For most of my clients, fear of the unknown is the worst part. They tell me they can deal with the broken bones and the sight of their own blood; it is the legal process—the fear of the unknown—that draws the pain and anxiety. The reason, most tell me, is they are not trained in the law. Sure, they can browse the Internet or scour the public library for “how to” books that provide a general framework, but they never seem to be able to apply their facts to the applicable law in order to create a successful outcome. This book is designed to provide relevant and practical solutions to your legal problems. Every legal problem is unique, so use this book as a general guide to understanding a complex legal process. Everything from reporting the accident to filing claims to filing a lawsuit and collecting an award will be covered.
Do not expect specific answers to your specific problem. As a licensed lawyer for over fourteen years, I know of no book that provides such specificity, but if you read this book, it will arm you with enough information to help you hire the right lawyer. Your opposition—the insurance company, corporation, or individual—is preparing for a long battle with resources you simply do not have.
Finding the right lawyer increases your chances of securing just compensation. There are many to choose from, so why should you choose me? Getting my clients the justice they deserve— securing compensation for the injured—has been my life’s work. I have helped thousands recover compensation from insurance companies, multi-million dollar corporations, and private individuals through our legal system.
I will not tell you the legal system is perfect because it is not. Having traveled around the world and worked with lawyers from other developed nations, I will tell you that ours is the fairest and most advanced legal system in the world. By using it properly, we stand a chance of making a change for the better in our lives, to prevent greedy corporations from further victimizing society. Every time we win a case, we send a message that certain kinds of conduct will not be tolerated. We do this so we can secure compensation for our clients, but we also hope to prevent further injuries—injuries that are as preventable and senseless as yours are.
While attending law school at Villanova Law School in Pennsylvania, my professors would remind us: “Let’s not lose the forest for the trees.” What they meant was “let’s not get too lost in the detail and lose sight of the big legal picture.” I organized this book with this premise in mind. I want to tell you how I divided this book, so you know what is coming and how it fits into the bigger picture.
You are reading this book because you sustained an injury you do not believe was your fault. I begin by speaking with you about why you were injured in an accident. Everyone always asks the “why me?” question, but as time passes, everyone accepts the injury for what it is and begins to realize the need to act in order to get justice, to accept the injury and learn to focus time and energy on doing something about it. This is progress. First, I spend some time discussing the psychology behind the accident and discussing how you can cope with the process of recovery for injuries you suffered as a result of someone’s negligence.
Next, I explain what a personal injury case is and what it is not. I define the three phases of a personal injury claim and explain each in detail. I speak from experience and share only general information, as most cases that are resolved before trial contain confidentiality provisions as part of the release. There will be more about this later, but it is likely that, when your case is resolved, the details will also be confidential.
Unfortunately, many people in this country suffer the worst injustice, which is being injured by someone with no ability to pay for your injuries. In today’s economy, most people probably assume that no one has any ability to pay. This has to be the single most frustrating concept for people to understand: even in America, sometimes there is no justice. I am always on alert for these cases, as they must be addressed early on for reasons I will discuss later. For those fortunate enough to have an opponent with the ability to pay, the questions concerning which lawyer to hire and how to file a claim become critical.
The second part of this book focuses on finding the right lawyer, what you should expect from your lawyer, and what your lawyer should expect from you.
Once you find the right lawyer for your case, you will learn how important communication is to getting the justice you deserve. What should you tell your lawyer? I list the things I know are non- negotiable, things that I have learned the hard way must be shared, and my goal is to prevent my clients from making the same mistakes others made during the presuit and litigation process.
Finally, I share information about my law firm and the types of cases I handle. Although I want to help everyone, it is just not possible, and sometimes the reasons are beyond my control. Still, no matter what the outcome, you can always call me, free of charge, and even if I cannot help you, I can usually find a trustworthy lawyer who may be a better fit than I am. In the end, you will leave with more knowledge than you had before you started.
Unfortunately there are times in life when we need a wrongful death lawyer. Every year, loved ones across the United States grieve the loss of family members that die as the result of wrongful death. A 
