The Stellute Law Firm

I don't know If I can afford to hire a lawyer. What should I do?

If The Stellute Law Firm agrees to handle your case, you pay us absolutely nothing until you are awarded a settlement, and then your payment only comes out of that settlement award. This is known as working on a "contingency" basis. The attorney’s fee is “contingent” upon your receipt of monetary compensation.
The Stellute Law Firm works only on a percentage based fee, meaning they get paid a pre-set amount of your award only and there are no "hidden" costs, regardless of their expenses in trying your case.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

How do I know if I have a case?

If you have been injured or traumatized and believe it is the fault of someone else (including a company, person, or their property or pet) then you are likely to have a personal injury case.
Many people do not know that a husband can sue his wife, mother can sue daughter, or vice versa, etc. The individuals involved in the accident must understand that accidents do happen and this is why we have insurance.
Only a professional team of experienced personal injury lawyers can determine whether or not you have a personal injury case.
By contacting a law firm you can find out if your particular circumstances warrant legal action or not. Every law firm should give you a free, no-obligation consultation. During this consultation lawyers will examine the facts of your case. They will make a determination to proceed with a lawsuit or not.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

What kind of monetary compensation will I get?

As long as you have automobile insurance, which covered you or your car when the accident happened, you can make a claim under the uninsured motorists provision of your own automobile policy. You pay uninsured motorists premiums for this very reason and are entitled to make a claim.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

What happens if the person who caused the accident does not have automobile insurance?

What is medical payments coverage? When can I use it?

Medical payments coverage is an optional coverage you may elect on your own personal automobile policy. The purpose of this coverage is to pay for medical expenses up to a predefined limit when an injury occurs as a result of an accident while in, on or about your car. This coverage is not only afforded to you should you be injured while in your motor vehicle, but provides coverage to any passenger who may also be injured in your vehicle.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

What happens during a personal injury lawsuit?

Your personal injury firm will determine the facts of your case and will contact the legal representation of the company or person you are filing a grievance against. Most personal injury cases are settled before any trial is needed.
Your participation is very minimal. There generally is no trial, court appearance, or court testimony necessary. The two sides will typically settle out of court and your law firm will give you a check if you are awarded damages.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

What should I do if I'm ready to seek legal advice?

Write down all of the specifics of the incident that you can. This will include knowing approximately where and when the incident took place. Keep records of all of your medical expenses, including physical therapy and driving expenses.
Never sign anything without legal counsel. Contact your local police department for a police report of your incident and retain all police or law enforcement paperwork if you have it. Assemble witness information (name, phone number, etc.) or anyone knowledgeable about the case.
You don't need to have any of this paperwork to file a claim or to contact a law firm but it does help your case overall.
The most important thing to do - before you do anything else - is to contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. Only with experienced and professional legal counsel can you truly reclaim your rights.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

What's the difference between a class-action lawsuit, civil suit, and criminal suit?

A class-action lawsuit is a lawsuit seeking monetary award for damages done to a large number of people. Frequent class-action lawsuits occur against corporations for some product defectiveness or defective drug problem.
A class action lawsuit typically does not get the individual plaintiffs much money in awards, but class action suits are effective in changing a company's practices or getting faulty products out of the market. Personal injury lawsuits can use the class-action status if many people were injured in the same way.
A civil suit is any lawsuit filed against someone else (or some entity) seeking monetary compensation. Personal injury lawsuits are a type of civil suit, though so are many other kinds of lawsuits depending on the type of redress sought or type of crime committed.
Criminal lawsuits are a kind of suit filed by the government against individuals or entities (such as companies) seeking social redress. Criminal lawsuits seek some form of punishment not limited to monetary fine, including incarceration, probation, or other forms of law enforcement action.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

What if I need a second opinion?

Second opinions on personal injury cases are common and easy to get. You may need a second opinion on your case if a law firm declines to handle your case. Typically law firms will let you know if they are not going to take your case fairly quickly, which can allow you time to consult with several others.
In other instances, you may have better results from a law firm who has specific experience in handling personal injury suits that are similar to yours. You always have options and consulting another law firm for a second opinion is not only legal, but also highly encouraged.
For more information, contact The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.

How soon should I file a lawsuit?

You should contact a personal injury law firm as quickly after the incident as possible. Try to document the incident with police and medical records and avoid signing any statement or papers from anyone else.
Your case may still be handled even though the incident occurred long ago, however.
Do not settle - or deal with at all - someone else's lawyers without your own legal counsel. Many cases have a "statute of limitations" meaning that you only will have a certain amount of time during which you can file a claim, though there are several legal cases where this may not matter.
For more information, call The One to Know, the Stellute Law Firm.