Q. I
have never hired a lawyer. Now, I am in need of an attorney.
How do I find a lawyer for my case?
A. If you have never used the services of an attorney, it is
important to find a lawyer who is qualified to handle your particular
case. You can find lawyers and learn about their
qualifications on the internet. Many times more information can be
acquired about a lawyer and his/her firm on the internet as opposed to
the yellow pages because the internet provides more space for the
attorney to specify areas of practice and to provide potential clients
with a list of qualifications for the job.
Q. What questions should I ask the lawyer to determine his/her
qualifications?
A. Ask questions like: Do you specialize in personal injury law?
How many years have you been doing this type of work? What type of
support staff do you have? Who will be working on my case?
What is your fee arrangement (contingency or hourly)?
Q. How will my lawyer charge me for services rendered?
A. Lawyers usually charge either on an hourly basis or by way of
contingency fee. Most lawyers who charge on an hourly basis will
ask for a retainer (an advance payment) prior to commencing
representation. A contingency fee is an alternative method of
payment used primarily for personal injury cases. Under this
arrangement, the lawyer does not receive a legal fee unless he succeeds
in obtaining a settlement or verdict for the client. The lawyer
will usually charge between one-third (33 1/3%) percent and forty (40 %)
of the total recovery obtained. In addition, costs for preparation
of the case (i.e., investigation, medical records and reports) often are
deducted from the total recovery. The advantage of the contingency
fee is that it serves as an incentive to the lawyer to win the case.
If he fails to win the case, he does not receive a legal fee. In
addition, the client is not required to bare the burden of paying a
lawyer an hourly charge while recovering from injuries sustained in the
accident.
Q. I was in an accident that was not my fault. Why is my
insurance company responsible for the medical bills?
A. Under Pennsylvania No-Fault law, each person's insurance
company pays their respective bills regardless of fault.
Thereafter, the insurance companies will pursue reimbursement from the
responsible party and their insurance company (subrogation).
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