I have been a personal injury lawyer in Hyde Park, Vermont since 1981. I have represented many good people over the years when they are injured in car accidents through no fault of their own. I like to make it clear to people that they don’t have to pay me any money up front. Our legal fee is paid out of the settlement proceeds at the end of the case. There is simply no downside risk to our clients since if we do not recover any money there isn’t a legal fee. That is the nature of the contingency fee. Sometimes I am hired as a car accident personal injury attorney simply because my clients can’t get insurance adjusters to return their phone calls. A second reason many people hire us is they are frustrated with getting their medical bills paid. We have a quagmire of a system in Vermont when it comes to figuring out which insurance company should pay the medical bills. Unfortunately, many medical care providers don’t understand who the bills should be submitted to for payment. For example, medical payments coverage provides primary insurance. While it is not mandatory coverage in Vermont most people have it. It is no fault insurance and may cover nontraditional type treatment such as deep tissue massage, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment.
When you’ve been in injured in an accident, you might want to file a claim against a negligent party to cover damages incurred after the incident. You’ll have two options: file the paperwork on your own or contact a personal injury lawyer. Although the web has made some of the legal work easier to do by yourself, being your own lawyer has huge limitations and is not recommended. That means you’ll need to hire a personal injury lawyer. If you’re not sure how to do this, consider these easy steps to follow:
Do Your Research
There are thousands of lawyers. Some are considered general practice lawyers and others have experience in certain areas of the law. When it comes to personal injuries, it’s advisable to seek out a lawyer who handles these specific cases. Use the web to search for a personal injury lawyer in your area and click on several different sites to get to know the firm better. You can also take advantage of online resources that rate lawyers on a scale. Finally, check with the bar association in your state to confirm whether or not a lawyer is licensed to practice.
Make a Shortlist
After you’ve done your diligent research, make a shortlist of lawyers which stand out to you. Even though we are a small law firm I believe that I can get the same results as the bigger law firms and the law firms that advertise on television. Moreover, I provide personal service and am almost always available by phone or email to discuss your case.
Schedule a Consultation
At this point, you’ll want to call the law firm to schedule an initial consultation. In general, these consultations are free. Some firms offer case evaluations over the phone and others may require you to meet the lawyer at his or her office. During this time, you’ll be able to discuss your questions or concerns and get a better idea of what your legal options are. During the pandemic I am meeting with people virtually over the phone, via Skype or via Zoom. We are having are clients sign the retainer letter and health information authorizations via Docusign which has worked really well.
Ask About Fees
Lawyers typically charge by the hour, through a one-time fee, or on contingency. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you may only pay a lawyer after you’ve won your claim. If you don’t win, you don’t pay. Hourly rates vary, as do contingency arrangements, so make sure the structure is laid out before agreeing to anything. I represent injured people on a contingent fee basis in personal injury and car accident cases.
Sign an Engagement Letter
When you’ve confidently decided on a lawyer, an engagement letter or retainer letter will be drawn up. This is your working contract and may describe your legal matter, the terms and conditions, expenses, and any other matters you’ve agreed to.
Ready to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Listens?
Please call David Polow today at [nap_phone id=”LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1″] for a free consultation.