Personal Injury FAQ
Gibson Law Offices has been helping the people of Louisville with their personal injury cases for more than two decades. Our attorney, Ken Gibson, has represented many clients throughout the region, and hears many common questions from them about personal injury cases. We wanted to take a few minutes to address some of those questions, so that you have a better understanding of the process, and what we can do to help you maximize the possible compensation available to you.
What should you do after an accident?
Before you do anything else, schedule a doctor’s appointment or go to an emergency room. This is absolutely vital to your accident claims. You must be able to show that your injuries can be connected to the crash, and you can only do this by getting medical care as soon as possible. After getting the appropriate care, consult an attorney to learn your next steps.
How long will my case take?
Well, this is a common question, and, unfortunately, there is no real good answer besides “it depends.” Some personal injury cases in Kentucky settle quickly, while some require a trial before they are officially resolved. It really just depends upon many different factors in each case. We can review your specific case and give you a better answer during our initial consultation.
How much can I expect to get back?
Like the above question, it isn’t easy for us to throw a number out that can apply to all cases. The amount of compensation available depends upon the injuries suffered in the accident, the medical care required of the parties, the amount of damage to vehicles and other concerns that resulted due to the crash. Because each case is so different, we really need to be able to sit down together to gain a better understanding of what is at stake in your case.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
The vast majority of personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee arrangement. What this means is that your attorney does not receive any fees unless he or she has achieved a successful verdict or settlement in your case. This means that you do not have to pay for your attorney’s services out of your own pocket. Your attorney takes on all the risk for you.
Is it absolutely necessary to hire an attorney?
Well, you can try to handle your case on your own, but, you have to realize exactly what you are going up against. The moment your accident happens, the team of adjusters working for the insurance company starts analyzing your case. They are studying your injuries, determining their value, and gauging the potential liability that they have in each case.
When they come to you with an offer, know that they are presenting what they feel is in their best interests. They are a business, concerned mainly about their financial responsibility to you. They may try several different methods to settle your case. They might contact you right away and try to get you to give up your claims. They may make it impossible to get in touch with them because they want to string you along.
Basically, what we are saying here is that the insurer has no obligation to give you the full value of your claims. It is up to you to take action and to show them that you are committed to protecting your rights. The most effective way to do that is by contacting an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case.
If you have an attorney, you suddenly have someone who understands the full value of your case. Your lawyer knows how insurance companies work, and can use this knowledge to negotiate a favorable settlement with these companies. And, if the insurers refuse to settle, your lawyer can take your case to trial.
Are We The Right Firm For You?
With our lawyer’s extensive experience in personal injury law, we are here to answer any questions that you may have about your case. If you want to know more about the specifics of your claim, give us a call at 502-403-2798 or send us an email to schedule your free consultation.