Frequently Asked Questions
After representing West Virginia accident victims for over two decades, we have found that many of the same questions come up in every single accident case. Below are some of the questions that our clients ask us in many of our initial consultations. To get more information or to set up your own free consultation, call us at (304) 574-8912
Why does the insurance company keep calling me?
Once you have been involved in an accident, the insurance companies for both parties will try to get as much information from you as quickly as possible so that they can settle the case. Insurance adjusters will call you and ask to take recorded statements over the phone, and sometimes ask to meet with you in person. The adjusters will also send medical releases, and may attempt to settle the case by sending a check to you with a release.
Before you sign anything or provide a recorded statement to an insurance company, you should meet with an attorney to discuss your options. Rist Law Offices does not charge anything to meet with potential clients to discuss their case, no matter how long it takes. Even if you do not decide to hire our firm, we recommend that you at least talk to an attorney before you talk to an insurance company so that you can protect your rights.
Is it OK to let the insurance adjuster record our phone call?
We do not recommend that accident victims provide a recorded statement to an insurance company. If you have to file a claim, the recorded statement that you provide could be used against you later. Even if your own insurance company calls you, providing a recorded statement is not a good idea. The insurance company records these statements on dated, tape-recorder devices that can be hard to understand when the recording is transcribed. Also, an insurance adjuster might ask “leading” questions (where the answer is suggested in the question), in order to get information. If you contact us as soon after an accident as possible, we can protect your rights in dealing with the insurance companies.
The insurance company is offering me a settlement already. should I take it?
No. Do not accept the settlement and immediately contact an attorney. Insurance companies try to settle injury claims quickly for less than the full value of the case. In an automobile accident case, an insurance company may offer to “pay your medical bills.” The problem with this offer is that it does not include compensation like damages for pain and suffering, lost income, future lost income and future medical expenses. If you settle a case quickly but need more medical treatment, you will have to pay the cost of those new medical bills.
What is my WV Car Accident case worth?
It is impossible to use a formula to determine how much a case is worth. Generally speaking, the facts of each case and the amount of damages an injury victim has suffered determine the potential amount. In West Virginia, the value of an accident case is driven by the amount of medical bills and what happened to cause the injury. The initial meeting with a West Virginia injury attorney from Rist Law Offices will include an evaluation of the value of your case.
Do I need a lawyer for my case?
No. You do not always need a lawyer to handle your case. We believe that anyone who has been injured should, at the very least, talk to a lawyer before dealing with an insurance company. You can sit down and discuss your case with an injury attorney from Rist Law Offices for free. Once you settle a claim with an insurance company, you will not be able to make a claim later for the same accident, even if you discover that you need additional medical attention. But every case is unique so it could be that we simply advise you on the best way to resolve your case without even paying for a lawyer.
How much does a lawyer cost?
It is impossible to use a formula to determine how much a case is worth. Generally speaking, the facts of each case and the amount of damages an injury victim has suffered determine the potential amount. In West Virginia, the value of an accident case is driven by the amount of medical bills and what happened to cause the injury. The initial meeting with a West Virginia injury attorney from Rist Law Offices will include an evaluation of the value of your case.
What is the statute of limitations in West Virginia?
A statute of limitations is the time period set by law for an injury victim to file a claim against a wrongdoer. This time limit can vary, so it is important to contact an injury attorney at Rist Law Offices to discuss your options as soon as you discover the injury. In an automobile accident in West Virginia, a person has two years from the date of the accident to file their claim. If a minor child is involved in the accident, they have two years from the date that they turn 18 years old to file the case.
Free Case Review
The first step to any case is a thorough evaluation of your story. Call us and we will run through all aspects of your case in order to get an idea of how best to help you. All of our consultations are completely free and any information provided to us is kept strictly confidential.