Personal Injury (PI) Attorneys are lawyers that provide legal representation for individuals who claim to have been injured as a result of the negligence of another person, commercial or government entity. As such, personal injury attorneys specialize in “tort law,” which is the area of law dealing with civil legal actions. This could include economic damages to a person’s body, their property, civil rights or reputation.
In any incident in which you have been injured due to the negligence of any other person or entity, I recommend that you consult with a PI attorney. I further recommend that you consult the attorney before you notify your own insurance company of your loss.
Failure to gain competent legal counsel can result in complications in your claim, or restrict your full recovery in a negligence incident. You could find that you have unknowingly given away important rights you did not know you had.
Do not trust your financial future to a General Practice attorney. Choose a personal injury specialist to protect yourself.
Here’s how to choose the right PI Attorney:
1. Using your computer search engine, look for “Personal Injury Attorney” and your zip code or state.
2. Note which personal injury law firms in your area are advertising on TV and radio in your area. A big advertiser is usually having some success.
3. Ask friends and business associates for a referral to a PI attorney.
Once you have located two or three PI attorneys in your area, interview them with these questions:
1. How many years have you been a Personal Injury Attorney?
2. Do you have a specialty?
3. Can you provide a list of at least ten satisfied customers with phone numbers?
4. Do you have documentation of your success in insurance settlements?
5. Have you ever had a complaint filed against you with the Department of Insurance or the State Bar Association?
6. Please explain your fees and how you are paid.
7. Please provide a copy of your retainer contract.
Based upon the information you glean from your interviews, you can make a choice of the best PI Attorney to consult.
By: Russell Longcore
Personal Injury Attorney Reveals Secrets For Your Auto Accident Injury Claim
January 28th, 2010 by admin No comments »
In my experience representing thousands of injured victims, I believe that there is no such thing as a “perfect” case. Each one has its challenges to overcome and requires hard work no matter the size. Here are some secrets that insurance companies don’t want you to know because they are hoping that you will commit one or more of these mistakes.
• SECRET 1. Get enough information at the accident scene. Failing to get all important information at the accident scene can virtually ruin your case. If you don’t get names and addresses of the people involved, it puts you at a significant disadvantage in trying to determine fault and figure out what insurance might be available. If you fail to get the correct information about one of the cars involved while you are standing at the scene of the accident, you may never be able to get it again! Also, sometimes a surveillance camera will record the incident, or a 911 tape will be made. These tapes are often recorded over and the evidence forever lost within days. Therefore, the sooner someone investigates the accident, the better. The more time that goes by, the more evidence disappears, never to be found.
• SECRET 2. Do not wait to see a doctor. If you are hurt, you need to see a doctor. Period. As discussed earlier, all injuries caused by the accident must be proved with evidence. This requires a medical provider documenting your symptoms and recommended treatment. If you delay seeking treatment or help from a medical professional, it suggests that you weren’t hurt and raises a question to the insurance company of whether you were injured at all.
• SECRET 3. Do not exaggerate your symptoms. One of the most important factors in your case is how you present as a witness. Will the jury or arbitrator believe you and what you say? Your story has to be supported by the evidence in your case. Usually that means that your complaints are in line with the opinions of your treatment providers. Otherwise, the jury may decide that you are faking or exaggerating. A jury will be particularly harsh to a plaintiff whom they perceive to be a “whiner” or who is playing them for money.
• SECRET 4. Be totally honest with your attorney. Nearly every aspect of your life will be examined once you make a claim for bodily injury. This includes your work history, your medical history, your lifestyle, your background, and family life. Your attorney needs to know everything-the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can’t protect you from something unless I know about it. The time to find out about a blemish in your work history or a criminal conviction you had is not when you’re being deposed or at examined at trial. It is vitally important that you are upfront and honest with your attorney. A defense attorney will mine for details during discovery and the information will likely come out at some point. The insurance companies have endless resources to find out everything about you. Your attorney will be able to deal with that past firing or other challenge as long as he or she knows about it.
By: Jason G. Epstein