| If you have been injured or harmed due to the | | | | party is represented by an attorney, resulting in more |
| actions of another person, you typically need to act | | | | funds available to the injured person even after the |
| quickly to protect your rights. The most important of | | | | lawyer's fee is paid. |
| these legal rights is your right to recover and be | | | | Most lawyers handle personal injury cases on a |
| made whole for the injuries and lost wages you have | | | | contingent fee basis. When you hire an attorney, |
| suffered.If you are represented by legal counsel, it | | | | they will disclose up front to you how much this fee |
| will immediately fall to your attorney to make | | | | is, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount |
| arrangements for any necessary medical care and | | | | recovered. This means that their fees are paid |
| oversee the restoration of damaged property. Your | | | | contingent to a settlement or resolution in the case. |
| attorney will maintain contact with all involved parties | | | | Once the accident or incident has been adequately |
| and keep you apprised of the progress of your case. | | | | investigated, fault will usually be determined either by |
| Your job will then be to recover from your accident, | | | | agreement of the parties, by an award at arbitration, |
| and lend whatever informational assistance your | | | | or by a court verdict pursuant to litigation. If a |
| attorney may request of you as he investigates and | | | | recovery is to be made, the award or verdict will set |
| prepares your case. | | | | a monetary damage amount. The attorney will collect |
| It is recommended that even before you make a | | | | his fees out of that monetary award, usually at a |
| formal statement to the other side's insurance | | | | previously agreed upon percentage rate, once the |
| company, you consult with an attorney. Statements | | | | award has been determined at the close of the case. |
| you make after an accident are often misinterpreted | | | | The attorney's percentage rate will most likely vary |
| by the opposing side for their benefit and this is yet | | | | depending on whether the case had to be litigated or |
| another area where legal counsel can be of benefit. | | | | not. Much like the medical PIP (Personal Injury |
| Lawyers specializing in personal injury are experienced | | | | Protection) coverage offered by insurance companies |
| with auto accidents and injury investigations and | | | | in Washington, most lawyers are able to postpone |
| know how to deal with aggressive insurance | | | | their fees till the end of the case when an award is |
| companies. You'll soon notice, unfortunately, that | | | | determined and the victim's recovery is received. In |
| most insurance companies will pay more attention, | | | | almost every case, an injured party is going to |
| respond more quickly, and be more attentive to a | | | | recover more money and be better off by having |
| lawyer than they will the average citizen. Their offers | | | | used a experienced personal injury attorney than if |
| of settlement are typically much higher when the | | | | they had attempted to settle their case alone. |