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Adjuster Henry Hustle from
GiveAwayNothing 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:
SMALL LAW FIRM VS. LARGE
LAW FIRM: 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
offices have multi-million dollar clients with
mind-boggling legal problems. Because of this those types
of law firms often do not put the time (nor concern) into
a several thousand dollar personal injury case that a
small office would. The bottom line? You’ll receive more
and better attention from a small law office. Many of the
best personal injury lawyers operate within the confines
of a law firm with only two, three or, at the very most,
four associates.
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:
(1) How long have they been
in practice?(10 years - plus - that’s good. 6 to 8 years
is just okay. 3 to 4 years is highly questionable. 2 years
or less is totally unacceptable).
(2) Roughly what percentage
of his practice involves personal injury cases? If it’s
less than 75% say “goodbye”.
(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?
If you’re at fault for
the accident and it’s only your damaged ego that demands
legal action he’s going to charge you for every move he
makes - - and there can be a ton of them - - at hundreds
of dollars an hour.If you have a case in which the other
driver is clearly at fault (and your damages are
substantial) his heart will be pounding with glee and
he’ll be salivating furiously to have you hire him. In
that instance he’ll be quite willing to waive all
potential charges.
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 you should begin to hum that old tune “I’ll
See Ya’ Later Alligator”, get up, thank him for his
time, and exit that office)
Copyright (c) 2003 by
Daniel G. Baldyga. All rights Reserved
DISCLAIMER: The only
purpose of this insurance claim tip FINDING THE RIGHT
LAWYER is to help people understand the motor vehicle
accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyg nor ARTICLE
CITY make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do
they purport to engage in rendering any professional or
legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an
insurance adjuster, or claims consultant or the like.
Where such professional help is desired it is the
INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.
Dan Baldyga’s third and
latest book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM
(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)can be found on the
internet at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com.
This book reveals "How To" successfully handle
your motor vehicle accident claim, so you won't be taken
advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding the
revolutionary BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement
Evalation Formula). BASE explains how to determine the
value of the "Pain and Suffering" you endured -
- because of your personal injury.
Copyright (c) By Daniel G.
Baldyga. All Rights Reserved
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About
The Author
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 |
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