident. I have a team of experts, from medical professionals to accident reconstruction specialists, ready to analyze all of the details of your accident, collect evidence, and determine who’s at fault.
When will I receive a settlement offer?
Every case is unique, and so are the circumstances that lead to a settlement offer. Some cases settle quickly, some take a longer time. What is important to keep in mind is that I have your best interest at heart and will make sure that we discuss any settlement offer presented to you in order to determine if it’s sufficient to cover the damages you’ve suffered.
Should I accept the insurance company offer?
Do I have to accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! After an initial settlement offer, we will meet to discuss what the insurance company is proposing and if it provides maximum justice for your injuries. This is known as the negotiation phase of your case and is where we have a chance to respond to the insurance company’s settlement proposal. I’m on your side and I want to make sure you recover as much as possible for your injuries. If an initial settlement offer from the insurance company doesn’t meet your needs, I will continue to negotiate until we reach a satisfactory outcome for you.
What happens if I don't accept an offer?
What happens if I don’t accept any settlement offer from the insurance company?
At some point the insurance company may present a “final settlement offer.” If you are not satisfied with their offer (meaning it’s too low), I may file a lawsuit against the parties at fault to pursue the compensation we believe you are owed.
If you file a lawsuit, will there be a trial?
After I file your case with the court (the legal term is: filing the complaint), we have a chance to exchange the documents that support your case, called “Discovery,” with the attorney representing the defendant. Negotiations with the defendant’s attorney provide another chance to reach a settlement before going to trial.
Before trial, there is a process called “Mediation,” where we sit down the the defendant, their attorney, and a mediator (usually a retired judge or very experienced lawyer) to try and reach a resolution to your case.
Is 'mediation' binding?
Mediation is not binding.
Should we not settle in a way that is satisfactory to you, we go to trial where a jury and/or judge makes a decision based on the evidence presented by both parties. While, a trial may be the only way in which we can recover the damages you are entitled to receive for your injuries, a trial takes control away from our hands. My goal is to always reach a settlement that provides you with the compensation you deserve, before going to trial.
These are just a few questions and answers to the most common concerns my clients have before hiring our personal injury law firm. You may have other important questions that I can answer in person or over the phone, free-of-charge. Please don’t hesitate to call me today so I may help you make the right decisions for your case.