How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim [Paperback]

Joseph Matthews Attorney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1413310168 | ISBN-13: 978-1413310160 | Edition: Seventh Edition

Armed with the right information, anyone can handle a personal injury claim without a lawyer. Attorney Joseph Matthews provides strategies for handling every stage of the insurance claim process including how to: protect one's rights after an accident; evaluate what a claim is worth; handle a property damage claim; avoid insurance company run arounds; obtain a full and fair settlement; save thousands in attorney fees.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The industries that are supposed to help people when they are injured actually make receiving compensation more difficult, asserts the author, who is a lawyer. According to Matthews, the health, insurance, and legal communities, more concerned with profit than genuine assistance, make the essentially simple claim process long and confusing. His book sets out to help individuals cut through the red tape when filing and pursuing a personal injury claim. It clearly and thoroughly outlines the basic principles of liability, insurance coverage, the valuation of the claim, negotiating, and finalizing a settlement. The inclusion of tips on state-by-state variations in time limits on filing and monetary thresholds, plus advice on what to do if the accident is caused by a government agency, makes this an essential purchase for public libraries.
- Joan Pedzich, Harris, Beach & Wilcox, Rochester, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Can help you handle your own personal injury claim without slipping on a legal banana peel. (San Francisco Examiner 20060502)

"Finally a book that takes the mystery out of personal injury claims.... consumers can confidently handle claims against insurance companies and save the cost of legal fees." (Los Angeles Times 20070302)

"An essential purchase." (Library Journal 20090101)

"Explains insurance coverage, the compensation formula, the demand letter, settlement negotiation, and the formal settlement document." (Reference & Reseach Book News 20090101)

I had no idea there were self-help books like this out there.... It's awesome. (Donna K. K., El Cajon, CA 20090101)

An essential purchase. (Library Journal 20090101)

Finally a book that takes the mystery out of personal injury claims.... consumers can confidently handle claims against insurance companies and save the cost of legal fees. (Los Angeles Times )

Explains insurance coverage, the compensation formula, the demand letter, settlement negotiation, and the formal settlement document. (Reference & Research Book News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Nolo; Seventh Edition edition (April 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413310168
• ISBN-13: 978-1413310160
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Law > Specialties > Personal Injury
  • #5 in Books > Law > Business > Insurance Law
  • #23 in Books > Law > Family & Health Law > Medical Law & Legislation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book to buy!, June 26, 2007

By 

Legal eagle - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim (Paperback)

I would recommend you buy this book which is published by Nolo Press, which is probably the most prominent self-help legal publisher. It is a very good overview and covers alot. If you had to buy one book only, this is it.


I had also bought "Car Accident Secrets" which is written by an insurance "insider". I don't really recommend it. It only provided general/basic info. which is covered by Joseph Matthew's book. Good luck.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars $100,000 Policy Boating Accident, June 21, 2007

By 

M. Lodato - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim (Paperback)

I had a boating accident (I was a passenger) in 2001. I heard terrible stories from people who had hired lawyers and ended up with nothing. I bought this book and after 2 years of medical procedures & appointments, when I was done, I composed a letter requesting $85,000 from the insurance company (who had already been paying all my medical bills), State Farm. The policy was for $100,000 and the boat owner had only made one month's payment. I figured I would negotiate down to $65,000 minimum. I reasoned that if I ended up having to get a lawyer, I would ask for the $100,000 and end up with $66,000 (lawyer would get 30 percent). With my letter, documentation and before, during and after pictures, State Farm ended up awarding me $90,000. $5,000 more than I had requested. I highly recommend this book, but you must be thorough and patient. It's a lot of "legwork". A lot of research and stuff, but who knows your "pain and suffering" better than you. Certainly not a lawyer!!! The money is gone, but I used it to keep my paralyzed 83 year old mom at home with a caregiver until she passed away!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth Purchasing, September 10, 2005

By 

L. Ritter - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How To Win Your Personal Injury Claim (Paperback)

This book gets to the point. It covers many areas of claims. Easy to understand and great examples. It personally worked for me. Well worth the purchase. I'm keeping this book in my library for any, heaven provide, possible future needs.