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Kamis, 03 Januari 2008

How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer ?

When you have been involved in a car accident it is important to know how to choose an attorney. Very different results can occur in your case based on your choice of attorney. Therefore, when choosing an accident attorney you will want to spend some time researching who will be the best representative for your car accident claim.

Once you have a list of attorneys with experience in car accident or personal injury claims, you should find out their record of success in overseeing cases like yours. A strong record of success demonstrates expertise and experience in handling accident claims. If a car accident attorney has won numerous other cases like yours, it is a good indicator that he or she will have the experience necessary to handle your case.

Another thing you want to know about your potential car accident attorney is if they have experience trying cases like yours. It is important to have a lawyer with a good reputation as a trial lawyer even if you are planning on settling your claim outside of court; you may need to go to trial to receive fair compensation for your damages and/or injuries. Also, insurance companies tend to offer larger settlements if your attorney has a reputation as a good trial lawyer as insurance companies generally want to avoid going to court. A good trial lawyer will give you the type of attention that your case deserves and help you obtain the recovery you are entitled to.

You also want to know if your potential lawyer charges a contingency fee or an hourly rate. Most car accident lawyers use a contingency fee, where you do not have to pay the attorney upfront. Rather, they receive a percentage of your award or settlement (usually 1/3) as compensation for their work. That means the attorney has to be successful to be paid for his or her services. While it is common practice for car accident lawyers to charge a contingency fee for their services, never assume this to be true. If the attorney will work for you on a contingency basis, ask what percentage of the recovery they will take and how additional costs of litigation will be calculated. Always ask how the attorney will be compensated for their work.

It is also good to know if your potential accident lawyer belongs to their state’s Trial Lawyers Association and/or the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). Involvement in these organizations shows a commitment to promoting fair and effective justice. Other things to consider are years of experience, what law school the attorney attended and any additional training they may have.

Once you have gathered all of this information about your potential car accident lawyer, compare the qualifications of all the accident attorneys you researched and select the attorney who has the most experience handling your type of claim and has the best record, the best trial experience, and the best character. Often times, the money recovered for you may be directly correlated to the quality of the lawyer you choose.

Bus Accident Attorney

Bus and motorcoach accidents kill hundreds every year around the world and in the U.S. The following should help you understand your rights as an alleged victim or protect yourself against false accusations if you are a bus driver and sued for negligence.


Who should hire an attorney? Federal or state law does not require anyone hire a lawyer or seek legal council. However, handling an accident case requires a very skilled person with years of experience if its to be done right. Attorneys that are well versed in analyzing the legalities of liability, diverse insurance policies and structures, and settlement amounts you should ask for and receive. When you hire an attorney it is recommended that you seek someone or some company that spends nearly all their time on personal injury or workers' compensation cases.

Statute of Limitations on bus accident cases? Most vehicular accident cases in many states must be brought within two years. There are many exceptions to this rule. Contact an attorney to ensure you are filing within the specific time period associated with your case type.

Who pays for the accident lawyer? Your initial consultation with nearly all lawyers is free. You usually only pay if and when you get a settlement and the amount is determined by how much you agree to in the beginning. The riskier the outcome the higher the attorney will require to take the case.

No health insurance? how to pay medical bills when in a bus collision?
The negligent driver's insurance will never pay your medical bills up front. They will always wait until you settle your case, otherwise they are admitting guilt. Sometimes when you are without health insurance your own vehicle insurance company provides some coverage for your medical bills without addressing fault. Most policies have at least a $5,000 medical pay provision. If you have this, regardless of who's fault it is, your insurance company will pay up to $5,000.00 in medical bills. Otherwise you may have to fall on the assistance of the local hospital until a case can be built. Once again you need an attorney to do this and ensure success in your accident claim.

Special cases - Sometimes for one reason or another people or companies will try to show they have no good insurance and that it would be fruitless to pursue legal action. You can investigate the negligent driver's assets with the help of a research lawyer. Someone with large assets will almost always have high vehicular liability policy limits. This means the have good insurance and this is your best bet in getting a settlement. If the bad driver is rich you may ignore your rights to his/her bus accident policy limits and instead sue them personally.

How soon do you have to file a claim? Each state has a "statute of limitations" which limits the time you have to act. Be sure to check with an bus accident attorney for the proper "statute of limitations" and any other issues that must be addressed to protect your claim. Visit bus accident lawyers for more information on bus accidents.