Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I’ve just been in an auto accident. What should I do?
A. Make sure you get the medical attention you need. Be honest with
your doctor, fully describing your injuries. Finally, make sure you
follow your doctor’s orders. If your doctor prescribes physical
therapy, make sure you make the appointments and keep them.
If the insurance company calls and asks for a recorded statement, be
cautious. You’re not under any obligation to give a statement
to the insurance company for the wrongdoer. Talk to a lawyer before
you consent to give any statement.
Q. The insurance adjuster
is offering to settle my injury claim. Should I talk to a lawyer before
I accept it?
A. Yes. With a few limited exceptions, settlement agreements are final;
you can’t come back later and ask for more money. You want to
make certain that the settlement reasonably compensates you for both
your past and future losses. A personal injury trial lawyer can help
you evaluate your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
Q. How long do I have to bring my claim?
A. It depends on the type of claim. For example, claims against the
City of Austin may require that the city receive notice within 45 days
of the loss. Employment claims have relatively short deadlines to file
claims with administrative agencies. Because the deadlines vary by the
type of claim, it is important to consult a personal injury lawyer as
soon as possible after a loss to make sure your rights are protected.
Q. How do I pay for a lawyer?
A. You can hire a lawyer one of two ways. You can pay a lawyer on an
hourly basis, and pay them a fixed rate for each hour they work. You
owe will owe that money to the attorney, regardless of whether your
claim is successful. While this sort of arrangement may work for a large
corporation, most individuals and families cannot afford this kind of
up front expense or risk.
Most lawyers that represent individuals or families in prosecuting
injury lawsuits work on for a “contingency fee,” which means
that the lawyer only gets paid if your claim is successful. If your
claim is successful, the lawyer gets a percentage of the recovery. If
the claim is unsuccessful, you owe the lawyer nothing.
The Law Office of Trevor A. Taylor has worked with clients under both
types of fee arrangements.
