Personal injury is any injury to the body, mind or emotions which is caused, accidentally, by another's failure to use reasonable care or by their negligence. Hiring an experienced and highly skilled personal injury lawyer who possesses the necessary resources and compassion to handle your case successfully and obtain the compensation that you deserve is your first and most important step to protect your rights. We are dedicated to helping you and your family put things right.

We have a long history of helping our personal injury clients in a fair, respectful, and empathetic manner as we strongly believe that all of our personal injury clients deserve expert, compassionate- but aggressive-representation .

Our attorneys welcome the opportunity to represent severely injured clients as well as clients whose injuries are less severe, but nonetheless painful and troublesome, because when you or a loved one has been injured, you need at attorney who can guide you through the difficult times and help set things right – quickly, fairly and vigorously.

Our goal is, and has always been, to provide the best legal services possible for those in need of sound, ethical, caring, and expert legal advice, backed up with aggressive handling of the case. We believe that anyone involved in a personal injury case is entitled to the medical care they need and the financial recovery they deserve.

1. I was just in an accident and the insurance carrier for the person who struck me has been contacting me and wants to discuss settlement. Should I meet with the insurance representative? Should I give a recorded interview?

Any insurance carrier who tries to settle a claim immediately following an accident is not working in your best interest. At this time you don’t know the extent of your injuries and may not be thinking clearly. There is no reason to rush into any settlement and you should never feel pressured to do so. A personal injury attorney can offer an objective view as to the merits of your claim and counsel you on how to proceed.

2. Will I have to pay any money up front? I don’t have the funds to hire an attorney.

Your case will be accepted on a contingency basis – our fee is based on a percentage of your recovery. All expenses and costs expended to document and support your claim are advanced by Goldman Law Offices. It is only upon the successful conclusion of the case that you will be obliged to pay any expenses and these will be detailed in a schedule of distribution. At our initial meeting, you will be given a copy of the Contingent Fee Agreement, which fully outlines the contingency fee arrangement.

3. I am unable to come to your office. Will you meet me at location that is convenient for me?

Absolutely. Should you wish to meet at your home or other location, arrangements can easily be made.

4. How soon after I am injured do I have to file a lawsuit?

The “statute of limitations” for each state varies – this is the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is important to talk with a lawyer as soon as you suffer or discover an injury to determine when action must be taken to preserve your rights. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident in Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the accident in which to file suit.

5. Can my case be settled without filing a lawsuit?

Our firm specializes in achieving the highest settlements for our clients without the costs involved in litigation. You case is fully documented every step of the way and we work with insurance adjusters to achieve a prompt and fair settlement of every claim. Of course, if it is determined that the insurance carrier is not properly assessing your claim, litigation is filed and we aggressively pursue a settlement or verdict that is reasonable and fair.

6. What should I bring with me for my meeting with a lawyer?

It is helpful to provide all documents which may be relevant to your claim. These include police reports, names and addresses of all treating physicians, copies of any medical reports in your possession, photographs of injuries, as well as insurance documentation. The declarations page for your policy of insurance is an important document to provide to us.

7. The accident was not my fault but I don’t feel comfortable “suing” the other driver. Are there other options?

All operators of motor vehicles are required by law to have liability coverage. When you are involved in an accident where the other person is at fault, you have every right to make a claim under the liability provisions of that person’s policy. That is the purpose of the coverage. Should the insurance carrier which wrote the policy not provide a fair settlement pertaining to the liability coverage, only then (and with your consent) would suit be required. You are not personally suing the driver, you are making a claim for insurance benefits that the driver has already in place.

8. I was struck by a car while riding my bicycle. Can I make a claim?

Yes. Our firm has handled many cases where a client was struck while riding a bicycle. Some insurance companies try to put the blame on the cyclist, rather than the negligence of the offending driver, their insured. We have successfully represented these clients and obtained excellent settlements on their behalf.

9. I was bitten by a dog. What do I do next?

Dog bites can cause puncture wounds and lacerations which cause scarring and may require multiple surgeries. The physical and emotional scars of a dog attack can last a lifetime. We will negotiate with the homeowner’s insurance carrier for settlement of the claim, which would include compensation for medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, as well as emotional damage caused by the attack.

Declarations page is the page of your motor vehicle insurance policy which details all of the coverages which are in effect on your policy

First Party Benefits: In insurance law, first party benefits include medical benefits, income loss benefits, accidental death benefit, funeral benefit, and extraordinary medical benefits. In Pennsylvania, the only required coverage is $5,000 in medical benefits.

UIM designates underinsured motorist coverage. This is coverage which is not required by law, but which protects you in case you are involved in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have sufficient liability limits to cover all losses and damages.

UM designates uninsured motorist coverage. This is coverage which is not required by law, but which protects you in the event you are struck by a person who is driving without insurance.

Stacking: In Pennsylvania automobile insurance law, purchasers of insurance have the option to "stack" uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If you choose "stacking," this means that you can add the coverage together for each vehicle you have insured, at least under the policy.

Full tort coverage indicates that you have the right to sue for pain and suffering if you have been injured by the fault of another driver.

Limited tort coverage means that you have elected to lower your premium by giving up your right to sue for pain and suffering if you have been injured by the fault of another driver, unless there was death, or your injuries are serious and permanent, or you have suffered permanent scarring. Under limited tort, unless one of the exceptions apply, you can only seek money damages for economic loss, including medical bills.

Waiver is a form that is required to be completed and signed should you opt to select limited tort coverage, or to reject UM or UIM coverage.

Complaint: The document a plaintiff files with the court which contains allegations and damages sought. A complaint generally starts a lawsuit.
Mediation: A form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties bring their dispute to a neutral third party, who helps them agree on a settlement.

Bad faith on the part of an insurance company: Intention to mislead or deceive; conscious refusal to fulfill some duty. Implies active ill will, as opposed to negligence. Bad faith is not bad judgment; it requires conscious wrongdoing.

Wrongful Death Action: An action brought to recover damages for the death of a person caused by a wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another; provided that no recovery for the same damages claimed in the wrongful death action was obtained by the deceased during his lifetime. In Pennsylvania, the action may be brought by the decedent's spouse, children, or parents.