Q: Do I need a lawyer?
A.: You are not required by law to have a lawyer. However, insurance companies have teams of lawyers that they retain on a full time basis. These lawyers spend their time defending claims against the insurance company. They have no other practice and hare highly specialized and therefore highly skilled in accident law. The insurance company will not make a move without first consulting with their lawyers. Without your own lawyer to consult, you are at a great disadvantage.
Q: I want to settle my case without having to go to court. Why do I need a trail lawyer?
A: Insurance companies have no obligation to settle your case, even if the person they insure is in the wrong. Their only obligations are to provide one of their lawyers to the person they insure if he is sued and if they lose at trial, to pay the judgment. However insurance companies will settle your case if they believe you will win at trial. Some lawyers, for whatever reason, do not like to go to trail. They will settle their cases regardless of how unfair the offer from the insurance company is. The insurance companies know who these lawyers are and will offer far below the fair value of the case because they know the lawyer will convince his client to accept it. In order for you to receive a fair settlement, the insurance company must know that your lawyer is ready, willing and able to take them to court. As a result, trail lawyers still settle the vast majority of their cases but they obtain much higher settlements.
Q: Why do I need a lawyer who limits his practice to injury and disability cases?
A: As mentioned above, insurance company lawyers handle only one type of law - accident cases. As a result they have become very proficient at defending these types of cases. Many lawyers who represent injured clients in accident cases also handle other types of cases including divorce, criminal, business, estates and numerous other areas of the law. As a result they have much less experience in accident cases. A lawyer who handles only accident cases has the same experience and expertise as the insurance company lawyers and your rights are better protected.
Q: How much will it cost me?
A: Accident cases are contingency fee cases. This means that the attorney is paid a percentage of the settlement or judgment. In addition, any costs advanced by the attorney are deducted from your portion of the settlement. Some lawyers require you to pay these costs in advance or to pay them even if you lose the case. I don require costs to be paid in advance and I do not require my clients to repay these costs unless we win. If we lose, you pay nothing. And remember - it costs you nothing to call me to discuss your accident.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY Q&A
Q: How will I pay a lawyer if I am disabled?
A: Attorney's fees are contingent on your winning your case. If you lose, you pay nothing. If you win, you pay a percentage of past due benefits only. All future benefits are yours. In Social Security cases I will never charge you for costs even if you win.
Q: Why do I need a lawyer?
A: I have handled hundreds of Social Security cases. I know the law and I know what the judges are looking for. You do not. You need my assistance to present your case so that the judge understands the full extent of your disability.
Q: What are my chances of winning?
A: Every case is different. There is no way of predicting the chances of success without first knowing the facts of your case. It will cost you nothing to call me and explain your disability to me. I will then be happy to give you my opinion of your chances of winning free of charge.