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- Do I Still Have an Accident Injury Case if I Was Also at Fault?
- Does a No Win No Fee Personal Injury Attorney Suit Your Case?
- How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth
- » Read all personal injury articles
Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer that will Protect Your Rights
Some Useful Suggestions about Accident and Injury Claims
So you have a personal injury claim but you don’t want to call a lawyer who has been yelling at you on television? You also don’t trust the actor who was paid to suggest that you hire a certain law firm?
Don’t let those mental images stop you from acting promptly to protect your rights. There are many excellent personal injury lawyers, so you can choose one who fits your personality; one who is confident without being abrasive. One who has actually been to trial.
Don't Wait too Long - You Have Limited Time so Choose a Lawyer Quickly
The most important thing is to not wait too long before contacting a lawyer if you have an accident or injury claim. This is because there are time limits on bringing claims; we usually call them statutes of limitation. These time limits may vary from state to state, and they sometimes vary based on the type of claim involved.
But there are other important reasons to act quickly to protect your rights. With each passing day, the odds that vital evidence will disappear increase. The memories of witnesses also fade with time. Not only that, but witnesses sometimes move or die or become difficult to locate, making it harder to prove your case.
Don't Be Tempted by a Quick Settlement Offer
A word of caution is in order, however, despite the importance of acting promptly to protect your rights. It is also important to resist the temptation to accept a quick settlement offer from an insurance company or insurance adjuster. There is probably a very good reason for their early offer of settlement.
Many times, for example, an injured party won’t know the full extent of their damages until weeks or even months after the accident or injury. A quick settlement may save the insurance company a lot of money, leaving the injured party with inadequate compensation for the damage that they suffered.
Know Your Rights! Hire a Lawyer Who Wants You to get the Highest Settlement Possible
It is also important not to settle a case when you don’t know your rights, and talking with friends or looking on the internet is not the best way to learn about your rights. You can believe that the insurance company is not interested in protecting your rights; it is only interested in settling your claim as cheaply as possible. Remember, for the insurance company it is just business; for you, it is personal.
A good personal injury lawyer has just the opposite motivation from that of the insurance company. He or she will want to ensure that you know your rights before you settle your case. A good lawyer can be collecting evidence to protect you and build your case even while advising you to wait before considering a settlement. Your lawyer will be interested in helping you get the highest possible settlement for your case, but a lawyer can’t help you until you hire one.
Choose an Experienced Lawyer Equipped to Fight For You All the Way
Finally, when selecting a lawyer for your case, you would be wise to choose a lawyer who actually takes cases to trial when the insurance company refuses to pay a fair settlement. You need and deserve to have a lawyer who has spent time in the courtroom in front of a judge and jury; a lawyer who knows how to prepare a case for trial, and who knows how to present evidence to a jury. A good trial lawyer knows that some cases need to be tried, while other cases should never go to trial. You need a lawyer who understands the difference.
Sometimes the best advice in life IS free.
Kennedy Hodges & Solomon
Trial Lawyers
© 2010 Lee Solomon
