I initially contracted with another firm to handle an automobile accident case for me. It didn't take me long to discover they were doing an inferior job and asking me, while incapacitated due to injuries from the accident, to do all the legwork tracking down bills, etc. As my medical bills mounted a...nd I didn't get any feedback at all my patience wore thin. I became more and more stressed. It looked like my medical bills and attorney fees were going to exceed the other driver's insurance coverage and my attorney didn't seem at all concerned. In desperation I finally resorted to posting on Craigslist and Facebook asking for recommendations for an attorney experienced in litigating court cases with Allstate.
And I actually got one that made sense.The referral was from somebody living near me in Dundalk, MD and was for an attorney in Gaithersburg, MD. They were about an hours drive and multiple tolls away . . . but he said they were doing a fantastic job representing him in a case with Allstate and just about everything could be done over the phone or by mail. He hadn't settled yet but was impressed with the offers they had pushed Allstate up to and the fact that they weren't afraid to push for court litigation.
I did some quick online research and then reached out to them through a voicemail and a message through their website. I got a call the next day from Howard Simcox, Jr. From that point on things began to make sense. He gave me the names of each member of his staff I might be interacting with and explained what they would be doing. He explained the claims process from beginning to end and warned me what to look out for if anyone contacted me so I protected my rights. And in only a couple weeks he was up to speed on the status of my case and had discovered that basic information, like the initial accident report and photos were missing from my file.
Words can't express how helpful everyone at Sussman and Simcox were from beginning to end. In addition to negotiating a settlement much higher than I had ever expected there was an abundance of intangible things that made a difference in the quality of service I received. They did everything they could to alleviate the stress the fallout from the accident was creating in my life. Mr. Simcox, and his paralegal, Karin Kiltz, both took the time to explain the ins and outs of how accidents, and resulting bills, can affect your credit and how any negative reports must be cleared once a case is settled and the bills paid. They also explained that my own insurance would pick up where the other driver's left off if my expenses, and pain and suffering, exceeded the other driver's limits. And when I reached a point where I needed physical therapy during the COVID-19 shut downs Karin Kiltz was able to quickly locate a reputable physical therapy office where I could be seen without a lengthy wait.
Karin Kiltz seemed almost like she had been appointed as my personal assistant due to the way she remained in touch with me thought the case. No matter what was going on she was supportive and patient, always explaining in detail what was happening and what to expect.
Towards the end of the case Mr. Simcox told me we had an option of settling for what Allstate had said was their final offer or continuing on to court. He was more than understanding, but still willing to proceed to court with my case, when I explained I would rather just avoid the additional stress and take the settlement that had been offered.
My case is proof that Sussman and Simcox go well beyond just litigating cases. They put in the time and effort required to walk a client through recovery from an injury to completion of settlement in a caring, supportive way that helps to reduce stress. It was all those "intangible" things they provided that made a world of difference to me and was what resulted in my recommendation of their firm to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney.