The Questions You Need Answered About a Personal Injury Attorney

Nov 23
06:19

2011

Andrea Avery

Andrea Avery

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Have you been injured and it was not your fault? Then you could be entitled to compensation. A personal injury attorney can help you get that compensation when traditional methods fail. If you do decide to contact a lawyer, here are some of the questions you'll want to ask.

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If you've been involved in an incident at the hand of someone else,The Questions You Need Answered About a Personal Injury Attorney Articles you could be entitled to some compensation. A personal injury attorney can assist you to get that compensation when traditional methods fail. In fact, many legal experts advise contacting a lawyer early and avoiding the "friendly" method altogether. It can become too easy to make mistakes and let others take advantage of you when you fail to go through a savvy lawyer. If you do decide to contact a lawyer, here are some of the questions you'll want to ask.

How much can I get?
This is one question that nearly everyone will ask their personal injury attorney, but it is a difficult one to answer. A good, experienced lawyer should be upfront about the many factors that can come into play. Medical bills, both past and future, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity can all play a role in determining a dollar amount. Once all records have been collected and examined, it will be easier for your lawyer to give you an estimate. This probably won't be possible during an initial consultation.

Which insurance company do we use?
Some clients are surprised when a personal injury attorney advises filing a claim through their own insurance company. However, in some states this is the best method possible. If you carry PIP insurance, it would be foolish to not cash in a claim. After all, that's what you've been paying your premiums for. If the other party has no insurance and isn't in any financial position to pay off a judgment, it could be your only reasonable option.

What about compensation?
While it's all well and good to talk about settlements and judgments, it doesn't really help the average person understand how they will actually be paid. Ask your personal injury attorney about it and they can give you an idea of how compensation will come. The situation will be dependent on your case and the specifics therein. A settlement could come in the form of a single check, or it could come in the form of several checks over a period of years.

Of the utmost importance is that you ask your personal injury attorney any questions that might occur to you. A good lawyer understands that their clients are not experts in the law. They should be willing to answer questions, even if they hear the same questions thirty times a day. Look for a lawyer who not only has a great reputation in court, but is willing to be patient and thorough when dealing with you.