what to expect when contacting a personal injury lawyer

What to expect when contacting a personal injury attorney

• 1. Will I talk to an attorney when I call the first time? An attorney is not likely to jump on the phone with you the...
• 2. Is there a fee for the consultation with an attorney?

Full Answer

What is the first step in a personal injury claim?

What to expect when contacting a personal injury attorney #1. Will I talk to an attorney when I call the first time? An attorney is not likely to jump on the phone with you the... #2. Is there a fee for the consultation with an attorney?

How much can I expect to get for a personal injury claim?

Feb 11, 2022 · We know that meeting with a lawyer for the first time can be an intimidating experience. At the office of Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law, we’ve met with countless first-time clients who have never stepped into a personal injury lawyer’s office before. The important thing to remember is—this is your time. You can expect this to be a time for ...

How do I tell the adjuster I'm still treating my injury?

Nov 01, 2021 · If your injury resulted from another party’s negligent actions, you have the opportunity to recover damages from them, but that will mean finding a lawyer. It’s normal to be apprehensive before your initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Knowing what to expect can help you move forward with the process.

How much compensation does a lawyer get from a lawsuit?

Mar 02, 2022 · The last step during your first meeting is usually signing documents if you agree to hire a lawyer. Signing a representation or retainer agreement gives the lawyer the mandate to become your official counsel. This grants the lawyer permission to access your medical records, insurance details, and other essential details.

What percentage do most personal injury lawyers take?

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

What lawyers should not tell?

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

What is the job of a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is there to support you and do all of the hard, legal work so that you can focus on your recovery. Your primary job following an accident is to take care of yourself and your family.

What to do if you have been injured in an accident?

If you’ve been injured in an accident – whether it involved a car, defective product, or was a work-related incident – meeting with a personal injury lawyer right away will help take the stress of your case off your hands so you can work towards physical and emotional healing.

What can a personal injury law firm do?

In some cases, a personal injury law firm may also have medical personnel on staff that can evaluate your claim and tell you what type of personal injury claim you have and also interpret the medical records that they receive from your physicians and serve as a buffer between you and the physicians. They will also be able to make sure that you are receiving the best personal care for your injuries and best serve your personal injury case by being thorough and professional.

Why are private investigators important?

Private investigators are just as important as the personal injury attorneys as they arm the personal injury lawyer with the information necessary to pursue your claim.

What happens if you hit a car at 5 mph?

Even a 5 MPH collision could cause a variety of damage to the back, neck and spine. Regardless of how simple you think your case is, you should always engage the services of a personal injury attorney.

Do insurance companies have the deck stacked in their favor?

Insurance companies typically have the deck stacked in their favor. They have plenty of the money and lots of legal resources. You want to make sure that you are on an even playing field, or as even as possible, when dealing with these companies.

The Range of Compensation in Personal Injury Cases

Less than a third (30%) of the readers in our survey received nothing for personal injury claims. Of those who did receive a “payout” (an out-of-court settlement or a court award after a trial), the overall average was $52,900. Payouts typically ranged from $3,000 to $75,000, but a few readers received considerably more.

What Affects the Payout Amount?

The vast majority of payouts in personal injury claims are the result of an out-of-court settlement rather than a trial. (Only 4% of our readers with completed cases went to trial.) As most lawyers will tell you, jury verdicts are unpredictable.

Legal Representation in Personal Injury Cases

Hiring a lawyer can significantly affect the outcome of your personal injury claim. Readers with attorneys received settlements or awards that were $60,000 higher, on average, than those who proceeded on their own.

Negotiating Injury Settlement Offers

It may seem obvious that you’ll end up with a higher settlement by negotiating rather than simply accepting the first offer from the other side. This may not be true in every case, but it’s still one of the most effective strategies for getting more money.

Filing or Threatening a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Just over half of our readers settled or otherwise resolved their personal injury claims without filing a lawsuit or even notifying the other side that they were ready to do that. But readers who did take one of those steps were more likely to receive payouts compared to those who didn’t (81% compared to 67%).

Protect Yourself and Your Personal Injury Claim

When it comes to getting the most out of your personal injury claim, our survey results show that there’s no substitute for standing up for your rights and fighting for the best result. For many readers, that meant putting their case in the hands of an attorney rather than leave thousands of dollars on the negotiating table.

What to do when you first contact an insurance adjuster?

In your first contact with an insurance adjuster, make it clear that you will not be discussing much on the phone. Not only should you give very limited information in this first phone call, as discussed above, but you should also set clear limits on any further phone contact.

Can you get a fair settlement from an insurance adjuster?

Although you may still be angry about the accident and your injuries, taking out your anger on the insurance adjuster won't help you get a fair personal injury settlement. You may not know exactly how or when an insurance adjuster's good will may pay off—in promptly handling your claim, or in believing your version of an issue that's difficult to prove—so it's always best to keep your cool and stay professional.

What happens after a car accident?

In the hours after a car accident, or any kind of incident that causes you injury, your phone might start ringing, and the caller may well be an insurance adjuster or another representative of the other person involved involved in the accident. Let's look at what you should say (and what you should avoid discussing) during your first post-accident ...

Do insurance adjusters offer settlements?

Insurance adjusters sometimes offer a settlement during the first one or two phone calls. Quick settlements like that save the insurance company work. More important, they get you to settle for a small amount before you fully understand what your injuries are and how much your personal injury claim is worth.

Do you have to tell an insurance adjuster your name?

You need only tell the insurance adjuster your full name, address, and telephone number. You can also tell them what type of work you do and where you are employed. But at this point you need not explain or discuss anything else about your work, your schedule, or your income.

What do insurance adjusters do?

Insurance adjusters or other representatives may try to get you to "give a statement"" about how the accident happened. Or they may simply engage you in conversation during which they will subtly try to get you to tell them about the accident.