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 General Questions
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Do you provide a free initial consultation or otherwise offer or provide free legal advice?
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How much will it cost to pursue my case?
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Will I be responsible for anything if we lose?
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When should I contact a lawyer?
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Can I discharge my lawyer and hire another one?
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What is my case worth?
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
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How long do I have to take legal action?
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What should I tell the doctor when I am seen?
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How long should I continue to see my doctor?
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Should I be talking with an insurance company before I contact a lawyer?
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What damages am I entitled to?
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Motor Vehicle Accident
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What should I do if I am in a car, auto, or motorcycle accident?
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What if both myself and the other driver are at fault?
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Am I able to recover damages if the person who caused the accident has neither insurance nor significant property?
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If I am a victim of a hit and run driver or if an unidentified automobile as a pedestrian strikes me, do I have insurance coverage?
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 Do you provide a free initial consultation or otherwise offer or provide free legal advice?
Yes. We offer free initial consultations for every potential client in order to discover the facts of their case and to determine whether our firm is a proper fit for the prospective client's needs. We only accept a portion of the cases we are presented with, however we usually forward the cases we don't accept to other law firms.
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How much will it cost to pursue my case?
We do not collect any legal fee unless we collect compensation on your behalf. Our legal fees are a percentage of the total amount we collect for you, payable only when your case is successfully concluded. All of our legal fees are clearly stated in a written agreement.
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Will I be responsible for anything if we lose?
If we are unsuccessful in prosecuting your case, you will not be responsible for our costs or attorney fees. You are only responsible for our costs or attorney fees if we settle the claim or win the case.
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When should I contact a lawyer?
We recommend that you contact the Law Offices of Kanner & Pintaluga, P.A. in the following situations:
1. You or a loved one has been in an accident and you want to know your legal rights.
2. You or a loved one is injured as a result of another’s actions.
3. You or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident.
4. You or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite.
5. Basically, you or a loved is concerned about your legal rights or you want to protect your legal rights.
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Can I discharge my lawyer and hire another one?
Of course, you can discharge an attorney retained under a contingency fee agreement. If you want to retain the Law Offices of Kanner & Pintaluga, P.A. as your attorneys but you have already signed with another attorney, you are welcome to contact us to discuss how we can work towards a successful resolution to your case. In most cases, there will be no additional costs for discharging your prior attorney and retaining the Law Offices Kanner & Pintaluga, P.A.
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What is my case worth?
There is no standardized value for what a case is worth. Instead, each case is unique and must be valued on its own merits. There are several factors that can affect the value of a case, including the full nature and extent of the injuries, lost wages, the length of treatment and recovery time, whether there is comparative liability, whether there is a permanent injury, and whether punitive damages apply.
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
The answer to this question depends mostly on the nature and extent of the injuries, the amount of treatment needed for you to recover, and the amount of recovery time. In exchange for collecting a settlement with an insurance company, a plaintiff is required to sign a release or agreement that states they are barred from attempting to recover further damages from the insurance company or defendant in the future. It is important to be certain of your injuries and the necessary medical treatment prior to signing this type of release. Remember, resolving a case prematurely may result in an otherwise smaller recovery.
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How long do I have to take legal action?
The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit depends mostly on the type of case you have. In some case, legal action must be taken immediately. Conversely, in other cases there may be years before legal action is required. Usually, a failure to file a lawsuit within the time required by the statute of limitations will result in your claim being barred forever. Consequently, it is important to call the Law Offices of Kanner & Pintaluga, P.A. as soon as you discover or suffer an injury.
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What should I tell the doctor when I am seen?
It is important to always be honest with your treating physician. You should describe all of your symptoms, regardless if you think they are not worth mentioning. Also, it is important to not exaggerate and make-up symptoms. These types of exaggerations will make it harder for the doctor to properly diagnose your condition, and they can really harm your case if they are considered to be fraud.
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How long should I continue to see my doctor?
You should see your doctor until you are fully recovered or until you achieve “maximum medical improvement”, as determined by your doctor. At that point, your treating physician will discharge you from medical treatment. It is very important to not leave treatment prior to your doctor releasing you. If you do leave treatment prematurely, you may negatively impact your health and weaken your personal injury claim. Insurance companies will argue that leaving treatment early or missing appointments shows that you were not really injured. Therefore, it is essential to take your claim seriously in order to avoid such harmful consequences.
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Should I be talking with an insurance company before I contact a lawyer?
No. Most insurance companies attempt to reduce the amount of money they have to pay to resolve your case. Sometimes an insurance company representative will request to speak with you about your claim and may ask to record the conversation. It is important to remember that any of your statements made to the insurance companies can be used against you in the future. If an agent or representative contacts you, please call the Law Offices of Kanner & Pintaluga, P.A. before making any statements.
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What damages am I entitled to?
The nature of your damages really depends on the facts of your case. Common damages which you may be entitled to recover include past medical bills, expected future medical costs, permanent impairment and disfigurement, pain and suffering (both past and expected future), lost wages (both past and expected future), loss of consortium and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, you may be entitled to punitive damages depending on how your injuries occurred.
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What should I do if I am in a car, auto, or motorcycle accident?
Directly following a car, auto, motorcycle or bicycle accident, you should call the police and seek medical care if necessary. Keep in mind that the shock of being involved in an accident may hide your injuries until hours or even days later. Most importantly, prior to speaking to any insurance companies about your injury, contact the Law Offices of Kanner & Pintaluga, P.A. to discuss your case.
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What if both myself and the other driver are at fault?
Under Florida law, drivers are responsible for their own fault in motor vehicle collisions. For example, if each of you and the other driver are each 50% at fault, you are still able recover 50% of your total damages.
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Am I able to recover damages if the person who caused the accident has neither insurance nor significant property?
If you elected for uninsured motorist coverage on your motor vehicle policy, or a relative with whom you reside has uninsured motorist coverage, it is probable that you will be able to recover for your damages. Uninsured motorist coverage provides coverage when you are involved in a collision caused by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured. Since there are so many uninsured drivers in Florida, you should elect for uninsured motorist coverage on your motor vehicle policy.
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If I am a victim of a hit and run driver or if an unidentified automobile as a pedestrian strikes me, do I have insurance coverage?
A majority of uninsured motor vehicle policies provide that an insured or a family member living at the same residence with an insured is covered in these types of accidents.
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