Know Your Rights and Obligations
Knowing your rights and obligations after an accident can help you minimize aggravation and expenses. It will also help protect you and your family when necessary. The information on these pages can help you if you are involved in an accident. Yet there is no substitute for having an experienced Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh attorney on your side. He can recommend appropriate medical treatment and negotiate repair and/or replacement of your vehicle. Most importantly, he will negotiate a full and fair settlement with the insurance company, taking into account all of your damages, including pain and suffering.
Why A Quick Settlement May Not Be A Fair Settlement
Insurance companies employ teams of claim adjusters and lawyers to settle auto accident claims quickly and keep their costs down. With a Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh attorney working for you, you will often receive a substantially larger settlement than one you could negotiate yourself. This means more money for your pain and suffering, even after attorney’s fees are paid.
Remember, experienced personal injury lawyers such as Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh have resources that report jury verdicts in similar cases. This helps us make an informed decision about the value of your case. Choosing us to represent you shows the insurance company that you are serious about your rights. The peace of mind you gain with an attorney may even allow you to get back to your life with as few delays as possible, and with a possible settlement that fairly compensates you for the accident.
Legal Help Without Legal Fees
Since Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh usually charges a percentage of the gross settlement of your case, you will rarely pay us a fee. This “contingent fee” is quite common in Florida. You simply pay a percentage of the amount your attorney obtains in your case. This fee is paid from the settlement, so you do not pay any money out of your own pocket to get aggressive protection of your rights. Usually, if there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. You will be advised if your attorney requires any costs of your case reimbursed, regardless of the outcome of the case. In most instances, we do not require that you pay any costs or fees out of your own pocket.
At the initial meeting with your attorney the “Contingency Fee Agreement” will be reviewed with you. Florida attorneys usually charge 33.3 percent of the gross recovery if the case is settled without a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed, your attorney's fee may increase to 40 percent of the gross recovery. Both percentages apply in gross recoveries of up to one million dollars. There are many circumstances your fee will vary. Your attorney will review these circumstances and also review “The Statement of Client’s Rights” with you. This document discusses your rights as a personal injury client.
When to Settle. When to Sue.
If you choose Shapiro, Goldman, Babboni & Walsh to represent you after an accident caused by a drunk driver, your attorney will send a “demand package”, not unlike an insurance claim, to the opposing insurance company. This consists of your medical bills, medical narrative reports and a detailed explanation of your damages.
If the insurance company offers a settlement which you feel is unreasonable, you may file a lawsuit to protect your rights. Our experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorneys can help you determine the value of your case. They will also give you a fair assessment of your chances for a successful trial. While your attorney will give you the best possible legal advice, it is still your claim and your injury. You make the final decision to settle or go to trial.
If your case is resolved, you have the right to receive and approve a Closing Statement before any money is distributed. The statement will list all of the expenses incurred in your case, including attorney’s fees. Until you approve the Closing Statement, you need not pay any money to anyone, including your attorney. After your initial meeting with your attorney, you should be fully informed as to what to expect in your case.
Automobile Accident Victims Should Always Choose An Experienced Injury Lawyer
Any time a person is involved in a vehicle accident and sustains even the mildest injuries, it is crucial that they seek out legal help as soon as possible. When it comes to choosing a qualified auto injury lawyer there are many options, but what is most important is that you find the most experienced law firm you can get. You deserve justice when you have been hurt and that is what legal representation is going to help you with. Those who have a good vehicle accident attorney on their side are far more likely to be awarded the damages that they deserve for their suffering and this is important, not only for you personally, but so that a person who has acted irresponsibly is made to face the consequences of those actions so that they do not go on to cause another accident believing that nothing will come of it. When you stand up for yourself, you are standing up for others, as well. A good vehicle injury lawyer understands this and they will make sure that your case is handled in a professional way so that you can be confident you will be heard and understood by the judge.
Since an accident of this nature can be a very traumatic thing, especially once you have been hurt, it is important to find a specialist in this area of law. The complex nature of car crashes means that you are going to want an expert who knows the ins and outs of such situations and can provide comprehensive service to you in terms of making sure that you get the money you need to help you cover medical expenses that were caused by no fault of your own. Medical costs can mount up quickly and a personal injury lawyer is well aware of this. They will be able to act quickly to ensure that you do not suffer while you wait for the case to reach its conclusion. Today's highest caliber auto injury lawyer will have a full plan for your case and review it with you so that you are confident about everything that will take place. Your case will be treated confidentially and with respect.
As difficult as it can be to move forward after you have been hurt, it is absolutely crucial that you do so as quickly as you can. It is never wise to wait around because you need your auto injury lawyer to be on the case as soon as possible. You do not want to give the impression that you decided to go to court at the last minute. Your lawyer will need a certain amount of time to prepare and you want to give them every advantage.
