Like any business, a law firm is successful only if its customers are happy! If it's difficult for you to tell whether the problem lies with the lawyer or with the nature of your case, asking another attorney for a one-time consultation is also an option.
Enjuris tip: If no one was hurt or there was no damage, it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim with an attorney.
Not everyone who graduates from law school is a great lawyer, and sometimes it takes a little searching to find the one who’s right for you and your case. Choosing a lawyer is similar to choosing a doctor or therapist. Even a great lawyer might not be a great fit for you.
You may not be able to hire a new lawyer quickly enough to fully research and handle your matter. Your old lawyer is likely very familiar with the facts and laws applicable to your case, including clerical issues like the location of various documents.
The second is by sending an email to the ltocdmpao@lto.gov.ph. You may also send in reports by calling the hotline 1-342-586 or use the CitiSend app. Before sending in a report, the agency request that “inform-cers” include valuable information to pinpoint the traffic violator easier.
Stay Calm and Move Out of the Street. So you've been hit. ... Keep the Driver There. ... Call the Police—and Wait for Them. ... Collect the Driver's Information and Take Tons of Photos. ... When the Police Come, Make Your Voice Heard. ... Seek Medical Attention ASAP. ... Start an Insurance Claim. ... Call a Lawyer.
Hiring a motor vehicle accident lawyer after a car accident that was your fault is a good first step, before speaking to the insurance companies. Lawyers know how to deal with insurance companies and can help mitigate any claims that are made against you by the other parties involved in the accident.
Call your insurance company immediately after the accident and inform them about the damage. Intimate the police about the incident and obtain an FIR. Record the details of the car, the driver, and the witnesses in the FIR. File a claim with your insurance company and ask them to assign a surveyor to evaluate the loss.
Sometimes, compensation can be done at the point of the accident- if both parties agree who is at fault. However, in case there is a disagreement, then you will have to find a lawyer. He or she will help you settle the dispute and help you earn a decent amount as compensation.
If the accident involved more than three parties, there is no doubt that you will need a car accident lawyer. This is mainly because it will complicate your insurance claim.
A lawyer will assess your legal issue and can tell you at the outset whether it is worth your while to obtain legal assistance and/or pursue legal action.
You may be able to resolve a minor legal dispute by writing letters or negotiating informally, or in a "small claims" court if the dispute has a value less than or equal to a certain amount (perhaps $5,000). Be sure to check with your local court for applicable "small claims" limits.
A family problem such as divorce or a child custody dispute. The sale or purchase of a home, real estate, or a business. Discrimination or harassment on the job. The formation or incorporation of a business. The drafting of a will, trust, or estate plan. A tax problem.
Lawyers can help with legal problems after they come up -- after a car accident, for example -- but in other instances, consulting a lawyer before a legal issue arises can help you anticipate and prevent serious legal problems. Some common situations where assistance from a lawyer may be necessary include:
There are limitations to whom you can sue. Certain states allow drivers to recover a settlement for pain and suffering and lost wages from their own insurers. Other states limit such settlements to victims who are suing an at-fault driver.
If you stand to receive a settlement for a minor injury resulting in less than $1,000 in medical care bills, you can negotiate fair compensation with an insurance adjuster on your own simply by educating yourself on the process.
Auto insurance companies will typically attempt to settle a small personal injury claim immediately following auto accidents to avoid going to court.
For example, if you're expecting a $100,000 settlement without the benefit of counsel, a lawyer would need to get you more than $150,000 to make it worth the bother. Believe it or not, most attorneys give honest opinions on whether or not it would be worth your while to hire an attorney or take any easy settlement.
It is important, however, to have a high level of confidence that something unexpected isn't going to happen. Once you sign off on an agreement, you'll likely never have the chance to seek more money ever again.
The paperwork does not look accurate ( police report, insurance communications) Details are complicated (technical, legal, medical) Insurance is not playing nice. You do, however, have to ask if paying an attorney to recovery $10,000 in damages is worth the bother if you end up handing over $5,000 to the law firm.
In a lot of instances, insurance companies do in fact do their jobs as expected. There are definitely situations where you'd want an attorney to be involved, but there are also times when obtaining counsel is simply overkill. Let's take a look at some of the cases where you may NOT need to hire an attorney after an accident.
Generally, if no people were hurt, or there was no damage ( no broken bones or potentially lingering injuries that cause you to miss more than a couple days of work), then it may not be worthwhile pursuing a personal injury claim. Just be careful making this judgment of “no injuries” yourself.
You're certainly entitled to have counsel present to protect your rights in small claims court . The law firm, however, is likely going to expect a fee for their services rather than working on contingency, since the expected recovery would be very small. It depends on the situation.
Employer Cooperation#N#If your employer seems to be angry at you for getting hurt or refuses to send you to a doctor, this may be a warning they do not plan to cooperate to get your benefits started. The employer is supposed to report the injury to their insurance company right away. The insurance company then "adjusts" the claim - investigates to determine if the injury is compensable and what benefits are owed. If the employer does not report the claim, the insurance company won't know about it and will not be processing the claim for benefits. This can cause all sorts of problems and delays. Many employers try to do the right thing, but with a non-cooperative employer it is probably a good idea for an injured worker to consult a lawyer.
Denied Claim#N#If your claim is denied by your employer or their insurance carrier, you will most likely need a lawyer to help you prove you case. Some denied cases involve complicated legal issues best handled by an attorney.
Refusal to Pay Weekly Benefits#N#If you are unable to work and are not getting paid weekly benefits, you should consult a lawyer. Important tip: Always get your work status in writing from the doctor, provide a copy to your employer and keep a copy for your records!
Permanent Disability, Permanent Restrictions , or Inability to Return to Previous Employment#N# If you have a permanent problem as a result of your injury, permanent restrictions, or are unable to return to the type of work you usually do, a lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.
Bad communication. The lawyer is not communicating about crucial legal matters and decisions, leaving you uncertain of where your matter is or what's expected of you. Lack of professionalism.
Choosing a lawyer is a crucial step in the resolution of your legal matter. Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, or merely a party looking for counsel, the right lawyer is key. But like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever. Common problems that clients report with attorneys include: 1 Poor results. The lawyer is simply not achieving the results you were led to believe he or she could achieve. 2 Bad communication. The lawyer is not communicating about crucial legal matters and decisions, leaving you uncertain of where your matter is or what's expected of you. 3 Lack of professionalism. The lawyer perhaps arrives late to meetings, doesn't remember key facts about the case, cannot find documents already provided by the client, and even forgets to submit documents by key deadlines.
Judges in particular might become annoyed at a client who is "lawyer shopping," because this delays the matter and clogs their dockets. It also suggests that you are a difficult client, or that your claims are not meritorious.
Choosing a lawyer is a crucial step in the resolution of your legal matter. Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, or merely a party looking for counsel, the right lawyer is key. But like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever.
. . . like all relationships, the lawyer-client relationship does not always last forever.
One important thing to realize is that, even though you hired the services of a professional, you are still ultimately responsible for your own legal affairs, and for what your lawyer says and does on your behalf. If you believe there is a problem with the service you are receiving, it may be vital to your interests to do something about it.
Malpractice could be intentional or by accident. If your lawyer has done anything that has cost you the ability to win or settle your case, or that had a detrimental effect on your proceeding, it could be considered malpractice.
Your lawyer has a duty to pursue your legal action with zealous representation. That’s legal-speak for the concept that the lawyer should do everything that’s reasonably feasible to advocate for, or represent, their client. Almost every law student is taught about zealous representation in law school, but some might forget or become less motivated as the years go by.
If your case is already filed within the court system, you (or your new attorney) will need to file notice with the court that you are now represented by new counsel. Your new attorney will file a “motion for substitution of counsel” and your old attorney will file a motion to withdraw.
Pay off your balance immediately because the lawyer could hold your case files until they receive payment. If you know your lawyer isn’t working for you, but you don’t have a second lawyer yet, please feel free to use the Enjuris Personal Injury Law Firm Directory to find a lawyer near you who can take your case.
Reason #4: You disagree with your lawyer’s advice. You retain legal counsel because you need advice. However, the lawyer should still take your wishes into consideration. The lawyer could be pressuring you to accept a settlement that you think is too low to cover your costs after an accident.
Reason #1: Your lawyer isn’t returning your calls. Lack of communication is a big problem for some law firm clients. Yes, legal practices are very busy. They have lots of clients — not just you. However, before a lawyer signs on to take your case, they need to know if the firm has the capacity to handle it. There’s no excuse for not returning phone ...
If you have a meeting with your lawyer, there’s a good chance you took time off from work, secured childcare, or had other obligations that you changed or gave up in order to be at the meeting. Your lawyer shouldn’t waste your time, be unprepared, or mishandle your funds or documents.