Do I Need an Attorney?
If you’re trying to obtain compensation from someone else to pay the expenses associated with your head injury, you’re most likely going to need an attorney.
If a person or an average company is at fault for your injury, you will be collecting your compensation from their insurance company. Insurance companies profit by underpaying you for your claim. The adjuster will seem very kind and understanding, but his job is to get you to settle for less. He does his job all week long and he knows how to do it very well. You probably have not done this, and you won’t know how you’re being manipulated, but an attorney does.
If a large company is responsible for your injury, you will likely be dealing with their legal claims department. The lawyers and staff in this department have the same motivations as the insurance company. The less they pay you, the more they get to keep. Once again, they are very experienced at doing their jobs, while you are at a disadvantage. Having an attorney on your side levels the playing field.
When Do I Need to Involve an Attorney?
Given that most attorneys offer a free initial consultation, there is no need to wait to have that first meeting.
In the legal process for filing an injury claim, the law requires you to take certain actions almost immediately after an accident to make your claim defensible. Anything you’re required to do, but fail to do in time can reduce your eventual settlement or risk it entirely. Discussing the matter with an attorney will help you understand your obligations and prevent you from making significant errors before it’s too late.
You do not need to hire the attorney you speak with, and before you hire any attorney, you can discuss your case with as many as you like.
Though free initial consultations are common, they are not universal. You should confirm before your initial meeting that there is no fee. After speaking to one or more attorneys sooner rather than later, you will understand better when you need to have an attorney start handling your case.
What Kind of Attorney am I Looking For?
Attorneys are like doctors; everyone has a specialty. When you need brain surgery, you choose an experienced neurosurgeon who operates on people’s brains every day. For your attorney, you want a personal injury lawyer who specializes in head and brain injury cases. A personal injury lawyer without extensive background in brain injuries is like your family doctor attempting brain surgery. You don’t want either of them learning on your case.
How Do I Find a Good Brain Injury Attorney?
Don’t rely on advertising at all. Expensive television spots or big yellow page ads tell you nothing of a firm’s competence or experience.
A good way to find the best and nearest personal injury attorney specializing in brain injuries is to talk to another good attorney in your area, preferably one who does not handle personal injury cases at all. Lawyers tend to know one another and know who’s tops in their fields. If they don’t know someone personally, they know someone who knows.
Some firms specializing in brain injury cases have excellent, helpful web sites that provide background on the firms’ experience. Many of these firms will not be in your area, but some will be able to refer you to a competent nearby attorney.
It’s advisable to get at least three referrals and speak to them all before selecting the attorney you feel will best serve your case. Keep in mind that any referral you get may not necessarily be to the best-qualified person, or to someone you would feel comfortable with.
If you need assistance finding an attorney, please contact us using the form at the right.
What’s a Good Attorney Going to Cost?
Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they charge you nothing for their services unless they obtain a settlement for you; then they will charge you a fixed percentage of the settlement, often between 30% and 40%. Any expenses associated with preparing your case are extra and will be deducted from your settlement share.
In the event expenses accrue and no settlement is collected, you need to find out from your attorney if you will be liable for such costs. You should also be consulted before any significant charges are added to your account so you have the opportunity to approve.
All of these matters should be explained in the agreement given to you to sign when you officially hire your attorney. Take your time reading and signing it, and ask for anything to be explained that you don’t understand. When you and your attorney have the same expectations regarding how things will work as you go forward, you will have a much more successful and satisfied relationship.
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