In a continuing effort to serve clients as completely as possible and answer all questions regarding their personal injury and car accident lawsuits, we have provided the following common questions and our responses below. :
Effective, thorough, respectful legal service
Attorneys at Washington, DC’s Law Offices of Jay S. Weiss, P.C. fight to win just compensation for personal injury victims throughout the greater DC Metro Area, including Montgomery, Howard, Prince George’s, Charles, and other nearby counties in Maryland. Dial (202)872-1545 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and start on the path to financial recovery.
Should I provide a statement to an insurance company without a lawyer’s help?
It is in your best interests to only provide your contact information to an insurance company until you consult with a lawyer. The more significant your injuries, the more imperative it becomes to seek legal counsel before providing any statement.
Will I have to go to trial to recover damages?
The majority of personal injury cases filed settle prior to trial.
What is considered “pain and suffering?”
Pain and suffering includes harm and inconvenience caused by physical injury and mental anguish experienced through avoiding activities you engaged in prior to your accident and the potential of surgery.
What determines the amount I might recover?
Every case addresses three issues:
- Liability—establishing someone’s negligence
- Damages—the amount that will fairly and adequately compensate you for your injuries
- Source of collection—insurance or other assets from which damages can be recovered
What is a typical settlement amount?
An experienced personal injury lawyer reviews and interprets your case information to determine the appropriate value for your claim:
| Incurred medical bill amount | Impact on future earning capacity |
| Future medical bills | Activities you can no longer do |
| Loss of past income | Activities you can do but do not enjoy as much |
| Your age | Prognosis for further problems |
| Any permanent limitations caused by the injury | Strength of lay witness testimony |
The goal is fair and adequate compensation for your injury and an experienced attorney will know what a reasonable jury would award. The strength of lay and expert witness testimony will likely influence the amount.
Can the insurance company refuse to pay my medical bills if my car was not damaged?
No. While the insurance company might try to draw a direct correlation between damage done to your car and the severity of your personal injury, it is possible that the body sustains damage even if the car did not. The reverse may also be true—a car might experience major impact but the people might only suffer minor cuts and bruises.