Category : Car Accident Injuries

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Should I go to a chiropractor after a car accident?

After being involved in a car accident, you may experience physical symptoms that merit a visit to the chiropractor. While this service may help you to feel better after being injured, Contrada & Associates reminds readers of the things to be aware of when visiting the chiropractor.

 1. Chiropractors Recommending Attorneys

Chiropractors are able to help you after an accident. At least half of the individuals involved in a car accident experience relief from a chiropractor, with another alternative may be physical therapy. While this is a service that helps car accident victims to recover after their accident, there are some chiropractors who have another agenda. If you visit a chiropractor, they may recommend a car accident attorney to help you with your legal case, but it is important to look into that attorney before agreeing to hire them. Some chiropractors and attorneys have arrangements with one another. Not all chiropractors operate this way, but unfortunately there are some who do.

Contrada & Associates does receive referrals from some chiropractors and the law firm does not share fees with the chiropractor. Some chiropractors go as far as recommending attorneys who are not even local to the area. Attorney Contrada has heard from clients who were recommended attorneys that are located in the Cleveland or Akron area, and even some located in Michigan. Contrada & Associates believes that having a one-on-one relationship where you meet in person is extremely important, and this is something that you simply cannot do when your lawyer is not local to the area in which you live.

 2. Chiropractors Carrying Large Bills for Service

Attorney Contrada advises car accident victims to check their bill from the chiropractor after every few visits. Some chiropractors carry the bill for their service, explaining to the individual that they will not charge them until their car accident claim has reached a settlement. Unfortunately, some chiropractors then give a very large bill to their client.

Contrada & Associates believes that this is taking advantage of car accident victims. We make it a point to give proper information and warnings that will hopefully prevent future individuals from receiving large unexpected bills.

Tips for Visiting the Chiropractor

If you choose to see a chiropractor after suffering an injury in a car accident, attorney Charlie Contrada recommends following the tips below:

  • Research the chiropractor before scheduling an appointment
  • Check your bill after every few visits
  • If the chiropractor recommends an attorney, do your due diligence in researching them (location, practice area, client testimonials)

Car Accident Attorney in Toledo

If you have been involved in a car accident and are seeking advice from an experienced car accident attorney, call Contrada & Associates at 419.841.4400. Attorney Charlie Contrada has helped thousands of car accident victims to receive favorable settlements for the injuries and damages sustained in an accident. You can speak with attorney Contrada about your accident and receive legal guidance that will help you to obtain the compensation that you deserve.

 

3 Jun 2014 Continue Reading

Posting on Social Media after a Car Accident

Social media is an integral part of many people’s lives with daily posts to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, and other social media sites. While posting the latest happenings in our lives has become second nature to some, sharing these details can often affect the outcome of select situations.

Attorney Charlie Contrada reminds car accident victims to be careful when they post to social media after a car accident. Sometimes statuses can be misinterpreted and presented in a different light than what the individual intended. Or, certain individuals may compromise their case by sharing details regarding their health that the insurance company can later use against them in defense of their claim.

Social Media Affects Your Car Accident Claim

If you have been involved in a car accident, the best thing to do is to not post about it online. Posting details regarding the cause of the accident, what you were doing at the time, or how you are feeling afterward can be used by the insurance company to fight your injury claims.

Some people do not realize that a simple post like, “Today is not going right. First I was late to work, then my junk car caused an accident,” is admitting to fault when in fact they were not at fault. One of the first things that insurance companies do today is check the social media profiles of a car accident victim. A post like this would be the equivalent to someone admitting fault in the accident, jeopardizing any claim the individual might make.

Insurance Companies Monitor Social Media

Let’s say you were in a car accident and you suffered injury to your back and neck. You have gone to your car accident lawyer and will be seeking compensation for these injuries and the effect that they’ve had on your life, whether that is pain and suffering, time off work, or medical expenses. But, as you are filing a personal injury claim for your car accident, you have posted a picture and status on Facebook of you standing in front of a newly planted garden that your grandchildren planted, failing to mention that detail in the post. The insurance companies may see this social media post and claim that you are exaggerating your injuries because someone who is injured would not be able to plant a garden. The insurance company could then attempt to not pay the full amount of compensation that you would have received otherwise.

Another example of a social media post that could hurt a personal injury claim would be a young individual who has been injured in a car accident, but has attended a house party. They may post a picture of people dancing at the party, giving the perception that they too are dancing, while they are in fact sitting on a couch with their crutches beside them.

Refrain from Social Media during a Car Accident Claim

The best advice that attorney Charlie Contrada can give when it comes to posting on social media following a car accident is simply, “Don’t do it.” If you have have any doubts that what you are sharing will potentially hurt your claim, the best thing to do is to not say anything at all.

Sharing insight into your health or emotional condition through social media is similar to sending the insurance company an insider’s update on your condition. Your car accident lawyer can give you further guidance. As a precautionary measure, Contrada & Associates advises car accident victims to take a step back from the social world until their car accident lawsuit is settled. Some of the things that an individual should not post include:

  • Updates on health conditions or injuries
  • Details about their accident
  • Details about communication with their lawyer
  • What the insurance company is offering
  • Frustration with the insurance company/other driver

Ohio Car Accident Lawyer

Attorney Charlie Contrada hopes that accident victims take the advice above and refrain from sharing details of their lives during their car accident lawsuit. The purpose of this is to avoid the chances of jeopardizing your claim. You do not want to give the insurance company the opportunity to “spin” one of your personal posts into something that significantly affects your settlement.

If you would like to speak to attorney Charlie Contrada about your accident or receive advice on what to avoid when posting to social media, call 800.841.4400. Attorney Contrada cares about the well-being of his clients and gives his clients the guidance and support that they need throughout the course of their car accident lawsuit. Having served thousands of clients in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, Contrada & Associates can help you receive the best possible outcome after your car accident. 

6 May 2014 Continue Reading

Can A Lawyer Contact Me after an Accident?

After being involved in a car accident, injured victims are often urged to contact a lawyer. Seeking legal guidance after suffering injury due to the fault of another individual is advice that our law firm gives to victims on a regular basis. When it comes to a car accident claim, every detail matters, so it is imperative to have a professional guiding you through the process.

Car Accident Lawyer: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients

While we recommend that victims contact a car accident lawyer following an accident, it is a violation of professional conduct for a lawyer to contact an individual in need of legal services via phone, in-person, or in real-time electronic communication after their accident.  The below information has been paraphrased from Rule 7.3: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients from the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct: 

(a) A lawyer shall not meeting someone in person, call them on the phone, or contact them through electronic media if the lawyer’s motive is to make money on that person unless the person contacted:

(1) is a lawyer; or

(2) has family, close personal, or prior professional relationship with the lawyer.

If the individual has made it known that they do not wish to be solicited, and the communication is not prohibited by the points made in the above paragraph (i.e. if the individual has had a previous relationship with the lawyer, but they have made it known that they do not wish to communicate further with them), the lawyer is not able to solicit professional employment. This is explained by the below components of Rule 7.3: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients:

(b)  A Lawyer shall not solicit professional employment by written, recorded or electronic communication or by in-person, telephone or real-time electronic contact even when not otherwise prohibited by paragraph (a), if:

(1) the target of the solicitation has made known to the lawyer a desire not to be solicited by the lawyer; or

(2) the solicitation involves coercion, duress or harassment.

Advertising Materials from Car Accident Lawyer

While a lawyer may not contact an injured car accident victim by phone, in-person, or real-time electronic contact, they are able to send letters to the victim, as well as recorded or written electronic communication. An example of this would be in the form of a pamphlet sent to your home with information regarding car accident claims, or an email that explains the legal options available to you. However, if a form of communication such as this is received by a car accident victim, it must clearly state the words “Advertising Material” on the envelope, or at the beginning and ending of electronic communication. This is explained in paragraph (c) of Rule 7.3: Direct Contact with Prospective Clients.

Receiving Calls from Unknown Numbers

Attorney Charlie Contrada has heard from various clients that have received multiple calls from “Unknown” sources soon after their car accident. One injured car accident victim said she received upwards of 50 phone calls. It is likely that these calls were made on behalf of a personal injury attorney as some utilize secondary services to contact perspective clients on their behalf.

Our law firm does not operate on the basis of soliciting business in a manner that is unethical and intruding on the privacy of car accident victims. Attorney Charlie Contrada believes that by posting helpful information through our blog, we are able to offer useful legal advice to retain clients. Contrada & Associates does not send letters (i.e. Advertising Material) because we feel it is a burden. In our opinion, the only reason that this type of communication following an accident is allowed is because the insurance companies can contact you and no one trusts the insurance companies to be fair to injured individuals.

To speak to a lawyer regarding the injuries sustained in a car accident, call 419.841.4400. Attorney Charlie Contrada is happy to speak with you directly to review your car accident and explain the steps that you should take toward filing a car accident claim.

28 Apr 2014 Continue Reading

Filing a Car Accident Claim

Car accidents can cause many after-effects for those involved, not only when it comes to injuries sustained, but their financial well-being. There is a defined process to go through and tips to follow when filing a claim.

Attorney Charlie Contrada firmly believes that following the below tips when going through a car accident claim will help you to minimize the stress involved with your claim and maximize your return.

Car accident claim

Tips When Filing a Car Accident Claim

  1. Seek Medical Attention – If you have been injured in a car accident, it is very important to seek medical attention. Receiving treatment for your injuries is very important for your personal health, and it also documents the sustained injuries to support your personal injury claim. Once you receive medical attention, be sure to follow the doctor’s advice in regards to the injury and attend all follow-up appointments.
  2. Hire a Car Accident Lawyer – After you receive the proper medical care following your car accident, it is wise to contact a car accident lawyer. Hiring a professional will ensure that you are following all of the correct steps in the claims process, further increasing the likelihood of a favorable result. Some people choose to handle car accident claims on their own, but oftentimes they do this poorly. With the help of a car accident lawyer, you are able to know that your claim is being handled appropriately and the end result of the process will be favorable.
  3. Consult your Car Accident Lawyer – Following a car accident, you have two claims: 1) a property damage claim regarding your vehicle, whether it is a total loss or reparable and 2) a personal injury claim. The insurance company will generally contact you to resolve the damage to your vehicle. A seasoned trial lawyer may be able to help you with your property damage claim, but you are able to expedite the process by handling it yourself. However, when it comes to your personal injury claim, you will want to consult your car accident lawyer. Once you hire a lawyer, all communication and documentation with the insurance company must go through them. As a general rule, it is better to wait to settle your claim rather than agree to a quick settlement, as the amount of compensation received may be significantly less. Your lawyer will help to obtain the full settlement that your injuries warrant.
  4. Be honest – You must be 100% honest with your lawyer about the car accident, the injuries sustained, and the progress of your treatment. The only way that your car accident lawyer can fully protect you is if they have all of the information that they need. You will also want to inform your lawyer of any previous injuries that you had before the accident occurred. When it comes to personal injury claims, every detail matters.

Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo

Attorney Charlie Contrada has been handling car accident claims for over 35 years. He has helped thousands of clients and their families with the car accident claim process, offering superior guidance and personal attention throughout.

If you are in Toledo, Northwest Ohio, or Southeast Michigan and are seeking a car accident lawyer to help you with your personal injury claim, call Contrada & Associates. While you may notice other large firms advertising in the area, you are not guaranteed the attention and face-to-face meetings that our law office is able to provide.

Contrada & Associates has represented clients from throughout the region. Some of the regions that attorney Contrada has handled claims from include Columbus, Cleveland, Defiance, Findlay, Fremont, Lima, and many more. To speak to attorney Charlie Contrada about your accident and to receive advice on how you should file a car accident claim, call 419.841.4400.

 

3 Apr 2014 Continue Reading

Finding a Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo

Injured in Toledo Car Accident

Car accidents happen more often than you may realize. While it isn’t uncommon to suffer from the occasional traffic jam due to an accident scene, many people are not aware of how many serious car accidents occur on area roadways and the effect that they can have on someone’s life.

At Contrada & Associates, we pride ourselves on our knowledge and experience with car accident injury cases. Attorney Charlie Contrada has over 35 years of experience with personal injury cases and strongly believes that the longer you immerse yourself within a certain practice, the more effective and successful you will be.

As a car accident victim, it is important to seek legal representation from a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with similar accident cases. You will not only find peace of mind knowing that you have hired a knowledgeable legal professional, but the odds of you receiving a favorable result are much higher.

car accident lawyer

Experienced Toledo Car Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right car accident lawyer to handle your case is a big decision. Your lawyer plays a major role in the outcome of your case, as you probably already realize. Having a lawyer working on your behalf that knows the local court system, has relationships with other legal professionals, and is aware of the various regulations within different districts can mean a lot when it comes to your settlement.

Another characteristic to look for when seeking a car accident lawyer is whether or not they are willing to go to trial on your behalf. A lawyer who has a reputation for taking their cases to trial for the benefit of the client’s settlement will reflect well upon your case. In other words, not all lawyers will go to the same extent to get their clients the compensation that is warranted. Attorney Charlie Contrada is known for taking a case to trial if he believes that it is necessary for his client to receive the settlement that they deserve.

Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo

If you have been involved in a Toledo car accident and are seeking a lawyer to represent your case, it is important to research where the lawyer’s offices actually are. Many lawyers who advertise on television in Toledo are not actually located in the area. This comes as a surprise to many injured car accident victims after they hire a lawyer to help them and later find out that they are not able to meet them face-to-face.

It is not a good sign if you are unable to meet a lawyer in person after hiring them to represent you. The lack of personal attention given in the beginning of the legal process will likely set the tone for the quality of service and attention received throughout the entire process. 

Attorney Charlie Contrada believes in giving his clients personal attention. He has helped many clients who sought help from other lawyers at the beginning of their case and then realized that they were not being given the personal attention and treatment that a personal injury client deserves.

To learn how attorney Charlie Contrada can help you with your car accident injury claim, call 419.841.4400. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with attorney Contrada, explain your situation, and get his advice on which steps you should take to receive a settlement for the injuries you have sustained.  

25 Mar 2014 Continue Reading

What is Intra-Family Car Insurance Coverage?

Family Members Injured in Car Accident

Imagine being involved in a car accident in which you and your family are seriously injured – you begin to acquire thousands in medical expenses and lost wages, amounting to financial strain, but you are unable to seek compensation from the insurance company. There is a great possibility this could happen to you if you are in an accident in which one of your family member’s was at fault.

Many individuals who find themselves in this situation are unable to pursue a personal injury claim due to a clause within their insurance policy. Personal injury attorney Charlie Contrada aims to educate readers so they may protect themselves against such situations.

Intra-Family Lawsuits in Ohio

Intra-family personal injury claims apply to those car accident victims who have suffered injuries as passengers in a vehicle that was operated by their own family member (i.e. father, mother, brother, sister, spouse). Personal injury claims brought against a family member in these types of situations are considered to be intra-family lawsuits. Unfortunately, there is a major problem when it comes to intra-family lawsuits in that most people do not have insurance coverage to cover such claims. This leaves them without the money to cover the damages from the car accident, including the medical bills associated with their family member’s injuries.

Contrada & Associates wishes to educate motorists on the importance of purchasing intra-family car insurance coverage. It is extremely beneficial to review your insurance policy with your agent, face-to-face, to make sure that intra-family exclusion is not part of it. Motorists should know that even if a full-coverage policy is purchased, they are not guaranteed to have coverage when it comes to the injury of family members.

Intra-Family Car Insurance

If your insurance policy contains phrases such as “intra-family exclusion,” “household exclusion,” or “family exclusion,” you could suffer serious financial consequences in the event that your family is involved in a vehicle accident.

In attorney Charlie Contrada’s opinion, the intra-family exclusion is included in insurance policies in order to protect insurance companies from paying out valid claims. It fails a great number of victims who are unable to seek damages for car accident injuries because they were not aware that they lacked protection. 

Personal Injury Attorney: Car Insurance Advice

This issue can be avoided if motorists review their car insurance policy in a face-to-face meeting with their agent to make sure that it includes intra-family coverage. Personal injury attorney Charlie Contrada strongly believes in sharing this knowledge with motorists as he knows the financial strains such issues can cause if a family does not have coverage for injuries.

To learn more about intra-family insurance coverage and how it may affect a personal injury lawsuit, call car accident attorney Charlie Contrada at 419.841.4400. He will speak to you personally over the phone in order to help you better understand how intra-family car insurance coverage can help you in the event that your family members suffer injury in a car accident. 

7 Mar 2014 Continue Reading