The attorneys at The Nice Law Firm in Indianapolis provide answers to questions our prospective clients frequently ask about personal injury accidents.
- How do I know if I have a good case?
- What if have a good case, but cannot afford legal fees?
- The insurance company representative told me I don't need a lawyer. Is this true?
- Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
- How much do you think my claim is worth?
- Will I have to go to trial to receive a settlement?
- How soon can we begin settlement negotiations? I need money now to pay my bills.
- How soon after the accident do I have to file a claim?
How do I know if I have a good case?
Talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer is the best way to evaluate the merit of your claim. At The Nice Law Firm, our attorneys offer a free, no obligation evaluation of your case. After speaking with you and gathering details about your injury accident, we will provide you with our recommendation for the best course of action.
What if have a good case, but cannot afford legal fees?
Our law firm often takes personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not have to pay any fees up front. We will work on your file and pursue your claim, but you will only pay for our services if a settlement is reached in your favor.
The insurance company representative told me I don't need a lawyer. Is this true?
It is important to remember, your goal and that of the insurance company are not the same. While your hope is to maximize the amount you can recover for damages, it is the insurance company‘s goal to pay out as little as possible on claims. Your loss is their profit. For that reason, we highly recommend that you have a lawyer who is working on your behalf to obtain you fair compensation for your injuries. Our attorneys typically suggest that our clients not talk to insurance companies until they have a lawyer representing their interests.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
While the insurance companies acting on behalf of a policyholders are certainly entitled to take recorded statements, if you intend to seek legal representation, you should not give a recorded statement until after you have retained an attorney. Your attorney will help you in this process and will help you to avoid common mistakes, which could easily be made. If you are asked for a recorded statement, you should tell the insurance adjuster that you intend to hire an attorney and that your attorney will contact them to arrange a recorded statement.
How much do you think my claim is worth?
Before thoroughly investigating your case, it is impossible to determine a claim's worth. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer may be able to give you an estimated range based on the facts and circumstances of your situation.
Some factors we analyze to make this determination include:
- Was negligence involved?
- The type of injury
- How severe are the injuries?
- Whether the injury is temporary or permanent
- Did the injured party lose wages?
- The cost of medical treatment
- Is pain and suffering a factor?
- Will lifelong care be needed?
Will I have to go to trial to receive a settlement?
Approximately 95% of personal injury cases are settled out of court. In many cases settlements are reached through negotiations, prior to filing suit and in other cases, a settlement is reached at mediation or arbitration. No attorney can guarantee that a trial will not be necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve, but we can honestly tell you that it is unlikely.
How soon can we begin settlement negotiations? I need money now to pay my bills.
Usually it is not a good idea to begin any settlement negotiations until you have completed all medical treatment and reached maximum medical improvement for your injuries. Unanticipated medical bills, additional income loss, and ongoing pain and suffering or the valuation of a permanent injury can make an early settlement a big mistake. In order to maximize your recovery, the full extent of your injury, losses and suffering must be known. However, we will do everything possible to expedite matters and begin the process as soon as it is in your best interests to do so. Once your case is settled, it is settled forever and it cannot be renegotiated at a later date.
How soon after the accident do I have to file a claim?
In Indiana, there is a two (2) year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim. If a governmental entity is involved, you may have to file a claim within 180 days. If you fail to give notice or file a lawsuit prior to the deadline, you will be forever barred from doing so. Please keep in mind that you should retain an attorney early on, to allow sufficient time for thorough case preparations and protection of your best interests.
If you are the victim of someone else's negligence and need legal advice and guidance with a real estate, small business, estate planning, personal injury, litigation or legal malpractice issue, call our law firm at (317) 269-3500 to arrange an appointment with one of our experienced attorneys. We will be glad to give you the benefit of our experience and offer you a no cost, no obligation case review.
