accident lawyer Archives - Rizio Hamilton & Kane P.C.

Bucks County Accident Lawyer : How to Find the RIGHT One

Posted on February 18, 2020February 19, 2020 by Alexandra Kane

Are you looking for a Bucks County accident lawyer ? Car accidents are increasing in Pennsylvania each year according to national statistics. For instance, in 2017, there were 1,137 crashes that involved deaths in Pennsylvania, and in 2018, there were 1,190 crashes that involved deaths in Pennsylvania.

Bucks County contains multiple arteries that are well traveled, such as I-95, connections to the PA and NJ Turnpikes and Route 1. These major roadways can put Bucks County residents at an increased risk of car accidents. So, if you are injured in an accident and you are looking for a Bucks County accident lawyer, here are a few tips to get you started.

Look for a lawyer who specializes in Bucks County accidents. Does your lawyer know the area? It is helpful for your representative to understand the locale of the accident. It is important to understand the flow of traffic and the mechanism of the roadway, especially in the case of merge or intersectional accidents.
Call the attorney’s office. Were you able to speak to the lawyer and the lawyer’s staff? It is important to feel comfortable with both the lawyer’s staff and the lawyer. Get a feel for how the lawyer and the law office treats clients and each other. If you do not feel confident in the lawyer or if you do not feel at ease with the lawyer, try another firm.
Does the lawyer handle only accident and injury cases, or is the lawyer a general practitioner? If the lawyer handles all types of cases, such as wills and estates, accidents, family law, and criminal law, you may want to consult with a specialist before actually engaging that lawyer. Lawyers who specialize in accidents will be more in tune with the specific law governing your case and with the insurance companies and adjusters who are involved in your case. Hiring a jack-of-all-trades lawyer can put you at a disadvantage.

If you are searching for a Bucks County accident lawyer, call our office for a FREE consultation at 215-567-1900 or toll free 855-822-6783. You can speak to our lawyers and staff for a confidential and informative consult about your potential case. Our Bucks County accident lawyers have been serving the area since 1978.

Dog Bites: Nightmares of a Plaintiff and an Accident Lawyer

Posted on February 14, 2020February 14, 2020 by Alexandra Kane

Any old accident lawyer may not be enough if you are the victim of a dog bite. There are little known facts about the personal injury niche of dog bites. And this post is meant to shed some light on the issue.

In Pennsylvania, a dog owner or keeper must pay for the medical expenses of the injured party resulting from a dog bite. In some cases, if the injury is severe enough, the dog owner would need to pay for pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages that the injured party suffered as a result of the dog bite. In other cases, in order to recover for pain and suffering, and other damages, an injured party must prove negligence. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that the dog owner or keeper had a duty to the plaintiff, breached that duty, and that breach caused the plaintiff to suffer damages.

There are factors that the court would take into account in every case. Does the dog have a propensity for viciousness? Is the dog known to be aggressive? Has the dog bitten before? Factors that may mitigate the dog owner’s negligence also come into play. Was the dog restrained, or properly fenced and escaped without the possible knowledge of the dog owner? Also, did the plaintiff or injured party assume the risk, and enter the dog’s space knowingly, or did the injured party provoke the dog?

With all of this being said, suppose that the victim’s injuries are severe and include horrible facial lacerations, scarring and maiming. The dog owner allowed an aggressive dog off the leash and the victim sustained those injuries as a result. Liability is not an issue. Well, then who pays the settlement or judgement? The dog owner in most cases is “judgement proof” meaning, he or she has no real assets to pay a judgement. So, usually an injured party looks to insurance to pay for his or her injuries. There are many cases where the dog owner does not have homeowner’s insurance. And even more cases where, even if there is insurance, the insurance company disclaims such accidents and injuries. Many insurance companies specifically exclude certain dog breeds from their policies. Unfortunately, Pitbulls and Rottweilers are examples of breeds that are often specifically excluded from homeowner’s insurance policies. Hence, the nightmares of the plaintiff and accident lawyer begin. In these situations, injured parties need a creative, resourceful and relentless accident lawyer.

If you find yourself or a loved one in this situation, call an accident lawyer at Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C. at 855-822-6783 or 215-567-1900. Calls are always confidential and free.

When to Hire an Accident Attorney

Posted on February 12, 2020February 14, 2020 by Alexandra Kane

“I was in an accident. Do I need an accident attorney?” We hear this question quite a bit. Here’s what we generally tell all of our clients.

There are a few indicators for whether you would need an attorney.

First, were you injured? If the answer is yes, then you should hire an accident attorney. Unfortunately, insurance companies will immediately bombard you with questions to try to disclaim coverage or they will offer a very small amount of money for your “troubles.” It is important that you protect yourself from the outset. If things go wrong from the beginning of your possible case, there is not much an attorney can do for you after the fact. Attorneys cannot turn back time or alter statements after they have been made. So, it’s best to be proactive.

Second, do you have property damage? If the answer is yes, then you should hire an attorney. An accident attorney can help negotiate better property damage value or even help negotiate with vehicle storage facilities. Sometimes, there is a lag between the accident and the time it takes to get your vehicle fixed. This lag can lead to excessive storage fees. Additionally, there can be a dispute as to what damage the accident actually caused to your vehicle and preexisting damage. It will help to have an attorney on your side, to help you get your car fixed in a timely manner, or to get you full value if your vehicle is a total loss.

Third, how has the accident affected your life? Have you lost time from work? Are you unable to do things that you were able to do before the accident? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you should hire an accident attorney. An attorney can help you achieve a better overall result for your possible case with these types of damages.

Lastly, something important to note: accident attorneys do not charge fees for representation until the conclusion of the case…if they recover money for you. Essentially, you have nothing to lose, because you pay nothing and owe nothing unless the attorney settles your case or tries your case to verdict. In this case, your attorney will take a percentage of your recovery as his or her fee. This percentage is set up front, so you will know exactly what percentage your attorney will take for his or her fee. If your attorney is unable to settle your case, or if your attorney loses your case at arbitration or trial, you walk away owing nothing. Accident attorneys know this, and usually only take cases they believe they can win. There is great risk in taking on a case that has a low chance of recovery.

If you have been in an accident, and would like to talk to an accident attorney, call our toll free number 855-822-6783 for a FREE consultation.

Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C. toll free 855-822-6783 or local 215-567-1900

Car Accident? Essential Tips When Buying Car Insurance

Posted on February 4, 2020February 21, 2020 by Alexandra Kane

After a car accident, its too late to change your insurance. Whatever options you chose before the car accident (in other words, the policy in effect at the time of the accident) will apply to you and your family members, and possibly your passengers. That being said, buying car insurance is one aspect of life where we all must be proactive. So, let’s talk about what to look for when choosing insurance.

Tort Option: Limited Tort or Full Tort.
- Limited tort insurance costs less, however, it limits your ability to recover for damages related to an accident. You cannot recover money for your pain and suffering under limited tort insurance unless you breach the threshold of serious impairment of a bodily function or permanent disfigurement. In other words, you must be seriously injured, which translates into broken bones or worse, in order to recover for pain and suffering under limited tort insurance.
- Full tort insurance costs more, however, you will be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, regardless of whether you have broken bones or a soft tissue injury. In plain language, at the end of the day, insurance adjusters immediately look for your tort selection, and if you chose the limited tort option, the insurance adjuster will most likely immediately DENY your claim.
Uninsured and Under Insured Motorist Coverage. This coverage is NECESSARY. And the good news . . . it is very inexpensive.
- If you are struck by an uninsured driver, which happens all the time, you would need to pursue a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, then you will NOT be able to recover for your injuries.
- Under insured motorist coverage applies when the person who caused the accident has a low bodily injury coverage amount (generally the standard $15,000). This happens in virtually all accident cases. Most people buy the lowest coverage possible, because it is less expensive. However, when you have broken bones, paralysis, surgery, injections, or other procedures, $15,000 will not adequately compensate you for your injuries. Therefore, you would pursue an under insured motorist claim with your insurance company.

If you have been in a car accident, and you are not sure about your insurance coverage, call our car accident lawyers today for a FREE and confidential consultation at 855-822-6783 (toll free). The lawyers at Rizio, Hamilton & Kane will review your policy information and help you chose the right path for you and your possible case.

Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C. is a law firm that has been helping car accident victims receive the compensation they deserve for over 40 years.

Do I need an Auto Accident Lawyer ? I was in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft Vehicle. Am I covered by Insurance?

Posted on September 3, 2019March 5, 2020 by admin

The auto accident lawyers in Philadelphia at Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C. are often asked this question. So, let’s talk about whether you will have medical or other personal injury coverage in a rideshare accident, and whether or not you will need an auto accident lawyer.

Tag: accident lawyer

Bucks County Accident Lawyer : How to Find the RIGHT One

Dog Bites: Nightmares of a Plaintiff and an Accident Lawyer

When to Hire an Accident Attorney

Car Accident? Essential Tips When Buying Car Insurance

Do I need an Auto Accident Lawyer ? I was in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft Vehicle. Am I covered by Insurance?

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