What do I do first? Why should I talk to an
attorney?
Will it cost a lot for
an attorney?
Do injured people always
need lawyers? How do we work for you?
How are we paid?
WHAT
DO I DO FIRST?
- Get a copy
of the police accident report, if you can, to see if the facts were reported
to the police accurately.
- If they were
not, this can affect your claim with the insurance company. If there were
any witnesses to the accident contact them immediately. Ask the witnesses
what they observed. You'd be surprised how much a delay in time confuses
the memory.
- Contact the
wrongdoer's insurance company.
- Keep a diary
of your problems from the accident, and a list of all your expenses and
costs.
- Take pictures
of scars, damage to cars, casts, bruises or anything you feel is important
to your case.
- Notify your
own insurance company to be on the safe side.
- Don't sign
any documents, if you have any question about their effect---CALL US!
WHY SHOULD I
TALK TO AN ATTORNEY?
The simplest
answer to this question is, "You never know until you have talked to one".
You've talked to people all your life, so it's not difficult for you to
do so, even if you're in the hospital. Most personal injury attorneys
will come to the hospital or even to your home if you're bed-ridden. Also,
only you know if you have the experience and ability to handle your own
insurance claims and deal with the insurance company representatives.
WON'T IT COST
A LOT FOR AN ATTORNEY?
No. Most experienced
personal injury attorneys do not charge you to discuss an injury matter.
It is like getting an estimate on your car or for remodeling your house.
You have to start some place and this is the person who has the experience
to deal with your needs, answer your questions and help you avoid making
mistakes, such as signing the wrong papers. It only makes sense to contact
someone experienced in these matters. We will talk to you and give you
our attention.
DO INJURED PEOPLE
ALWAYS NEED LAWYERS?
No. Not every
injury requires legal help. The smaller case with a minor injury or with
injury having no permanent or lingering effects can very likely be resolved
between you and an insurance company. Larger cases with more serious injuries,
and larger medical bills and lost income, wages or earning ability, will
almost always require legal help. Complex issues of whose fault it was
("liability issues") and complex or multiple injuries will almost always
need legal help, advice and direction. We define "complex injuries" as
those that are serious, with lasting or permanent effects, large medical
costs, lost income or other impact on the client and family (the "damage"
aspect of the case.) We can tell you if you need an attorney to help you
or not. We want to feel that if we are "in a case" that we can make a
difference in that case. Like you, we want to feel, at the end of the
case, that it was done right, that the result was correct, and, that the
attorneys and client agreed.
HOW DO WE WORK
FOR YOU?
For a free consultation
(evaluation) of your case you can call, write, fax or E-mail us. We will
ask some questions about how the injury or death occurred, who caused
it, and what effects it has had. We will ask about insurance, both yours
and the opposing parties. Insurance can be confusing and complicated.
In some cases several insurance policies may apply. This may involve what
we call " insurance coverage issues". For example, what policy is "primary",
what policy is "secondary", and is there "excess" coverage? We can help
explain it to you and recommend the best courses of action. You may need
attorneys, in our field of practice, to represent you in the matter. If
you do, we will tell you that. If you do not need attorneys practicing
in the injury field, we will also tell you that. We will give you our
professional opinion and answer your questions at no cost in a preliminary
consultation or interview. Not all cases need attorneys or injury lawyers,
and some cases are best done by the client alone. We believe that more
serious cases do require legal assistance, and we will explain that to
you, as well. Our firm was founded in 1970 because we wanted to "make
a difference". We want to serve and benefit the injured and their families.
And, like any business or profession serving the public, we want satisfied
clients. Legal advice, legal guidance and legal recommendations are what
we give you. We feel strongly about the correctness of our advice based
on our experiences. We will tell you what you should know, (not always
necessarily, perhaps, what you may want to hear) in order to solve your
problems and put forth the best effort to win your claim. We discuss whether
a claim should be settled. Most of them are. But, not every claim can
be settled, and not every claim should be. It is your choice to decide.
We will help you in making that decision, and, then follow your instructions.
It's your claim or suit. Law suits sometimes need to be filed. We can
do that, and will go with you to court and trial. We prepare you to go
to court and help you understand what will take place. We explain what
you will need to take with you and what you will be required to do. We
are there with you all the time giving you our advice and recommendations.
We realize most people want to resolve their claims without a suit or
trial. Most can. However, some people may want their "day in court". We
can also assist you there. We are your legal "guides" and advisors. You
can have our advice by phone, mail, fax or E-mail. We encourage communication
between our attorneys and our clients. "Talking things out" really does
answer many questions and solve many problems. Our practice is a team
approach-the client, the attorneys, the legal adjusters, and the case
managers all working together as a team to resolve the legal issues, concerns
and the claims involved. We want to work for you, and we look forward
to working with you.
HOW DO YOU PAY
US?
We receive legal
fees in your case only after you are paid. This is called a "Contingent
Fee". The word contingent means "conditional"-only if you win, do you
pay for our legal services. This method and form of payment for legal
services is not unique to our firm. It has been approved a long time in
the legal profession, and, most injury attorneys and firms are paid in
this manner. Fees paid in this manner may vary between law firms as to
amount, or percentage. (Some attorneys charge by the hour-we do not.)
We believe clients should be told about lawyer's fees "up front" and an
agreement reached between attorney and client at the outset of the case.
We confirm our fees in writing with every client immediately when we accept
your case. Our attorneys will be pleased to quote our fee arrangement
to you. There is no charge for such an inquiry.
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