10 Things You Must Know Before You Find a Seattle Injury Attorney

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1 10 Things You Must Know Before You Find a H Seattle Injury Attorney

2 1 Should I get an attorney if I am in a car accident? If you have been hurt or have serious injuries, yes an injury attorney is strongly advised. Other reasons you would need an injury attorney are: Insurance adjustors are harassing you or pressuring you to release information or agree to a settlement. The insurance company is denying you full medical treatment or is claiming that you are partially responsible for an accident when you were not. You may not need an attorney if you were not injured in the accident or you recovered very quickly after the accident. 2 When should I contact an attorney after an accident? An attorney that specializes in car accidents should be contacted as soon as possible if you have been involved in an accident with injuries or potential injuries. Good legal advice right from the start could save you from great losses and significantly increase your chances of proper compensation.

3 3 How much will it cost to have an attorney represent me? Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. This means you will not have to pay anything out of pocket and the lawyer will be paid a percentage of your compensation. So if there is no settlement you pay nothing. All attorneys offer a free initial consultation to help you evaluate your case. 4 When should I contact my insurance company? Your insurance company should be contacted as soon as possible as well. It is important to stick to the facts of what happened and not imply or admit to any fault of your own. Your insurance company is not necessarily on your side and for this reason many people prefer to speak with an accident attorney first. 5 Should I speak with the other driver s insurance adjustor? No this is not advised, it is much safer to have a personal injury attorney handle all of your communications. Be warned, insurance adjustors will call you and attempt to tape the conversation. They are trained to seem friendly and concerned in order to get information and have you admit to partial fault. If you are not careful, you could lose any compensation owed to you by saying the wrong thing. If contacted, politely refuse to comment and advice the adjustor that your attorney will contact them.

4 6 If I file an injury claim, will I have to go to court? Whether you go to court or not will depend mostly on the insurance companies offer to settle your claim. Many cases are settled out of court, but if an agreement cannot be reached, the case may have to go to trial. 7 Do I have to document my care and injuries? It is very important when you see your health care practitioner regarding your injuries that they properly document and chart all details of your health and injuries. The strength of your claim and case will largely be based on your doctor s medical charts of your condition. This is why proper documentation is so important. 8 What is computerized claims adjusting? This is a growing number of insurance agencies that use computer programs to calculate what will be paid on an injury claim. The data that is entered into these programs rely exclusively on what your doctor writes in your medical charts. It is also very important to follow your doctor s instructions for additional follow up care.

5 9 What is my case worth? Will I receive more if I am represented by an attorney? Being represented by an experienced injury attorney is vital for you to receive the largest settlement possible. What your exact settlement will be depends on a number of variables. Your attorney will have a better idea after reviewing your case. 10 How do I find and choose the best personal injury attorney? There are a number of factors you should consider when choosing an injury attorney. Top on the list should be experience. How long has the attorney specialized in personal injury cases? How many cases have they won? When dealing with an accident, it is also important that you are dealing with a lawyer or firm that specializes in personal injury. Other things to consider are testimonials and endorsements from past clients and any independent attorney ratings. To request a consultation Click Here.

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