Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links To Blogs That Address Our Most Asked Questions

What Should I Do When I Am In An Accident?

• The First 6 Things You Should Do If You Are In An Accident
• The First 4 Things You Should Do If You Slip/Trip and Fall
• How Do Medical Bills Get Paid In A Personal Injury Case?
• How Do I Select The Right Personal Injury Lawyer?
• How Long Will My Personal Injury Case Take To Resolve?

How Do I Know I Have Case?:

• Do I have a successful Personal Injury Case
• How Do I Prove Liability In A Personal Injury Case?
• How Do I Prove Damages In A Personal Injury Case?
• How Does Automobile Insurance Coverage Factor Into A Successful Personal Injury Case?

What Does The Settlement Process Look Like?

• How Do I Settle My Personal Injury Claim?
• What Happens If My Case Doesn’t Settle? It’s Time To File a Lawsuit.

What Happens When We File A Lawsuit?

• An Overview of the Phases Of Discovery In A Lawsuit
• The Discovery Phase: Interrogatories
• The Discovery Phase: Depositions
• What To Expect During The “Production Of Documents” Phase
• Discovery: Requests for Admission
• Discovery: Medical Examinations
• The Importance of Pre-Trial Motions
• How Valuable is Expert Testimony?
• The Keys to Success at Trial is Knowing the Jury Instructions
• What to Consider When Preparing for Trial
• Preparing for Trial: Witness and Exhibit Lists
• Preparing for Trial: Overcoming the Defense’s Case

How much do you charge?

As is standard in the personal injury field, our fee is contingent upon us obtaining compensation on your behalf, either by reaching a settlement or winning your case at trial. Unlike big corporations, most individuals who suffer an injury and lose time from work cannot afford to pay personal injury attorneys an hourly rate commensurate with their level of the attorney’s experience. As such, the contingency fee levels the playing field between rich corporations and insurance companies on the one hand, and individuals on the other. This explains why it has been described as “the poor man’s keys to the courthouse.”

In addition, despite criticism of the contingency fee from those interests that want to curtail our constitutional right to a trial by jury, the contingency fee assures you that personal injury firms will not accept a case unless it has merit. Our fees are simple and straight forward and explained on a one-page retainer agreement.

Should I even hire an attorney?

This is entirely up to you. Calling and scheduling a consultation is free. In that consultation, our experienced attorneys will advise you on whether your claim has merit, and if so, whether it is in your best interest to hire an attorney, and whether our firm is best suited to handle it. If we determine that your matter is outside our area of expertise, we will refer you to colleagues we trust who are better able to help you.

What makes Curcio Law so special?

For more than 35+ years, Tom Curcio, the founder and driving force behind Curcio Law, has had the privilege and responsibility of representing people injured or killed by the careless conduct of others. The entire Curcio Law team is guided by the values which have shaped Tom’s life: commitment, compassion, and character. As the firm is selective in the cases we accept, each client and case receive the attention and responsiveness it deserves. As a client, you will have all aspects of the process explained to you by the lawyer handling your case, and all of your questions will be answered promptly. We take great pride in keeping all of our clients informed on the progress of their case, to always give you our best advice, and to always act in your best interests.

What should I bring to the initial consultation?

To make the consultation as productive and informative as possible, we also ask you to bring any of the following documents that are in your possession, if applicable:

• the police accident report
• documents containing the names and contact information for all other people involved in the accident or incident
• documents containing the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident or incident
• medical records and bills relating to your injuries and treatment
• photographs of the accident scene and damaged vehicles
• photographs of your injuries
• copies of any correspondence with any and all insurance companies regarding the accident or incident, and if the matter involves an automobile accident, a copy of the declarations page from your automobile insurance policy and a copy of the declarations page for the insurance policy for the car in which you were in when injured if not your car
• If you have posted anything about the accident/incident or your treatment, please bring a copy of all posts

What is an insurance policy declarations page? If the accident was not my fault why do you need it?

These are two very good questions. The declarations page of an insurance policy is the page listing the types and amounts of insurance coverage that you carry on your automobile to protect you and your family in the event that you or a family member either causes an accident or is injured by someone else in an accident. Uninsured motorist coverage and medical payment coverage, both of which are optional coverages, provide us with important information in determining the minimum amount of insurance coverage available to compensate you for your injuries. The attorneys at Curcio Law will explain each type of coverage and will answer any questions you have about your coverages.

Should I speak with the insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney?

Insurance adjusters will call very soon after an accident to obtain a recorded statement from you. It is best to speak with an attorney before agreeing to provide a statement to learn whether or not you are required to provide such a statement, and if so, how best to protect yourself when giving your statement. An attorney will also explain how the statement will be used by the insurance company or its lawyer to suit their needs, not yours.

I think my case is too small, should I call anyway?

Yes. We are always mindful of what is in the potential client’s best interests. As such, where the injuries are minor and the legal compensation to which a potential client is entitled does not justify paying us a fee to handle the matter, we will advise you on how to proceed on your own to obtain the compensation to which you are legally entitled.  If your case is such that another firm is more suited to represent you, Curcio Law will refer you to a trusted colleague or firm.

Do I even have a case?

Another good question. The Curcio Law team knows what must be proven in order for a case to have legal merit. Our lawyers will take the time to give you an honest assessment of your case as there is no benefit to a potential client, or the firm, in pursuing a case that does not have merit.