We took the time to list common questions we hear from our clients. Here’s a list of what you need to know when choosing a personal injury attorney. Simply click on a question and you will be linked to the answer below.
Q. Why Should You Call Us?
Q. What Do I Need To know When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney?
Q. How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
Q. I am in this country illegally. Can I still sue someone if I am injured?
Q. Can I get money immediately, before my case settles or goes to trial?
Q. How can I get to work while my car is being fixed?
Q. Can I get medical care if I do not have medical insurance?
Q. What Percent of your cases are settled before trial?
Q. Do you have a record of successful settlements or positive verdicts of cases similar to mine?
Q. How do I get in touch with you if I have questions?
Q. Are you Board Certified in Civil Trial Law?
Q. I don’t have confidence in my attorney. May I change attorneys without being penalized?
Q. I already have an attorney. May I still call your office for a “second opinion”?
Q. Why Should You Call Us?
A. If you or a loved one sustain a significant injury it is very important to call our law firm as soon as possible. Laws in this field are varied and complex. Many people have a case and do not realize it until it is too late. Calling us soon also allows us to investigate faster and to preserve the evidence. Photos need to be taken and sometimes tests need to be run soon after the incident or the case is lost forever. There is no reason not to call since the call and the advice is FREE.
Q. What Do I Need To know When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney?
A. Not all personal injury attorneys are the same. When it comes to serious situations of accident or injury, it pays to make sure the attorney you choose will be able to give you the most help possible. Ask the attorneys you are talking to about taking your case the following questions:
What percent of your cases are settled before trial?
- Most (90%) of cases settle, according to national statistics. It is less time consuming and expensive to have a case settle than to take it to court.
Do you have a solid record of successful settlements or positive verdicts when dealing with cases similar to mine?
- This is important because insurance companies keep track of law offices that bring cases to them. If the cases are prepared well, and usually deserve to be settled promptly, the companies know this and will be less likely to want to bring the case to court.
How do I get in touch with you if I have questions?
- At Buttafuoco and Associates, we have extended hours- while most other firms are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A number of individuals will be working on your case as it progresses (your attorney, paralegals, legal secretaries, etc.) and any one of these “team members” will either be able to help you immediately or at least get back to you by the end of the business day. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have a case, or if you have just been injured in any way (i.e. you have not retained us as your attorneys yet), we provide 24 hour service to advise you of your options.
Are you Board Certified in Civil Trial Law?
- The NBTA (National Board of Trial Advocacy) provides a strict certification process (including testing) for attorneys that practice in civil litigation. Have you passed that test?
Q. How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
A. Except in the most obvious situations, it is almost impossible for an individual to know if they have a case. Call us for FREE advice. We are here to help you determine the value of your case. The first thing you should do is call us at 1-800-NOW-HURT to talk with one of our team experts. In general, a case must have three key elements in order to have a strong case (NOTE: you may have a lesser case if any of these is lacking).
- LIABILITY- Is there someone who is LEGALLY at fault for the injury? In some states, like NY, juries can award a percentage of fault. In general, the more a defendant is at fault, the greater the award.
- DAMAGES – Was there significant injury or loss as a result of the incident?
- COLLECTABILITY – Does the person who is at fault have insurance or other assets that one can recover as part of an injury claim? In other words it doesn’t pay to take someone to court if they are unable to pay you any damages.
Q. I am in this country illegally. Can I still sue someone if I am injured?
A. Yes, even illegal aliens have rights when it comes to injury cases. You will not be deported for bringing a case.
Q. Can I get money immediately, before my case settles or goes to trial?
A. Yes, there are organizations which are available to provide money immediately to you while your case is pending.
Q. How can I get to work while my car is being fixed?
A. We have many ideas and methods to help you work with ANY problem you face while your case is pending and your life is disrupted. You won’t know unless you ask (“Ask and ye shall receive.”)
Q. Can I get medical care if I do not have medical insurance?
A. Yes. We have access to a whole list of medical providers who will treat you on a fee basis while your case is pending. If you have no means to pay now- just ask us!
Q. What Percent of your cases are settled before trial?
A. Most (90%) of cases settle, according to national statistics. It is less time consuming and expensive to have a case settle that to take it to court.
Q. Do you have a record of successful settlements or positive verdicts of cases similar to mine?
A. This is important because insurance companies keep track of law offices that bring cases to them. If the cases are prepared well, by a known and experienced lawyer, they usually deserve to be settled promptly. The companies know this and will be less likely to want to bring the cases to court against a strong and well prepared lawyer.
Q. How do I get in touch with you if I have questions?
A. At Buttafuoco and Associates, we have extended hours- while most other firms are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A number of individuals will be working on your case as it progresses (your attorney, paralegals, legal secretaries, etc.) and any one of these “team members” will either be able to help you immediately or at least get back to you by the end of the business day. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have a case, or if you have just been injured in any way (i.e. you have not retained us as your attorneys yet), we provide 24 hour service to advise you of your options.
Q. Are you Board Certified in Civil Trial Law?
A. The NBTA (National Board of Trial Advocacy) provides a strict certification process (including testing) for attorneys that practice civil litigation. Has your attorney passed that test? Not many lawyers in this field even bother to qualify, let alone pass this strict test.
Q. I don’t have confidence in my attorney. May I change attorneys without being penalized?
A. Yes. Under law you have the right to change attorneys at any time. The new attorney must obtain the file from the former attorney and a fair and appropriate split fee is decided between the two attorney’s offices. You do not have to pay more than the original fee. For example, you will still pay a single “one-third” fee but now the attorneys must share it based on the proportion of work each office has done. The client does not get involved in this as it is worked out between the attorneys.
Q. I already have an attorney. May I still call your office for a “second opinion”?
A. Yes. We will provide you with a free evaluation of your case if you call us. Often we do not attempt to take over the case from the other attorney unless you decide that this is in your best interest and we believe we can help you obtain a better result and have a better experience. Many times we simply explain patiently what is occurring and send you back to your attorney a happier and more knowledgeable client.