A personal injury is not easy to live with and you have every right to sue for compensation. However, if you want to be successful in receiving a settlement that’s fair, you need to be knowledgeable about personal injuries. This article is jam packed with great advice to help you understand the legal process and choose an attorney with the right amount of knowledge.
Check the American Bar Association.
You will likely need a good attorney when it comes time to file your case. The American Bar Association (ABA) is a great starting place. While they don’t offer reviews or ratings, you can find out if a potential lawyer is in good standing or if he or she has had any disciplinary action taken.
Look into the firm’s size prior to deciding on your lawyer. When you are going up against a major player, it’s in your best interest to have an equally formidable lawyer behind you. You don’t need to spend as much for a smaller case.
Getting along with your lawyer is key, but there is something more you have to look for. Choose an attorney who truly listens to what you say. If they ever appear to not be listening, don’t choose that lawyer. While they may think they know it all, typically people with that belief are those who know the least.
Personal injury lawyers tend to specialize in a number of different fields.
For example, one may solely take on medical malpractice cases, whereas another may be proficient in automotive accidents. Don’t assume that all personal injury lawyers are the same and be sure to make inquiries about any lawyer you have under consideration.
If you have been involved in an accident, you may be entitled to a cash settlement. To get you the most money, you should hire a personal injury attorney. To find the best one for your case, you should ask friends and relatives for referrals. Seek out referrals from someone who has been through a personal injury lawsuit.
Avoid lawyers who seek you out. Lawyers who go looking for potential cases are known as “ambulance chasers” and should be avoided. These lawyers often make their money by settling quickly and rely on a fast turnover rate so they can find more clients. If you settle a case quickly, you must be prepared to accept significantly less than your case is potentially worth.
Tell every doctor that you see that you are going to court for a personal injury claim.
This will let the doctor know that you will be expecting him to document your injuries, treatments and progress, or lack there of, for use in court. If you fail to do this, you may not win your case.
Hire a local personal injury lawyer. It may be tempting to call that 1-800 number you saw on the TV for this or that lawyer, but you’ll likely get a lawyer who lives nowhere near you. When things are on the line, you’ll want to be able to communicate face-to-face with your lawyers, so local is best.
In any personal injury case where your medical bills are paid by workman’s compensation, you should contact them directly and get a list of all bills they paid. You need to study these bills to ensure you are receiving everything you are entitled too. It will also show you how much you might owe when everything is paid and finished.
Using a legal referral service is a questionable method of finding a lawyer.
While some services are very stringent in who they allow into their fold, others will take anyone who pays the yearly fee. Find out what qualifications must be met or proven by any service you are considering.
After you have sought out medical attention, file a police report. This is the best way to document what has happened and all of the details while they’re still fresh in your head. Include the names of everyone involved, even if you think their role is insignificant. You never know who may win the case for you!
Keep detailed records of your medical bills and other expenses that are due to the accident.
These could include property damage, hospital bills and other costs. Also keep track of how much you have lost out by not being able to work. Lost wages will also be brought up in the case.
Never give an insurance company information about your personal injury case without going through your lawyer. In some cases, insurance agents will ask you for details about the injury and use these details to lower the amount of your settlement. Call your lawyer before talking to an insurance company, and especially do not offer anything in writing or a recorded statement.
Never settle for less than you deserve and this article was written to help you get the most out of your settlement. It is already enough that you’ve had to suffer a personal injury! Apply the advice you’ve just learned to ensure that your settlement is truly fair and you are not being led astray.