AuthorCharles V. Contrada

Home»Articles Posted by Charles V. Contrada (Page 11)

Filing a Car Accident Claim

Car accidents can cause many after-effects for those involved, not only when it comes to injuries sustained, but their financial well-being. There is a defined process to go through and tips to follow when filing a claim.

Attorney Charlie Contrada firmly believes that following the below tips when going through a car accident claim will help you to minimize the stress involved with your claim and maximize your return.

Car accident claim

Tips When Filing a Car Accident Claim

  1. Seek Medical Attention – If you have been injured in a car accident, it is very important to seek medical attention. Receiving treatment for your injuries is very important for your personal health, and it also documents the sustained injuries to support your personal injury claim. Once you receive medical attention, be sure to follow the doctor’s advice in regards to the injury and attend all follow-up appointments.
  2. Hire a Car Accident Lawyer – After you receive the proper medical care following your car accident, it is wise to contact a car accident lawyer. Hiring a professional will ensure that you are following all of the correct steps in the claims process, further increasing the likelihood of a favorable result. Some people choose to handle car accident claims on their own, but oftentimes they do this poorly. With the help of a car accident lawyer, you are able to know that your claim is being handled appropriately and the end result of the process will be favorable.
  3. Consult your Car Accident Lawyer – Following a car accident, you have two claims: 1) a property damage claim regarding your vehicle, whether it is a total loss or reparable and 2) a personal injury claim. The insurance company will generally contact you to resolve the damage to your vehicle. A seasoned trial lawyer may be able to help you with your property damage claim, but you are able to expedite the process by handling it yourself. However, when it comes to your personal injury claim, you will want to consult your car accident lawyer. Once you hire a lawyer, all communication and documentation with the insurance company must go through them. As a general rule, it is better to wait to settle your claim rather than agree to a quick settlement, as the amount of compensation received may be significantly less. Your lawyer will help to obtain the full settlement that your injuries warrant.
  4. Be honest – You must be 100% honest with your lawyer about the car accident, the injuries sustained, and the progress of your treatment. The only way that your car accident lawyer can fully protect you is if they have all of the information that they need. You will also want to inform your lawyer of any previous injuries that you had before the accident occurred. When it comes to personal injury claims, every detail matters.

Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo

Attorney Charlie Contrada has been handling car accident claims for over 35 years. He has helped thousands of clients and their families with the car accident claim process, offering superior guidance and personal attention throughout.

If you are in Toledo, Northwest Ohio, or Southeast Michigan and are seeking a car accident lawyer to help you with your personal injury claim, call Contrada & Associates. While you may notice other large firms advertising in the area, you are not guaranteed the attention and face-to-face meetings that our law office is able to provide.

Contrada & Associates has represented clients from throughout the region. Some of the regions that attorney Contrada has handled claims from include Columbus, Cleveland, Defiance, Findlay, Fremont, Lima, and many more. To speak to attorney Charlie Contrada about your accident and to receive advice on how you should file a car accident claim, call 419.841.4400.

 

3 Apr 2014 Continue Reading

Asbestos Awareness Week 2014

April 1-7 is Asbestos Awareness Week, an opportunity to join together and spread the word about asbestos, a deadly group of minerals. As a Northwest Ohio mesothelioma lawyer, Charlie Contrada believes that it is important to raise awareness of this fatal cancer and the pain and suffering that it brings to tens of thousands of individuals every year.

Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

Attorney Charlie Contrada has handled countless mesothelioma cases and deals with both the individuals who have been diagnosed with the disease, as well as their family members. Unfortunately, this form of cancer is generally so advanced at the time of diagnosis that the individual themselves may have lost their battle with mesothelioma during the course of the legal process, resulting in their family members carrying out the lawsuit on their behalf. There are, however, some very recent treatments that have proven to be helpful if the mesothelioma is diagnosed early enough. 

Asbestos Exposure: Facts & Statistics

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization outlined the top five facts about asbestos in the U.S. in an August 2012 presentation.

  1. Asbestos is a human carcinogen and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure – a statement that is agreed upon by The World Health Organization, International Labor Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Surgeon General.
  2. Asbestos has not been banned in the United Sates – although more than 10,000 Americans die every year from asbestos-caused diseases, this carcinogen has yet to be banned in the United States.
  3. Asbestos increased from 2010 to 2011 – there is a difference of 140 metric tons of asbestos used between 2010 and 2011.
  4. Roofing products accounted for 41% of U.S. asbestos consumption– chloralkali industry diaphragms, 28%; coating and compounds, 2%; plastics, less than 1%; and other uses, 29%. 
  5. Construction workers are 11 times more likely to develop mesothelioma – this increased risk of mesothelioma is due to the asbestos exposure that exists at construction sites.

There is no “safe” level of exposure to asbestos and according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, there are up to 30 million homes and business that are insulated with vermiculite that contains asbestos.

The issue of asbestos exposure is far from being resolved due to the dependency of imports to meet manufacturing needs. However, there is progress being made in awareness regarding the dangers that are related to asbestos and the fatal cancer that it causes.

In 2012, the U.S. Senate Resolution S.389 designated the first week of April as “National Asbestos Awareness Week.” The Senate urges the Surgeon General to educate people of the hazards of asbestos exposure as a public health issue.

The law firm of Contrada & Associates believes that by continually spreading awareness and supporting the victims of asbestos-related diseases, progress will be made. There are substitutes to asbestos that are safer than this hazardous group of minerals that offer the same functionality. It is imperative that the U.S. moves toward banning the use of asbestos, as over 50 countries have done so already.

If you would like to find more information regarding Asbestos Awareness Week, visit the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s website. You can also read the Surgeon General’s 2013 statement regarding Asbestos Awareness Week on SurgeonGeneral.gov.

To speak to a mesothelioma lawyer regarding exposure to asbestos and the diagnosis of mesothelioma to yourself or a loved one, call 419.841.4400. Attorney Charlie Contrada will speak with you directly, discuss your personal situation, and outline the options that you have regarding a mesothelioma lawsuit. 

31 Mar 2014 Continue Reading

What type of car insurance coverage should I have?

After spending over 35 years helping car accident victims after accidents to seek compensation for their injuries, attorney Charlie Contrada has seen some unfortunate outcomes for individuals simply because of the car insurance coverage they had. The outcome of certain injury cases was significantly affected by one simple line item on a car insurance policy, so in an attempt to prevent future car accident victims from suffering financially, Contrada & Associates is providing a comprehensive review of the different components included in a car insurance policy, from a car accident attorney’s point of view.

Different Types of Car Insurance Coverage

Below you will find a list of the general components of a car insurance policy. Attorney Charlie Contrada hopes that by sharing insight into the importance of having full coverage, including the various auto insurance components, will help drivers and passengers to be more prepared in the event of a car accident.

  • Liability Coverage – If you are the driver who is deemed at fault in an accident, liability coverage will cover the damages to the other person(s) involved in the crash. This is a basic type of insurance coverage and is mandated in every state. Liability coverage helps you to pay the damages that the injured individuals of the accident require as well as damages to property. There are, however, different limits set to each component of liability coverage, making it extremely important to review with your insurance agent to ensure that you will be financially able to pay damages in the event that you cause an accident. Liability coverage does not pay for damages to your own property or costs for your own injuries.
  • Medical Payments Coverage – This coverage, also referred to as medical expense coverage, can help you to cover medical expenses incurred by you, as well as your passengers or family members in an insured vehicle. Medical payments coverage does not depend on who is at fault in the accident. It can help you to cover your co-pays and deductibles, and can be extended to passengers when health insurance cannot cover it. This is also special in that it can cover you or a family member who is injured in another car or as a pedestrian.
  • Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage – If you’re in an accident and the other driver is at fault, but they don’t have car insurance, Uninsured motorist coverage will act as if they insured the at-fault driver. Underinsured motorist coverage can also be utilized if a driver does have insurance, but not enough to cover your claim. In attorney Charlie Contrada’s opinion, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage is the most important coverage to protect you and your family.
  • Collision Coverage – This type of car insurance coverage will cover the cost to fix or replace your car if it is damaged in an accident. It not only helps if you hit a moving or stationary object, but also if someone hits your car while it is parked. There is a deductible associated with collision coverage, requiring you to pay out a certain amount until it is covered by the insurance company. The older your vehicle, the less you may need collision coverage.
  • Comprehensive Coverage – Not all vehicle damages are from accidents. Comprehensive coverage protects you if your car is damaged due to severe weather, vandalism, falling objects, broken windows, and even damage from an animal. This coverage also comes with a deductible and the amount depends on how much your vehicle is worth, as well as how much you’re willing to spend for coverage.
  • Towing & Rental Coverage – This type of car insurance is unique in that it doesn’t help pay medical bills or property damage, but it does help you to transport your vehicle after an accident, as well as cover rental costs of another vehicle. This insurance can also be utilized during times of need, for example if the other individual’s insurance company has not moved forward with the process, but your need for a vehicle to drive is immediate. Towing insurance is on a “per incident” basis so you have an allotted amount of coverage for the times that it is needed. Rental car insurance usually has a limit of time or amount of money that is covered. It is important to review with your agent to understand your policy coverage.

Purchasing Car Insurance Coverage

As an attorney who has seen how many car accident victims must cover their own expenses, attorney Charlie Contrada finds it extremely important for motorists to review their car insurance policy face-to-face with an agent. Shopping by price is not recommended as it is likely that the coverage purchased will keep a driver legal, but not protected in the event that they are actually involved in an accident.

Attorney Charlie Contrada believes that the advertisements for car insurance on television are misleading. Too many drivers are shopping by price, making a few clicks online during the process, and not even discussing their options with an insurance agent. If you would like more guidance regarding the type of car insurance coverage you should purchase, call attorney Charlie Contrada at 419.841.4000 for advice that will protect you and your family.

 

27 Mar 2014 Continue Reading

Finding a Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo

Injured in Toledo Car Accident

Car accidents happen more often than you may realize. While it isn’t uncommon to suffer from the occasional traffic jam due to an accident scene, many people are not aware of how many serious car accidents occur on area roadways and the effect that they can have on someone’s life.

At Contrada & Associates, we pride ourselves on our knowledge and experience with car accident injury cases. Attorney Charlie Contrada has over 35 years of experience with personal injury cases and strongly believes that the longer you immerse yourself within a certain practice, the more effective and successful you will be.

As a car accident victim, it is important to seek legal representation from a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with similar accident cases. You will not only find peace of mind knowing that you have hired a knowledgeable legal professional, but the odds of you receiving a favorable result are much higher.

car accident lawyer

Experienced Toledo Car Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right car accident lawyer to handle your case is a big decision. Your lawyer plays a major role in the outcome of your case, as you probably already realize. Having a lawyer working on your behalf that knows the local court system, has relationships with other legal professionals, and is aware of the various regulations within different districts can mean a lot when it comes to your settlement.

Another characteristic to look for when seeking a car accident lawyer is whether or not they are willing to go to trial on your behalf. A lawyer who has a reputation for taking their cases to trial for the benefit of the client’s settlement will reflect well upon your case. In other words, not all lawyers will go to the same extent to get their clients the compensation that is warranted. Attorney Charlie Contrada is known for taking a case to trial if he believes that it is necessary for his client to receive the settlement that they deserve.

Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo

If you have been involved in a Toledo car accident and are seeking a lawyer to represent your case, it is important to research where the lawyer’s offices actually are. Many lawyers who advertise on television in Toledo are not actually located in the area. This comes as a surprise to many injured car accident victims after they hire a lawyer to help them and later find out that they are not able to meet them face-to-face.

It is not a good sign if you are unable to meet a lawyer in person after hiring them to represent you. The lack of personal attention given in the beginning of the legal process will likely set the tone for the quality of service and attention received throughout the entire process. 

Attorney Charlie Contrada believes in giving his clients personal attention. He has helped many clients who sought help from other lawyers at the beginning of their case and then realized that they were not being given the personal attention and treatment that a personal injury client deserves.

To learn how attorney Charlie Contrada can help you with your car accident injury claim, call 419.841.4400. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with attorney Contrada, explain your situation, and get his advice on which steps you should take to receive a settlement for the injuries you have sustained.  

25 Mar 2014 Continue Reading

Industries Affected by Mesothelioma

Who is at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Attorney Charlie Contrada has been handling mesothelioma cases for over 25 years. He has helped numerous individuals and families who were exposed to asbestos to receive a settlement after contracting cancer. As the only local lawyer in Northwest Ohio that has handled mesothelioma cases, attorney Contrada is available to sit down with you personally to explain your options as a victim of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that was widely used in the past for its unique properties, including the fact that it is resistant to heat and corrosion. Heavily used in building materials and insulation, as well as automotive products, the dangerous group of minerals was exposed to workers in a variety of industries and trades.

Which Industries Were Exposed to Asbestos?

Those individuals at risk to develop mesothelioma include workers from a specified list of industries and trades that utilized asbestos for its various properties.

Workers from the following companies in the Northwest Ohio area could have been exposed to asbestos and risk the chance of developing mesothelioma:

  • Power plants – ACME, Bay Shore, Steam Plant, Davis Besse, Monroe Coal Burner, Consumer Energy, Rico Fermi
  • Automotive Plants – General Motors Foundry, Chrysler Assembly, Chrysler Fostoria Foundry
  • Glass making factories – Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Libbey Glass in Toledo & East Toledo
  • Refineries in Toledo – British Petroleum (BP), Sunoco, Gulf Oil, Pure Oil
  • Nearly all other industrial settings in Northwest Ohio

Individuals who worked in commercial buildings of any size may have been exposed to asbestos, possibly causing scarring of the lungs and mesothelioma. Other workers affected by asbestos include those employed in the following industries and professions:

  • Shipping and rail yards
  • Ship building
  • Carbon black plants
  • Fiber glass and asbestos plants
  • Food processing plants
  • Military services involving shipping
  • Air Force
  • Employees in school buildings
  • Employees in University buildings
  • All manufacturing plants that use steam or had high-temperature processes
  • Anyone in building trades

When Was Asbestos Used?

After being increasingly utilized during World War II, asbestos was prevalent in many industries. It provided strength in building products, was used for insulation purposes and in roofing materials.

Due to the fire-retardant characteristic of asbestos, it was ideal for use in the fireproofing of buildings. It also served as a sound absorber, making asbestos a product contained in a majority of school buildings.

It wasn’t until the second half of the 20th century when asbestos-related cancers become more recognizable, that measures were taken to reduce the exposure to asbestos. The risk of exposure to the dangerous mineral remains high during renovation projects, remodels, and demolitions of structures containing asbestos products. When the mineral becomes disturbed, it is released into the air as dust and can be inhaled, putting individuals at risk for lung cancer.

Can I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

If you were exposed to asbestos at one of the locations listed above, or within one of the industries identified as a risk for asbestos exposure, we recommend calling a mesothelioma lawyer.

At Contrada & Associates, we have a database of asbestos products that can help identify whether you may have been exposed. If there is a chance that you will develop mesothelioma, our Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan mesothelioma lawyer Charlie Contrada can help you to pursue a claim. Our office also has established relationships with national resources, as well as access to the top mesothelioma and asbestos experts in the country, allowing us to provide the evidence needed to support your claim.

Contrada & Associates is a proven partner for anyone seeking damages due to asbestos exposure and risk of mesothelioma. To speak to attorney Charlie Contrada about your history with asbestos and the legal options that you have, call 419.841.4400. You will have direct access to the only mesothelioma lawyer in Northwest Ohio, allowing you the personal attention and answers you need.

21 Mar 2014 Continue Reading

What is Intra-Family Car Insurance Coverage?

Family Members Injured in Car Accident

Imagine being involved in a car accident in which you and your family are seriously injured – you begin to acquire thousands in medical expenses and lost wages, amounting to financial strain, but you are unable to seek compensation from the insurance company. There is a great possibility this could happen to you if you are in an accident in which one of your family member’s was at fault.

Many individuals who find themselves in this situation are unable to pursue a personal injury claim due to a clause within their insurance policy. Personal injury attorney Charlie Contrada aims to educate readers so they may protect themselves against such situations.

Intra-Family Lawsuits in Ohio

Intra-family personal injury claims apply to those car accident victims who have suffered injuries as passengers in a vehicle that was operated by their own family member (i.e. father, mother, brother, sister, spouse). Personal injury claims brought against a family member in these types of situations are considered to be intra-family lawsuits. Unfortunately, there is a major problem when it comes to intra-family lawsuits in that most people do not have insurance coverage to cover such claims. This leaves them without the money to cover the damages from the car accident, including the medical bills associated with their family member’s injuries.

Contrada & Associates wishes to educate motorists on the importance of purchasing intra-family car insurance coverage. It is extremely beneficial to review your insurance policy with your agent, face-to-face, to make sure that intra-family exclusion is not part of it. Motorists should know that even if a full-coverage policy is purchased, they are not guaranteed to have coverage when it comes to the injury of family members.

Intra-Family Car Insurance

If your insurance policy contains phrases such as “intra-family exclusion,” “household exclusion,” or “family exclusion,” you could suffer serious financial consequences in the event that your family is involved in a vehicle accident.

In attorney Charlie Contrada’s opinion, the intra-family exclusion is included in insurance policies in order to protect insurance companies from paying out valid claims. It fails a great number of victims who are unable to seek damages for car accident injuries because they were not aware that they lacked protection. 

Personal Injury Attorney: Car Insurance Advice

This issue can be avoided if motorists review their car insurance policy in a face-to-face meeting with their agent to make sure that it includes intra-family coverage. Personal injury attorney Charlie Contrada strongly believes in sharing this knowledge with motorists as he knows the financial strains such issues can cause if a family does not have coverage for injuries.

To learn more about intra-family insurance coverage and how it may affect a personal injury lawsuit, call car accident attorney Charlie Contrada at 419.841.4400. He will speak to you personally over the phone in order to help you better understand how intra-family car insurance coverage can help you in the event that your family members suffer injury in a car accident. 

7 Mar 2014 Continue Reading

Charles Contrada: Personal Injury Lawyer with Integrity

Honest & Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer

Attorney Charlie Contrada has practiced law for nearly 35 years. As an experienced and trusted lawyer, Charlie Contrada believes in representing clients who have integrity and gives personal attention to all individuals he represents. In an area of law that sees many types of accidents, victims, and injuries, attorney Charlie Contrada maintains a client base comprised of individuals who he believes are seeking justice with no ulterior motives.    

Contrada & Associates: Personal Attention

Contrada & Associates is a law firm with integrity, and in order to maintain the ethical character of the firm, we attempt to represent clients who are open and honest about their accidents, injuries, and resulting conditions. In fact, many of the clients that our law firm represents have said that they never initially planned on hiring a lawyer after their accident, but due to the insurance company’s unfairness, they were forced to. We believe it is remarkable how consistent this complaint is, which is why Contrada & Associates works to help these injured individuals.

If you have been injured in an accident and choose to pursue a personal injury claim, it is very important to have a partnership with your lawyer. For a successful outcome, the client and the lawyer must be on the same page, have the same goal, and be 100-percent open throughout the course of the lawsuit.

When clients visit the law firm of Contrada & Associates, they not only receive legal guidance and representation for their case, but they also enjoy personal attention. The service our law firm provides is unsurpassed by other large firms serving the area, particularly those located in the Akron or Cleveland area.

An issue that many people do not realize exists is that there are several law firms who advertise in the Toledo area, but their offices are not located here. Those who choose a lawyer from a law firm that is not local, face the probability of not meeting with a lawyer in person when they deserve to, which oftentimes results in confusion throughout the legal process. At Contrada & Associates, clients receive personal attention; they build a trusted relationship with their lawyer, and ultimately have the best chance at receiving a favorable personal injury settlement.

Toledo and Southern Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer

If you are searching for a personal injury lawyer with integrity, contact Charlie Contrada. When working with our law firm, you receive personal attention and legal guidance, allowing you to understand your options. You are not just a client at Contrada & Associates, you are a person, and we treat you with the respect and understanding that you deserve. 

To speak with attorney Charlie Contrada about your personal injury case, call 419.841.4400. You will be able to have a one-on-one phone call with attorney Contrada and he will explain the steps that you can take toward pursuing a personal injury claim. 

4 Mar 2014 Continue Reading