Q. How do I know if I have a good case?
A: Talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer is the best way to evaluate the merits of your case and claim. The Pearce Law Firm offers a free, no obligation evaluation of your case and will tell you whether your case has merit.
There is no obligation to you whatsoever for this free personal injury consultation. While we prefer to speak with you on the phone and schedule you for a free appointment, you may email us.
Q. What if I have a good personal injury case but can’t afford legal fees
A: We take most cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover. Our fee is a percentage of what we collect on your behalf.
Q. How much do you think my claim is worth?
A: It is, of course, impossible to answer this question before investigating your case. However, we may be able to give you a likely range based on the facts and merits of the circumstances surrounding your accident. A personal injury victim should receive the maximum amount of compensation they are legally entitled to receive. However, the insurance company and their team of lawyers should not determine the fair value of your claim as their goal is to keep the amount of payouts low. There is no simple formula for determining the value of a claim or case. Some factors that determine the value of a claim include how serious the accident was, how severe the injuries, whether the injuries are permanent or temporary, whether the injured party was an income earner or supporting others, the cost of medical treatments, whether there was or is pain and suffering, whether negligence was involved, whether lifelong care will be involved, etc. etc. Please feel free to call or e-mail us and we would be happy to give you the benefit of our experience and offer you a free, no obligation personal injury consultation and provide a realistic estimate of what your case might be worth.
Q. The insurance company representative says I don’t need a lawyer. Is this true?
A: Insurance Company representatives are paid to represent the insurance company’s best interest and to minimize their payouts. We highly recommend that you have a lawyer looking out for your best interests. In fact, we usually suggest that our clients not even talk to insurance companies until they have a lawyer representing them. If you have talked to an insurance company representative and they have offered you a sum of money, we will not take a fee of the amount already offered. However, generally an experienced personal injury lawyer like Edith Pearce will be able to substantially increase your settlement and compensation.
Q. What if the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance?
A: Under some circumstances, your own insurance (i.e., uninsurance coverage) or other insurance (i.e., workers’ compensation) may cover you for your injuries. The Pearce Law Firm is prepared to review with you these options to see if there is coverage for you.
Q. What if I don’t have any health insurance? How will my medical bills get paid?
A: Under some circumstances, your medical bills may be paid by the person causing the injury, the vehicle in which you were riding, or the state. The Pearce Law Firm is prepared to review these options with you.
Q. My medical bills and loss of income are way more than the insurance coverage of the party who was at fault. Also, the person has no other money. What’s the point of hiring an attorney? Why shouldn’t I just settle for whatever I can get?
A: It is almost always a mistake to accept a settlement without consulting an accident lawyer. In the event that the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is less than the value of your claim, you may be able to recover additional monies from your own insurance company for underinsurance coverage, or other sources. However, once you settle, you may lose your right to pursue these claims. Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer first.
Q. Will I have to go to trial to collect what is due to me or can we settle out of court?
A: The Pearce Law Firm believes very strongly in our motto “Working Toward Settlement While Aggressively Preparing For Trial.” While the majority of accident claims we handle do settle without having to go to court, the more prepared we are for trial, the better your settlement, and the more likely are the chances the other side will want to settle. Also, insurance companies and defense attorneys know that we will take a case to trial and this knowledge assists us to maximize your car accident settlement or other injury settlement.
Q. How soon can we begin settlement negotiations? I need money NOW.
A: Usually it is not a good idea to begin any negotiations until you have completely recovered from the accident and have a clear idea of the extent of any permanent injuries and/or disability and/or ongoing needs. Unanticipated medical bills, additional income loss, ongoing pain and suffering can turn an early settlement into a big mistake. In order to maximize your recovery, the full extent of your injury, losses and suffering must be known. However, we will do everything possible to expedite matters and prepare your case for settlement as soon as practical.
Q: How soon after the accident do I have to file a claim? Is there a time limit? I didn’t realize I was hurt until later.
A: In Pennsylvania, the time limit to report or file your injury claim may be as short as six months, as long as two years or possibly longer for someone who was injured before they turned 18 years old or someone who did not know that they had been injured until a later date. Also, the denial by your insurance company of coverage for your accident or injury may change the length of time you have to file a claim. It is important to consult us as soon as possible to ensure that you do not lose your rights to bring a claim.
Q: Why should I choose Edith Pearce and The Pearce Law Firm to represent me?
A: Edith Pearce is a successful, sought-after New Jersey and Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer with a great track record and many years of trial experience. Edith Pearce is intelligent (a member of MENSA) and has been recognized as the best of the best by her peers, being named a 2005 “Super Lawyer,” reserved for the top 5% of Pennsylvania lawyers and receiving the highest rating, “AV”, from Martindale-Hubble. In addition, before representing the rights of injured people, Ms. Pearce worked for both a large insurance company and also a law firm that defended (rather than filed) claims. As a result, she has a decided advantage in working with insurance companies and defense lawyers in getting her clients the maximum compensation and delivers superior results. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys where many different attorneys may be handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is involved in your entire case from start to finish. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file. Put her inside knowledge, intelligence, compassion and experience to work for you.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you need an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer. Call us today for a FREE PERSONAL INJURY CONSULTATION, or send us an instant e-mail.
We are dedicated to protecting your rights and obtaining full and fair compensation for you.
(215) 557-8686 :: Contact Us
No Recovery/No Fee/ Contingent Fee Cases Accepted
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you need an experienced New Jersey and Pennsylvania accident lawyer. Call us today for a FREE PERSONAL INJURY CONSULTATION, or send us an instant e-mail.
