Reading Personal Injury Attorneys

A:The best way to determine whether or not your case is viable is to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney near you. Once we have all the information, we will be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case and help you pursue legal action, if appropriate. Consultations at our firm are always free and we don’t charge any fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

A:Never trust an attorney who quotes you a dollar amount during your first meeting. Lawyers cannot determine the value of your until you have finished all of your medical treatment and your doctor has evaluated your potential for long-term recovery. When we have all the information and medical evidence we need, we can start making estimates – and demanding the money you are owed from insurance companies.

A:Like most personal injury lawyers, we offer a free initial consultation and we do not charge a fee unless we are successful. Unlike other attorneys, however, we will not nickel and dime you, and our legal fees will NEVER exceed one-third of your gross settlement award. Some lawyers charge you more if your case goes to trial and have administrative fees that stack up, but our firm is more interested in helping you recover than making your financial problems worse.

A:Inevitably, there are costs associated with all personal injury cases. Nearly every doctor and hospital charge a fee to provide your attorney with a copy of your accident-related medical records and bills. Furthermore, if a lawsuit must be filed in your case then additional costs will be incurred such as filing fees, sheriff's fees, stenographer’s fees, and the like. Some firms require you to pay these costs out-of-pocket as they are incurred. Our office, however, advances these costs on your behalf so that you do not need to continuously send us money to pay for them. At the end of your case, we deduct them from your settlement, and in the off chance we do not procure a monetary settlement or award on your behalf, we will absorb the costs and you will not be charged for them.

A:The length of your case will largely depend on how long you receive medical treatment for your accident-related injuries. Only upon conclusion of your medical treatment can we properly evaluate your case and submit a demand to the defendant's insurance company. From there, insurance companies usually take 3-6 weeks to respond with a settlement offer. We will continue negotiating until we maximize your settlement.

A:Although most cases settle without the need for a lawsuit, there are 2 situations where a lawsuit is warranted. The first situation arises when the defendant claims they were not legally at fault for your accident. If this situation arises, then a judge or jury must determine if the defendant was at fault and, if so, how much money you deserve. The second situation arises when the defendant's insurance company admits to being at fault but refuses to make an adequate settlement offer. Still, even if we need to file a lawsuit, personal injury cases usually settle before trial.

A:No! You have no legal duty to talk to the defendant's insurance company and, as such, you should NEVER do so. Under contract, you do need to talk to your own insurance company, but you should never do so without a personal injury attorney present. Despite advertisements to the contrary, no insurance company has your best interests at heart, and you need someone to protect your interests.