Home > Personal Injury > FAQs
Print this page...

FAQs

How do I know if I need a personal injury lawyer?

If you have been injured because of someone's irresponsibility, you very likely will want justice and compensation for your losses. Should you pursue a settlement on your own? It's not a wise move. Personal injury victims typically are up against big insurance companies and their teams of attorneys. In many cases, the insurance companies will attempt to minimize your compensation or deny your claim altogether. Knowing that most non-lawyers do not fully understand their legal rights, insurance companies may offer a quick settlement and try to convince you that it's the best deal you can get. They may try to take advantage of you by eliciting statements from you that can damage your case.

With knowledge of the legal system and insurance regulations, an experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to fight insurance companies. When you retain a qualified attorney, you have someone who can stand up for your rights so you obtain a fair resolution. A good lawyer can get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses. With an experienced attorney on your side, you will have peace of mind knowing that no avenue was overlooked. You can focus on recovering and moving on with your life.

Does it matter when I contact a personal injury lawyer?

Every personal injury law has a statute of limitations that can limit a victim's ability to seek compensation for his or her injury or loss. By acting quickly to secure legal representation, you can solidify your personal injury claim before any insurance company has bound you to a written statement. There is also the matter of witnesses and other supporting evidence (for instance, photography showing a broken railing), which can become harder to document if too much time goes by.

What role does a doctor have in a personal injury claim?

Of course, getting treatment for any injury should be your first concern, ahead of any claim you may be considering. With that in mind, your symptoms, your diagnosis, and your treatment are medical decisions that should be made between you and your doctor(s).

If you choose to involve an attorney, all discussion of your condition remains strictly confidential as attorney/client communication, though some medical evidence and/or testimony may need to be brought forward to advance your claim. Keep in mind, though, that medical treatment in and of itself is no assurance that you have a valid personal injury claim.

How do I document the extent of my personal injury?

At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, our people are your resource. We will answer your questions and advocate for your rights. The more information you are able to provide, the better able we will be to do our jobs.

Valuable information may take the form of any or all of the following:

What determines the dollar figure of my personal injury claim?

A number of factors need to be investigated before a claim is determined; trying to "get to a number" too quickly often leads people to agree to a settlement that is lower than what they deserve. We make sure to consider all the ways the injured party has been affected: their income, their ability to support their family, their future ability to live independently, etc.

Different accident and injury scenarios involve different insurance coverage, perhaps from more than one party who may share liability for what has happened. Turn to Joe to get the full due diligence of looking at your case from every angle, to be sure that you get the justice you deserve.

Are the details of my personal injury case confidential?

Whether it is your employer, the other party involved in the case, or the general public, nobody will have access to any details that you do not wish to be divulged. At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we will always get your specific written permission before any information protected by attorney-client privilege is provided to any entity outside the firm. This enables us to work closely with you, and to consider every detail of what has happened, without any fear that an aspect of your case may become public without your consent.