Here are answers to some of the questions frequently asked by accident victims.

When accidents happen, why are lawyers involved?
As attorneys that specialize in personal injury law, we are very experienced in guiding you through the overwhelming process that follows most accidents. We will help you make decisions that are in your best interests and we will protect you from taking actions that will damage your claim. After an accident, most people are injured and in pain, their vehicle is damaged and they may be unable to work. What to do and where to go first is not obvious. At Wolf & Pravato, we take care of every possible issue that arises as a result of the accident. We will advise you on the best course of action to take at every step of the way. This is our area of expertise. We only handle injury cases, with a combined experience of more than 50 years, we know how to ensure that you achieve an optimum and maximum result; both for your health and in monetary compensation.

Do people need a lawyer for all accidents?
No. Where the injury is slight, the damages are very minor, and the circumstances that caused the injury are unlikely to recur, it usually makes sense "to pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again" - essentially forget about it. For example, if it is a minor parking lot fender bender, your auto insurance company may take care of everything except the deductible, or the other driver's company may do so, and it may not be worth your while to try to get that back, even in small claims court. But what if the accident is not trivial. You may incur a serious injury. You may have major property damage. You may incur large medical fees not covered by your health insurance, have a permanent scar, be unable to play your favorite sport, do your job, or incur other substantial expenses. If the matter is not minor, then you should consult with our firm. At least, allow yourself the opportunity to have one of our lawyers assist you in considering your options.

Do I have to pay the lawyer in an accident case up front?
Our firm only works on a contingent fee basis. That means that we do not charge you any fee unless we recover money for you for your injuries. Our attorney's fee is then usually 33 1/3% of whatever we are able to obtain for you as compensation for your personal injuries.

Should I speak to the other side's car insurance company?
No. If you get involved in an accident, the other person's insurance company will promptly contact you, by telephone or in person. You do not have to speak to them, and we recommend that you first speak to an attorney. Especially if there are personal injuries, it often pays to speak with an attorney first and have the attorney represent you in your dealings with the car insurance company. Most of the time you'll be far better off. As nice and wonderful as the adjuster for the insurance company may be, remember, the adjuster's job is to protect the insurance company. They are looking for any reason not to pay you anything or to pay you as little as possible for any claim.

What should I do when an accident happens?
After an accident, make sure your vehicle is stopped before you try to exit. If it is impossible to exit, either because of pain, or because you are trapped, wait for help. As soon as possible call 911 for help. If you are able, get as much of the following information as possible. (NOTE - YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CARRY A DISPOSABLE CAMERA IN YOUR CAR)

Write down:

• The other driver's name, address, date of birth, and telephone number.
• Their driver's license number.
• Their insurance company and policy number.
• The other car's make, year, model, license plate number.
• The names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses to the accident. Ask them to stay to talk to the highway patrol or police. If they insist on leaving, ask them to tell you what they saw and write everything down.
• Try to identify people at the accident scene, even if they will not give their names. For example, if a man who saw the accident drives off, take down his license plate number. Law enforcement officials can trace the owner's name and address.
• Make a simple diagram of the accident. Draw the positions of both cars before, during and after the accident. If there are skid marks on the road, pace them off. Draw them on the diagram, noting the distance they cover. Mark the positions of any crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights or street lights.
• If you have a camera with you, take pictures of the scene.