An accident attorney can be hired if you were involved in an accident in which you sustained injuries as a result of another person’s negligence. You may not need an attorney, though, if you did not suffer major injuries and you could most likely negotiate with the insurance company yourself.
If you have been involved in a serious accident, and someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you should consider hiring an accident attorney. If you have suffered only minor injuries, or property damage and no injuries, you should be able to reach a settlement with the insurance company on your own.

However, when serious injuries are involved, an accident attorney will be better able to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf or take action in a formal court of law. Your attorney will help you pursue compensation for current and future medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, pain and suffering, time missed from work and other expenses related your injuries.

Finding the Right Accident Attorney for Your Case

When searching for an accident attorney, you may have noticed TV commercials, Yellow Pages or billboards, all of which are full of lawyer advertisements with very little information. The same basic point of these can be found in all advertisements: Pick Me! Base your decision for who to hire on multiple factors, instead of just on the lawyer’s advertising.

There are a few things you should know about lawyer advertising:

-an attorney can advertise for accident cases even if they haven’t handled personal injury cases
-the Yellow Pages and TV commercials don’t verify the information in attorney ads
-the lawyer you see on TV might not be the lawyer who handles your case (your case could go to an associate or be referred to another firm)
-full-page ads in the Yellow Pages and frequent TV commercials are no indication of an attorney’s success
-some lawyers may have their assistants or paralegals do all the work on your case
-and don’t be swayed by ads that make a lawyer appear aggressive (appearances can be deceiving).

Accident cases can be very complex. Experience is one of the important factors that an accident attorney should have. Furthermore, you want an attorney focused on personal injury, not someone who practices in 17 different areas.

Tips for Finding an Accident Attorney

After an accident, 2 organizations can help you search for an attorney: the South Carolina Association of Justice and the American Association of Justice, both of which are networking hot spots for trial lawyers.

These other tips are helpful when deciding what accident lawyer you should hire:

-if you know an attorney, ask for a referral
-check with the South Carolina Bar Association for a referral (be advised lawyers pay a fee to be listed under certain specialties);
-ask plenty of questions to make sure the accident attorney has a thorough understanding of your injury
-be wary of an attorney who rushes you to sign a fee agreement
-stay clear of any attorney who promises you a winning settlement
-and if an accident attorney solicits your business after an accident, be careful (beware of “runners,” who are people who listen to law enforcement scanners and rush to hospital rooms or accident scenes to get victims to sign a contract with an attorney).

Your accident attorney should also be well-informed about the laws that are pertinent to your case.

Communicating with Your Accident Attorney

Because you and your accident attorney will be working closely together, you need to pick someone with whom you feel comfortable. Ask how you’ll be informed as your case progresses, who you can call if you have questions, and who will do the actual work on your case.

If paralegals or legal assistants will be assigned to help with your case, ask if your accident attorney will manage your case. Every piece of documentation about your case should be reviewed by your accident attorney, so that you are best represented in court.

While you recover from your injuries after an accident, you’ll need a lawyer you trust who will protect your legal rights while you focus on recuperating.

Finding the right car accident lawyer is a critical step you must consider following being involved in awful accident with a negligent driver in which you are injured. But I am sure you have concerns. Frequent questions include: How do I hire an attorney? How do I find the attorney that is right for me? How much will it cost? Will I be able to afford it?

Having a car accident lawyer on your side is so important because although you may have a legal right to earn compensation after an accident with a negligent driver (medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, etc), the insurance companies will not just hand you a check easily.

Insurance adjusters may often act like they are your best friends, saying that they have your best interests in mind. This couldn’t be any less true. The reality is that the insurance adjusters have only one goal: to maximize profits for their company. Insurance companies do not make money by forking over cash settlements to injured victims. They make money by lowballing injured people, because they know how few individuals will stand up to them in court.

The insurance companies will use every trick and tactic in their book to get you to accept a settlement that is less than you actually deserve. To get the highest amount of financial compensation possible after a car accident in Florida with a negligent driver, you need someone on your side who will stand up to the insurance companies.

An experienced auto accident lawyer has been through similar cases hundreds or even thousands of times. They can not only help you file all the proper paperwork, but also investigate the accident, line up expert witnesses to bolster your case, and make sure your side of the story is heard in court.

How do you find the best lawyer for your case?

Look for experience, past results that prove expertise, integrity and honor in dealing with clients and the aggressiveness and fearlessness required to stand up to the insurance companies. A good attorney should also have a well thought-out website, with resources in the your area of interest. Of course a the lawyer you hire won’t utilize their website in court, it does give you a glimpse into what kind of law firm you would be dealing with.

Will you have to pay too much for quality legal representation?

No. Most accident lawyers won’t charge you anything unless you win your case. If you earn no financial compensation after your injury lawsuit, then you owe them nothing.

Consult with the Fort Lauderdale car crash attorneys of Chalik & Chalik Law Offices. Chalik & Chalik are a family-oriented law firm. Request a free no obligation consultation with a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney today.

1) Should I talk to the insurance adjuster?

This is very much a discretionary matter.  It may depend on the complexity of your case or just how comfortable you are with the situation.  You should certainly talk to your own insurance people, since they will be the ones representing you if the case goes to court.

However, if it the other guy’s insurance adjuster calling, remember that you are not obligated to speak to them.  Be polite and feel free to decline.  The call is likely being recorded, which means that anything you say can be used against you.  They aren’t necessarily out to trick you into saying the wrong thing, but the possibility is there.  Just be cautious.

2) Should I sign the forms they send me?

The two to watch out for in this case are the medical authorization and lost wage forms.  By signing these, especially the medical authorization form, you are basically offering yourself up as an open book in terms of your medical history.  Obviously, this is not a good idea.  There is no good reason to allow other guy’s insurance company to go probing around willy-nilly.

3) Who will pay my medical bills?

This is a confusing matter for people after an accident.  The last thing you want is for your bills to go to a collection agency while you are in the middle of trying to get a settlement, which can certainly take some time.

Submit your bills to your health insurance provider first.  Also, submit them to your car insurance provider under the medical payments provision part of your policy if you purchased that coverage.  This can get the cash flowing and allow you to pay your bills as they come.

4) How do I find a lawyer?

You go out and read The Truth About Lawyer Advertising by Ben Glass.  You can find it at the TheTruthAboutLawyerAdvertising.com.  He guides you through the process of not only how to find a lawyer, but how to find the right lawyer for your case.  It’s an extremely valuable resource that comes free to Virginia residents but can also be ordered online at Amazon.com.

After having been in an accident, you’re probably in a pretty vulnerable state of mind.  Unfortunately, a certain type of lawyer knows this and will try to take advantage of that fact.

The bad ones.

Attorneys who need to take advantage of potential clients by sending out “runners” to pluck customers from hospital beds are not only unethical, they may be breaking the law.  That’s right.  Rather than relying on being a good attorney, these tricksters will prey on the injured and desperate.

It is up to you as the consumer to beware of these tactics.  If you were to witness someone hovering over a hospital bed, hawking a lawyer’s services, would you say, “Hey, now there’s a good guy who’s really helping out that person?”  Or would you be saying, “That guy is obviously trying to swindle a case out of that injury victim?”

Well, unfortunately this practice still exists.  Fairfax, Virginia, attorney Ben Glass has discovered this dirty little secret in his home state.  He wants to make sure that consumers are aware and ready before becoming not only injury victims, but also victims of lowly lawyer practices.

These runners may also approach you at your home stating that they are aware of your recent injury and proceed to sweet talk you into meeting with the attorney they are representing.  Don’t fall for it.  Be a smart consumer and do your research to find out what attorney is the best for you and your case.  Ben has published a book for consumers titled The Truth About Lawyer Advertising, in which you will find plenty of useful information to send you on the path of victim awareness.  If you are a Virginia resident, the book is free to you.  Otherwise, you can find in on Amazon and order it.

Don’t let yourself be victim to the trickery and tactics of attorneys who are unable to find cases for themselves.  If you ever encounter a situation like this, report it to the Virginia State Bar and file a complaint.

It may be okay to ask your lawyer for personal advice on a good doctor or lawyer to see.  But should you accept your attorney’s direct referral to a doctor because it could help your accident bill?

Absolutely not.  According to Corey Malnikof, a local chiropractor, you should just “run away.”

Insurance companies keep track of the doctors used by patients of a particular lawyer.  If there’s a trend of clients using the same spinal doctor, orthopedist, or other medical professionals, your case could be weakened.  Malnikof gives excellent advice, reminding us that your relationship with your doctor should be patient-doctor and your relationship with your attorney should be client-attorney.  Blurring those lines is a bad idea.

Fairfax attorney Ben Glass describes the approach taken in court by the insurance company is there is a trend in the numbers of attorney clients who are also patients to a particular doctor through referrals.  Glass describes this situation as the “kiss of death” to your case.

Insurance companies know about these scams.  They will find ways to discredit your case in court.

Unfortunately, even an innocent-sounding referral could doom your settlement.  Do your own research as a consumer and make sure that there isn’t a fishy-smelling relationship between your lawyer and your doctor.

If it ever seems like there is an “endgame” in play from your medical or legal professional, you may have found your way into a bad situation that could hurt your case.

For more information about Malnikof’s chiropractic services go to PalmerCare.com and for more information on personal injury law in Virginia, check out BenGlassLaw.com.

You know that lawyers can be expensive. You also may know that you need a lawyer to help you with your automobile accident case. As a result, you may be worried about how you’ll pay for the costs of using a lawyer’s services. This article explains how many automobile accident lawyers charge for their work.

Of course, some lawyers, and some cases, are different. This is more of a general guide than a definitive statement of how any particular lawyer would handle your case.

CONTINGENT FEE AGREEMENTS

In most automobile accident cases the lawyer and client enter into a contingent fee agreement. Under a contingent fee agreement, the lawyer only earns a fee if some event – a “contingency” – happens. Normally, that contingency is that the client wins a judgment or the case settles.

The amount of the judgment that comes back from the jury or judge, or the amount of the settlement if your lawyer is able to resolve the case before trial, is what determines the lawyer’s fee in a contingent fee case.

PORTION OF THE FEE AWARD

Normally, in an automobile accident case, if the case is resolved through settlement, that percentage of the recovery that is the lawyer’s fee is 33 percent. If a lawsuit has to be filed, the percentage normally goes up, and in the very rare cases where there is an appeal after the lawsuit the percentage goes up yet again. The percentage of the recovery going to legal fees increases at a few points because these points are where there is a large increase of the amount of work that the lawyer has to do. Yet, at the same time, these points are not necessarily where there is a large increase in the recovery that you would be likely to receive.

The lawyer’s fee in this kind of arrangement is normally based on the gross recovery. There are almost certainly costs of bringing a lawsuit or investigating a claim. These costs include filing fees, expert costs, investigator costs, the costs of getting medical records, deposition costs, and the cost of preparing exhibits, among other things. What the client recovers at the end is reduced by the lawyer’s fee and the costs of the litigation.

ADVANTAGES OF A CONTINGENT FEE AGREEMENT

There are a number of advantages to a contingent fee agreement. In a contingent fee case, the lawyer and the client both do well financially if the client recovers a larger award; the lawyer’s interests and the client’s interests are aligned. The client and the lawyer want the same thing – a speedy resolution of the case that maximizes the recovery. There are some other big advantages to a contingent fee agreement: the client doesn’t pay any money upfront, which can be important; if you have a lot of expenses after your accident; and you do not pay any legal fees if there is no recovery.

MORE WORK UP FRONT FOR THE LAWYER

A contingent fee agreement does, however, require more work on the part of the lawyer before accepting a case. If a case is going to be billed hourly, a lawyer can take the case without worrying about whether the case has merit (or without worrying as much; no lawyer wants to lose a case). When a lawyer takes a contingent fee case, the lawyer is, in essence, going into business with the client for that case. The lawyer is investing his time, energy, and money (remember those court costs) into a case. That lawyer wants to make sure that he knows the case is a prudent investment.

So you’re already in the process of finding the right lawyer for your personal injury claim. You have a few choices in mind on who can represent you. But before you make your final pick, you must get to know your lawyer first – see if he or she is reliable and competent enough for the job.

To help you make that decision, here are some questions you should ask the lawyers you’re looking at:

1. How many years have you been a practicing attorney? You wouldn’t want someone who has no extensive experience, such as someone who just graduated from law school.
2. What actual experience do you have in handling cases like mine? Not just any personal injury attorney should be chosen. An attorney who has worked a case similar to yours is recommended.
3. What legal obstacles do you see? Explain my case in detail.  Communication with your attorney can be tested with this question. How he/she responds can show you his character and intellect.
4. What is my case worth? This is a trick question to test if this attorney can be trusted. You should not consider anyone who starts giving out figures as there is really no way to tell any final amount until the claim is settled.
5. Please describe everything that I would have to deal with in the handling of my case. This is yet another question to test if you can have a good working relationship with your lawyer.
6. Who in your office will I be working with on my case? Check if either a qualified attorney or only a paralegal would be working with you.
7. Do you hold malpractice insurance? A lack of this insurance may indicate that they are irresponsible and not sincere in caring for their clients.
8. Have you been disciplined by your State Bar association? If they have indeed been disciplined, ask for an explanation. Then evaluate if he or she still will do you good regardless of his or her prior disciplinary action.
9. How will you keep me up-to-speed as to how my case is doing? An attorney should always be able to present you the details regarding his or her communication policy.
10. Do you represent insurance companies? You may find out if there is any conflict in interest upon asking this question.
11. Do you regularly attend continuing legal education courses in the area of personal injury? Someone who hasn’t bothered to pursue further studies after graduating law school isn’t recommended at all.
12. Have you published articles, guides or books for consumers or other attorneys? If they have published works, you may be able to further evaluate them through these.
13. What is your rating on www.Avvo.com? Relevant information regarding a lawyer can be found on this website.

For additional information on this topic (and many others), go to BenGlassLaw.com.

Attorneys will often try and tell you that to get a settlement in your accident case, you MUST hire an attorney.  Truth be told, they aren’t telling you the truth.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you can earn a personal injury settlement on your own, without spending money on attorney fees.

So how can you tell if you go about looking for an attorney to represent you?

1. Your injury is complicated and required a specialist.
2. The injury has left you permanently disabled.
3. You had long-term care because of the accident.
4. There was clear liability in the accident.

It’s never going to be an exact science, but you need to explore your options before hiring an attorney.  Do you really want an attorney that just wants your case because he or she knows it will be easy money?

However, an experienced, board certified attorney can benefit your case greatly if the circumstances are right.  If you find yourself unable to understand the complexity of the case, then chances are that an attorney would be right for your case.

As you go through the process of trying to settle your own case, order this free guide to dealing with a car accident in Virginia.

Lawyers can be tricky when it comes to advertising.  Don’t be preyed on by untrustworthy attorneys who see dollar signs when they look at you.  You may be able to handle your case on your own, and if you do need to hire help, make sure they are the right one for your case and for you.  To do so, read The Truth About Lawyer Advertising, a free consumer guide provided to you by Ben Glass Law.

Don’t make the mistake of believing that you will have a future filled with exotic beach vacations and all the luxury items you could ever dream of, just because you have won your Virginia car accident case. Winning a personal injury case isn’t the same as winning the lottery, especially in Virginia.

In Virginia, personal injury lawsuits are tough. That is why you need to make sure that you are represented by a Fairfax accident attorney who has the experience to not only negotiate settlements outside of court, but also has a background in taking cases to trial.

Finding the right lawyer to handle your case isn’t a simple task. You need to take your time in the selection process and ask a lot of questions, before choosing a Virginia car accident lawyer to represent your case.  Attorney Ben Glass provides insight into how to hire a lawyer in his book, The Truth About Lawyer Advertising.

While a settlement or jury verdict is by no means the same as lottery winnings, it can help cover your medical bills, lost income and other damages. If you have been hurt in a Virginia auto accident, the best thing to do would be to consult with a lawyer who will review your case and provide guidance.

Q: I was involved in an accident and the other driver was insured by Allstate.  I have received a letter from Allstate telling me that I don’t need a lawyer.  Is this true?

A: Make no mistake about it, Allstate is not looking out for your interests.  The insurance industry’s own statistics demonstrate that it costs the insurance company an average of $9,000 more per claim when an attorney is involved for the injured person.  The truth is that you should never settle a personal injury claim without consulting with an attorney.

To learn more about this topic, check out the full FAQ here.