Frequently Asked Questions
LAW OFFICES OF
JOHN V. ORRICK, P.L.
JOHN V. ORRICK, P.L.
- Auto Accidents
- Slip & Falls
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT?
Call the police! Even if you are not injured, you should call the police to
establish liability and do not give a statement to anyone other than the
investigating officer. If you are injured, you need to seek medical care
immediately. Also, report the claim to your insurance carrier, but do not give a
recorded statement to anyone until you have consulted with an attorney.
If you have sustained any cuts, bruises, stitches or scarring, have someone take
photographs immediately. If possible, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle
as well as the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident. Finally, please contact
The Law Offices of John V. Orrick, P.L. immediately to preserve your rights.
WHY DO I HAVE TO REPORT THE CLAIM TO MY OWN CARRIER IF I WAS
NOT AT FAULT?
In the State of Florida, every car owner is required to carry Personal Injury
Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Coverage (PD). Regardless of who was at
fault for the accident, the medical portion of your claim must be filed with your own
carrier.
HOW DO I PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY?
In Florida, attorneys who handle personal injury claims are usually paid on a
contingency fee basis. This means that you don't have to pay anything until your
case is settled. Our firm will advance all expenses and costs necessary to bring
your case. The attorney fees and costs will be deducted from your final
settlement. If we don't make a recovery on your case, we don't get paid.
WHAT IS MY CASE WORTH?
There are many variables in determining the value of each case. Some of the
factors include:
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SETTLE MY CLAIM?
Personal injury claims vary in length from weeks to years in some instances. The
factors that determine the length of your case include but are not limited to the
length of your medical treatment, extent of your injuries, the insurance company
adjuster and whether or not we need to file a lawsuit to get you the compensation
you deserve. The Law Offices of John V. Orrick, P.L. typically resolves most
cases in 6 months to a year.
WILL I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
If the insurance company agrees to pay what we believe your case is worth and
you want to settle your case for that amount, then we won't need to go to court.
However if the insurance company doesn't agree to settle your claim for a fair
amount, The Law Offices of John V Orrick, P.L. is fully prepared to take your case
to court.
WHO WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE?
If liability is agreed upon, then the claim may be filed with the at-fault vehicle's
insurance carrier. Sometimes the insurance investigation is not completed timely
and there could be a delay in having your vehicle repaired. In this case, you may
be better off allowing your insurance company to pay for the repairs and letting
your carrier will then deal with the other insurance company. To do this, you must
carry collision coverage on your automobile policy. Your insurance carrier will
subrogate against the other carrier and that claim will include your deductible (if
any) and the cost of obtaining a rental car.
EXPLANATION OF AUTOMOBILE COVERAGES
Personal Injury Protection:
This covers you, your family and certain other persons for bodily injuries resulting
from auto accidents regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Payments are
for 80% of medical expenses, 60% for loss of income, replacement household
services and (if the limit has not been exhausted by other benefits) a death
benefit. Personal injury protection is required under Florida law.
Medical Expense Coverage:
This coverage supplements the medical expenses reimbursement of PIP
coverage and provides basic coverage in situations where PIP does not pay.
This coverage is typically available to all passengers in the vehicle involved in the
accident and can be used to cover co-payments and deductibles not covered by
PIP.
Property Damage Coverage:
This covers your legal liability for damage to the property of others. This is a
required coverage under Florida law. Even if you didn't have this coverage
available to you, we can represent you for any injuries you sustained in an
automobile accident.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage:
This is optional coverage to cover your legal liability for bodily injury to others in
case of an accident. If you are partially at fault for an accident and someone was
injured, any claim made against you would be paid from this coverage.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage:
This coverage pays for bodily injuries to you, family members and certain other
persons, resulting from an automobile accident in which the other party was at
fault. It applies when the at-fault party either has no liability insurance or the
liability coverage was insufficient to adequately compensate you for your injuries.
It also covers injuries resulting from an accident caused by a hit-and-run vehicle.
Collision:
This covers damage to your car resulting from upset or impact with another object.
Comprehensive:
This covers damage to your car resulting from fire, theft and other direct losses
not excluded. The principal exclusions are for damage to certain electronic and
sound equipment, tapes and other media, radar detectors, undeclared camper
bodies, and van or pickup customized equipment.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT?
Call the police! Even if you are not injured, you should call the police to
establish liability and do not give a statement to anyone other than the
investigating officer. If you are injured, you need to seek medical care
immediately. Also, report the claim to your insurance carrier, but do not give a
recorded statement to anyone until you have consulted with an attorney.
If you have sustained any cuts, bruises, stitches or scarring, have someone take
photographs immediately. If possible, take pictures of the damage to your vehicle
as well as the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident. Finally, please contact
The Law Offices of John V. Orrick, P.L. immediately to preserve your rights.
WHY DO I HAVE TO REPORT THE CLAIM TO MY OWN CARRIER IF I WAS
NOT AT FAULT?
In the State of Florida, every car owner is required to carry Personal Injury
Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Coverage (PD). Regardless of who was at
fault for the accident, the medical portion of your claim must be filed with your own
carrier.
HOW DO I PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY?
In Florida, attorneys who handle personal injury claims are usually paid on a
contingency fee basis. This means that you don't have to pay anything until your
case is settled. Our firm will advance all expenses and costs necessary to bring
your case. The attorney fees and costs will be deducted from your final
settlement. If we don't make a recovery on your case, we don't get paid.
WHAT IS MY CASE WORTH?
There are many variables in determining the value of each case. Some of the
factors include:
- Liability
- Severity of the Injuries
- Amount of Medical Bills
- Future Medical Care Costs
- Past & Future Lost Wages
- Amount of Insurance Coverage
- Reasonableness of Insurance Company
- Need to Litigate
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SETTLE MY CLAIM?
Personal injury claims vary in length from weeks to years in some instances. The
factors that determine the length of your case include but are not limited to the
length of your medical treatment, extent of your injuries, the insurance company
adjuster and whether or not we need to file a lawsuit to get you the compensation
you deserve. The Law Offices of John V. Orrick, P.L. typically resolves most
cases in 6 months to a year.
WILL I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
If the insurance company agrees to pay what we believe your case is worth and
you want to settle your case for that amount, then we won't need to go to court.
However if the insurance company doesn't agree to settle your claim for a fair
amount, The Law Offices of John V Orrick, P.L. is fully prepared to take your case
to court.
WHO WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE?
If liability is agreed upon, then the claim may be filed with the at-fault vehicle's
insurance carrier. Sometimes the insurance investigation is not completed timely
and there could be a delay in having your vehicle repaired. In this case, you may
be better off allowing your insurance company to pay for the repairs and letting
your carrier will then deal with the other insurance company. To do this, you must
carry collision coverage on your automobile policy. Your insurance carrier will
subrogate against the other carrier and that claim will include your deductible (if
any) and the cost of obtaining a rental car.
EXPLANATION OF AUTOMOBILE COVERAGES
Personal Injury Protection:
This covers you, your family and certain other persons for bodily injuries resulting
from auto accidents regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Payments are
for 80% of medical expenses, 60% for loss of income, replacement household
services and (if the limit has not been exhausted by other benefits) a death
benefit. Personal injury protection is required under Florida law.
Medical Expense Coverage:
This coverage supplements the medical expenses reimbursement of PIP
coverage and provides basic coverage in situations where PIP does not pay.
This coverage is typically available to all passengers in the vehicle involved in the
accident and can be used to cover co-payments and deductibles not covered by
PIP.
Property Damage Coverage:
This covers your legal liability for damage to the property of others. This is a
required coverage under Florida law. Even if you didn't have this coverage
available to you, we can represent you for any injuries you sustained in an
automobile accident.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage:
This is optional coverage to cover your legal liability for bodily injury to others in
case of an accident. If you are partially at fault for an accident and someone was
injured, any claim made against you would be paid from this coverage.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage:
This coverage pays for bodily injuries to you, family members and certain other
persons, resulting from an automobile accident in which the other party was at
fault. It applies when the at-fault party either has no liability insurance or the
liability coverage was insufficient to adequately compensate you for your injuries.
It also covers injuries resulting from an accident caused by a hit-and-run vehicle.
Collision:
This covers damage to your car resulting from upset or impact with another object.
Comprehensive:
This covers damage to your car resulting from fire, theft and other direct losses
not excluded. The principal exclusions are for damage to certain electronic and
sound equipment, tapes and other media, radar detectors, undeclared camper
bodies, and van or pickup customized equipment.
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The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.
This website is designed for informational purposes only. The information presented here should not be
taken as formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer / client relationship. Call or contact us today for a
FREE consultation on your case.
This website is designed for informational purposes only. The information presented here should not be
taken as formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer / client relationship. Call or contact us today for a
FREE consultation on your case.
Law Offices of John V. Orrick, P.L.
6912 West Linebaugh Ave.
Suite 102
Tampa, Florida 33625
Phone: (813) 283-5868
6912 West Linebaugh Ave.
Suite 102
Tampa, Florida 33625
Phone: (813) 283-5868
| Call: (813) 283-5868 for a FREE Consultation |
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