7 Tips for Finding the Best Attorney for Personal Injury

7 Tips for Finding the Best Attorney for Personal Injury

/in , /by

When you are injured at no fault of yourself, you might need to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you recover the costs of healing, pain and suffering compensation, lost wages, and more. However, where do you start when finding the best attorney? In today’s blog, we will go over seven tips on finding the best personal injury attorney. These tips include making sure you get along with your attorney, looking at their experience, and looking at their reviews.

What Counts as a Personal Injury?

Finding the Best Personal Injury Attorney

A physical, mental, or emotional harm is a personal injury under US law. It is in contrast to damage to property. The term refers to a tort lawsuit in which the person bringing the suit, or “plaintiff,” has been injured physically or mentally. Cases for personal harm are brought up against the person or entity that caused the damage through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct, and in some cases, based on strict liability.

What is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

An attorney representing clients who assert they have suffered physical or mental harm due to the carelessness of another person, business, public body, or other entity is known as a personal injury lawyer.

Tort law is the primary field of practice for personal injury attorneys. Some of the cases they handle are:

In most jurisdictions, a personal injury lawyer must complete the pre-trial process before having a trial by jury. It includes gathering evidence to support the plaintiff’s claim, taking depositions of witnesses, filing the necessary motions, and appearing in court for pre-trial hearings.

The vast majority of personal injury cases get settled out of court. However, a small number of personal injury petitions go to court.

7 Tips on Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyer

If you want to know how to find a personal injury lawyer who can best handle your case, here are seven important guidelines to follow:

Get Recommendations

Obtain recommendations from relatives and friends. Asking for recommendations from individuals you know is one of the best methods to discover a top-notch personal injury attorney. You stand a strong chance if someone you can trust has a good impression of a personal injury attorney.

Check Their Case Track Record

Does the personal injury lawyer win more than they lose? Looking at how much they win for their clients and how often they win is a great way to gauge how they will do for you.

Examine Online Reviews

Reviews are a great way to see how clients feel about their lawyers. However, there’s a loser for every legal win, and these people tend to get upset and leave fake, disparaging reviews. With that, most people don’t take the time to leave fake good reviews, so you can usually trust the good ones.

Consider How Long They’ve Been a Lawyer

Experience goes a long way when it comes to lawsuits. You want someone who has experience but is also excited, passionate, and not about retiring. Look for experience in years and passion in the soul.

Check Fees and Costs

Many personal injury lawyers will not charge you anything unless they win you a settlement in or outside of court. Make sure the percentage and fees are something you feel good about should you win.

Meet with the Lawyer Before Signing Agreements

This might be obvious, but when you meet with the lawyer, make sure you like them. You will be working with them and their firm for a while, so the relationship you have matters.

Verify

Verify their experience with cases similar to yours. Not all personal injury attorneys know all types of cases. To ensure that they will be capable of handling your case successfully, make sure to inquire about their experience managing situations similar to yours. The best injury attorney is well-experienced with the particular laws of your area.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury attorney to defend you in your injury lawsuit has many benefits. Here are a few of the most significant advantages:

Your Rights Will Be Defended

You’ll have an accomplished lawyer on your side. Personal injury attorneys have a wealth of expertise negotiating with insurance providers and are skilled at securing the highest settlements for their clients.

Less Stress

You won’t have to stress about the formalities or the law. Instead, to free you up to concentrate on your recovery, your personal injury attorney will handle all the documentation and courtroom proceedings related to your case.

Higher Compensation Amount

You’ll likely get more money. Studies have shown that people who hire personal injury lawyers get significantly more money than those who don’t. It’s because personal injury attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurance providers to secure the best possible settlement for their clientele.

Pitfalls to Avoid When Filing a Lawsuit

If you’ve never worked with a personal injury attorney, you can be anxious and make a few blunders. It’s essential to know how to find a personal injury lawyer. The most frequent errors made by clients looking for personal injury attorneys are listed below:

Don’t Hire the First Lawyer You See

Before choosing a personal injury lawyer, it’s crucial to approach several of them. You can assess their backgrounds, aptitudes, and dispositions to choose who best fits your needs.

Hiring the Lawyer with the Cheapest Fees

Hiring based on price alone is probably not a great idea. Most personal injury firms will wave all fees until, and if, there’s a settlement. Some personal injury lawyers charge higher fees than others, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re better. Be sure to compare the quality of their services, not just their charges. If you want to know how to find a personal injury lawyer worth their price, their resume is a starting point.

Not Asking Questions

Not asking enough questions. During your appointment, ask a personal injury attorney many questions about their background, expertise, and approach to your claim. Make sure you understand everything and the process at hand.

Contact Bear Republic Law Firm Today

If you suffer an injury in an accident caused by someone else, you can win a compensatory claim. It’s crucial to hire an injury attorney to defend you. Hiring the best injury attorney is even more necessary to win the claim. Use these tips to find a personal injury lawyer when needed.

hit-and-run insurance claim

Will My Insurance Cover My Hit and Run Accident?

/in /by

In a typical car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance would pay for damages related to the accident. However, what if there is no second-party driver to be found? For example, suppose you encounter a hit-and-run and experience injury or damage to your vehicle. In that case, you may be able to file a claim through your insurance.  Remember, insurance companies will do everything they can to pay you the least amount possible, so it never hurts to reach out to our car accident lawyers for help with your claim.

Will My Insurance Cover My Hit and Run Accident?

hit-and-run insurance claim

The answer depends on your insurance and level of coverage. In the case of an accident where you cannot track down the other driver, you should still file a claim with your insurance provider.

Collision Coverage

Your collision coverage pays for damages from a car accident, regardless of whether or not you are at fault. In most cases, there is a deductible that the at-fault party’s insurance would pay for. You will likely have to pay the deductible for hit-and-run insurance claims, ranging from $500 to $2,000.

Medical Payments Coverage

You also have options for recovering medical expenses by filing a hit-and-run insurance claim. Medical payments coverage pays for medical bills resulting from injuries sustained in a car accident. This covers bills up to a certain amount and may also cover your passengers’ expenses. Also known as MedPay, medical payment coverage is only available in some states..

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage can often cover medical bills or vehicle repairs expenses if a driver has hit you without insurance. This may or may not include hit-and-run accidents, so it’s crucial to study your policy carefully. In addition, uninsured motorist coverage for vehicle damages isn’t available in every state.  Once again, this depends on your policy’s fine print.

No-Fault Coverage

This may also be referenced as personal injury protection. No-fault insurance covers medical bills for the driver and passengers, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses like childcare.  In some states, no-fault insurance may be mandatory, or it may not be available at all.

What to Do After a Hit and Run

First, write down basic details of the other car and its driver as you remember them, such as make and model, color, and license plate, if possible. Then, gather contact details from any nearby witnesses. Once you have these details, report the event to the police and your insurance provider. If you sustain injuries from the accident, seek medical attention immediately, even if the injuries are relatively minor. As you’re waiting at the site for the responding officer, it would be an excellent time to gather evidence.

Do Hit-and-Run Accidents Affect My Insurance Premium?

One hit-and-run insurance claim is unlikely to affect what you pay for your coverage. However, it may be a contributing factor if you file multiple claims yearly, which can result in a price increase. In addition, if the other driver is caught and identified, you may be able to sue for compensatory damages, which can help you recover from the financial hit of a hit-and-run insurance claim.

When to Hire a Lawyer

Hit-and-run laws vary by state, and sustaining an injury can complicate the claims process.  A personal injury attorney may help secure the compensation you deserve.

How To Press Charges After an Assault

How To Press Charges After an Assault

/in /by

Being the victim of an assault is a traumatizing experience that can leave you feeling scared, helpless, and alone. However, remember you’re not powerless. If you have been the victim of an assault, you can take steps to ensure that your attacker receives justice. Here are a few steps you will take when thinking about how to press charges against someone after an assault.

How To Press Charges After an Assault

How To Press Charges After an Assault

You must take essential steps when pressing charges after any kind of assault. Let’s review those.

1. Call the Police

If you have been the victim of an assault, you may wonder how to press charges against someone or against the person who attacked you. The first step is to contact the police and make a report right away. That will help to ensure that your attacker is arrested and brought to justice.

When you call the police, please give them your name, address, and phone number. Provide as much information as you can regarding the assault, including:

  • the name of the assailant
  • where the assault took place
  • when it occurred
  • what the person looked like
  • what they were wearing
  • and what they said or did during the attack.

The more information you can give, the better the chances are that the police will be able to find the assaulter easily. The police will likely ask you to come for an interview and provide a written statement. Once the police get all the evidence, they will forward their findings to the district attorney, who decides whether to press charges. Ask a personal injury lawyer or victim advocate if you have any questions about the process. Filing a police report is critical in seeking justice after an assault.

2. Get Medical Help

One of the most crucial things after an assault is getting medical help. Even if you don’t think the injuries are severe, having a doctor or nurse check you out is critical. Not only do you need to ensure that you are physically okay, but you also need to have a rape kit performed if the assault was sexual. They can ensure you don’t have any hidden injuries and test you for diseases like HIV and hepatitis B. You may also suffer some emotional trauma. A medical checkup ensures that you receive the treatment you need. It will also document any of your injuries. This documentation can be vital if you press charges against your attacker.

3. Collect Evidence

Having as much evidence as possible will strengthen your case.  It would also help if you also jolted down everything you remember about the attack, including what the person looked like, what they said, and anything else that stands out. Once you have gathered all this information, you must continue to learn how to press charges against someone. Evidence can be a few things, so let’s review those.

Medical Reports

Doctor’s notes, images of the injuries, and bills all count as evidence. If you were injured from an assault and have bills, you must have them covered. Suing the assaulter and ensuring they are put behind bars is vital.

Billing Statements

Billing statements from the care you had due to injuries are also considered evidence. The extent of the injuries, physical and financial, are essential for any case.

Witness Statements

Anyone who witnessed the assault must get their statements in written form or even video.

5. Speak with an Attorney

After you gather all the evidence, it is time to speak with an experienced assault and battery attorney about your case. They will review your evidence, help you decide if pressing charges is right for you, and guide you on how to press charges against someone. The lawyer can also investigate the assault and gather evidence to support your case. In addition, the attorney can negotiate with the district attorney to get the charges dropped or reduced. Victims of crime have many rights under state and federal law; an advocate can help protect those rights.

If you go to trial, the attorney can represent you in court and argue your case before a judge or jury. They will also walk you through each process step to know what to expect. Having an experienced attorney by your side is vital throughout this process. Assault cases can be complex and difficult to win without professional legal representation. Make sure you hire an attorney with experience handling these cases and who makes you feel comfortable and confident moving forward. With their help, you stand a much better chance of getting justice for what happened to you.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid unless you win a settlement in or out of court. A contingency fee schedule ensures the lawyers will work hard for you and that you don’t have any more out-of-pocket expenses. Other areas of practice that work under a contingency are:

6. Get Support

Assault is a grave crime; if you have been the victim of an assault, you may feel scared, alone, and helpless. These feelings are normal, and it takes time to work through them. However, it is essential to remember that you are not alone and that there are people who can help you through this difficult time. The first step is to get Support from friends or family members. They can provide practical and emotional support as you navigate the process of pressing charges.

If you feel uncomfortable talking to them about what happened, some professional counselors can help. Seeking professional help can speed up the healing process. A counselor or therapist can help you deal with your feelings and start to move on.

Some victims also find it helpful to join a support group for assault survivors. Talking to others who have been through similar experiences can be very helpful. Your local victim services agency can help you with immediate needs like housing, transportation, and medical care. Finding an experienced victim advocate can also be helpful.

7. Understand the Criminal Justice Process.

Once the police have your report, they will decide whether to press charges. The case will be sent to the prosecutor’s office if they do. The prosecutor will then decide whether to file charges. If the charges you file are successful, a court date is set. The entire process can take months or even years. Understanding that the criminal justice system is complicated and slow is essential. Remember, even if someone gets a conviction of assault, they may not receive a lengthy prison sentence.

8. Be Prepared for the Possibility That Charges Will Not Be Filed

Unfortunately, the decision to press charges is out of the victim’s hands in many cases. The prosecutor may decide not to pursue the case and file charges even if the police believe there is enough evidence. There are numerous reasons why this might happen, but it is essential to remember that it is not personal. The prosecutor’s office has limited resources and must decide which cases to pursue and how to press charges against someone.

9. Be Prepared for the Possibility of Going to Trial

You will need to testify when the case goes to trial. That can be a difficult and emotionally draining experience, but it is essential to remember that you are not alone. Other witnesses who will be testifying against the defendant will be present, and you will have the support of the prosecutor and victim advocate. Talk to your attorney if you feel scared or unsure about testifying. They can help prepare you for what to expect and give you the support you need.

Conclusion

Pressing charges against someone who has assaulted you is a difficult decision to make. However, it’s important to remember that you have the right to seek justice, and pressing charges is one way. If you’re hesitant about whether you want to press charges, consider talking to a victim advocate or counselor who can guide you on how to press charges against someone.