Overview

When you are first interviewed, general information regarding your injury is gathered. Materials relating to things you should or should not do will be furnished to you. You will be requested to sign certain authorization forms which will allow us to obtain necessary information.

Investigation

We will notify the other party's insurance company that you have retained us as your attorneys. Letters will be sent to all physicians and hospitals involved in the case, requesting medical information regarding your injuries. We will investigate your case, interview all witnesses, police officers, and may take photographs and videotape of the accident scene and the instrumentalities involved. Other individuals such as accident reconstructionists may assist us and contact you for an interview. It is okay to talk to them about your case if we have given you prior approval. Any necessary information from employers, schools, or other persons will be obtained.

It is important to know that your case will not be settled until the damages have all been determined and all investigation has been completed. It generally takes several months to gather the necessary information. If a trial becomes necessary, it can take several years to complete the case. One of the most difficult requests we must make of you is to have patience. We will work as hard as we can and as fast as possible to settle your case quickly.

As soon as our investigation is completed and sufficient information obtained, we will make an evaluation of your case, and attempt to arrive at a proper settlement figure. Sometimes your doctor will be unable to provide us with a final evaluation of your injuries due to the fact that there needs to be a passage of time to allow total healing. Once the doctor tells us how much time delay is required, we will mark our calendar accordingly so that we can request a report from your doctor. We will give the insurance company a deadline in which to respond to our demands. It is common for the insurance company to ignore the deadline, and thus, we make follow-up telephone calls in an effort to get their response. You will be informed at all times of any offer that is made to settle your case.

The Amount of Recovery

It is impossible for us to tell how much money, if any, you will receive in connection with your case. As, your attorneys, we feel it is our duty to obtain the maximum award which will justly compensate you for your injuries. We will make every effort to do this, whether by settlement or trial.

We feel each case has a life expectancy of its own. Therefore, the sooner it is given birth, the sooner it will be over. We want to point out that although a lawsuit may have to be filed, settlement is always possible, and sometimes made just before trial.

Trial

If your case cannot be settled for a just award of money, we will proceed to trial. The last several weeks before the trial date are spent in detailed preparation of your case. What is expected of you at trial will be explained to you in detail well in advance of your going to court.