Getting injured in an automobile accident, on the job, or even as a customer in business isn't a pleasant experience. If the accident was the fault of another person or business, then they are liable for your medical bills, lost time at work, and additionally for pain as well. At first, you might think that you should settle up quickly and get on with your life, but after you start thinking about the long-term problems you might have, you must consider finding a lawyer for car crash to represent you. Not just any lawyer will do, it must be accident attorneys who specialize, and have experience, in the personal injury field.
Finding A Good Personal Injury Lawyer Takes Some Research
A corporate attorney, divorce lawyer, or even a real estate lawyer might express some interest in handling your case. Unfortunately, these other types of law are nearly completely different than personal injury law. There are a lot of connections and important duties that the personal injury guy will have that no other kind of lawyer will even have a need for.
If the case goes to trial, there will need to be expert testimony as to the extent of your injuries and the possibility of long-term recurring problems. This will require a specialist in those types of injuries, and he'll have to be willing to testify as well. This can be difficult for many doctors since they have full schedules and charge huge fees by the hour. Investigators will have to examine the scene of the accident soon after it occurs to get the names of witnesses, measure skid marks, or take photos of the area to prove guilt at the trial. Any time wasted without a proper investigation means more evidence lost or destroyed.
This is a good reason to ask the attorney you're interviewing how many cases such as yours that they have taken to trial and how many they've won. And since many cases don't go to trial, it's also important to know how many were settled out of court and what the settlement amounts were. You'll need quick access to the lawyer or his secretary by phone, messenger, or some other method for updates, so if the lawyer or his secretary are hard to get ahold of you'll want to look for someone different.
Most Personal Injury Cases Are Done On a Contingency Basis
What that means is that the lawyer and his law office will take a look at the case, and all of the evidence, then decide to handle it. Then they will front the money for most of the investigations, medical exams, court fees and other charges and take them out of the settlement at the end. When the case is settled, they'll give you an itemized accounting of all their expenses, time spent on the case, and their total fees to be taken from what the guilty party and their insurance company pay.
If you've been hurt, have medical bills that need paying, and are having a hard time getting a response from the guilty party, take action. Look for the best personal injury lawyer you can find, bring all of the evidence you have to your free consultation, then let them do their job as best they know how to get you the help you deserve.