Mistakes Made in a Pennsylvania Injury Case

" The Three Biggest Mistakes Most People Make After They've Been Injured In Any Kind of Accident"

A Special Report

Mistake #1

The Health Mistake You Could Regret For Years . . . And How To Avoid It

      If your accident caused serious injuries I know you're already getting medical treatment. Which is exactly what you should do.

      But what if you haven't been seriously injured . . . or at least you think it's not serious?

      I've seen many clients--both male and female--who were keyed up with adrenalin right after their accident and were just glad to be alive. They didn't have any blood gushing and didn't realize that they had some damage--soft tissue injury, such as a sore neck or back--that doesn't show up for a day or two. Then they can't get out of bed or bend over. This is typical.

      But believe me, these injuries can be very serious even though you can't see them on an X-ray. They can lay you up for weeks, months, or even years. If this description fits you, you need to go see a physician who is experienced in soft tissue injuries and get into rehabilitation therapy right away.

      But be forewarned. The average family practitioner doesn't know how to handle these soft tissue cases. And making yourself well has to be your number one concern.

      If you don't get the care and treatment you need, first of all you're going to be laid up much longer than you need to be--and if you're like most people, you simply can't afford the luxury of just taking it easy for up to a year. Second, if you have a damage claim, waiting makes it look like you're faking it. In any case, even a successful claim can't erase the pain and hardship you may be going through.

      So there's no reason not to see a doctor right away.

Mistake # 2

Not Learning Your Legal Rights

      I know you're probably concerned with how you're going to pay for this medical care and other bills. That's where your legal rights come in. They cover far more than just medical bills.

      Simply put, anytime you've been injured in an accident caused by somebody else, you have a right to be reimbursed for your property damages, medical expenses, for your lost wages, for your loss of future quality of life, for your pain and suffering. Past, present, and future.

      If you don't know what your rights are, how can you possibly expect to get a fair settlement for the full money damages you're entitled to?

Mistake #3

Not Understanding Other Common Pitfalls

      You're also going to be faced with something else. If it hasn't happened to you already, I can assure you that you're going to be inundated by "representatives" from lawyers--calling you or even visiting you in your home or in the hospital. They'll be trying to solicit your business.

      As a service to you, I'd like to tell you what you need to watch out for.

      Whether you hire me, hire another attorney, or work out your settlement by yourself, it is critical that you know the following:

1. First of all, don't sign any forms that are blank. These runners, as they're called, will take these blank contracts or power of attorney and sell them to whichever lawyer pays them the most money, not necessarily the best lawyer. Check out the lawyer. Make sure there is a lawyer out there. Don't sign anything until you go to a lawyer's office.
2. Second, don't discuss your case with anybody except your attorney, your doctor, and maybe your own personal insurance agent. Unless your injury is trivial, I have to tell you that you should have a lawyer. Since you can get help on a contingency basis, you're potentially risking a lot by not having one.

         So if you either have an attorney or are thinking about hiring one, don't talk to the other guy's insurance company.

         And regardless of that, don't talk to people who call you and say they are from the credit bureau and they are checking on your case. Don't talk to anybody who solicits you over the phone, period. I wouldn't talk to anybody that just showed up at your house, because you're being set up. Refer them all to your attorney.

3. Third, don't you dare sign any release from liability unless you've gotten a lawyer to approve it. Because once you settle your case, it's finished.

      The case is over. You can't get anything else.

      Besides, there's no need for you to sign anything to get the process going other than a claim form with your insurance company, which is legitimate. (Actually, you can get it going by making a telephone call and filing a claim over the telephone.)

      Let me give you an example of a very recent client of mine--the case of . . .

The $8,000 Signature.

      We had a case not too long ago where a man here from Central America who didn't speak English very well got rear-ended. They did about $800 dollars worth of damage to his car, which is not a real bad wreck but it's not just a little bump. The insurance adjuster got the guy to settle and sign a release for the $800 property damage claim. And he also had back injuries which the adjuster got him to settle for $20.

      Now, fortunately, the guy got to feeling suspicious and he came in. We said absolutely don't sign the check. We sent the check back to the insurance company and said we're rejecting this. Please send a new check without the bodily injury payment because the guy's hurt, and he's seeing a doctor.

      They refused.

      But we let him go ahead and get treated by a doctor, and then prepared our settlement package and sent it to the adjuster. He was irate but we told him he had overreached and we were going to take it to court.

      We just got a letter offering $5,000 as a first offer, and we'll probably settle it for eight or nine thousand.

      Insurance companies try to pull this kind of thing on a routine basis. Don't let yourself be victimized again! Ask your attorney.