Frequently Asked Questions
At The Law Offices of Rufus R. Smith, Jr. we are always prepared to answer questions about your case. However, we understand that there are times when you may have general questions for which you prefer a quick answer without speaking to your answer. Below are some commonly asked questions about personal injury claims. For information or legal counsel about your specific situation, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with your case.
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If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, we can help. Contact us today at 1-888-614-4279 to discuss your case.
Personal injury FAQs
- Should I provide a statement to an insurance company without a lawyer's help?
- Will I have to go to trial to recover damages?
- How much is my case worth?
- What are the most common types of brain injury?
- What causes a brain injury?
- A dog bit me. Who do I tell?
- What if I know that a defective product harmed other people besides me?
- I fell and was injured. Can I sue someone?
Should I provide a statement to an insurance company without a lawyer's help?
It is in your best interests to provide only your contact information to an insurance company until you consult with a lawyer. The more significant your injuries, the more crucial it is that you seek legal counsel before providing any statement.
Will I have to go to trial to recover damages?
Approximately 95 percent of personal injury cases filed settle prior to trial.
How much is my case worth?
Many factors determine how much compensation you may receive, including the severity of your injuries, your medical history, and the amount of insurance coverage that the responsible person or company has. An attorney can assess the potential value of your claim.
What are the most common types of brain injury?
Brain injuries fall into two categories—traumatic brain injuries and acquired brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when the brain is damaged by an external force, such as an accident or a blow to the head. Acquired brain injuries occur at a cellular level, such as by oxygen deprivation.
What causes a brain injury?
A force or blow can cause traumatic brain injury by causing the brain to move inside the skull or by damaging the skull to the extent that it then damages the brain. Many traumatic brain injuries stem from motor vehicle accidents, a direct blow to the head with a heavy instrument, sports injuries, slip and fall accidents, and physical violence.
Some causes of acquired brain injury include starvation of oxygen to the brain and lack of blood flow to the brain. Other circumstances under which one might suffer an acquired brain injury include near drowning, choking, stroke, disease, and toxic exposure. Hypoxia or anoxia (deprivation of oxygen) to a fetus around the time of birth is often seen in birth injury or cerebral palsy cases.
A dog bit me. Who do I tell?
Contact your local animal control agency or the police. Then contact The Law Offices of Rufus R. Smith, Jr. for assistance.
What if I know that a defective product harmed other people besides me?
When the same defective product injures a large number of people, they may join together in a class action lawsuit to hold manufacturers and sellers liable for the injuries caused by the product.
I fell and was injured. Can I sue someone?
If you fell while working, your injuries may be covered by your employer's workers compensation insurance.
If your injury occurred in a store or a building, you can sue to recover damages to compensate you for your injuries. However, a building owner is not liable for every injury that occurs on the property. To recover for an injury, the owner or operator of the business must have breached his duty to keep the premises reasonably safe and to warn of known dangers. An attorney can provide you with additional details about premises liability.
