Personal Injury Attorney: Frequently Asked Questions
CAPE CORAL, FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
We understand that there are many questions that you may have regarding your legal situation, but there are only of a few important ones we have listed. If your question is not answered here, please contact us and we will help you in the best manner possible.
What is the charge for an initial office consultation?
A personal injury or wrongful death consultation is free of charge. A consultation regarding other legal matters handled by our firm is $50. If you retain the attorney on the day of your consultation, this fee is waived.
Do you take major credit cards?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover
Why do I need an appointment to speak with an attorney?
We give every client or potential client our full attention. We prefer to meet in person in order to review contracts and procedures and answer any questions you may have. We attempt to schedule appointments at the most convenient time for the client, however, we have to work within the confines of the attorneys' busy schedules. We will always attempt to schedule appointments at the most convenient times for the client.
How soon will you be able to resolve my case?
Every case is different depending on the facts and people involved. Generally, it is imperative that the full extent of your injuries be determined before any real negotiations can begin. Once the extent of the injury and the facts are developed, it is approximately 6 to 12 months before resolution. However, if it is a particularly complicated case such as multiple parties or injuries it could take longer. It also depends on whether the defending insurance company is acting in good faith or is attempting to delay.
What is uninsured or under-insured coverage?
Uninsured or Under-Insured coverage is probably the single most important insurance you can buy. In Florida, a driver is required to carry PIP coverage which insures payment of medical bill and lost wages up to a minimum of $10,000. Beyond that, there is liability insurance that pays for the other person if you caused that person's injuries. The Under-insured or Uninsured coverage pays for your injuries if the party at fault has too little insurance or no insurance. That's extremely important if you were to be hit by someone like a convicted DUI who can't get insurance and may or may not even have a license to drive.
What do the terms "MMI" and "permanent impairment rating" mean?
MMI and Permanent Impairment Rating sound as if they go hand in hand. However, they are two very different concepts. MMI means Maximum Medical Improvement. This is the point at which you have healed as much as you are likely to heal after an injury. Generally, this will be when the treating physician will discharge you from further treatment other than follow-up care. It is also the time when your treating physician determines your Permanent Impairment Rating. This is a rating following AMA (American Medical Association) guidelines to determine the extent to which the injury will affect your future quality of life. This in turn helps determine the appropriate compensation that you should receive.
