Not all motor vehicle accidents will require hiring a personal injury attorney to handle the case. Generally, a personal injury attorney can help with automobile accident claims. However, in certain instances spending the money on an attorney will not be necessary. First, there are two different fee arrangements you can make with an attorney to handle your claim.
First, you can hire an attorney on an hourly rate. Second, an attorney may be willing to work on a contingency fee. When an attorney works on an hourly rate they will usually require a retainer. Once paid, the attorney will bill you based upon an hourly rate and subtract the bills from the prepaid retainer. Once the retainer is exhausted, the attorney will require you to replenish the retainer.
When an attorney works on a contingency basis, the attorney will not charge a fee upfront. Upon resolution of your claim, your attorney will be compensated by receiving a percentage of your recovery. Thirty-three and 1/3 percent is the standard contingency fee. However, there are a few instances where that amount may be different.
Where you have not suffered a serious injury, an attorney will not likely accept the case on a contingency fee. In those situations, you will either have to pay the attorney an hourly fee or handle the case by yourself. If you find that dealing with the insurance companies is too difficult or time-consuming you might hire an attorney to complete the necessary claims paperwork to ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to. Also, if you feel that the insurance company is not treating you fairly or just so disorganized that you are getting nowhere with your claim, you may want to get an attorney involved.
If you have suffered an injury, you may want to hire an attorney and depending on the seriousness of the injury, the attorney may work on a contingency basis. If your injuries are serious, such as fractures, brain injuries, disfiguring injuries or other types of serious injuries, it is always advisable to consult with and hire a personal injury lawyer.
A lawyer working on a contingency basis will almost always result in you recovering more money than if you go it alone. Attorneys have the experience and resources to evaluate and pursue a personal injury claim for you. You may not even understand the full extent of your injuries and the financial implications of such injuries and may be underestimating what would be fair compensation.
Ultimately, hiring a personal injury attorney is a personal decision you will face should you be involved in an accident. I would just remind you that an insurance company has one goal in dealing with your claim: to save money. Therefore, they will use every means at their disposal to limit the benefits they pay you. An attorney knows all the issues that will come up during your claim and is familiar with the tricks that insurance companies use to save money on your claim. Further, most attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your claim. So, you have nothing to lose by consulting with an attorney except about an hour of your time.
Our firm has deep roots in Long Island and our lawyers maintain close associations with the residents of Suffolk County. Through our 2 decades of practice in Personal Injury Law, we’ve truly become a community-driven law firm. In fact, many of our clients have become friends and acquaintances.
We understand the hardships created by serious injuries and accidents, and feel honored when given the opportunity to guide clients through difficult times. It is greatly satisfying to provide legal representation in a meaningful way that helps individuals overcome obstacles and get their lives back on track.
Every day, Palermo Tuohy Bruno works diligently to level the playing field for Suffolk County clients, who must deal with insurance companies that don’t have their best interests in mind. Accidents and serious injuries are inevitably insurance matters, and the most difficult part of the problem is getting insurance companies to pay the monetary amount you deserve for your losses (as a personal injury victim). Unfortunately, it’s safe to say that no defendant’s insurance company looks out for the victim’s best interests. This is also often true when the victim is the insurance holder, such as in an uninsured motorist claim.
In contrast with insurance companies, all the partners at our firm take a personal interest in you and in handling your case. You are our top priority, and your case is never handed off to a paralegal or junior associate. We thoroughly prepare each case and employ effective legal strategies, which provide us with the leverage to maximize recoveries. It also enables to settle with most insurance companies out of court. While insurance companies don’t care about you, as our attorney Steven Palermo says, “It’s my job to make them care.”
We do our best to protect your rights and see that you receive the compensation you deserve. As our clients — you matter to us.