What should I bring when I meet with a personal injury lawyer? In the interest of being prepared and making the most of a meeting with your personal injury lawyer, there is some preparation on your part which will be extremely helpful in getting your case underway in the most timely possible fashion. If you don’t have any of these items ready, there’s no reason to be discouraged or to delay making an appointment for your case evaluation. First of all, please take a few moments to write down any details which will help us understand where, when, and how your accident took place. Include any details you remember such as the time of day, road and traffic conditions, and also any contact information you have for the other people involved including both passengers and the other driver. Of course, you’ll also want to bring a copy of the police report regarding the incident, any insurance documents you have for the vehicle involved, and any photographs you took of your injuries of the vehicles involved. Also, please bring any medical records which are relevant to your accident including any documentation from the hospital and ambulance (if one was used). It’s not necessary to wait until you finish with any treatment related to your accident, and important that you don’t delay long enough to have completed it. Bring whatever documentation you have up to the date you set for your initial consultation. Any other relevant information you have including communication with insurance companies or other parties involved in the accident will also be beneficial. The better prepared you are the first time you speak with a lawyer, the more that can be accomplished more quickly. Please don’t delay in setting up your case evaluation based on whether or not you’re missing some of the items listed here. We can gather the information we need if we move forward together with your legal action, however we cannot replace the valuable time you lose if you choose to wait.

I’ve been offered a settlement. Should I accept it? In certain cases, when it’s very apparent that a party has been negligent and caused someone to suffer an injury, there may be a monetary settlement offered even prior to the injured party beginning any legal action. Other times, a settlement might be offered very early in the process of legal action being undertaken. In most cases, although this quick settlement might seem attractive while a person is facing medical expenses or the financial burden caused by lost wages, it’s typically best to wait before accepting any such settlement. The New York personal injury lawyers of Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. are ready to provide you with the best possible advice on how to address the financial situations caused as a result of your injury. Before accepting any settlement offered to you, contact us at (212) 776-1800 to be aware of all the rights granted to you by the laws of this state in regard to receiving just compensation for your losses and for your pain and suffering.

Am I eligible for compensation if I’ve been injured at my job? Depending on the situation which led to your workplace injury, you may be eligible to receive compensation above and beyond that provided by a worker’s compensation claim. Whether or not you are eligible will depend on whether a personal injury lawyer is able to prove your injury happened as a result of another party’s negligence. It’s not uncommon for an employer to give unreliable information regarding your right to compensation, so it’s best that you consult with an experienced attorney before accepting any compensation they offer. The New York personal injury at of Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C., can help you to decide whether to pursue legal action. Call our offices at (212) 776-1800 to consult with our skilled and aggressive attorneys about your case today.

What money could I recover as a settlement for a car accident? The law allows for you to recover money for a variety of reasons following a car accident due to negligence. Some of the potential damages you may be entitled to include medical expenses, future medical expenses, disfigurement, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of consortium, loss of society and companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, and household services. If you’ve been injured in an accident by no fault of your own, don’t delay any longer before contacting the New York personal injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. to set up your free initial consultation. We’re committed to recovering the best possible settlement for you ijuries and other losses in connection with your accident.

What should I do if I’ve been involved in motorcycle accident? The first thing you need to be concerned with is seeking medical attention. Even if you think your injuries aren’t severe enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room or to your doctor, you need to understand that the effects of some injuries aren’t immediately apparent. A doctor will be able to insure that any injuries that occurred during your accident are properly identified and treated in order to insure that you don’t suffer more severe consequences later as a result of them overlooked. It’s also important to make sure law enforcement officers were at the scene of your accident to document it and to collect statements and contact information from anyone who may have witnessed it. This documentation may become critical if you end up pursuing a personal injury lawsuit as a result of your accident. The professionals at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. are available to help guide you through the process of recovering compensation for any injuries you’ve suffered at the hands of a negligent driver. Contact our offices today at (212) 776 – 1800 for a free evaluation of your case.

What does punitive damages mean? Punitive damages are awarded when it can be demonstrated that the party responsible for causing an injury or harm to another has behaved not just negligently, but recklessly or willfully. Punitive damages allow for a plaintiff to receive compensation significantly above the amount that would normally be awarded in a case of simple negligence. If you’ve been the victim of reckless or willful behavior which caused you harm, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. to discuss the specifics of your case during your free initial consultation. Call our offices now at (212) 776-1800 to begin evaluating your case today.

How will I be paid if I win my case? More often than not, a successful lawsuit will be paid by what’s called a structured settlement. This means that any damages which are awarded will be paid slowly over a period of time in smaller amounts. It is also possible but less likely that an award be paid at one time in a lump sum payment. Either of these two scenarios is possible and it would be decided at the time the lawsuit is resolved which method of payment would be used. The New York accident lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. are ready to help you recover from the financial burdens brought about by your injuries. Call us now at (212) 776-1800 to discuss the details of your situation with us during your free case evaluation.

How much of a settlement could I get if I win a medical malpractice suit? The compensation awarded for a successful medical malpractice suit can include money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the particular case involves permanent disability caused by the malpractice, the damages can include money for long term care and the loss of future income. There is a broad range of things which factor into the judgement which is awarded to a victim. Hiring an experienced New York malpractice attorney will help guide you through the process of securing the best possible compensation for your injuries at the hands of negligent medical professionals. Call the offices of Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. today at (212) 776-1800 to see what assistance we can provide during your free case evaluation.

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet when my motorcycle accident happened? Whether or not wearing a a helmet will impact your case differently depending on the details of your particular situation. If wearing a helmet is relevant, for instance in the event that you suffered injuries to your head, then this would be considered and reduce the amount you would receive because of a concept called comparative negligence. Regardless of whether you carry some responsibility for your injuries for not wearing a helmet, you still have a right to initiate a personal injury lawsuit in relation to your motorcycle accident if it occurred through the negligence of another. You should not allow being partially at fault prevent you from receiving the compensation the law entitles you to if you were in an accident that occurred through no fault of your own. We’re available to evaluate your case free of charge and provide zealous, effective advocacy if you proceed with a lawsuit in connection with your motorcycle accident. Contact the New York personal injury attorneys at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. by calling (212) 776 – 1800 immediately.

How do I know if I’ve been the victim of medical malpractice? Medical malpractice claims are sophisticated and knowing whether or not you have a legitimate case is a matter you need to decide with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Medical professionals have a responsibility to provide accurate answers to a patient’s questions. When you the professionals involved unwilling or seemingly unable to answer your questions about treatments or the condition of the patient, chances are good that you may be dealing with medical malpractice. You’re entitled to competent, professional medical care which complies with the standards set forth by the state. If you feel you’ve received less than this during the course of you or a loved one’s medical treatment, you should be in contact with legal professionals without any further delay. To discuss your situation with experienced and compassionate New York medical malpractice lawyers, contact Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C., at (212) 776-1800.

What does comparative negligence mean? Comparative negligence comes into play when parties on both sides of a lawsuit have some responsibility for the incident or injuries in question. For instance, if you’re in a car accident while not wearing a seat belt or a motorcycle wreck without a helmet, you would bear some responsibility for the severity of your injuries, but not as much responsibility as an impaired driver or otherwise negligent or reckless driver who caused the accident to occur to begin with. In cases where comparative negligence is involved, the court would assign a percentage of the responsibility to both parties, but the party who showed greater negligence would still be responsible for compensating the party who showed less. While the damages you were awarded would be reduced, they could still be substantial and you should not allow partial, lesser responsibility for your injuries prevent you from seeking rightful compensation from a party who is more at fault than you. The New York personal injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve for the losses your injury has caused, even if you were partially at fault. Call us now to set up your free case evaluation at (212)776–1800. Our compassionate professionals are waiting to hear about your case and provide the help you need.

What should I do if an insurance company requests a statement or medical records? When they consider it a possibility that someone may become involved in a lawsuit in connection with an injury, insurance companies will typically seek to obtain any information they can from the injured party. This information can include statements given by you personally or access to your medical records. While it may seem as if the insurance company is looking out for your best interest, it’s important to remember that they are a business with the ultimate goal of holding on to as much money as possible as they pay claims for which they are responsible. The fact that an insurance company is seeking such information from you is a good indicator that you have a potential lawsuit. Before volunteering any information requested, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer to insure your rights and best interests are protected. Contact Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. today at (212) 776-1800 for a free initial consultation about pursuing a lawsuit to recover just compensation for your injuries.

Will I need to go to court? In many cases, a settlement satisfactory to all parties involved in a dispute can be reached without needing to go to trial. Typically, all parties involved would rather avoid the time, expense, and emotional distress a trial can bring. Those times when a plaintiff has a strong case, it’s quite common that insurance companies or defendants under the advice of their legal council will try to make some fair conciliatory offer so that a trial can be avoided. Of course, having a qualified attorney negotiating on your behalf is going to greatly increase your chances of having a fair settlement offered to you during this time before a trial. At times, though, an agreement cannot be reached without a courtroom proceeding. The New York personal injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. have over a decade of experience negotiating with insurance companies and negligent parties on the behalf of their clients. We’re committed to getting fair compensation for the suffering you or your loved ones have endured through no faults of your own. Contact our offices today to set up your free initial consultation at (212) 776 -1800 right away.

What does negligence mean? Negligence has occurred one one party fails to exercise care or fails to fulfill a duty or responsibility to another party to insure their safety. Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and many other of the types of cases handled by this office deal with negligence. If you’ve been the victim of an accident that could have been prevented by another person taking the normal care legally required of them in a given situation, such as a driver operating their vehicle irresponsibly or a property owner failing to insure a premises is free of safety hazards, then you are the victim of negligence. If you’ve been injured as a result of the negligent acts of another party, contact the New York personal injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. to discuss your case during your free case evaluation. We’re waiting at (212) 776-1800 to receive your call and begin work on your legal action.

When should I get a lawyer to represent me? The time immediately following an accident and injury is the most critical. While the injured party is still suffering the negative physical and financial effects of their accident, any insurance companies and negligent parties who may be responsible for compensating the victim are typically already hard at work trying to minimize the expenses related to the incident. For this reason, and since the victim is usually in a state which can cause compromised judgement, it’s best that a personal injury lawyer is hired as early as possible following any incident. The skilled New York injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C., are waiting for you to contact them at (212) 776-1800. We’re eager to begin your free initial consultation and advise you on the best course of action regarding your accident and injury. We’re committed to zealously and aggressively seeking the maximum reward possible to compensate you for the losses you’ve suffered.

Why do I need to hire a personal injury attorney? It’s very rare that anyone is adequately and fairly compensated for an injury caused by negligence without the help of a personal injury lawyer. Even a well meaning individual or a seemingly well meaning insurance company will attempt to minimize their liability and hold on to as much of their money as possible. As you’re dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of your injury, you’re operating at a reduced capacity and it’s highly unlikely that you can be your own best advocate. The New York personal injury lawyers at Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C. are ready to assist you through the process of getting compensation for your injury. Our compassionate, zealous, dedicated professionals are waiting to discuss the specifics of your case. Call us today at (212) 776-1800 to set up your free initial consultation.

How much time do I have to file a lawsuit if I’ve been injured? There is a window of opportunity in which you need to file a lawsuit if you’ve been injured, called a statute of limitations. Depending on the specific type of cause, the State of New York prescribes different time limits on when one can pursue legal action. If you wait longer than this to begin legal action, you will not be allowed to do so. There are some exceptions which allow this period to be extended, but it’s best not to wait any longer than necessary to begin any legal action you may be considering. The law allows for you to be fairly compensated if you or a loved one has been injured through the fault of someone else’s negligence. Contact the New York personal lawyers of Lisa Michael and Associates, P.C., at (212) 776-1800 immediately to begin your free initial consultation and get yourself on the path to recovering the financial rewards you may be entitled to.