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Personal Injury

When the Unexpected Happens - Geoffrey R. Smith, Attorney at Law, is Here to Help

Over the past two decades the insurance industry has spent billions of dollars lobbying for regressive legislation to restrict, limit, and, in some cases, eliminate the rights of victims to receive compensation for their injuries (euphemistically referred to as "tort reform"). This money has also been invested in a sophisticated media propaganda campaign designed to prejudice prospective jurors against those who seek to recover damages for their injuries. Now, more than ever, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer who will stand up to the insurance companies and demand fair and just compensation for the injured.

If you were injured in an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, truck accident, bus accident, or pedestrian accident; if you slipped and fell or otherwise sustained an injury on the premises of another person or business; if you were attacked by a dog or another animal; or if your loved one died as the result of the negligence of another person or business, you need a lawyer like Geoffrey R. Smith, Attorney at Law.  He has been fighting for the injured for the over thirty years.

Do not attempt to negotiate with an insurance adjuster or submit to an interview with an insurance adjuster without first consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer. You've heard it many times: "Any person who represents himself has a fool for a client." You've heard it many times because it's true! Insurance adjusters are not your friends. Their loyalty is to the insurance industry. Their goal is to limit your recovery and thereby earn a performance bonus or a promotion for themselves. Your loss is their gain! Every injured party, including injured attorneys, needs a third party -- an experienced personal injury lawyer -- to effectively negotiate his claim. Insurance adjusters go through rigorous training and know how to take advantage of the injured when they are not represented by counsel. All conversations with an insurance adjuster are recorded and can later be used against you. Don't take a chance. Mr. Smith's contingent fee contracts are fair and guarantee that his fees will always bear a reasonable relationship to the amount recovered. (See below.) Call him now.

Promptly contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. "He who hesitates loses." Statutes of limitations bar claims for personal injuries unless they are filed in a timely manner. For this reason, it is important to promptly contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Prompt action will also ensure a successful investigation of the underlying incident. Evidence needs to be preserved and witnesses need to be located and interviewed in order to properly work up your case. Delay invites problems and complicates the process.

Promptly seek appropriate medical care and treatment. Of equal importance, both in terms of your ultimate recovery from your injuries and in terms of the successful prosecution of your legal claims, is that you promptly seek appropriate medical care and treatment. To be most effective, timely medical care and treatment is crucial. The longer a patient waits before obtaining care and treatment, the longer it will take for him/her to recover. It is always better to err on the side of caution. Better to get checked out and know for sure that you are alright, than to delay treatment and jeopardize your recovery. A delay in treatment can also impair your ability to secure fair and just compensation for your injuries. Insurance adjusters love to blame the victim and use any delay in obtaining treatment as an excuse to justify an inadequate settlement offer. Don't play into their hand!

Follow your doctor's instructions. Your physician knows what is best for your recovery. Follow his instructions. If your physician prescribes medication, take it. If your physician recommends a diagnostic procedure or physical therapy, follow through on those recommendations. If your physician advises you to stay home, rather than return to work, follow his advice. Your recovery and the outcome of your legal claims depend upon it!

Attorney Fees - No Recovery, No Attorney Fee. Mr. Smith handles all personal injury claims on a contingent fee basis. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. Mr. Smith's attorney fees in personal injury cases are flexible and based upon a percentage of the total amount recovered. Contingent fee agreements guarantee strong, effective representation without requiring the client to run the risk of incurring an ongoing obligation to pay attorney fees and running-up huge, open-ended obligations to his attorney.

Uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage and uninsured/under-insured motorist claims. Uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage is insurance you purchase to protect yourself and your family if you are injured in a motor vehicle collision where the at-fault party either has no insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the claims arising out of the collision. Even though Ohio law provides that every motorist must have liability insurance coverage, compliance with the law is not universal and the state-mandated minimum policy limits are often insufficient to compensate the injured. Accordingly, Mr. Smith strongly recommends that every person purchase uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage with the highest limits that he/she can afford. You should bear in mind that uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage is generally the least costly part of your insurance premium. Don't count on irresponsible, negligent drivers to have adequate coverage. You need to protect yourself!!!

One of the first things an experienced personal injury lawyer will do when contacted by a prospective client is ascertain whether the at-fault driver had insurance. If the at-fault driver had no insurance or inadequate insurance coverage, you will be filing an uninsured/under-insured motorist claim against your own insurance company.
When pursuing an uninsured/under-insured motorist claim, you need to be represented by an experienced attorney who is committed to protecting your interests. Just like an at-fault party's insurance adjuster, your insurance company's adjuster is not your friend. His loyalty is to the insurance company. It's sad, but true. Even when dealing with your own insurance company, there is no substitute for having the assistance of a strong, experienced advocate.
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Contact us online or call (440) 323-2201 to schedule a free initial consultation. 



Elyria Law
Areas Of Practice

OVI/DUI Defense

Geoffrey R. Smith, Attorney at Law, understands that people make mistakes. Despite this, you still deserve an aggressive defense to your OVI/DUI charge and Geoffrey R. Smith, Attorney at Law, will ensure that your rights are protected. He will challenge the validity of the traffic stop, the field sobriety test and the breathalyzer test.

Personal Injury

Any serious injury suffered because of another party’s negligence could be considered a personal injury claim. Geoffrey R. Smith, Attorney at Law, represents people who have suffered a wide range of serious injuries, whether it be due to an automobile accident, medical malpractice or a life altering injury.

Traffic Violations

For more than 30 years, Geoffrey R. Smith, Attorney at Law, has helped thousands of people with speeding tickets and other traffic violations. He will provide an honest assessment of your circumstances and fully explain your options to help keep your driving record clean.

Probate and Estate Planning

Planning for the handling of your estate does not have to be a difficult or dreaded thing. Not only is it important for financial reasons, but making sure your family is taken care of once you are gone is one of the most caring things you can do.

Workers' Compensation

Workers’ Compensation injuries in the workplace occur more often than anyone would like. They can leave families dealing with lost income and medical bills – while employers find ways to avoid paying the correct compensation to supplement these losses.

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