Things to Know in a Personal Injury Case

Have you or a loved one recently been injured in a personal injury accident? Were your injuries the direct result of another person or entity's negligent actions? If you were involved in any type of accident or were a victim of any time of negligence, then you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. It's important for you to understand that although the legally responsible party's insurance company may quickly step up and pay for any property damage or for your medical bills; that doesn't mean that their liability ends there.

In most cases, paying for your medical bills is only the beginning, however, if you are too quick to accept a low-ball settlement by the insurance company and additional damages are incurred later on, you have already lost your right to pursue additional compensation from the insurance carrier. There's no going back and asking for more money. Sadly, this is not an uncommon event and it can easily happen to you. Insurance carriers know quite well that accident victims are in a vulnerable state of mind after an injury accident and they take full advantage of this situation at the victim's expense.

Why You Should Talk to an Attorney First

It's a couple of days after the accident, and you are laid up in a hospital bed following a horrific car crash. The phone rings and it's a friendly insurance adjuster who wants to ask you a lot of questions about the accident. Fast forward a couple of weeks or months later: you're back home recovering from your injuries and the medical bills start rolling in. You're desperate to make sure that these bills are paid and don't go to collections - so you eagerly speak with the once friendly insurance adjuster who is now very conservative and serious about your case. They are now offering you a settlement and you think that you can take care of it yourself. You don't need an attorney. The truth is; this is one of the BIGGEST mistakes made by personal injury victims. They think they can save a buck by handling their claim themselves or they are too afraid to hire an attorney. The truth is, more often than not, hiring an attorney can add thousands of dollars if not more to your settlement, which can far outweigh the cost of attorney's fees.

"Isn't the insurance company supposed to help me and be on my side?" The short answer to this question is no! Insurance companies are for-profit companies, which means their first and foremost concern is their bottom line. The way they keep their profit margins high is by paying out as little in personal injury claims as they possibly can. Since the average accident victim has no clue what their claim is worth, and because they have no clue how much time or money they will miss from being out of work, no idea how much their medical bills will be or what they will cost in the future, they are not in the position to negotiate with an unethical or dishonest insurance company whatsoever! You wouldn't ask a lawyer to perform brain surgery, nor would you ask a baker to be your attorney, you certainly don't want to represent yourself in a personal injury claim!

Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations

Did you know that personal injury cases have a statute of limitations? A statute of limitations means that in order for you to collect damages for medical bills, lost income, and pain & suffering, you must file a lawsuit within a specified period of time; otherwise, you lose your right to file a lawsuit permanently. This means that if you wait too long to file a lawsuit, there is nothing you can do to get the compensation you truly deserve. In the state of Pennsylvania, under §5524, there is a two (2) year statute of limitations for actions to recover damages for personal injuries or for wrongful death claims in unlawful violence or negligence cases. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries due to the negligent or violent actions of another, we urge you to contact Attorney Frank Walker without delay. The sooner you get us on board, the better your chances of obtaining the compensation that reflects the true value of your personal injury claim.

You Need a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer

The difference between hiring an attorney and doing it yourself can be thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. When you have been injured in a serious accident, you and your family need as much money as possible to pay your everyday living expenses and to ensure that you have access to the highest quality medical care. Failure to obtain legal representation can result in you having to personally come up with the difference, which could ultimately result in thousands of dollars lost when you factor in medical bills and lost income. Whenever you or someone you love is injured in an accident, even a car accident, it's absolutely vital that you speak with a Pittsburgh Injury Attorney before you speak with the insurance company. This way, will you be able to breathe easier knowing your best interests are being looked out for by a true professional.