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frequently asked questions

Below are the answers to common initial questions many clients have when they first contact PHILLIPS & PELLY ACCIDENT & PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS. We hope that the information below address many initial concerns you may have, but if you don’t find the answers here, please contact us with questions specific to your case. The consultation is free and confidential.

The insurance companies are calling me. Is it wise to talk to them?

The insurance company is in the business of collecting more in premiums than payments in claims. An adjuster will be assigned and his or her job is to minimize payment to you.

You will likely be asked to give statements and sign documents. What is said, or not said, can dramatically affect the outcome of the case. So, no, we do not recommend engaging with the insurance company.

Call us for a Free Case Evaluation before talking to any insurance company. We will either put you right through to an injury lawyer or one of our team will call you back in moments, usually less than 5 minutes, to answer your questions and next best steps.

How can my medical bills be paid?

How medical bills are paid will vary case by case depending upon where charges were incurred, amount of bills, type of bills and applicable insurance coevrage.

For example, we may be able to have your medical bills paid with:

  • Uninsured/underinsured coverage
  • Auto and/or premises insurance.
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Business insurance

We need to talk to better access the options specific to your injury accident. Call us now, for a Free Case Evaluation.

What are the common insurance tactics to reduce my case value?

All insurance companies are in the business of making money. To do this, they have to collect more money in premiums than they pay out in claims.

The adjuster will follow a pre-set series of company polices, none of which are designed to help you. For example, the adjuster has likely already started gathering evidence and speaking to witnesses and will look at it in the light least favorable to you.

Other ways that your insurance company may try to get out of paying your claim include:

    • Asking for a recorded statement that will be used against you later
    • Asking you to sign vague “authorizations”
    • Offering you a fast settlement that is far below the amount you could get in court
    • Refusing to pay your medical bills
    • Showing unwillingness to agree to a settlement

Call us now at 858.264.5263 for a Free Case Evaluation. We can evaluate next best steps to protect your claim.

I was recently in the accident. What are best steps?

First, if you are injured, get medical care. Failure to document injuries is a common way defense lawyers and insurance companies downplay claims value. If you cannot afford medical care, contact our Team and we can discuss options that may be available.

Next, call our office at 858.264.5263 and we will connect you with one of our experience personal injury attorneys.  In that call, we will provide you with a Free Case Evaluation as well as best options for you to consider.

At no charge, we will listen to the facts of your accident, ask specific questions about the accident as well as about the existence of any documents that might help with your case, including:

  • Photographs
  • Repair estimates
  • Police reports
  • Names and contact information of potential witnesses

Once we have a clear understanding of how the accident occurred, we will give you an honest and straightforward analysis of next best steps.

What can I expect during a Free Case Evaluation?

The Free Case Evaluations can be done over the phone or via video conference. It will generally take about 10-15 minutes.

If it is determined that we can help and you’d like to move forward, you can start your case the same day, from home if you like.

How are you different from many other Law Firms?

We are local Southern Californians. We are not an “all of California” of “all of the country” law firm. We limit our cases to Southern California, where we grew up.

Access to Vast Medical Network: With over (23) years in the Southern California, our clients benefit from our relationships and access to our vast network of medical professionals, all of whom specialize in treating and caring for accident victims. Less established attorneys and Firms, generally do not have this comprehensive of a network which can mean limited care options for their Clients.

Client Testimonials: A multitude of positive Client reviews, attest to the care and diligence we pay to every person. We have built our business on satisfied clients who have referred friends and family, and when in need – have come back to us for representation.

As one of Southern California’s longest standing and most successful serious injury law firms, Partners John Phillips and Oliver Pelly focus on what they refer to as the “Client Experience.” This entails treating clients with integrity, transparency and compassion at every step in the process.

I am unable to come to your office. How can i start my case?

Once we’ve provided your Free Case Evaluation and determined that we can help, one of our representatives can come to you or we can start your case via Docusign.

Technology is here to make all of our lives easier and we use it to enhance the client experience.

Does it cost anything to get started?

It costs absolutely nothing to get started. We work for our Clients on a Contingency basis. This means that once we accept your case, if we don’t recover money on your behalf, we don’t get paid.

 

How long do cases take from beginning to end?

No lawyer can answer that question exactly, as it varies. In terms of general time frames, some cases are ready to settle upon completion of medical care, while others need to be litigated as the insurance company simply won’t offer fair value.

Factors such as the type of accident, the insurance company involved, the degree of medical care needed

During the Free Case Consultation, we can generally provide a better time estimate based on years and years of experience, however every case is different.

What is your “No Fee Until We Win Guarantee”?

In a nutshell, our Clients are not responsible for attorney fees until we recover money on their behalf. Once a case settles, our fees are simply deducted from the settlement amount. Guaranteed. We believe that every Client deserves strong representation regardless of their financial circumstances. By basing attorney fees on a percentage of money recovered, we are able to offer every Client with a valid claim, the very best representation possible.

Request Free Consultation

Fill out the form below, or call us at (800) 260-1808.

Request a Free Case Evaluation

Do I have a case? Find out now, it costs nothing.

Tell us about your accident and your injuries. An injury lawyer from our team will call and provide you with a Free Evaluation of your Case. If we can help, and you are unable to travel, we will come to your home, office or hospital. It’s easy – let’s get started.

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    Let’s Talk…

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    Email us at contact@sdinjury.com.

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