f you have been hurt in an name and phone number of the
accident, you should speak person requesting the statement
to a lawyer as soon as and tell them you will call back.
possible after your accident. Since you must report an
Although you may have a longer incident to your own insurance
period of time to file a lawsuit, company immediately, you should
you may have rights to many call a lawyer immediately.
claims which can be lost if you
do not file the proper paperwork Q: Is this consultation given
which may need to be filed within without charge to me?
days of your accident. Some of
these rights are claims for About Your Rights:
medical bills, transportation
expenses, household help, lost Q: What rights do I have that
income, disability payments, need to be protected?
property damage and compensation
for your injuries. Sometimes, Q: Who will pay my medical bills;
claims must be filed with more physical therapy bills; drug
than one insurance company and if bills; transportation expenses;
a claim must be filed with the temporary or permanent household
government agency it usually must help; lost income; property
be filed within days of your damage; and pain and suffering?
accident.
Q: What do I have to do to
Do not speak to any insurance protect my rights to these
company which is not your own and claims? What forms and papers do
do not give any taped statements I need to obtain? Where do I get
until you speak with a lawyer. these forms? Will you fill out
If you are asked to give a all the forms for me? If needed,
statement, simply ask for the will you help me with my medical
claim? If needed, will you help Q: If I have a question about my
me with my property damage claim? case, will I be able to speak
with you directly or do I have to
Q: What claim letters need to be speak to a paralegal? Is it okay
sent; how many insurance if I speak with you occasionally
companies must be notified? Will when I have a question or to find
you do this for me? out the status of my case?
About determining whether you Q: How long have you and your law
want to hire a specific lawyer? firm been practicing law?
You may feel nervous when hiring Q: Do you practice primarily in
a lawyer, but remember that you the field of Personal Injury and
are the one doing the hiring. accidents?
While lawyers who primarily
represent people in accidents Q: Is my personal injury case
charge a contingency fee (a fee considered a subspecialty and do
that is charged at the end of the I need a different lawyer who
case and only if you are handles this type of case?
successful) you will still want
to know that you are satisfied Q: Do you have professional
with your choice. Even though you liability insurance?
pay a fee after you receive a (Professional liability insurance
money award, you are the one also protects you, the accident
paying the bill. Serious injuries victim, in case an error is made
can result in significant that damages your case.)
compensation for both you and
your lawyer. That makes you an Q: When will I be charged?
important client! (Personal injury lawyers usually
charge a contingency fee. A
contingency fee is one that is utilize mediation and
charged at the end of the case arbitration?
and only if you are successful.
This allows anyone who has been Q: Have you or your law firm done
hurt in an accident to have easy any trials?
access to a lawyer.)
Q: (If married) Is my spouse
Q: How much will I be charged? entitled to any of my settlement
or money awarded? What happens if
Q: Will I be charged a legal fee I get divorced?
if you do not recover money for
me? Q: (If a child is injured) Which
parent will bring the claim? Are
Q: Am I responsible for case the parents entitled to any
expenses if you do not recover money? Which parent will be
money for me? entitled to receive the money?
What happens to my child's
Q: What are my alternatives to settlement money?
resolve my claim? Do you ever
About the Author:
Philip L. Franckel, Esq., is the founder of http://www.HURT911.org an accident and injury research web site for people hurt in an accident and personal injury lawyers. Mr. Franckel also publishes articles on Lawyer Advertising at http://www.Lawyer-Advertising-Blog.com and provides advertising for lawyers at http://www.HURT911.org/getclient.php
Read more articles by:
Philip L. Franckel, Esq.
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