Frequently Asked Questions

What is personal injury law?
Personal injury can occur anywhere: at work, in your car, in the hospital, at a restaurant, on the sports field or simply walking down the street. Each year many thousands of people in the United States are seriously injured or killed due to the negligence of another person or company. Any injury, whether physical or emotional, may form the basis for a personal injury claim depending on whether liability exists.

When someone else creates a danger which ultimately causes injury, the liability insurance industry is there to compensate the injured party.

One of the most painful and exhausting elements of nearly every personal injury case is the period of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Medical care is expensive and during treatment there is time away from family and work. With my help, you will have the opportunity to receive fair compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering. I'll meet you anytime for a free consultation, but here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions that may help you right this minute.

What is negligence?
Negligence arises from the failure to act with "reasonable care." However, it is important to remember that only persons who owe you a duty to act with reasonable care can be found negligent. When a person fails to use reasonable care and someone is injured as a direct result, a personal injury claim may be filed to collect compensation for injuries and suffering.

What should I do following an automobile accident?
If you have been injured in any type of car accident, it is critical to immediately preserve evidence at the scene which may shed light on what happened, especially if you have a viable personal injury claim. Contact the local police and request an accident report, collect contact information of any witnesses present on the scene, take photographs of the vehicles, and jot any other facts of the crash down. If you are injured, make certain to seek appropriate medical treatment immediately, which will become valuable in proving your case later on.

Call Anthony Pepe as soon as possible to help preserve any evidence and present your case to the parties liable. Remember, the insurance companies have lawyers on their side evaluating your claim. Also be aware that Missouri has statutes of limitations in place that may forever bar your claim if it is not presented to the appropriate court in a timely manner.

What shouldn’t I do if I have been injured?
If you or a loved one has been injured, it should be your first priority to consult an attorney following immediate medical treatment. There are several things you should not do, as they will likely have disastrous effects on your case, such as:

Don't sign anything with anyone or any insurance company. Don't try to negotiate with the other person's insurance company. Don't make a statement of any kind, even if you are told it will be "off the record." Don't downplay your injuries or say they are not serious, as they may be worse than you think. Insurance companies often use unfair negotiation tactics before victims acquire legal representation.

Am I required to give a recorded statement to the insurance company for the other party involved in the accident?
Absolutely not. You are not legally or otherwise obligated to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. More importantly, even the most sincere recorded statements are later used against the victim in an attempt to force an unfair settlement or deny liability completely. Anthony Pepe will handle all communications with the insurance companies on your behalf to insure your legal interests are protected

How long will it take to resolve my case?
This question is impossible to answer without specific knowledge of the particular facts and circumstances of each claim. However, I can typically provide an idea of whether the claim will potentially settle or whether the filing of a lawsuit will be required to obtain fair compensation. I am a trained negotiator and often obtain substantial compensation for clients without the need for filing a lawsuit.

How much is my case worth?
There is no exact formula for determining what your personal injury case is worth. Every accident and injury is unique. For instance, your claim may be worth more or less depending upon how severe your injuries are, the level of pain and suffering you experienced, the cost of medical care, and amount of wages you have lost. Only after a thorough investigation and completion of all medical treatment can an estimate be made.

Who pays for the handling of my case?
Anthony Pepe advances all costs and expenses associated with his clients’ cases and never charges a fee until there has been a monetary recovery. All consultations are free. There is no charge for consultations or case evaluations. Therefore, you will NEVER get a bill from my firm. 

How long do I have to file my case?
In Missouri, you typically have five (5) years from the date of a car accident to file a claim, two (2) years to file a medical malpractice claim and three (3) years to file a wrongful death claim. There are some variations, depending upon the actual specifics of your accident; thus it is absolutely critical to contact Anthony Pepe as soon as possible to see how long you have to file a claim.