Questions for Your Personal Injury Lawyer

West Virginia personal injury law firm that puts your best interests first – Klie Law Offices

Personal injury cases often raise question after question for victims and families. After an accident in West Virginia, you likely want to know everything about your case, including your legal rights and the best solutions to your legal problems.

We know because we receive calls every day from accident victims interested in learning more about their legal rights and whether they have a legitimate legal case. We welcome these questions at Klie Law Offices, because we know how much your case matters to you.

So, what are some of the questions we receive? What are some of the questions you might have for us? Below, you’ll find a list of some of the most common questions people ask us. You can also learn more about your legal rights on the page entitled FAQs about insurance companies.

A person in a suit is standing against a blurred blue background, pointing at floating question marks. The image symbolizes curiosity or inquiry.

What should I ask my personal injury attorney?

The questions listed below represent some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients:

1. Why should I hire Klie Law Offices to handle my case? company after an accident?

Simply put, we have the experience, resources and a proven track record of getting the results clients need. Personal injury cases are rarely simple and straightforward. Insurance companies often are focused on paying out as little as possible to accident victims. Without a lawyer working for you, your ability to obtain compensation for your accident could be jeopardized. That’s why so many people throughout West Virginia rely on us when they need an attorney after an accident.

Attorneys Erika Klie Kolenich and Karl Kolenich have years of courtroom experience and a comprehensive understanding of West Virginia’s complicated legal system. We know are familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to delay or deny claims. Klie Law Offices knows what evidence to look for, what questions to ask and how to take all that information and transform it into a strong legal case.

Learn more about why you should hire us on our page entitled why hire a personal injury attorney in West Virginia.

2. How do you prove negligence?

The four elements of a negligence claim are as follows:

Duty of care – The person or company that was at fault had an obligation to avoid injuring the victim.
Breach of duty – The at-fault individual or company (defendant) breached the duty of care by creating a dangerous situation, either by acting or failing to act in a certain way.
Causation – The defendant caused the injury.
Damages – The physical and emotional injuries resulting from the defendant’s actions.

To be successful, we must prove the four elements to show that the at-fault person or entity was negligent.

3. What is my case worth?

No two personal injury cases are alike. How much money you could possibly obtain for your personal injury case can vary widely. In general, most settlements or verdicts are based reimbursing accident victims for the following items often associated with the accident:

Medical expenses
Property damage
Lost income
Physical therapy
Lost future income
Pain and suffering

4. What is a contingency fee?

Contingency fee lawyers do not change any upfront fees. They also do not charge clients by the hour. Instead, contingency fee attorneys only charge clients if they obtain a financial settlement or verdict for their client.

We work this way on personal injury cases in West Virginia. That means if we lose your case, you don’t pay us a single penny. It’s that simple.

5. Will I get a better settlement if I represent myself?

If you represent yourself in a personal injury case, you could jeopardize your ability to be fairly compensated for your accident. Accident investigations can be complicated. You may have trouble understanding the technical language used by insurance companies and their attorneys. There are complex legal rules that must be followed. Without an attorney on your side, fighting for your rights, you could be in over your ahead against insurance companies, which often hire entire teams of attorneys to watch out for their best interests. Why not have someone looking out for your interests? Call us for a free case evaluation.

6. How long will my case take?

The length of time can vary widely for personal injury cases. Sometimes, they might only take a few months, especially if the insurance company agrees to settle your case for a reasonable amount, rather than go to court. But other times, complicated personal injury cases can take several years to resolve, especially if your case needs to go to trial and especially if there is an appeal to a higher court.

At Klie Law Offices, we’re prepared to do the hard work that needs to be done to build a strong legal case. We’re in it for the long haul and will be there for you, every step of the way, looking out for your best interests.

7. Will you travel to my home if I’m injured?

Yes. If you cannot make it to our Buckhannon, WV law firm office, we can meet with you and your family in your home. We can also meet with you in your hospital room or wherever’s convenient for you. Our goal is to provide personalized service for each client.

8. Do you take cases to trial?

Yes. If necessary, we’re prepared to take your case to trial to help you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve. Preparing a personal injury case for trial often requires a tremendous amount of work. From reviewing accident reports and medical records to interviewing witnesses and consulting with experts, we’re prepared to do the hard work necessary to build a strong legal case.

Our attorneys have years of courtroom experience handling a wide range of cases. There’s no substitute for actual courtroom experience. We’re proud of our case results and we’re eager to work with you.

9. Do you handle wrongful death cases?

Yes. Our attorneys at Klie Law Offices have successfully handled many wrongful death cases in West Virginia. Wrongful death lawyers like Erika Klie Kolenich know how difficult such cases can be to litigate. They require a depth of knowledge of the law and the ability to access some of the top experts. It’s also important to begin investigating a wrongful death case quickly before evidence disappears and witnesses become harder to track down. Contact us as soon as possible.

We realize your family wants time to grieve after your loss. That’s exactly why we want you to contact Klie Law Offices today. We can handle all the paperwork and red tape often involved in building a strong wrongful death case. That way, your family can fully grieve the loss of your loved one. We’re here to help you.

10. What is the statute of limitations in WV?

The statue of limitations for personal injury cases in West Virginia is two years. That means you have two years from the date of your accident to take legal action, including filing a personal injury lawsuit.

But just because you have two full years to take legal action does not mean you should wait that long. It’s important to begin investigating a personal injury or wrongful death case sooner than later. We want to collect evidence before it disappears. We want to interview witnesses while they still have detailed memories of the event – and before their stories start to change. By delaying taking action, victims are only undermining their personal injury case.

We also receive many other different types of questions about various legal topics related to specific cases. We welcome your questions and look forward to meeting with you. We offer a free case evaluation to all potential clients. We can meet with you in our office in Buckhannon, your home, your hospital room or wherever’s convenient for you.