YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

If you are the victim of someone else's negligence or carelessness, whether in a traffic accident or some other type of accident, you have certain rights guaranteed by law. You have a right to be put back in the same condition you were in before the accident occurred--physically, mentally and economically.

• You have a right to have your automobile repaired to its original pre-accident condition or, if it is totalled, to its reasonable and equitable market replacement.
• You have a right to the repair or replacement of other personal property which was damaged or destroyed by the accident.
• You have a right to the use of a rental car, at no cost to you, while your automobile is being repaired.
• You have a right to reimbursement for any earnings you lost while you were unable to work due to injuries received in the accident.
• You have a right to recover for any future loss of earnings, or lessening of earning capacity, caused by the injuries you sustained in the accident.
• You have a right to be reimbursed for the medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses you incur for treatment of the injuries suffered in the accident.
• You have a right to be reimbursed for transportation costs to and from medical facilities.
• You have a right to a fair and just compensation if you are permanently disabled as a result of the accident.
• You have a right to receive payment if the trauma and shock of your injuries lessen the quality of your social and personal life.
• You have a right to choose the repair shop to fix your car--and to choose which health care professionals will care for your physical and mental injuries.
• You have a right to be compensated for any physical pain and mental anguish suffered as a result of the accident.
• You have a right to be represented by a professional personal injury lawyer of your choice to make sure that all of your rights are protected--and that you have competent representation in dealing with the person who caused your injuries and with his insurance company.
• You have a right to receive a fair and just payment from the involved insurance companies to pay for all medical bills, repair services and other due compensations.

IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT

After the scrape of metal on metal and the crunch of shattering glass, your first feeling is shock. That will be followed by panic, anger and confusion. Force yourself to calm down so that you can think reasonably and rationally evaluate the situation.

If you are involved in an accident in which a person is killed or injured, or in which property is damaged, stop immediately as close to the scene of the accident as possible. Do not obstruct traffic. In Virginia, the penalty for "hit-and-run" driving is severe. You may be fined up to $2,500 and jailed for as long as five years. You must render "reasonable assistance" to anyone injured in the accident. Do not move anyone who appears to be badly injured unless it is imperative they be removed from a potentially life-threatening situation, such as a burning car, etc. Call the Rescue Squad and the police immediately.

All involved drivers must share their names, addresses, telephone numbers, driver's license numbers, vehicle registration information and the names of their insurance companies. Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all passengers and witnesses.

If possible, do not move the vehicles until the police have arrived and have inspected the accident scene. Reduce the possibility of further accidents by turning on the hazard lights of the involved vehicles, placing flares on the roadway, raising the hood of the cars and rerouting traffic around the accident. Do not allow anyone to tamper with any evidence at the scene of the accident.
Make a diagram of the accident showing the position of the cars before, during and after the impact. Measure skid marks, note the position of traffic lights and street signs, estimate driving speeds, and record details about the weather and road conditions. If it's possible to photograph the scene, the cars involved, or evidence of damage and injury, do so.

Ask everyone to stay at the scene until the police arrive. If they must leave, write down their names, addresses, telephone numbers, license plate numbers, and a brief description of what they saw. If anyone is transported from the scene by ambulance, ask where they are being taken for treatment.

When the police arrive, cooperate with the investigating officer fully.

REMEMBER:

• You will be in a state of mild to severe confusion and stress. Do not admit to any fault for the accident.
• Report your name, address, driver's license number, and vehicle registration number to the trooper or local police officer.
• Tell the investigating officer the basic facts. Do not give him your interpretation of how and why the accident happened. Do not volunteer any information or comment on the accident
• Do not agree to pay for damages--that may be construed as an admission of guilt. Do not sign anything except the traffic ticket--signing the ticket only acknowledges receipt and, in itself, is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing.
• You must take an alcohol test if requested, or risk losing your license.
• Above all, stay calm.

DO'S AND DO NOT'S

DO

Do wear your seat belt at all times. If you are involved in an accident, make sure the accident report indicates the fact that you took this safety precaution.

Do carry automobile insurance. It's also a wise investment to carry both uninsured/under-insured motorist protection and medical payment coverage. If you ever need to rely on its benefits, it will pay for itself many, many times over.

Do drive defensively and cautiously.

Do stay calm if an accident occurs.

Do call an ambulance, if necessary. Give help to injured persons.

Do call the police to the accident scene to make a report. Make sure you explain any injuries sustained in the accident.

Do cooperate with the State Police or police officers who are at the scene of the accident.

Do make a diagram of the accident, as well as take down all pertinent information from drivers, passengers, and witnesses.

Do try to have pictures taken of the accident, or at least of damage done to your car and injury to your body.

Do go to a doctor to check out whether you sustained any injuries.

Do report the accident to your insurance company and the other driver's insurance company.

Do have your automobile appraised at a repair shop that can restore your car to its original condition.

Do keep a daily log of your medical condition. Record your visit with doctors and/or physical therapists, any out-of-pocket expenses, and mileage to and from his office.

Do keep a journal of time missed from work, the amount of your lost wages, and projected future loss of earning capacity due to injuries stemming from the accident.

Do see a personal injury lawyer before signing any releases from insurance companies.

Do stop and trade identification. Penalties for "hit-and-run" are quite severe in Virginia.

DO NOT

Do not drink and drive. If you are involved in an accident where the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, make sure the accident report reveals this fact.

Do not refuse to take an alcohol test if requested to do so by a police officer.

Do not make any voluntary statements or admit guilt if stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Do not refuse to sign a traffic ticket. It is not an admission of guilt but only an assurance you will appear in court and give your account of the accident.

Do not move injured persons, unless leaving them alone would cause greater danger to their health and safety.

Do not allow the other driver(s), witnesses or passengers to leave the scene of the accident until they have been properly identified, and a statement has been taken from them.

Do not move the involved automobiles until a record of how the accident occurred has been made.

Do not ignore signs of neck or back pain.

Do not confuse "negligence " with an "intentional act" by the other driver. Insurance companies are not liable for and will not reimburse drivers for deliberate intentional acts. They only pay on claims which are caused by negligence.

Do not admit fault, discuss opinions, or offer information about the accident to the other driver, to his attorney, or to any insurance company. A personal injury lawyer can best advise you in this area.

Do not pay money for expenses related to the accident, unless you have to. Try to obtain services on a "lien basis", or have the insurance company pay for these expenses.

Do not settle your insurance claim before your doctor releases you from his care, or until you are sure that the settlement takes into account reimbursement for your medical bills, lost wages as well as your future medical needs and compensation for pain and suffering.

Do not allow insurance companies to treat you unfairly. Be alert to acts of bad faith on their part.

Do not settle bodily injury claims with insurance companies without first consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Do not withhold any information from your personal injury lawyer. All communications with him are privileged and confidential.

Do not make any premature statements or sign any releases with the insurance company until you first consult with an attorney. The law offices of Harris & Harris are most qualified to assist you with questions, advice, and counsel on such matters.

YOU DESERVE THE BEST MEDICAL CARE

No one is happy with insurance rates these days. As prices in general spiral upwards, so do our insurance rates. As rates rise, we all resent having to pay them so we begin to feel ripped off by the insurance companies who provide our health insurance, our homeowners' hazard insurance and our automobile insurance. Anyone who doesn't have adequate insurance is foolhardy. In Virginia, there are harsh penalties for not carrying car insurance. When you are involved in an automobile accident, you owe it to yourself to fully avail yourself of all the protection your policy offers. Since your health is very precious to you, you should be thoroughly checked out by appropriate medical professionals after any kind of traumatic episode.

The law firm of Harris & Harris, P. C., (540) 371-4941, has negotiated and won many claims against insurance companies for their clients. They have won compensation for seriously injured clients which will sustain them for the rest of their lives.

Are you guilty of joking about those auto accident "victims" in their cervical neck collars who are out to rip off the insurance company after a minor accident? Every year several hundreds of thousands of victims, who are involved in automobile accidents, suffer from a painful and debilitating soft tissue injury commonly referred to as whiplash. These injuries (and butts of jokes!) are very real and can cause years of suffering when improperly diagnosed, mistreated or ignored.

When an automobile is struck from behind, the head is suddenly and forcefully flung backward beyond its normal extension, then just as abruptly it recoils forward. Damage occurs to soft tissues in the neck, mid-back and lower back which could affect ligaments, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, vertebrae and discs. In most cases, the only evidence of the injury is the victim's complaint, for such soft tissue damage usually does not show up on x-rays. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, stiffness, numbness, impaired vision, as well as pains in the neck, arms, and lower back may show up immediately, or even days or weeks later.
The visible damage to your automobile may appear to be minor, but your injury is nonetheless real. There is no correlation between the severity of damage to your car and the severity of pain resulting from a whiplash injury. Even more acute damage can result in a neck sprain, torn ligaments, pinched nerves, injury to the esophagus or jaw, concussion, and/or stretched vertebrae.

That is why it is so important: 1) not to give a premature opinion or statement about your condition at the time of the accident, 2) to be checked out by doctors who specialize in soft tissue injuries, and 3) to hold off settling with any insurance company until all symptoms have surfaced, all injuries have been treated, and all damage has been repaired. A study of 10,000 whiplash victims by the Mayo Clinic showed that while 80% of patients with cervical sprains fully recovered within a year, the remaining 20% developed scar tissue, calcium deposits, premature arthritis, and other degenerative changes in neck ligaments.

The office of Harris & Harris works with the medical community on behalf of accident victims. They know and cooperate with many different specialists who diagnose and treat various symptoms and injuries caused by automobile collisions. William H. Harris and John P. Harris, III seek reimbursement for these medical expenses from all applicable insurance policies and from all liable insurance companies.

FIXING YOUR AUTOMOBILE

Shocking and traumatic as an automobile accident is, adequate insurance coverage and competent legal representation can help turn a seemingly devastating accident into a minor inconvenience.
If your car cannot be driven away from the accident scene, it may be impounded and towed away immediately to clear the roadway. It may be taken to a storage facility and held there until you designate where it should be taken for repairs. The involved insurance companies are responsible for the payment of reasonable towing and storage fees.

You may choose whatever mechanic, body shop or repair facility you wish to fix your car. You are not required to get more than one estimate. You are not required to use a mechanic or body shop designated by the insurance company. It is your car, and it is your decision where and how it will be repaired to your satisfaction.
Since insurance companies are footing the bill to repair your car, they want to have the work done as economically as possible and are in favor of lower estimates. However, a lower estimate may overlook details such as proper alignment, headlight adjustment, correct matching of paint colors, etc.

After choosing your mechanic or body shop, and working out the details with them as to the type of work to be done, you can then present the insurance company with the estimate. Most mechanics are willing to discuss the necessary repairs with the insurance adjuster. If the adjuster can negotiate a lower price with your mechanic, that is his privilege. But you do not have to compromise quality for economy, and you do not have to be involved in the haggling between the insurance company and the mechanic.

Do not sign any releases until you are sure that the insurance company will cover the cost of all repairs to your satisfaction, and that they will give a check to the repair shop in a timely manner so that you can get your car back as soon as possible with no out-of-pocket expense to you. It is in your best interest to have an experienced personal injury lawyer review any releases before you sign them.

If the cost of repairs is greater than the value of your car, the insurance company will offer to reimburse you only for what they consider to be the "fair market value" of the car. This figure will quite often be much lower than the purchase price of the vehicle because the insurance company: 1) will deduct for depreciation of the automobile; 2) will not reimburse you for finance or preparation charges, and 3) may use a schedule which does not reflect a current fair and equitable value for the car.

Check out the different periodicals (Kelly Blue Book, Auto Trader, want ads, etc.) to find the best comparable price for your car. Also factor in items like towing, storage, inconvenience for loss of the use of your car, etc., in order to obtain a better offer from the insurance adjuster.

IF YOU NEED A RENTAL CAR

The loss of the use of your car is a major inconvenience!

While your car is out of commission, you have the right to the use of a rental car. In most cases, all expenses relating to the rental of this automobile (except for the fuel to run it!) will be paid for by whichever insurance company is liable for this coverage. You should contact your own insurance company to see whether or not your automobile insurance policy will cover the use of the rental car.

You are entitled to the use of an automobile of comparable worth and value, of equivalent make and model, to your own car, for a reasonable amount of time while your car is being repaired or replaced.
Most of the time, insurance adjusters will accommodate you after an accident occurs. However, some insurance companies may try to convince you they are responsible only for: 1) a car which rents for the least amount of money, 2) a car which is less than comparable to the one that you have been driving (and paying to insure!), and/or 3) the rental of a car for a shorter period of time than what you are really entitled to. Sometimes it takes a great deal of time and effort and evidence to persuade the insurance adjusters of your rightful claim.

YOUR LOST WAGES AND YOUR LOST TIME

Accident victims have the right to be made whole again--to be the same after the accident as they were before the accident.

Because of your injuries, you may be forced to miss work, or otherwise have your livelihood interrupted. Your earning capacity may be impaired for an indefinite period of time. This may be caused by your injuries, lack of transportation, disability, mental stress, etc. You have a right to be compensated for this loss of income. If you became disabled as a result of the accident, you may also have a right to collect from state disability insurance or from the Social Security Administration's disability program.

The time or costs you spend in the process of making yourself whole and well again (travel time, transportation costs, car repair expenses, time spent at the doctor's or in therapy, etc.) are also compensable.

As if the trauma and inconvenience of the accident were not enough, the insurance company may require reams of documentation (to the point of harassment) to have you substantiate your claims of lost wages, time spent in therapy and expenditures related to the maintenance of your well-being. Keep a diary, or daily log, listing all your trips to the doctor or physical therapist, as well as the miles you drive to get there and the time you spend for treatments.

If you have any questions concerning your rights in this area, please contact the law offices of HARRIS & HARRIS at (540) 371-4941 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

YOUR CLAIM FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING

A fair and proper settlement for damages and injuries sustained in an automobile accident includes many factors, which when added together, will not only compensate you for any physical loss, but also for the mental stress of the accident.
The insurance company, liable for the payment of damages which you have suffered, is responsible to pay for:

• all property damage - including car repairs
• use of a rental car
• recovery of lost wages
• transportation costs to the doctor
• time spent in therapy and time spent traveling to the doctor or clinic
• all medical bills
• any physical or mental disabilities
• loss of consortium or sexual impotency
• emotional distress
• pain and suffering from the trauma, intrusion, inconvenience and anguish of the accident

These elusive and sometimes hard-to-define factors can sometimes result in a substantial amount of money for accident victims. Good documentation is essential. Write down and tell your personal injury lawyer everything that affects your personal injury claim--how you feel, time missed from work, etc. Depending on individual circumstances, good documentation, availability of good witnesses, and an experienced and skillful negotiator's handling of the case, can make the difference between a poor settlement and an equitable settlement.

After repair bills, doctor bills, and miscellaneous costs have been paid, your lawyer deducts his fee, and the remainder is given to you as a cash settlement. Since this money reimburses you for losses suffered by the accident, it is nontaxable. And it does indeed help to insure that your condition is made the same as it was before the accident occurred.

The attorneys at Harris & Harris will photograph your injuries, and work with you in keeping a daily log of your condition. In severe cases, they may produce a "Day in the Life" video to demonstrate graphically how the accident has negatively impacted on your normal everyday life.

If you need advice or consultation on your claim for pain and suffering, please call Harris & Harris at (540) 371-4941.

YOUR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COVERAGE

Buying the right automobile insurance policy is a hassle: finding the best value, obtaining the best coverage, and avoiding loopholes which seem to nullify having any protection at all. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help an accident victim maximize the benefits and advantages of even the worst insurance policy.

Unfortunately for consumers, Virginia does not have very strong laws to help protect them against bad faith from the other guy's insurance company. Bad faith is equal to fraudulent behavior, and the threat of bad faith charges keeps giant insurance corporations from dealing with accident claims in a heavy-handed or discriminatory manner. Representation by an experienced personal injury lawyer will help you obtain a fair and equitable compensation for your injury claim.

The lawyers at Harris & Harris are especially vigilant in reminding insurance companies of their fiduciary responsibility to their clients. Since all corporations are in business to make money, insurance companies occasionally have a conflict of interest when it comes to settling claims. Attorneys John P. Harris, III, and William H. Harris send out letters of representation on behalf of their clients, to the involved insurance companies, to put them on notice of their duty to conform to the various requirements of the insurance section of the Code of Virginia. It is their primary job to make sure that your rights are protected.

BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY pays for damages to others caused by your negligence, whether personal injuries, death, or property damage. It pays legal costs if you are sued.

COMPREHENSIVE covers loss or damage to your car resulting from fire, theft, vandalism, glass breakage, explosion, etc.

COLLISION pays for damage to your car caused by impact with another automobile or object even if it's your fault.

UNINSURED MOTORIST AND UNDER-INSURED MOTORIST. If the driver of the other motor vehicle involved in an accident is legally liable, but either has no insurance, does not have enough insurance, or is unknown, this protection will pay you and occupants of your car for bodily injury and for property damage to your car. It is especially important to invest in this coverage, because there are many people who do not have adequate insurance coverage.

MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE pays for reasonable medical expenses incurred within a specified amount of time from the date of your accident. It protects everyone in your auto, no matter who is liable for the accident. It also covers medical expenses if you are struck by any automobile, or if you are in an accident in someone else's car.

Over and above carrying standard liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance for your automobile, it is a very wise investment to also include medical payments and uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage to your policy. These two additional coverages will close most gaps of protection if you are involved in an accident, no matter who is to blame, and even if the other party is not insured.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE is insurance coverage paid for by an employer who employs three or more individuals "regularly in service." If you are injured in an automobile accident, you may also be eligible for worker's compensation benefits if it can be determined that the injury arose out of your employment and occurred in the course of your employment.

If you have a question about whether or not your injuries are covered under worker's compensation, or automobile insurance, or both automobile insurance and worker's compensation, call Harris & Harris (540) 371-4941.

PREVENTING MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

Motorcycling is fun! Sure, it's a practical way to get around--and it's exciting. But, it has risks. On a motorcycle, you are exposed and vulnerable. Protecting yourself and your passenger is your responsibility. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers the following tips to help you reduce and manage the risks you face as a biker:

1. Know your skills. The more you know, the better rider you will become! A portion of your motorcycle registration fee is set aside in a Motorcycle Rider Safety Training Program Fund. Sign up for beginning or experienced training through your local Department of Motor Vehicles or call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 1-800-447-4700 for their Rider-Course locations.
   
2. Know the rules of the road and respect other road users. Riding is a privilege. Make sure you and your motorcycle are properly licensed. It is essential that you carry insurance--especially medical payments and uninsured/under-insured motorist protection.
   
3. Ride with the right gear. Wear a protective helmet! Helmets work! Down to the 7-11, or across country, it doesn't make sense to start your motorcycle without a protective helmet on your head. Equip your helmet with an approved shield or wear goggles or shatterproof glasses. It doesn't take much to injure your eyes. Wearing a helmet adds to your motorcycling image--it shows you're a responsible person.
   
4. Wear suitable clothing. The right clothing will make riding more enjoyable and comfortable. Thick jackets and pants, gloves, over-the-ankle leather boots and rain gear are musts.
   
5. Ride aware. The most frequent cause of accidents are cars turning left across your path. Three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other vehicles--the majority caused by the other driver! So, drive defensively. Slow down and be prepared to react.
   
6. Ride to survive. Be seen and not hit. The better people see you, the less likely they are to run into you. Wear bright, light, reflective clothing. Use your headlight. Don't tailgate. Select a lane and a position within a lane to be seen. Avoid rapid lane changes, and keep looking around. You don't need surprises!
   
7. Keep a safe bike. Think of your motorcycle as being as personal as your toothbrush. They're not all exactly alike so it's best not to lend or borrow one. Get to know your owner's manual, follow recommended service schedules, and have repairs made by someone who knows what he's doing. Always check your bike's tires, suspension and controls before riding.
   
8. Share a safe ride. Company is nice, but extra weight on your bike affects its handling. Instruct your passengers on proper riding technique and protective gear. You're responsible for their safety as well as your own!
   
9. Ride straight. IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRINK, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT RIDING! Alcohol and other drugs affect your thinking and your judgment. Almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol. In non-fatal crashes, injuries were more severe to those riders drinking alcohol.
   

ACCIDENTS: AN OVERVIEW

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, a non-profit public/private partnership working to help employers develop and implement workplace traffic safety programs, has provided us with some:

• Traffic crashes are the leading killer for all individuals ages 1 - 37 and the leading cause of para/quadriplegia.
• There are two-and-one-half times more fatalities caused by traffic crashes than by accidents in the home.
• In 1991, an average of one person was killed in a traffic crash every 13 minutes.
• In 1991, there were 41,150 fatal traffic crashes and an additional 3.2 million traffic injuries.
• The probability of being involved in a motor vehicle crash during a 75-year lifetime is 99 %.

The numbers tell the story: drinking is a factor in half of all fatal motor vehicle crashes.

• About two in every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.
• From 1982 through 1990, approximately 211,000 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes. That's an average of one alcohol-related fatality every 22 minutes.
• In 1990, about 355,000 people were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes. That's an average of one person every one and one-half minutes. About 96,000 of these are serious injuries.
• One out of every three people killed in alcohol-related crashes is not the drinking driver--they are the victims of the drinking driver.
• In people between the ages of 5 and 32, traffic crashes are the greatest single cause of death. Almost half of these youthful fatalities are alcohol-related.
• Drinking is a factor in 5% of all property damages crashes and 20% of serious injury crashes.

• Front seat occupant protection usage is currently about 59%.
• In 1990, 78% of front seat passenger vehicle fatalities were not belted.
• Unrestrained passenger car occupants are three times more likely to require hospitalization and two-and-one-half times more likely to require transportation to a hospital than restrained occupants.

• Speed increases the total distance necessary to stop a vehicle after danger is perceived. Drivers require 351 feet to stop at 70 mph; 217 feet to stop at 55 mph, and 70 feet to stop at 35 mph.
• The chances of death or serious injury double with every 10 mph driven over 50 mph.
• If a driver accelerates from 20 mph to 80 mph, the driver's speed increases by a factor of four, but the energy of the impact delivered in a collision increases by a factor of 16 -- the speed factor squared.
• In areas where rural interstate speed limits were raised from 55 mph to 65 mph, the number of traffic fatalities increased by about 20% between 1986-1987.
• One-third of all fatal crashes are related to speed.
• Speed-related fatal crashes most often involved only a single vehicle.
• The safety benefits of occupant protection (safety belts/child safety seats/air bags) diminish in a crash as speeds increase.
• Police investigating fatal crashes report that unsafe practices (speeding, following too closely, improper lane use, unsafe passing and reckless operation) account for more than one-third of the total at-fault, driver-related factors in these crashes.
• Of all drivers involved in speed-related fatal crashes in 1989, about 56% were under the influence of alcohol. Speed and alcohol--truly a deadly combination.
• The total cost to society of speed-related crashes is more than $10 billion annually.

Passenger cars outnumber other kinds of vehicles on the road, but they are involved in a small proportion of traffic crashes. Other vehicles are involved in more crashes per unit.
In 1991, there were:

• 31,234 passenger car fatalities;
• 14,810 light truck fatalities (including vans & utility vehicles);
• 1,078 single unit truck fatalities;
• 3,262 combination unit truck fatalities (tractor/trailer); and
• 2,832 motorcycle fatalities.

In terms of total vehicle crashes, there were:

• 7,710,000 passenger car crash involvements;
• 2,475,000 light truck crash involvements;
• 131,000 single unit truck crash involvements;
• 198,000 combination unit truck crash involvements, and
• 104,000 motorcycle crash involvements.

DO YOU REALLY NEED A LAWYER?

This booklet is designed to give you an overview of the many areas which make up the process of an accident, from the initial investigation through discovery, negotiation, settlement, and, if needed, litigation. It will help you deal with matters involving your accident, but it's not a complete course in handling your own personal injury claim. You should consult with a lawyer for advice about your own specific situation. When the person who caused your accident, or his insurance company, talks down to you or tries to hurry you into a premature settlement, that's a "red flag" that things aren't going well. The very minute you feel you are being taken advantage of, or are being ripped off, call a lawyer.

It's been said, "The person who defends himself in court has a fool for a client." You don't pull your own teeth. You go to a dentist. Need a lawyer? Be smart! Find an expert to handle things for you -- with no out-of-pocket expense to you.

The question is: DO YOU REALLY NEED A LAWYER? Not in every instance-- but, when you do need a lawyer, make sure you don't get just any lawyer. Harris & Harris, P. C. handles ONLY personal injury matters. Look in the yellow pages. You see lots of lawyers who say they handle personal injuries. They also handle family law, criminal matters, divorces, bankruptcy--the list goes on and on--in addition to personal injuries. How much time do you think they've had to gain expertise in handling complex injury cases? Not much. The law is so complex that it's impossible to become expert in all aspects of it.

Consider this:

1. Large multi-million dollar insurance corporations use lawyers--scores of them--to protect their interests.
2. When you're offered an unfair, substandard amount of money for your damages, injuries, pain and suffering--and you protest--and the response is, "Take it or leave it!" what do you do then? A personal injury lawyer knows exactly what to do. He sues--and lets a jury of your peers decide what is fair and unfair.

The attorneys at Harris & Harris are engaged solely in personal injury law. They have extensive knowledge of medical matters as well as legal matters. They offer highly personalized and individual services to all their clients. William H. Harris and John P. Harris, III were born and grew up in the Fredericksburg area. They're known to most of their clients as Bill and John. They meet and consult with each client personally and follow each case through every stage until total recovery. They concentrate on the quality of each case, rather than on high volume quantities. They make sure they maximize each and every one of their clients' settlements. They have skill and experience in negotiating with insurance adjusters. Substandard offers will be passed on to you, but you are never urged to settle for any amount less than what your case is worth. You make the final decision whether to accept or reject a settlement offer.

If Harris & Harris litigates your claim against the defendant, you have the added advantage of having hired a lawyer who is certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

You can call the office of Harris & Harris at any time. They have a 24- hour telephone line at (540) 371-4941 and are available after hours in emergency situations. John P. Harris, III and William H. Harris welcome your calls. They do not rely solely on TV or radio to rope in new clients. Most of our clients are referrals from past satisfied clients. They do not have to turn your case over quickly in order to pay for a large advertising budget. Their fees are in line with industry standards.

The bottom line is that Harris & Harris can probably get you a better settlement, even with their contingency fee, than you can get yourself. They advance the costs necessary to pursue your claim so there is no up-front or out-of-pocket expenses by you. They will discuss your case with you, and you can decide for yourself--the initial consultation is free.

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