Why do I need to talk to an attorney right away?
Why shouldn't I cooperate with the insurance company?
What about my lost wages?
My vehicle was damaged in an auto accident. What am I entitled to?
How much is my case worth?
Will I owe anything if we don't win the case?
How long can you estimate my case will last?
How can I pay for an attorney?
Why do I need an attorney who is just going to take a percentage of my case?
How soon after I have been injured should I contact an attorney?

Why Do I need to talk to an Attorney right Away?

You need to talk to an attorney as soon as possible so all your rights are protected. An attorney can find out how much insurance is available to compensate you. There can be complicated insurance questions including whether uninsured motorist coverage is available, whether multiple policies of the uninsured motorist coverage can be stacked to provide additional coverage, whether underinsured motorist coverage is available, whether the defendant has excess insurance coverage or an umbrella policy.
There also may be other people who are responsible for the person who injured you such as the employer or principal of the driver who injured you or it may not have been an injury as the result of malpractice, but because a defective product instead. An experienced personal injury attorney can explore all avenues of potential recovery. It is also important to preserve all the evidence in your case.

Why shouldn't I cooperate with the insurance company?tone

You should never give a recorded statement to the claims adjuster for the insurance company without consulting first with an attorney. The claims adjuster works for the insurance company. Their job is to help their employer and the person or business who caused your injury. It is not to help you. They may try to get you to agree to misleading statements of how an accident occurs which will be used against you if the case goes to trial.

Never sign any papers sent by the insurance company without first talking to an attorney. A release called a general release will prevent you from suing other people liable for your injuries, even though the insurance company will not compensate you for those additional claims.

What about my lost wages?

You are entitled to full compensation for time off work due to your injuries. Keep your own log of your time off work. Obtain medical statements for your time off.

My vehicle was damaged in an auto accident. What am I entitled to?If you were injured in an auto or truck accident, I will help you obtain a rental car and maximize the amount available under California law for your vehicle, with no fee on the settlement for your vehicle or property damage. We charge a contingent fee only on the personal injury portion of your settlement or judgment.

How much is my case worth?

Many factors enter into the valuation of your settlement claim. Important factors include how long you need medical treatment, what kind of treatment you received, the length of time you continue to experience pain and suffering from the accident, the extent of any personal injuries you suffer, and whether you suffer permanent injuries.

Will I owe anything if we don't win the case?

If we fail to prosecute your case successfully, no money will come out of your pocket. You are only responsible for costs incurred if we win.

How long can you estimate my case will last?This really depends on how intricate the case is that we are dealing with. For example, the norm for a medical malpractice case is between one and two years from the day the complaint is first filed. On the other hand, liability/auto or general negligence cases will generally reach resolution in four to eight months.

How can I pay for an attorney?

Strong Arm Legal Centers handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means that you do not owe me any legal fee unless we recover money for you. Once we have successfully completed your case, we will take a percentage of the fee recovered.

Why do I need an attorney who is just going to take a percentage of my case?

When you deal directly with an insurance company or any defendant, you are dealing with an adversary. The party on the other end of the telephone is trained at minimizing your claim. Right away they will ask you to sign a medical release and give a taped statement just in case you get an attorney later. They will sound sympathetic to your plight, but in the end, they will do what they can to settle your case as quickly and cheaply as possible. By representing yourself, you are giving up your only leverage, your right to sue. Why would an insurance company fear being sued if you do not even have an attorney? They will not take your claim seriously unless you are represented. Being a victim is hard enough. Most people that are injured prefer to focus on recovery and not on insurance claims. Why not give your headache to a professional who understands how to deal with the quagmire of litigation.

How soon after I have been injured should I contact an attorney?

You should hire an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help with any investigation.
Do photographs need to be taken? The insurance company might send over an adjuster to take pictures that do not show the full extent of the damage to a vehicle. Are there witnesses to get statements from?
Once you have an attorney, the insurance companies can no longer contact you. I can help get your medical bills paid. I also help clients get through the property loss portion of a case.