There were 8,991 hospitalizations in Alaska in 2012, 3,946 of which were due to a slip, trip, or stumble. Accidents happen, and you or your loved ones need to be prepared and know how to handle a personal injury. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help you through a difficult injury.
Why a personal injury attorney? You should hire an attorney if you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s actions. For example, if you’ve been injured on the job due to someone else’s failure to wipe up a slippery mess they made, you can file a personal injury claim.
Insurance companies actually profit from victims who undercompensate their injury, so it is best to hire a lawyer who understands the legal rights you have. A personal injury law firm houses experts that will be able to obtain you a favorable settlement that will exceed what you would normally get without a lawyer.
How much do personal injury lawyers cost? There were 34,552 Alaskans involved in traffic crashes in 2009, 95% of which were occupants in vehicles. It is high statistics such as this that keep attorney’s in their office, and they need to make a living too, so expect to pay a fairly large sum.
However, most personal injury attorneys will be on a contingent fee basis, which means that if they win your case, you will pay them. If they don’t win your case, you will not need to pay a fee. Depending on what state you live in, contingent fees will vary. Most however charge between one third and 40% of a personal injury award.
Where do you find an attorney? There are many ways to find an attorney. First, you can ask friends, family, and coworkers for a recommendation. With traffic crashes injuring 5,330 Alaskans in 2009 alone, you are bound to run into someone who has used an attorney at some point.
You can also conduct an Internet search for local lawyers, or open the Yellow Pages — there will always be ads for personal injury attorneys in there. Once you’ve gathered a list of names (5-7), start making calls and scheduling initial interview appointments to see which lawyer is the right match for you.
Different lawyers for different cases: Understand that depending on your specific personal injury case, there are specific personal injury lawyers who are accustomed to your type of case. Most people simply seek out a personal injury lawyer without knowing that there are professionals out there who are used to handling your particular case. You wouldn’t choose a heart surgeon for your brain surgery; law works the same way.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you meet with. Shop around, ask questions, and choose wisely — you money depends on it.
More can be found here.