Because we are selective in our choice of cases and personal in our interaction with our clients, we only take on certain types of cases, specifically auto insurance claims. We don’t seek to collect as many clients’ as possible, but rather, work on building a relationship with our clients through personal representation and relationship so that a mutually meaningful result can be achieved.  We have unique experience dealing with insurance companies in the Northwest Ohio area, and that means we can get you fair compensation for your injuries, damaged property and other expenses, unlike some other firms which have no knowledge of the local economy.

Your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want You To Understand Your Claim

Rubin-Zyndorf has been working with insurance companies for over Fifty (50) years.   Unlike other attorneys who are unfamiliar with the local economy, Rubin-Zyndorf can offer its clients a clear perspective on their case.   We are very familiar with most insurance carriers and understand how and why they make their decisions. We understand the various approaches insurance companies utilize in evaluating personal injury and wrongful death claims, and understand what needs to be promoted in order to pressure a favorable settlement.  Quite simply, Rubin Zyndorf is more likely to secure the benefits you deserve than you could otherwise do on your own

We Can’t Best Serve You Without Knowing You

From the very start, we work with you to promote your interests.  We meet with you personally to discuss your claim, and follow-up later with personal meetings when other issues arise.  You will deal directly with our attorneys when problems or questions arise.  We answer all your questions promptly, and explain your various options so that you keep apprised of developments of your claim. We will always accessible, whether by phone or internet, and will meet any time when circumstances require.   We promptly return your phone calls.  (actually, if we are in court, we may need to take a message.  But, if we are at the office, we always respond).

We keep you informed and advise you promptly of any pertinent dates and court proceedings where your appearance is required.   When it’s all over, most of our clients tell us that they feel they like they are ready to take a law school exam based upon the eye-opening extensive legal information they have accumulated through our active representation of them.   We know the law can be very confusing and we do whatever is necessary to ensure that you understand what is happening, why, and what the likely outcome will be.   And, when it’s all over, we would recognize you on the street and greet you by first name.

Beating Insurance Companies Means Being Aggressive

When we get started, we do everything necessary to maximize your interests.  We work hard to get a good resolution of your claim.  We locate witnesses, obtain police reports, take photographs, employ accident reconstruction experts, investigators, photographers and others to assist in building your claim.  If necessary, we will also secure the services of expert witnesses on your behalf to ensure that the appropriate standards of care are brought forth to the Judge or Jury when your claim is finally decided.  We prepare each case like it will proceed to trial, and do not settle quickly when we believe the claim has considerably more value.
We Win Cases With All Types Of Injuries:

• Punctured organs
• Broken bones
• Organ injury
• Brain Damage and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Fractures and Dislocations or joints
• Spinal and Back Injuries
• Serious Burns and disfigurement
• Severe facial Laceration
• Permanent injuries

Let us know how we can help you by scheduling a FREE CONSULTATION today with one of our attorneys.

Acting as a filter, an attorney can tell you what is important information and what isn’t relevant to resolving the issue with your best intent in mind.   Although many things may look to have importance when evaluating an accident claim, many items don’t and merely serve to distract consideration to the issues of greatest concern.  As experienced Toledo attorneys we will help you focus your energy on presenting the strongest parts of your claim while minimizing the weaknesses.   You should have little to no contact with the insurance companies.  We become your voice in the courts and to the insurance companies because we know how to deal with them and win.  Insurance companies are geared to minimize your claim, and will give you little to no direction on how to adequately document your injury so that you may achieve an optimal result.

We will handle the paperwork and ensure that no one takes advantage of you.  Remember, when you hire an attorney, we become a member of your team seeking the same thing you do, a good recovery.  Your best first step would be to contact us for a meeting so that you get a feel for how serious the issues really are.  We endeavor to make the complicated issues understandable so that we can prove your rightful claim in court.

Why We Don’t Charge Unless You Get Paid

When you meet with our attorneys, there is never a charge for the initial screening.  We do not pressure you to sign anything, and only after we have made a complete explanation and evaluation of your claim are you given an opportunity to retain our services.  We believe that the very best client is the one that sees the value in our services, and wants to work as hard as we do to present the merits of your claim.

It is important that you feel confident in us enough to trust us to obtain the best result for your claim.  We don’t tell you something that isn’t true, nor do we inflate the values or information we provide to give you anything but a clear and accurate picture of the problem.  After all, there is nothing worse that an unhappy client, since unhappy clients lead to unhappy lawyers.  And unhappy lawyers make unhappy homes.  Our kids like us better when we come home happy.

As Toledo expert attorneys we will discuss openly and objectively the nature of your injuries and facts surrounding the accident.   If we feel we can represent you fully, we will tell you the options, at which point we would provide you with a simple agreement to sign which spells out in plain language the nature of our agreement.

After signing the agreement, we will undertake to investigate your claim; contact witnesses; obtain accident reports, records, photographs, medical records; and secure necessary witness statements.   With your authorization, we will obtain any records which you could otherwise obtain to maximize your result.

Plus we work on a strict contingency fee basis, which means, that we don’t get paid unless you get paid.   So, basically, we are joined at the hip from beginning to end.

We Make This A Stress-Free Process So You Can Get Well

After we have been retained, we will contact anyone who was responsible for the accident, including their insurance carrier and adjuster to advise them or our representation of you.  We make sure that all communication with insurance carriers or adjusters is directed to our office so that you may concentrate on getting back to full health without being distracted by legal machinations.  We don’t want you speaking directly with insurance companies since, their interests and yours are in direct conflict.  You want to receive an optimal result, while they want to pay a sub-optimal result.  We will investigate and build your case in order to maximize your right to compensation.

Why It’s Important To Be Patient

Much of what we do will take a considerable amount of time.  When we write away for your medical records, the hospitals and institutions funnel our request into their system and sometimes, it can take several seeks for a reply to be forthcoming.  And then, when we do receive the reply, many times important documentation is inadvertently omitted, requiring a further request for documentation.   So, depending on how meticulous the medical provider is in complying with our information request, the time it takes to assembly your documents can vary.

My mother used to say, “I have no Patience for Details”.

My father use to say, “Patience is a Virtue”.

The notable judge once said:  “Spare me the Details”.

Wisdom comes to the man that knows which fight is the right fight. We will do everything possible to prepare your claim, but remember, every claim is different, just as each individual is different.  The fact that your friend, Billy, reached a settlement within 2 week of the accident has no bearing on the time it will take to bring yours to conclusion.  Perhaps Billy, in his haste to get his claim settled, settled for too little, or failed to take every legal requirement into consideration which would have created a greater benefit to him.

Every injury case has different circumstances and elements, and each are dependent on the professionalism, personality and style of the medical providers involved.   Some doctors are good advocates for their patients, while others are detached and aloof and seem to be unconcerned about the financial impact the injury is having on your livelihood.  Other doctors have open hostility to insurance companies and lawyers.  We try to help by corresponding to the doctor to explain our function and goal in representing your claim.   It is our belief that most doctors have your best interests at heart, and it is only a small handful which make your effort to secure compensation difficult.

For serious injuries, obtaining information from doctors can take time.  It is important not to pester the doctor with unnecessary paperwork, since it takes considerable time and effort for the doctor’s staff to photocopy medical records in compliance with our request.  We try to make our request for documents at a time when your medical treatment has wound down to a point where the doctor is very close to concluding his services on your behalf.  In that way, we know that the doctor will likely photocopy all your records and not inadvertently miss something crucial.

How to Communicate Your Case

You should not talk with anyone about the status of your case (excluding us, your Lawyers)  The reason for this is simple- like water leaking from a jug, it is easier to control the flow of information from one location than multiple locations.  Also, it ensures that the time-line and historical account of your claim are always maintained, consistent and accurate.  Minor discrepancies and inconsistencies always tend to arise where information is “leaking” from various sources.  Usually, these discrepancies are minor, but as the discrepancies build, they can tend to create an apparent of confusion and contradiction which, a crafty defense attorney can exploit to your disadvantage.  Why create issues when your primary goal is securing the compensation you so rightly deserve.

As your attorneys, we will tell you when to release information, and what issues are important and what are not.  Remember, just as water leaks out of a jug, it is best for information to be release in an orderly fashion so that everything can be marshaled, assessed and categorized.   If information is allows to come out in a torrent, it only leads to confusion and apprehension which again, obscures your primary goal of securing just compensation.

You should not give any written or oral statements to anyone except your attorneys, who in turn will provide this information to the other party or their insurance company.  Any requests for information of you should be made to your attorney, who will ascertain whether the request is legitimate and should be responded to in-kind.

Naturally, as you obtain treatment, your attorneys must be kept “in the loop” regarding you day-to-day progress towards recovery.  But, equally important are your doctors, who from a medical standpoint, should always be kept informed regarding your health matters, including your history, complaints, treatment and progression towards recovery.

How to Handle Medical Payments before Your Case Is Settled

As you obtain medical treatment, you will be generating a host of changes for medical services.   As has been mentioned before, as your attorneys, we would want you to discuss with us the various methods for securing payment of your bills.  A consistent strategy should be employed to make sure all your bills get paid so that you do not suffer out-of-pocket exposure and resultant financial hardship.  Remember, as you are treating, your medical providers want to be paid.  They do not want to wait until the day finally arrives when your claim is finally settled, since that may not occur for some lengthy time period in the future.

You May Be Watched and Photographed

While it is not common, some insurance companies like to conduct a clandestine investigation of an injured person’s background.  They may obtain videotapes of you engaged in various activities of daily living, such as leaving your home to go grocery shopping, gardening/lawn cutting activities or other activities.  While this is a significant intrusion into your right of privacy, when you are attempting to secure money out of an insurance company, these efforts are justified where they find you engaged in activities which are inconstant with your apparent allegations of impairment and disability.  So, you should be cautious as you go about your daily activities and discuss the prospect of surveillance with your attorney.  If you encounter surveillance, you should act naturally and contact us to discuss the implications of this type of activity.
Subrogation and Medical Liens You Need To Understand

After you’ve been involved in an accident or injury, you will learn that, while you may have your own automobile and health insurance benefits available to you to cover your bills, in the event you make a cash settlement with the party that caused your injuries, most of these companies are entitled to be repaid.   This right is called “subrogation”, and while the historical development of this right is one of significant controversy, it is a matter which must be dealt with directly when you are attempting to secure a settlement from the at fault parties insurance company.  Subrogation means, that your auto insurance and health insurance company “stands in your shoes” and can recover directly from the at fault parties insurance company moneys which they have paid on your behalf.

This is a very important consideration since the pot of money from which you are seeking recovery is generally limited to the amount of insurance the at fault party maintained at the time of the accident.   Where there are multiple claims against this single pot of money, the prospects for your overall recovery are reduced substantially.  Therefore, it is imperative that you coordinate your settlement efforts to take into consideration all subrogation rights so that your entitled can be secured.

Finally, sometimes an injured person cannot secure payment of their medical providers billings while their claim is pending due to their own failure to maintain automobile insurance or health care insurance.    In these circumstances, many doctors refuse to provide a continuation of treatment since they believe that securing payment for their medical services is impaired.  However, many doctors are willing to continue providing you with treatment, provided you make a separate promise to pay them at the conclusion of your claim.   This can be done on a separate, contractual promise from you to the doctor which is acknowledged, in writing, by your attorney.  Another name for this document is a “Letter of Protection or Lien Letter”.  Medical providers may file this “Lien Letter” with the at fault party’s insurance company which will make it a prominent issue at the time when settlement discussions commence.
Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers Need To Read This

If the party which caused your accident was uninsured, in Ohio, you may pursue a claim for uninsured motorist benefits.  This assumes that you maintained this type of coverage with your own insurance company.   Basically, when you have a claim for uninsured motorist benefits, your own insurance company is called upon to pay you for the damages which were created by the at-fault party.  As such, your own insurance company takes the posture that you are an adversary seeking to deplete their accumulated wealth, and as such, they will fight you accordingly.  It makes no difference to them that you are their “customer”, or that you have been their customer for many years and have never filed a claim.  You are now viewed as a liability which cuts into their profit margins and every effort will be made to minimize and reduce your claim so that your insurance carrier’s profits are enhanced.  Also, where the at fault party maintains insurance coverage, but your damages are so substantial that the limits of their policy are exceeded, in some instances you can file a claim against your owner insurance company for something called “Underinsured Motorist Benefits”.   Again, just like the claim for Uninsured Motorist Benefits, you are viewed as an adversary and you claim will likely be contested.

Filing a claim for Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Benefits requires strict compliance with your insurance carrier’s terms of coverage, and you must bear in mind that your insurance company will employ any method to which they are contractually entitled to assert to minimize and reduce your claim.  So, it is very important that you provide your attorney at your earliest opportunity a complete copy of your automobile insurance policy for their review and consideration.

The Facts About Medicare & Medicaid Assistance

Where you are a Medicare/Medicaid recipient, your medical bills for injury must be submitted to these agencies on a timely basis for payment.  As I have mentioned to you earlier, it is important for you to understand that when you apply to have your medical bills paid by Medicare or Medicaid, these benefit programs create a Super Lien against your claim which much be acknowledged and addressed prior to final settlement.  The failure to repay a Medicare or Medicaid lien can result in a loss of benefits, termination or revocation of coverage and liability for repayment from you, and the parties you released from liability.  It is of great concern to everyone involved that Medicare and Medicaid interests are taken into full consideration at this time of final settlement.

A Time For Healing & Recovery

No two accidents are the same, regardless of whether the injuries and similar.   Every insurance carrier has differences in coverage provisions and limits, and the ability to assert an injury claim takes into consideration so many factors as to defy short explanation.  But, generally speaking, after taking into consideration the circumstances and complexity of your injury case, your various physical injuries and impairments, the degree of suffering and emotional hardship, medical expense, both in the past, present and future, and the apparent willingness of the opposing insurance company to act reasonably, the time to resolve your case can vary, but it is rarely fast.  You should not expect an insurance company to settle your claim quickly, unless of course they are getting a bargain in the process.

Insurance companies routinely contact unrepresented injury victims and lavish them with money in order to make their claim go away within the first few days after an accident.  To an insurance company, paying a little more in the beginning is justified if they can cut off an injured victim’s ability to secure payment from them for future medical treatment.  Furthermore, insurance carriers know full-well that most of the time when they are making a payment within days of an accident that the injured person has their own health insurance coverage available and that after they settle the claim with the injured person, future medical bills will be submitted by the injured victim to their own health insurance company for payment, and since the injured victim has signed a “Full Release of Claims”, the injured person’s health insurance carrier has no right of subrogation since, as they stand in the shoes of their insured, the claim has been fully settled and released by the own customer.

It is a type of “Silent Fraud” which is not generally discussed in Boardrooms of the Automobile and Casualty Insurance Industry, and for reasons unknown is allowed to profligate by the Health Insurance Industry which insists on maintaining it’s right to claim for subrogation under circumstances where they have no control over the timing of their own insured’s execution of a “Full and Final Release” and the resultant termination of subrogation rights.  The instances of Fraud permeating the field of subrogation rights is so massive as to be incalculable by any reasonable measure accounting.

Bear in mind, that your assertion of an injury claim is serious business when it calls upon someone else to lighten their own pocketbook to your benefit.  As such, it will take time to meander forward so that all competitive interests are balanced.  Your patience is a requirement, and although you may not understand why the delays seem to drag on, your attorney is working hard to promote your interests until that eventual day of recovery arrives.  In our modern society, much of what an attorney does relates more to balancing the various competitive claims vying for priority of payment than real advocacy.  Your attorney must beat down the demons which bite at your heals, while looking upward to the heavens for salvation, and as the ramparts part and the storm clouds clear, having someone in your corner shouting into their bullhorn to make way for your public entitlement to financial reparations is incredibly important and cannot be understated.

As expert Toledo attorneys for personal injury claims, we are able to diagnose whether you have a rightful settlement due to you in our first meeting with you.  You must have sustained a physical injury precipitated by someone else’s lack of care or negligence.  The work “negligence” is the term most often utilized to describe the actions of a person who departs from legal recognized standards of care, thereby imposing fault and ultimate responsibility for your damages.

Because of our significant experience in handling personal injury cases as Toledo lawyers, we will advise you regarding all potential avenues for the establishment of negligence so that your rights are maximized.  And naturally, your contact with our office and initial consultation are always free to endure that you are above to adequately verify the viability of your claim.

Q: Approximately How Much Is My Claim Worth?

The question of how much money your claim is worth is a subject of great controversy, speculation and debate. It is generally impossible to say exactly how much money you are entitled to, save for the fact that you are entitled to something.  The amount you receive is dependent on a multitude of factors which I have outlined through our website, and others too numerous to mention.

There is no exact formula, no mathematical equation, no theorem or construct which dictates exactly how much you will recover.  The more serious your injury, the more likely that your monetary award will increase. Some issues which bear directly on your claim for damages include:

• The extent of applicable uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits;
• The collectability of the at fault party.
• The at fault party’s believability, sympathy of the jury, educational and demographic background of the jury;
• Prior prejudices of the jurors;
• Your own prior health history;
• Prior injury claims;
• Your ability to communicate effectively;
• Your own personal believability

Rubin Zyndorf will make every effort to locate sources of collectability so that your claim receives just and fair compensation.  We will walk you through the process to make sure you understand what is happening, why it is happening and how it happened.   And, through the entire process, we offer our expert opinion regarding our own assessment of the probable outcome at trial.

Q: I May Be Partially Responsible, Do I Still Have A Legitimate Claim?

If an accident or injury was partially your fault, you may still be able to recover.  This is based upon the concept of “Comparative Negligence”.   This means that your negligence is weighed in the context of the other driver’s negligence.  If you are found to be 10% responsible, you can still be entitled to 90% of the resulting compensation.  By this process, you are receiving compensation for only that portion of the claim for which the other person is legal responsible.

You should allow us to evaluate your claim to determine your approximate level of responsibility, since only a Jury can ultimately put to rest your own percentage of negligence, and prior to the institution of a lawsuit, we may be able to present a scenario to the insurance carrier which establishes that the predominant degree of fault rests solely on the at fault driver, and not you, and that the risks associate with allowing the matter to proceed to trial justify an early negotiated settlement.

Q: How Are Damages Determined In A Personal Injury Claim?

If you are injured, you are entitled to recover money damages for all your losses and expenses associated with the injury.  Damages are broken down into two primary types with subcategories:    Compensatory, meaning to compensate for damages related to claims of Negligence, and Punitive, meaning to punish for outrageous conduct or willful disregard for the safety of others, conduct which cannot be tolerated by a modern society.  For the said our discussion, I will focus primarily upon Compensatory Damages, which is broken down into two sub categories:  economic and non-economic.

Economic damages are those which are quantifiable in dollars and cents by paper documentation, including expert testimony, which reflects a monetary financial loss, both in the past, present and future.

Non-economic damages are intangible in nature, and including pain and suffering, physical discomfort, anguish, emotional disturbance and trauma.   Many factors determine the amount that can be collected, including:

• The severity of the injury and degree of impairment and probable disability
• The amount of the medical bills and future projected medical costs
• The amount of time and money lost from work, past, present and future
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement and permanent scars
• Mental disability
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium and Loss of services for your spouse and children, both past present and future.
• Other varied out-of-pocket and other related expenses

Q: Can I Handle My Case On My Own With The Courts?

If you obtain medical attention, you probably need our services.   Seriously injury always causes insurance carriers to ring the emergency siren and run up the red flag.  For them, it is akin to the President calling for immediate mobilization of the military.  They immediately order up their forces to perform damage control.  This means they will engage in procedures which seek to minimize and reduce the viability of your claim.  We provide a free, no obligation consultation so that we can listen to the war drums pounding and assess what action to take on your claim.  You have nothing to lose.

Q: What Does It Cost To Hire An Expert Attorney?

All accepted cases are taken on a contingent fee arrangement.  This means that we do not receive any money unless there is a recovery.  It is simple.  We don’t get paid unless you get paid.  Our agreement is spelled out in plain language which anyone can understand.  As a result of the contingent fee agreement, we are joined at the hip with your claim and seek the best possible outcome.

Q: Why Should I Get An Attorney To Handle My Case?

Of course, you never have to retain the services of an attorney.  But, you would not be very wise to go-it-alone.  The system is much too complicated.  Even as educated as we are, attorneys are constantly asking questions and making fine distinctions and interpretations of law based upon the uniqueness of your case.

The law is not perfect.  It is codified by men who strive to regulate the conduct of men through the printed word.  Man is imperfect, so naturally, the law is imperfect.  The application of law to any state of facts is subject to considerable interpretation, just as the reader can provide inflection in his voice to emphasis important passages; and the listener can focus on particular words to give them more importance than others; the law is awash with internal loopholes, exceptions, contingencies and escape clauses which make it a living, breathing thing which cannot be adequately described in a written document.  When you have a problem, you seek out answers from those who are more knowledgeable than you.   Just like preparing a fine meal, the selection of spices makes the difference between a good meal and a great meal.

As expert attorneys in Toledo, you can think of us like a specialist doctor.  If you suffer an illness, you would first research the cause of your symptoms, consult with friends and experts and ultimately, defer to the expertise of the doctor.  A patient who acts as his own physician has a fool for a client, just as an individual you seeks to legally represent themselves has a fool for a client.  The field of injury litigation is simply much to complex for self representation.

Q. Will My Case Go To Trial?

Most personal injury cases get settled out of court. But sometimes a settlement may not be possible, for a variety of reasons, first and foremost of which is the insurance carrier’s unwillingness to pay you a satisfactory amount for settlement.   If the proposed settlement doesn’t offer what we think is justified by the facts of your case, we will proceed to file your lawsuit and prepare for trial.   In this event, you can expect a vigorous prosecution of your claim to its final conclusion.

Q. How Long Does The Process Take?

The court system is set up to administer virtually every imaginable type of dispute.  Thousands of cases get file yearly nationwide, so it is only natural that the system needs time to prioritize cases as they are filed to ensure that cases do not die-on-the-vine while waiting for a court date.  Cases are kept moving the judges who keep track of case development and monitor the progress on the claim.  Also, your injury in an ongoing process, so even as the matter proceeds to court, your physical condition can change, requiring more time for assessment, documentation and valuation.  Just as it takes time to heal, the court takes time to process your claim.  The reason for this is, that you only get one bite-of-the-apple, meaning, that when your case comes on for trial, this is the only chance you will get to secure a favorable award.  Also, you must bear in mind that doctors are many times reluctant to commit to a position until every possible alternative is explored.  If we attempted to settle your case prior to the conclusion of your medical treatment, it is entirely plausible that important aspects of your injury may not be discussed or compensated.

So, taking the time to adequately document your case is an important factor to consider as you proceed through your course of your medical recovery.  Your case will not be ripe for settlement until all your damages have been adequately quantified and all responsible parties are brought to account for their actions.  If a trial is the only method for ultimate resolution of your claim, it could take several years for you to finally learn the outcome of our efforts.  But, rest assured, we work as fast as possible under the circumstances of your claim to get the matter resolved in the shortest time period possible, bearing in mind that we don’t get paid until you do, so our interests are totally aligned in this regard.

Today, insurance companies are all about making money.  They care little for their customers, and even less for the injured victims.  They set profit above all else.  Morality be damned.  And, since conscientious people abhor the thought of filing “the dreaded lawsuit”, the insurance company skates away making exhorbitant profits, with the cost of reducing human dignity being reduced to ashes.

So, naturally, when the insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement, the only method available for redress is resort to “the dreaded lawsuit”.  Unfortunately, insurance companies, through the use of “Political Action Committees” and multi-million dollar marketing campaigns, has succeeded in poisoning the well so that today, getting a fair trial is harder than ever.

If you have a personal injury claim you are fighting with an insurance company, you can expect to go through whatI am about to tell you.  The inner workings of a personal injury lawsuit is a rather simple concept.  It is a basic document which sets forth in somewhat verbose, technically required jarjon, the legally required standard of care which the other driver failed to comply with, the proximate result of which led to the injuries which you sustained.

There are all kinds of rules and requirements which govern the means, manner, mechanism and form that the personal injury lawsuit embodies.  But, for the most part, in Ohio, a claim for personal injuries must be filed in court (Meaning: stamped in at the Clerk of Court’s office) within two (2) years of the accident date.  Some types of claims must be filed within one (1) years of the injury; other types of claims must be filed in even shorter time periods.  But suffice it to say, that most claims for personal injury must be filed within Two (2) years.

After the lawsuit is filed, there are another set of rules for the manner in which the other driver (now called the defendant) to be notified of the lawsuit.  The other driver, upon receiving the lawsuit, usually contacts their insurance company who thereupon takes steps to generate a defense.  The defense generally means, that the insurance company hires attorneys to defend the conduct of their insured.  Sometimes, the insurance company had attorneys “on-staff”, so that the defense of their insured is handled “internally”.   The insurance company attorneys then prepare their response to your lawsuit, which is similarly filed with the Clerk of Courts.  This response is also called “an Answer”.   It lays out the defendant’s position with respect to the accident, and details any particular defensive claims the defendant may assert.  (More on this later)

After the lawsuit is filed, another court mechanism is available for the parties to explore the various claim sand defenses each of them have against the other.  This mechanism is called “Discovery”.   And, naturally, just like lawsuits and answers, discovery has a who body of laws which govern the manner, method, conduct and form which discovery will take place.  Some of the tools of discovery are as follows:

1. Written questions your toledo lawyer drafts are submitted to the other driver.  (called interrogatories)

1. Meetings where the parties are placed under oath and questioned by the attorneys.  (called depositions)  The questions are transcribed by a court reporter, who after the deposition is completed, types up all the questions and answers in a little booklet.   Later, at a trial, if someone attempts to change their testimony, the questions they answered in the deposition are submitted to them to contradict their in-court testimony.

3.   Written requests for documents (called “Requests for Production”) are generally written requests that that other side produce for inspection and copying any documents which are relevant to the prosecution of your claim.

4.   Sometimes, the attorneys submit questions to the other side requesting that they “ADMIT” the truth of certain facts.  This is called a “Request for Admission”, and is a handy tool for pinning down facts which are not in dispute.  As expert attorneys in Toledo on this matter, there are similar situations like this that can help clearly state the facts of your claim.

5. Medical examination.  Since you are filing a lawsuit and requesting money, it is only natural that the other driver’s insurance carrier can “Inspect the damaged goods”.  Meaning, they can have you examined by a doctor of their choice to determine the nature and extent of your injuries.

By and large, the lawsuit process meanders forward, with both sides utilizing the tools I referenced above, and eventually, a day gets scheduled by the court when the entire matter, which is now a big controversy, gets presented in court for a final determination.  The action can be tried by a Judge, sitting alone, or a Jury of Eight (8).  More often than not, the matter proceeds to a Jury trial, since everyone is afraid that placing the burden of decision on One (1) person (the Judge) creates unnecessary suspicions of impropriety, unfair prejudice, conspiracy, favoritism, etc..

The matter is heard to a Jury of Eight (8) people selected from the local Toledo population.  They come from all walks of life, with backgrounds as various as the stars in the sky.  Much has been written about Civil Jury Trials.  So much so that I will not endeavor to explain this archane devise.  But, I will simply add a final comment which I made mention to at the opening of this brief paragraph, that with live in a society everyone is being marketed.  Perceptions are shaped by multinational corporations who use television, radio, internet and thousands of other media outlets to get you to think a certain way about their socio-economic impact on society.  As expert attorneys it is our job to know the law and make sure that the jury knows about the facts, not about what insurance companies convince them to perceive.

This same pressure comes to bear on our Jury system, where the Eight (8) persons selected to decide your case bring forth their attitude and belief systems to decide your case, and your greatest hope is that they were not previously “poisoned” by the mass marketing/advertising campaigns of the insurance lobby.  The skillful lawyer must defuse these prejudices and level preconceived notions so that your case is decided by people who are both thoughtful and fair minded.

If you are struggling to get your voice heard by the insurance companies handling your claim, we can help.  As expert attorneys that serve Toledo and the surrounding Ohio counties, we have helped thousands of people like yourself receive a better settlement in their personal injury claim.  Would you like to be helped too?

Results are important. While you’re recovering from your injuries, it’s important to know that someone’s working behind the scenes to protect your interests. We understand what happens after an injury. You’re primary focus is on getting well. The doctors and nurses have assured you that you’re making progress. The last thing on your mind is lawsuits and finding a Toledo lawyer who will represent your case and get your the maximum settlement available. Your mind is focused on recovery, but your household bills won’t wait. The mortgage, electric, gas and telephone bills start to pile up, and your family starts to worry about what’s going to happen to them. What about your job? Will your employer hold your position open for you until you return? Didn’t you have a union bargaining contract?

Suddenly, you’re inundated with unsolicited letters from attorneys and medical providers offering services which were, not only unrequested, but really unwanted. It seems so cold and callous for someone who doesn’t even know you, or your family, to mail you a letter, out of the clear blue sky, and offer to provide you with services. We strive for a higher standard, one of human integrity with dignity for all. Our task, as auto accident attorneys, is to get the best possible result for our clients and to handle your case with excellence. Our clients come first.

As premier Toledo Auto Accident Attorneys, work hard to help you understand the system, and make things right for you. We act as a buffer against those who would take unfair advantage. We push hard to make sure you are fairly compensated for your claim, so you can recover and get back to living a health sustainable life.

Every insurance claim value and all injury claims are profiled based upon cost factors established from
historical claims experience. Insurance companies assess the plaintiff‘s ability to communicate effectively,
their physical health, credibility, prior civil or criminal involvement, and financial standing.
Is the plaintiff believable?
Do they make a good first impression?
Are they physically appealing?
Are they in need of immediate financial help?

Another assessment relates to the quality of the plaintiff’s legal counsel, their prior trial experience and ability
to convey a story of suffering which would cause a lay individual to determine that fairness and equity
justifies the imposition of a substantial cash award against the “at-fault” party.

Also, do the marketing studies suggest that the local economy where the claim originated supports a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, or, are their political, economic, or social factors present that would cause a jury to diminish a jury award. Many communities provide notoriously low jury verdicts, while others consistently
provide high awards for compensation.

So, what is happening?

How is it possible that a claim tried in Wayne County, Michigan can result in a substantially higher jury
verdict then one tried in Toledo, Ohio, a community which provides consistently low monetary awards?
Needless to say, the complexities of injury litigation require a deep understanding of the community and
demographics where the claim will be tried. It requires both a sociological understanding of the plaintiff and
a keen awareness of the psychology of communication. While most injury victims may feel comfortable with utilizing a multiplier to determine the value of their claim, only through expert representation
can the full extent of a person’s damages be understood so that an appropriate amount of compensation
can be requested. Injury victims must understand that all injuries are not alike, and finding comfort in utilizing
a multiplier factor to determine fair compensation only accentuates the injury and ascribes a false value, which, in turn, results in unfair and egregious awards.

If you’re looking for a fair representation, give us a call for fill out the form for a free no-obligation analysis of your case.

Saving is for suckers. Just purchase it today, easy terms, easy credit. You can pay for it over time, and, after
all, the banks are willing to lend you the money, for a nominal charge, so why wait? Sound familiar? It should
for it represents the abandonment of values that formed the bedrock of democracy and made our country
great. Capitalism, where an individual’s efforts are richly rewarded, has been supplanted by a society looking
for a quick fix and immediate gratification. It you want it, you can have it. Why exert the effort to save for tomorrow when we can have it today? Buy that car. Purchase that house. Layaway? Installment plan? Why
not? It’s easy. Just promise to make timely payments and it’s yours. I suppose, in certain instances, a little longterm financing is okay. After all, everyone needs a home to live in and a car to drive. Without an installment payment, virtually no one could own a house or automobile. And, after all, why rent
when that same payment can be paid on a mortgage, working towards something you can ultimately
own? The problem is that our children don’t really understand the ethic of hard work. We have sheltered them
through their childhood, and they have wanted for nothing. But now, as they prepare to leave their homes, are they prepared for the world outside? From high school, they see a dwindling job market of low-paying, service-oriented jobs, with all the good jobs requiring qualifications their public education failed to provide. They are bombarded by corporate merchandisers and mass media marketers who intoxicate them with
sophisticated messages that tell them what they should want, desire, think, feel, and believe.

Isn’t it the drive to live for today instead of tomorrow that contributed to the current financial heartache reverberating through Wall Street and boardrooms across the nation? Happiness should be more than a
pair of Abercrombie jeans, Reebok shoes, and a Starbuck’s buy-one-get-one-free Café-Mocha gift card. College education? Who can afford it? Financing? You need a job for the bank to look at you. And, collateral? What’s that? You can get a job in the fast-food industry. Isn’t McDonald’s hiring? What can you buy with your $7.00 per hour gross income for what they call a full-time, 35-hour-per-week job? Virtually nothing.

So, here we are. Our young people are looking outwards over the landscape of our land of opportunity without
a clear path forward. Is it any wonder that family values have deteriorated, our moral compass has been confounded, and our laws have been disregarded? Where did all the good factory jobs go? That’s right, over hill, over dale, and overseas where people will work for less because they have less, never had anything,
and have no expectations beyond surviving for another day. So, it’s time to get in line. Don’t you deserve unemployment? Don’t you deserve a federal subsidy? A handout? General relief? Medicaid? Food stamps? Why work when you can get it for free. And, why wait to start a family. You can have children today, a defacto
family without the need for an expensive marriage, and the government will pay. Have we created a society of dependents and taken away the tools for them to care and provide for themselves? Isn’t it time for a change. Isn’t it time to develop a new paradigm for employment that works? Perhaps you’re a new graduate from high school or maybe recently unemployed. The government should provide the financing needed to obtain employment. Government should partner with industry and assume a percentage of the weekly employment payroll to give industry a needed respite from oppressive labor costs. For all eligible employers, government
should be required to pick up the tab for an employee’s weekly salary upon a firm commitment by industry
that employment levels will be maintained despite cyclical downturns in the economy.

What you say? Government paying industrial labor costs? Outrageous! But, isn’t that what’s happening
right now? Look around. The government is already supporting large swaths of our population. Why not
create opportunity at the same time you create a handout? By allowing industry to reduce their labor costs because employees are highly subsidized by the government, wouldn’t we be also creating the impetus for increasing our industrial output? Wouldn’t we be improving our prospects for new business startups, development, and expansion? Isn’t this the best method for Investing in America? Shouldn’t the message be, if you want public support, you’ll need to work for it? But, then again, who wouldn’t want to work if work truly provided more than a subsistence level income. Productivity gives purpose to life, and having a dream within reach gives life meaning.