topic Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal? in Community Chat

Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

azureblue — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:15:19 GMT

Hi lovey ladies *waves around the virtual room*,

I need to retain the services of a personal injury lawyer (car accident). From your experiences, I wondered if it was normal to have to provide copies of documentation (including police reports, medical records, diagnostic testing such as x-rays or MRI) before you are granted a free consult with a personal injury lawyer?

I need to submit this information so it could be looked over and IF the lawyer determines that I have a case I would meet with him for the free consultation and to proceed further. If he determines, there is no potential case nothing more would come of it. I was not sure if this was the norm.

For those of you out there that have had to retain services of a personal injury lawyer --- what have been your experiences both good and bad? Any suggestions and/or tips?

Thanks in advance for your help!

azureblue

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

depglass — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:39:54 GMT

This sounds like you are dealing with one of those larger firms you see advertised on TV. If you deal with someone local, you should be able to get a free consult and find out if you have a case in your state.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

Rowan123 — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 20:32:58 GMT

I'm assuming it would be a contingency case (the attorney's fee would be a portion of the amount received from the defendant). If so, that sounds reasonable to me. You would probably be asked to provide that information at some point anyway.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

deb5555 — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 21:52:03 GMT

if you do submit the requested info, keep a copy of everything in a file just in case it's lost or misplaced!

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

Snowpuppy — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 02:21:30 GMT

A decent lawyer won't waste their time or yours on a case they can't win. Personal injury/worker's comp, etc earn a $ of your award.

They should ask for a police report (who is at fault), determine the extent of your injuries (medicals) and ask what, if any, insurance settlement has offered.

No lawyer worth their degree would take a case on your personal say so without evidence.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

Hooty — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:25:51 GMT

I agree sounds like you are dealing with the big leagues!

My husband is an attorney and when he was in a small office, he would not do personal injury cases, too risky!

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 19:51:34 GMT

I've not done this, but it sounds reasonable. If the paperwork does not support a claim, no time will be wasted on a face-to-face consultation.

Good luck to you.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

pistolino — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 01:38:17 GMT

Yep. If the attorney will be paid a percentage of the award, he/she wants to make sure it's winnable.

I fell on an unmaintained walkway into a restaurant and broke my foot. I had to submit multiple pictures of the walkway, pictures of my injuries along with x-rays, medical reports and the receipt for the Aircast I had to purchase so I could walk.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

luvmyteddy4 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 07:07:08 GMT

I went through this many years ago for two different car accidents that happened in the same year. Two different insurance companies too.

I did hire an attorney that I use to work for and he did all the leg work. He took the case not knowing the outcome but based on what information the insurance companies had at the time. I won both times but it did come down to the wire. Car insurance companies will do anything to not pay or come up with a very low ball figure. It took awhile but the attorney did all the work, health records, bills, my insurance co., missed work, etc. That's what they are paid for. He got a good percentage of my wins but it was worth it.

We almost had to go to court on the last case but the insurance co. came through with more money at the last minute.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

CouponQueen — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 12:58:07 GMT

Usually you sign Release's and they obtain your medical reports..

It just may be they want to prove you have a case before signing you on and not a waste of resources (time and money) on their part.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

151949 — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 13:12:21 GMT

My parents died as the result of an auto accident so I have the displeasure of having to more experience with this than I ever wanted. Basically, there are many variances - first of all the laws in your state- do you live in a state that has no tort laws - it makes a difference , unlesss you have a huge claim. Also - was it you or the other party who has been determined to be at fault - this makes a difference between weather you are going to be the party being sued or the party doing the sueing. Third - has your insurance co offered to provide you with an attorney? Basically - it is usual for an attorney to look over your case information and then meet with you to tell you if you have a case to sue the other party - in which case he would take your case and take his payment from the settlement he gets for you. If you are the party who was at fault - your insurance co should provide you with an attorney and (I guess depending on your coverage) they will pay him or you will - but you need a defense attorney. In our case I was fortunate that my parents were not at fault - the other driver was drunk and high - but it is still very complicated legally and we retained my Mom's cousin as our attorney.It was nice to have someone I have known all my life and felt comfortable with. our attorney handled everything - from dealing with the insurance co to the inevitable law suits to my parents estates - all of it. When I needed money to place my Dad into a nursing home where they take ventilators the attorney loaned me $50,000 deposit the home required. Then he went to the VA and did what was necessary to get them to pay for my dad's care for me, and i got the deposit back and was able to repay him. It would have been almost impossible for me to navigate all this myself - esp. as Pa is a non tort state so that really complicates the process.

Re: Personal Injury Lawyers - Is this normal?

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