After an accident, many people hesitate before contacting an attorney. Honestly, we understand why. Most people have never dealt with a serious injury claim before, and there are a lot of misconceptions about what hiring a lawyer actually means.
Here are some of the most common reasons people wait too long to get legal advice after an accident.
Hiring an attorney does not mean you are trying to ruin someone’s life.
In most accident cases, decisions about traffic tickets or criminal charges are made by law enforcement and prosecutors, not the injured person. Likewise, insurance companies make their own decisions regarding premium increases or policy cancellations.
By hiring an attorney, you are simply protecting yourself and making sure your rights are being taken seriously.
Many people worry that making a claim or speaking with an attorney will automatically cause their insurance rates to increase.
Louisiana law generally prohibits insurance companies from raising rates or canceling policies because of a nonfault accident. Insurance companies are also not allowed to retaliate against someone simply for hiring an attorney after an accident.
At Flattmann Law, consultations are completely free and confidential.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means clients do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for them. We also advance the typical costs associated with handling a case, such as obtaining medical records and accident reports.
In other words, people do not need to pay money upfront just to find out whether they have a case.
Sometimes that is true.
Minor accidents involving limited injuries can occasionally be handled without hiring an attorney. But even in smaller cases, it is important to understand your rights before speaking with the insurance company.
That is why we offer a free “Crash Course” consultation. During that no-pressure conversation, we can explain common mistakes people make after accidents, discuss insurance issues, and help you better understand the claims process.
Insurance adjusters are trained to protect the insurance company’s interests. No matter how friendly they may seem, their goal is to resolve claims quickly and for as little money as possible.
We hear this all the time.
Usually, what people really mean is:
Our response has always been the same:
“Good, because we are not that kind of law firm.”
At Flattmann Law, we believe in treating people honestly and respectfully while aggressively protecting our clients’ rights when necessary. Hiring an attorney does not mean you lose control over your case. We keep clients informed throughout the process and help them make informed decisions every step of the way.
Most personal injury claims are resolved privately with insurance companies and never require going to court.
If you were injured in a car accident in Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, or anywhere across the Northshore or New Orleans metro area, contact Flattmann Law today for a free and confidential consultation.
Call (985) 590-6182 today.
When you ask for Grady, you get Grady. At Flattmann Law, we make sure that your consultations and cases are not assigned to a junior associate. Grady will personally be on the phone with you or meet you in person to discuss your individual situation. We will represent you not only as your attorney, but also as your neighbor.
Our legal library is full of articles on a variety of topics related to personal injury claims in Louisiana. Learn about how accidents happen, what to do when you are a victim, and how an attorney can help you fight for the compensation you may deserve.
