Find The Lawyer You Need Today With These Tips
Nobody wants to think about the potential for needing an attorney. The idea of hiring one can create stress on many levels, particularly because it can mean that you are in trouble of some kind. Regardless of the circumstances, there is no need to be overly concerned about choosing the right lawyer to guide you through the legal process. Read on for some insights on what to look for and how to choose wisely.
One of the last things you will want to do is to simply go with the first lawyer that you find. You might get bad results if you do not take the time to do some research. Ask around, and find out everything you can about lawyers that you're interested in.
Make sure you understand the costs associated with a particular lawyer ahead of time. Before you even begin the process of seeking someone out, you need to think about what you can afford. As you call different lawyers, discuss fees and the payment schedule. Do not be surprised later on!
If you need a lawyer, start by contacting your local bar association to find out if there have been any complaints against the lawyers you are considering hiring. If there's a couple, they shouldn't spoil the deal. Do hire another lawyer if they have tons of complaints.
When you are describing the situation that you are in to your lawyer, refrain from lying. You should be telling them the truth at all times, as this could backfire if you are questioned on the stand and your lawyer does not have all information available. Honesty is the best policy, especially in regards to legal issues.
Check online to find out what sort of fees are typical for your legal issues. This will help you avoid being scammed down the road. Choose a lawyer who has a good track check here record and a great deal of experience to ensure that they don't overcharge you for their own time-wasting mistakes.
If you need a lawyer, start by contacting your local bar association to find out if there have been any complaints against the lawyers you are considering hiring. The less complaints that have been lodged against them, the better. Anyone with large numbers of complaints should be given a wide berth.
When searching for a perfect lawyer, use the Internet. Most legal firms have websites today. Look at the firm's website to see if it appears professional. If their website is not up to your standards you may want to avoid contacting them as that is not a very good sign.
Try searching online for a lawyer. While there are many industry resources for finding a lawyer, search engines are great for jump-starting your search. You can use them to quickly find local lawyers too. There are also many search engines out there that are specifically made for finding lawyers. Some can narrow down your search to lawyers within certain zip codes and states.
A good tip to keep in mind when thinking about hiring a lawyer is to only hire a lawyer if you're comfortable with the pay structure. Some lawyers might try to get you to pay a hefty retainer fee or write a blank check. Avoid these lawyers at all costs.
Be sure to research your lawyer thoroughly. You want to carefully check out their education and work experience. Make sure you pay special attention to how they manage your practice. If they struggle managing their practice, then that is a sure sign that they will most likely struggle handling your case.
make sure you speak with more than a single lawyer prior to making your choice. The first one you speak with may seem just perfect, but how do you know that until you have other options to consider! See at least one more, preferably two so that you can be sure you are making a smart choice.
You really need to understand what you are paying for when you hire a lawyer. These fees can be complicated. You need to make sure you have all these fees in writing up front and that you understand how they are calculated. If you do not, they are required to explain them to you until you do.
When you need a lawyer, it is all too easy to panic and just hire the first person you see. However, it is more important to remain calm and hire a really good lawyer. By keeping the advice you have just read in mind, you can find a great lawyer to help you out.
Auto insurers play hardball in minor-crash claims
Profitable strategy
The cases, CNN found, illustrate a carefully developed strategy to make the victims look like they are trying to defraud the insurers.
But documents CNN obtained indicate profit, not fraud, is the reason companies decided to play hardball in small accidents.
For Allstate and State Farm, according to documents obtained by CNN, the strategy was developed in the mid-1990s with the assistance of consulting giant McKinsey & Co.
Looking for a way to boost profits, McKinsey focused on soft-tissue injuries incurred in minor crashes.
While the McKinsey documents -- numbered in the thousands -- are under seal in courts around the country, CNN saw several of them during a court hearing in Lexington, Kentucky.
Playing off Allstate's signature slogan, one document recommends the insurer put boxing gloves on its "good hands" for those who insist on going to court.
The strategy, according to former Allstate and State Farm employee Jim Mathis, relies on the three D's -- denying a claim, delaying settlement of the claim and defending against the claim in court.
"The profits are good, and as long as the community, the public allows this to occur, the insurance companies will get richer and people ... will not get a fair and reasonable settlement," Mathis said.
Both Allstate and State Farm declined requests for interviews.
In an e-mail, Allstate wrote it did not believe it would "have any real opportunity of being successful in getting you (CNN) to do a balanced report."
State Farm wrote: "We take customer service seriously and seek to pay what we owe, promptly, courteously and efficiently, and we handle each claim on its own merits."
The company also said, "Any attempt to generalize that State Farm adopted consultant recommendations as other insurers is just plain wrong."
A company spokesman sent an additional e-mail, saying that the company did work with McKinsey to improve claims handling but State Farm stopped using the McKinsey program in 1999.
Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, told CNN insurers do not have a strategy of blanket denial of claims. He also said strategies to limit expenditures on minor-impact crashes are needed to fight fraud.
Hartwig specifically singled out lawyers who he claims make a living on car accident victims, saying those lawyers are upset because "the gravy train is over."