Personal Injury FAQ
Tampa Personal Injury Lawyers Offering Answers
What can I expect to happen during my personal injury case?
The personal injury process can seem daunting. An injury victim can submit
a claim with the insurance company of the at-fault party, or with his
or her own insurance provider in some cases. This should only be done
after the victim has consulted with an attorney. The insurance company will
then review the claim and either offer a settlement or deny the claim
altogether. If an unfair denial occurs or if a fair settlement cannot
be reached, the victim and his or her lawyer have the option of filing
a lawsuit against the insurer and getting the matter decided in court.
In some cases, it may make more sense to file a lawsuit rather than making
a claim directly with the insurance company. It is vitally important to
speak with an attorney to learn about the time constraints involved in
submitting a claim with an insurance company or filing a lawsuit.
What do I do if the at-fault party's provider asks for a statement?
Do not speak with any insurance claims adjusters until after you have talked
to a personal injury lawyer! In fact, once you retain legal counsel, the
insurer can deal directly with your lawyer. Insurance companies often
try to get victims to make statements that could hurt their own claims,
such as statements that indicate that you are partially at fault or that
your injuries are not that severe.
What is the difference between a settlement and a verdict?
A settlement occurs when the injury victim and the at-fault party's
insurance company come to an agreement on a certain amount of compensation
that will be paid to the victim. A settlement can be reached before a
claim is ever filed, but often times does not occur until after the victim
files an injury lawsuit. That is why having the right legal counsel on
your side early on in the process can make a huge difference. On the other
hand, a verdict is a final decision issued by the court after a trial
is held. In a personal injury trial, a verdict will determine how much
compensation must be paid to the victim. In some cases, a settlement between
the parties may be reached after a trial is started, but before a verdict
has been reached.
What are punitive damages?
In personal injury litigation, sometimes punitive damages are awarded as
part of the verdict. These are monetary damages that are meant to punish
the defendant rather than to compensate the victim for his or her claimed
losses. Punitive damages are usually only awarded in cases that involve
extreme situations of negligence.
How long does a personal injury case take?
The span of time that takes to resolve a personal injury case widely varies.
If you are able to reach a quick settlement with the at-fault party's
insurance company, the case may just take a matter of weeks or a couple
of months. However, if you and the insurance company keep going back and
forth and have difficulty reaching an agreement, or if you need to take
your case to trial, your case could take several months, or even years.
In some situations, the case may be on the longer side because the full
extent of the injury cannot be determined right away, or because the case
is particularly complex and requires more investigation. By consulting
with an attorney, you can get a better idea of how long your case is estimated to take.
How much compensation will I get?
The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the specific
circumstances of your case. Some of the factors that determine the amount
of compensation you should receive include the following: medical bills
(current and future), lost wages (current and future), extent of pain
and suffering, extent of psychological or emotional trauma, burial expenses
(if a loved one was lost), amount of punitive damages, etc. It is important
to have an attorney help you assess the total damages so that you can
seek the appropriate amount of compensation.
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"If I could give Ernie Trichler 10 stars, I definitely would"If I could give Ernie Trichler 10 stars, I definitely would - 5 stars is not enough. Ernie aided myself & family with my mother’s wrongful death case. He didn’t care that she was 100 years old. Ernie is professional, trustworthy, and most importantly, he knows the law. He answered his phone every time I called with questions and he always had the answers. I interviewed at least 4 different attorneys and there was no doubt that Ernie is above and beyond them all. If you are in need of an attorney within the realm of his expertise, I highly recommend Ernie Trichler.- Sandy L
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"Jennifer Mandelbaum did an amazing job handling my personal injury case"Jennifer Mandelbaum did an amazing job handling my personal injury case. She and her team were completely professional and made the process very easy. The communication was clear and I felt informed the whole time. I highly recommend her and her law firm should you get into an accident. She will absolutely fight for your rights!- Christopher Lai - Tampa Bay Realtor
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"I went through a very traumatic accident that left me hospitalized for a month and in recovery for much longer"
I went through a very traumatic accident that left me hospitalized for a month and in recovery for much longer. It was such a difficult and expensive process that I never thought I'd ever recover from. Jennifer Mandelbaum took care of me from day 1 making sure I never had to stress which was so amazing for me as to this day suffer from terrible PTSD. She not only made sure that I was taken care of but also that I was treated like family and she walked me through every step, ensuring that I was properly represented and didn't have to struggle with my bills for all my specialized doctors and care. I couldn't recommend a better firm to take care of you in your moment of need!
- Nicole Clark -
It's a sad day when you find yourself needing a lawyer. So happy to have found Atty. Jennifer Mandelbaum, as she was so very helpful in all aspects. I never needed a lawyer before and did not understand the processes. Jennifer was always so pleasant and stayed in communication with me via text, calls and e-mails. Any time that I had a question or concern she was on it. I appreciate her business and I highly recommend her for your accident lawyer needs.- Paula Nipper
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"The Best Around"Definitely a touch of class. Always available whenever you need questions answered and straight forward. You’ll always get an honest answer. I’ve dealt with Jennifer in the past and and she cares about what’s best for her clients and will fight until the end. Definitely someone you can trust!- Jequiel York
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"Excellent Attorney"I would have been lost without Jennifer's guidance and expertise dealing with auto insurance companies. She made the entire process manageable so I could focus on my injuries. From beginning to end she was always available to addres all my questions and concerns. She kept me informed at all times and settled my case for more than I had expected. I highly recommend Jennifer Mandelbaum. Hopefully I will not need her in the future but if I do I she's the attorney I'll call. Thank you so much for such outstanding job Jennifer!- Sandy Shores
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"Professionalism at its Finest"Ernie was the epitome of a silver lining in an unfortunate situation. Having never dealt with an attorney in any sort of professional capacity, I was quite intimidated by the prospect. However, Ernie quickly put my mind at ease. Throughout the entirety of my case, he kept in constant contact with me. He updated me on new developments every step of the way and was more than willing to decipher all legal jargon that came my way. He worked tirelessly to yield the best possible results from my case. From the day of our first interaction, I knew the case was in capable hands.- Cullen Murphy
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"ERNIE GETS THE JOB DONE"I have to say that I am very pleased with the Trichler Law Center. Ernie handled my case in a very timely and professional manner. He kept me informed every step of way, I was very IMPRESSED in the way he worked with the defense attorneys to get me a very satisfactory settlement. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thank you for a job well done!!- Donnie
Why Choose Mandelbaum Trichler Law Center, P.A.?
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Former Insurance Defense Lawyers
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Skilled Negotiators & Aggressive Litigators
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Backed By 30+ Years Of Experience
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You Don't Pay Unless We Win
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Free Case Evaluations