FAQs about Personal Injury Claims

​Whether it’s a car accident or a slip and fall, personal injury claims are often misunderstood and even avoided for all the wrong reasons. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions regarding personal injury claims. If you have a question that is not listed here, feel free to reply to this email or call us directly. We are here to help.

1. Should every vehicle accident get an attorney involved?
While we can’t definitively answer that question, we can advise that it never hurts to consult an attorney after a vehicle accident or a slip and fall. There is no cost to talk with us and examine the facts of your case.

2. If I decide to work with you, how much will it cost me?
Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. In other words, we don’t get paid until you get paid. Should there be an instance where no money is recovered, no fees are owed to the attorney.

3. If I need medical care after an accident or slip and fall, who pays for that?
Ultimately, the costs of medical care will be covered by the at-fault party if we are able to
successfully resolve the case. Once you have agreed to work with us, we assist with medical care by working with medical providers that take health insurance or hold payment of services until the successful resolution of the case. The bottom line is that you, the client, should often not incur much if any, out-of-pocket expenses for medical care.

4. How long will it take for my case to be settled?
That can vary greatly depending on the case. Some cases are settled in a matter of months, others can take years. There is no set time limit for the case to be settled.

5. Will I have to appear in court?
Only a small percentage of personal injury cases ever end up in a courtroom. While there is no guarantee that you won’t have to appear in court, there is a good chance that you won’t.

6. What if I feel fine now and want to file a claim later?
In Louisiana, you have one year from the date of the incident to file a claim. In Mississippi, you have three years from the date of the accident. However, it is important to seek medical attention regardless of whether or not you engage an attorney right away. The medical records document your injuries from the incident and are vital to all cases.

7. If a lawsuit is filed, who is it filed against?
While most personal injury cases are settled out of court, in some cases, a lawsuit must be filed. The lawsuit must first be filed against the insurance company, not the person.

We often hear people say, “I don’t want to be that kind of person,” meaning the type of person who files lawsuits to make a quick buck. We would encourage you to think about your case differently. When a person is involved in an accident, they have every right to be “made whole” again. Filing a claim against an insurance company gives people an opportunity to do just that as well as be compensated for lost time at work and other factors.

If you have questions that we didn’t cover here, give us a call. We would love the opportunity to help you.