1.For the insurance company, it’s all about money. When people are injured, all they want is to get their lives back to normal. Money is, for better or worse, usually the only thing that can help – money for lost wages, medical bills, pain, suffering and other damages. You wouldn’t know it from their public relations campaigns, but insurance companies do not exist to help people, they exist to make money. The less money they pay to injured people, the higher their profits.
2.You have a limited time in which to bring a lawsuit. In Pennsylvania, the time period is often two years, although only a qualified attorney can tell you for sure. In some circumstances that time period may be longer or shorter. In every case, you should contact a lawyer long before that time period runs out because it will take time to prepare your case.
3.Your claim is most likely worth much more than the insurance company will tell you. Insurance companies try to “lowball” unrepresented victims, convincing them to sign away their rights for a fraction of what their case is worth.
4. A good lawyer can usually get you more money thatn the insurance company is willing to offer you if you are not represented. Insurance companies understand that it will be very difficult for most injured persons to successfully bring their own case to court.
5. Even if the injury was partially your fault, you may be able to recover from the other party. In Pennsylvania, an injured person may recover against another party even if the injured person was at fault, as long as the injured person was not more than 50% responsible for the accident.
6. You do not have to share all information with the insurance company. If you do not have a lawyer, the insurance company may call you to ask how you are doing, and may ask you to send them medical documents, written statements, witness accounts and other information. Keep in mind – they are not your friends, they are looking for anything that will hurt your case against them.
7. You can get legal help without paying a penny. I will meet with you and evaluate your case absolutely free of charge. If you hire me to represent you, I will ask you to sign an agreement that entitles me to be paid only if I am able to successfully settle or obtain a verdict in your favor. I will pay for expenses in your case. If we are not successful, you will pay absolutely nothing.
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