Why Personal Injury Law Is Difficult
People often are skeptical about hiring a personal injury attorney. Some think it’s a simple and straightforward process where they can handle it themselves. Others believe that the lawyers and doctors will “eat up” their settlement leaving them very little. Nothing could be really further from the truth. A contingent fee personal injury attorney only gets paid if the clients get paid. After all, they are the ones who are injured. But getting to the point of handing the client a check is a process that must be handled with precision and a little patience.
Your Attorney Can Help Determine Who is Fault
Sometimes there is a question regarding liability; who is at fault? Sometimes it’s easy other times rather complicated. Often times the insurance company for the party that caused the accident will try and blames the client for being partially responsible. Any percentage of fault attributed to the client will reduce the amount of the award by that amount. For example, if the insurance company believes you are 25% responsible for causing the accident, any amount you would receive would be reduced by 25%. Part of your lawyer’s job is to ensure that does not happen and often times he will lean on his clients for assistance. Some basic steps an accident victim can do to assist their attorney is:
- Always get a get the police.
- Take lots pictures of the accident scene and all cars involved.
- Find any potential witness and get a name and telephone number.
- Do not delay in seeing a doctor so that your injuries can be properly documented.
Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friends
An insurance company’s mission is to resolve cases for as little as possible. My job is the exact opposite; I want to put as much as possible in your pocket. Insurance companies also know which attorneys they can push around and which they cannot. They know that I will never settle my cases for anything less than their full value and if necessary, to take it to trial. My reputation as a no-nonsense trial attorney ensures that my clients always get the most for their claim’s often times with the need of going to trial. Some basic rules relating to insurance companies are as follows:
- Never speak to your insurance company until you speak with a lawyer.
- Never agree to do a recorded statement without your attorney present.
- Never agree to do a recorded statement without your attorney present.
- Never accept any settlement offer from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
A Personal Injury Case Can Take Some Time
A personal injury case typically takes 4-6 months to complete. A trial would add another year. That said, six months is about how long it typically takes all things being equal. However, the single biggest factor that can slow a case down is inconsistent with medical treatment. Most clients have jobs and/or other responsibilities that make going to doctor appointments rather difficult. That’s why your lawyer will work with medical providers that have flexible hours and are open the weekends. No matter how good your lawyer is if the clients do not follow the medical treatment plan created by their doctors it will not only seriously lengthen the process but will also reduce its value. This is a client’s one shot to be fairly compensated for their injuries. Accordingly, it is better to take a little longer and make sure to try to recover the full on each and every claim.
So please call your local “Attorney Big Al” at 1-800-HURT-123.
