Chestnut Hill Personal Injury Attorney Answers Frequently Asked Questions
Every personal injury case is different and presents unique issues that must be analyzed and addressed in order to receive a full and fair amount of compensation after being injured by the negligence of another. That said, there are a few common questions that seem to come up most often after a car accident, construction accident or other personal injury. See below for answers to frequently asked questions personal injury law, and call Benedum Law at 215.LAWSUIT if you have other questions or need legal help after a serious personal injury in Philadelphia.
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Q: Do I need to pay for a consultation?
A: No. The consultation is free. Thereafter, if you and Benedum Law enter into an agreement of representation, it will be on a contingency fee basis. Benedum Law will advance all costs on the file and does not collect a fee unless you collect.
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Q: What should I bring to the consultation?
A: If you are in the possession of the following, please bring these items to the consultation – photographs, police report, insurance documents, medical records, bills, or any other information and/or documentation you have collected which pertains to your accident.
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Q: Where is Benedum Law located?
A: Benedum Law is located at 12 W. Willow Grove Avenue Suite Kismet Philadelphia, PA 19118.
From Mount Airy / Germantown:
By Car
Travel north on Germantown Avenue. Make a left onto W. Willow Grove Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
By Bus
Septa Bus Route 23 stops at the intersection of Willow Grove Avenue and Germantown Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
By Train
The Chestnut Hill West regional rail line stops at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Evergreen Avenue. Travel southeast on Germantown Avenue, walk approximately a half of mile and make a right onto W. Willow Grove Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
]The Chestnut Hill East station is located 101 E. Chestnut Hill Avenue. Travel towards Germantown Avenue. Make a left onto Germantown Avenue, walk approximately a half of mile and make a right onto W. Willow Grove Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
From Glenside / Cheltenham:
By Car
Travel south on Willow Grove Avenue. Cross Germantown Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
By Bus
Septa Bus Route 23 stops at the intersection of Willow Grove Avenue and Germantown Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
By Train
The Chestnut Hill East station is located 101 E. Chestnut Hill Avenue. Travel towards Germantown Avenue. Make a left onto Germantown Avenue, walk approximately a half of mile and make a right onto W. Willow Grove Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
From Flourtown / Wyndmoor:
By Car
Travel south on Willow Grove Avenue. Cross Germantown Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
By Bus
Septa Bus Route 94 stops at the intersection of Bethlehem Pike and Summit Street. Turn left onto Germantown Avenue and walk approximately a half of mile and make a left onto W. Willow Grove Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue.
By Train
The Chestnut Hill East station is located 101 E. Chestnut Hill Avenue. Travel towards Germantown Avenue. Make a left onto Germantown Avenue, walk approximately a half of mile and make a right onto W. Willow Grove Avenue. The office is on W. Willow Grove Avenue, approximately 200 feet from Germantown Avenue. -
Q: Will Benedum Law come to me to meet for the consultation?
A: Yes. Benedum Law will visit you at home, hospital, or other convenient location.
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Q: What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?
A: Even though all drivers are required to carry insurance, about one in 15 Pennsylvania drivers do not. If you are hit by an uninsured driver and seriously injured, you can make a claim under your Uninsured Motorist coverage. Another option is to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver personally, although you may have to take further steps to enforce and collect any judgment or settlement you receive. Remember that whether you are going up against an individual, their insurance company, or even your own insurance company, the party on the other side is interested in paying as little as possible or avoiding liability at all if they can. Don’t try to negotiate on your own without the help of a seasoned personal injury attorney with a record of success.
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Q: I may have been speeding when the accident occurred, but I know I had the right-of-way and did not cause the accident. Can I still file a claim even if I was speeding?
A: If your case were to go to trial, it would be up to the jury to decide how much each party was responsible for causing the accident. As long as you were not found to be more than 50% at fault, you could still recover from the negligent driver, but the amount of your compensation would be reduced in proportion to the amount of blame assigned to you.
Claiming that you were negligent is a favorite tactic of the insurance companies to avoid payment, so don’t take their word for it and don’t be afraid to call a personal injury attorney for a second opinion. Benedum Law offers a free consultation and will provide you with an honest assessment of your claim. -
Q: What are my rights as a motorcyclist if I’m injured by a distracted driver?
A: Insurance companies do not offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or limited tort coverage to motorcyclists. This means that your option for recovering compensation is limited to filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver and his or her insurance carrier. However, you will be able to recover full tort damages through a jury verdict or negotiated settlement, including damages for pain and suffering. The law does not favor injured motorcyclists, and juries often have a bias against riders as well, so make sure you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent you.
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Q: The insurance company already offered me a settlement. Wouldn’t it just be easier to take their check and get on with my life?
A: It is not at all surprising that the insurance company would offer you a check very soon after the accident. They want you to take their money before you talk to a lawyer, because the amount they offer is very far below what your case is actually worth. Accepting a settlement offer means you won’t be able to pursue the driver or insurer for any more money, even if you find out what they offered was too low to meet your needs. It is always wisest to talk to an attorney first to explore your options. Most cases do settle, but you will fare better with a settlement negotiated by your lawyer when the time is right.
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Q: I heard that I can recover money in addition to workers’ compensation after a construction accident, but I thought workers’ comp law didn’t allow you to sue your employer. When can I pursue a claim after a workplace accident?
A: While you can’t sue your employer in most instances, you can sue a third party who is responsible for your injuries. For instance, if you are injured in a car accident while traveling between worksites or picking up supplies, the negligent driver could be liable to you. The same is true for a third party who drives onto the jobsite to deliver materials and strikes a worker. Additionally, if a third party negligently erects a scaffold or performs crane operations negligently, they can be liable for injuries they cause. Other types of third party liability in construction cases include property owners who maintain dangerous premises, and workers who are injured by a malfunctioning power tool or piece of equipment that was defective when it left the manufacturer.
