Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
At the Law Offices of Paciocco & Mellow, we understand that experiencing a personal injury can lead to physically and emotionally challenging times.
Selecting a trustworthy attorney is an essential decision that should not be taken lightly. To assist you in making well-informed choices, we have assembled a list of frequently asked questions about personal injury cases.
Do I have a case?
If you are injured in an accident you may have a claim for damages against another person, a corporation or an insurance company. Claims can arise as the result of an automobile accident, a fall, a dog bite or other animal attack, or any other incident where the actions of another person has resulted in an injury.
Claims can also arise as the result of a disability not resulting from an accident, provided you have access to a disability insurance policy.
It is important that you contact an experienced lawyer, such as the lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow, as soon as possible following an accident or the onset of a disability. We provide a free initial consultation where you will sit down with one of our experienced lawyers, who will obtain all the details of your situation and who will tell you whether you have a case. Even if you think that you may not have a case, or someone else has told you that you do not, it is important that you speak with an experienced lawyer. Our experienced lawyers have years of experience helping injured people and will identify for you any potential claim that you have.
If the accident was my fault, do I still have a claim?
Even if you were charged by the police as a result of your car accident or feel that the accident was your fault, you may still have a claim. It is often the case that there is more than one cause for an accident or person at fault for an accident.
In addition to your own actions, the actions of another person may have contributed to the cause of the accident. It is important that you speak with one of the experienced lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow as soon as possible following your accident so that the potential responsible parties can be identified.
If it is determined by our experienced lawyers that the accident was your fault, you may still have a claim against an insurance company for some compensation. If you were involved in an automobile accident, you may have access to Statutory Accident Benefits which can provide compensation for such things as lost income and medical expenses. You may also have access to a disability insurance policy to compensate you in the event of disability.
How much will it cost me to hire a lawyer?
The initial consultation with one of the experienced injury lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow is free of charge. At this initial consultation, our lawyer will explain to you in detail the costs associated with your claim.
There are two general categories of fees associated with hiring a lawyer. These are legal fees and disbursements. Disbursements are the expenses which the lawyer incurs in prosecuting your case and include such things as court filing fees and the cost of obtaining medical records and reports. Legal fees are paid for the legal services provided by the lawyer.
At Paciocco & Mellow, the majority of cases are handled on a contingency basis. This means that the legal fees are paid as a pre-determined percentage of the amount recovered as the result of a settlement or judgment. If no amount is recovered, no legal fees are paid. Disbursements are generally paid for by the insurer of the defendant as part of the settlement.
How much will I get from my case?
The amount that you may recover in a claim depends on many factors. These factors include such things as:
- the type of injury;
- the type of treatment which is required;
- the amount of pain your experience;
- the type of limitations you have as a result of the injury;
- whether you have undergone surgery or surgery may be required in the future;
- whether your injury has caused you to miss time for work or has affected your ability to work;
- whether your injury has affected your ability to do household chores; and
the expected duration of any impairments you have as a result of the injury.
In order for our lawyers to provide you with an opinion as to what your case may be worth, it is necessary to interview you and to review your medical records. It is often the case that your long-term condition will not be known for a number of months, if not longer, following the accident and that our lawyers will only be able to provide you a very rough estimate of your potential recovery at the initial meeting. Rest assured that the lawyers of Paciocco & Mellow will do everything in their power to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve as the result of your accident.
How long will it take for my claim to resolve?
Every case is different and, as noted above, there are many factors that affect your claim. Most cases take two to three years to resolve, however, some are resolved in less time and some take much longer. You should keep in mind that while you may what to put your accident behind you as soon as possible, a quick settlement may not be in your best interest.
It often takes time to see what your condition in the long-term will be and it is important for you to have a good idea about what the future holds before entering into a settlement. The experienced lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow will work hard to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve in the shortest amount of time possible.
Why should I hire Paciocco & Mellow?
Choosing an injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make respecting your accident. The lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow have many years of experience handling personal injury claims both advising insurance companies and injured parties in the past. Today, we exclusively represent injured people and do not ever act for insurance companies. This is an important factor to consider when hiring an injury lawyer. As we act only for injured persons, you can be assured that we always have your best interest at heart and that we will forcefully pursue your claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. Our past experience has provided us with the tools to ensure that you are fairly treated by the opposing insurance company.
The lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow recognize that your claim is a very personal matter to you. We strive to provide personal service to each client. Our lawyers make themselves available to personally answer any questions that you might have about your case. We will treat you as a person and not a file number.
Contact Our Team Today
The experienced lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow are available to meet with you at the time and location which is most convenient for you to explain the options which you have regarding your insurance claims.