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Studies show those who hire a lawyer recover 3.5 times more money on average than those who do not
If you've been injured in an accident, you might be wondering if it's worth it to hire an attorney. How do you know? The headline of this story alone will tell you that sometimes it makes sense to hire one. One of the reasons lawyers can get their clients so much more money for a claim is that insurance company negotiators often don't look at all the factors that your attorney will. Accounting for things like future wage loss and medical bills usually aren't volunteered by insurers, no matter how much of a "good neighbor" they might seem. Click the link for more tips and answers to frequently asked questions to help you decide to hire a personal injury attorney for your accident claim.
Does your attorney specialize? Here's one major reason why they should
Many attorneys specialize in just one type of law, but not all adhere to this best practice. Choosing a lawyer who works with one type of case and does personal injury on the side is like hiring someone who is fluent in English to be your translator in Spanish because they've taken some courses on it in school. And when you really get into the complexities of tort cases, it's all Greek to most consumers who didn't spend years in law school. Bellingham, Washington personal injury attorney Bill Coats writes on some things to consider if you're thinking of hiring an attorney to help you with your car accident claim.
How do personal injury lawyers get paid? [VIDEO]
If you're in an accident, and you're hurt, you probably can't work. Maybe just for a short time, maybe you'll never be able to return to that job again. You might have injuries that needed medical help, and you're getting bills in the mail. If you decide to go after the person whose mistake harmed you, does this mean you've got to pay high lawyer's fees in order to get good legal help?
Personal injury attorneys aren't paid that way in most tort law cases. So how do personal injury attorneys get paid? Hint: it's not until you do. Bill Coats, of Bill Coats Law, explains how contingency fees apply in personal injury cases. Click here to watch this video explaining contingency fees.
You've got questions. We've got answers.
After an automobile accident, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what happens next. Bill Coats Law, in Bellingham Washington, has put together a YouTube Channel to answer some common question in hopes to help accident victims start on the right path to full financial recovery. Click here to get the answers you need.
How a good personal injury attorney can help accident victims find money for lost wages
Don suffered disc injuries to his low back in an accident where the at-fault driver pulled into traffic and struck the side of Don’s classic 1955 Ford T-Bird. Don’s injuries were severe enough that he could not return to his physically demanding work as a paramedic. Although Don was close to retirement, he was counting on a few more good work years. Here is one accident victim's story of how a good personal injury attorney helped him find money for lost wages, despite the fact that the at-fault driver did not have car insurance.
The #1 thing you need to do after an auto accident
Accident victims have a wide range of reactions after a crash, and as a personal injury lawyer here in Bellingham, WA, I have seen them all. While one might expect that someone would seek medical attention soon after a collision, that's not always the case. I created this video linked through this article on what all accident victims should do after an auto accident.
11 Georgia Laws Drivers Don’t Know Exist
TBI can be especially common for passengers in a bus accident
Seat belts are known to protect those in cars and trucks, and are by law required to be worn. However, this is not the case for bus passengers. In the event of a serious bus accident, head injuries are not uncommon. If you have experienced a head injury in a bus accident, be aware of the signs and symptoms of TBI.
Does size matter? In car v. semi crashes like this one, yes it does
A recent catastrophic accident involving two semi tractor trailers and six cars or pickup trucks showed how clearly large trucks have the advantage in an accident. However, does this mean cars are always going to lose in accidents with bigger vehicles? Increasingly, materials and engineering have leveled the field. Read more from Bill Coats Law in Bellingham, WA about top safety ratings for cars.
Hit by an autonomous vehicle? How fault may be determined
How could you sue a driverless car! Once these vehicles hit the road en masse as projected - 10 million by 2050 - accidents may go down but they won't go away. Bill Coats Law of Bellingham, Washington writes on issues for car accident claims where fault is disputed by the machines.