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Insurance tried to take advantage of you so
you’ve decided to obtain the services of an
attorney. Here are some insights you should
consider:
The size of the law firm has absolutely nothing to do with how
well that office will represent you and/or handle your case. A large
law firm (10 or more names on their letterhead) will not impress
an insurance adjuster into giving you a better settlement. On the
contrary, adjuster’s who’ve been around, know that huge law
BEWARE OF LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT “DEFENDANTS”:
The practice of law has become incredibly specialized. Find a lawyer who has experience representing claimant’s (called “Plaintiffs” in legalese) in personal injury cases.(You’re a “Plaintiff”). Be careful not to be represented by someone who is primarily an attorney for “Defendants’. These lawyers way of thinking are usually too closely tied to the values, attitudes and mental outlook of their cold and calculating insurance company clients.More often than not they’ll not extend themselves nor battle as hard - - consciously or unconsciously - - to obtain top dollar for your claim.(To you four or five hundred dollars more is a lot of money.To them it’s a drop in the bucket)!
COMPARISON SHOP:
Talk to friends, acquaintances and/or co-workers who may have been represented by a lawyer on their own personal injury claim. Personal Injury lawyers normally don’t charge for an initial consultation.But, before you meet with them, find out if they do.If the answer to that is “yes”, go somewhere else.
While chatting with the lawyer, getting to know him and (generally speaking) what your case is all about, you should find out:
(3) Does he often represent corporations and/or insurance companies? If he does than forge it, excuse yourself and take a walk.He’s not a Plaintiff’s attorney (you’re a “Plaintiff”) he’s a Defendant’s attorney (the insurance company is a “Defendant”). He’s not for you!
PAYING THE LAWYER - THE WRITTEN FEE AGREEMENT:
After you’ve discussed the fact’s of your case you may be able to get some sense from the attorney how much he thinks your case is worth, and how difficult it may be to get the insurance company to pay that amount.(He probably won’t commit himself. He’ll do a song and dance that would put Madonna to shame). Once you’ve grappled with that ask him exactly how much he’s going to charge you for handling your case?
Usually, in the majority of cases, it should be a straight “Contingency Fee” with no costs assessed to you. Once your financial deal has been agreed upon ask him to put that into writing, in his “Written Fee Agreement”.(If he balks at a Written Fee Agreement
For over 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manager and also a trial assisstant. He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be taken advantage of. Mail to: dbpaw@attbi.com
Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga. All rights Reserved
