Table of Contents
• How Do I Know If I Have A Case Or Am Entitled To Money For My Injuries?

• Where Can I Find A Good Lawyer?

• How Long Does This Whole Process Take?

• How Do I Pay For Legal Services?

• Why Doesn’t My Lawyer Call Me Back?


How Do I Know If I Have A Case Or Am Entitled To Money For My Injuries?
Many people are injured every day. Car accidents happen all the time. Most likely you know someone who has been involved in a car accident or who has been hurt because of some other type of accident. People fall down in stores or on the street and get seriously hurt. Accidents can happen in your home, or on someone else’s private property or on public property. Often times a person’s injury is caused by the negligence or wrong doing of another person or entity. A good lawyer will work hard to discover whether somebody is liable or responsible for your injuries. A good lawyer will make sure that you receive the medical treatment that you need and will help you get back to the position that you were in prior to the accident. Finally, a good lawyer will make sure that you receive compensation for the pain and suffering that you had to endure because of the injuries you received.  In most cases a person’s injuries and pain are caused by the careless acts or wrong doing of someone else. You should not have to suffer for another person’s negligence.
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Where Can I Find A “Good Lawyer?”
The Greater Boston Area is loaded with lawyers. There are hundreds of big firms, small firms, partnerships, and solo lawyers to choose from. There are a number of important considerations that a person must look into before choosing a lawyer or law firm to handle their case. 
 
One of the most important things to consider is the experience and expertise of the lawyer that you are hiring. Many lawyers will say that they have a general practice and can handle any type of personal injury case. You should look for a lawyer that specializes in personal injury law and who knows all about negligence, motor vehicle law, premise liability (slip & falls) and who has many years of experience in settling cases similar to yours. 
 
You should also look for a lawyer that you can trust and who will deal with you honestly and directly. Don’t let somebody talk down to you just because he or she is a lawyer. Find someone who is sincere about helping you and who will treat you with the respect that you deserve.
 
It is important to find a lawyer who will fight for you if and when the going gets tough. Most of the time, personal injury cases will settle and everyone will be happy with the amount of the settlement. However, there are some times when an insurance company or other lawyer will intentional offer a small amount of money to settle a case. You should have a lawyer who knows how to value your case and who won’t roll over at the first sign of opposition. Your lawyer should have experience in court and shouldn’t be afraid to take your case all the way.
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How Long Does This Whole Process Take?
In most instances personal injury cases are resolved without ever filing a lawsuit or stepping into a courtroom. Insurance companies are quick to resolve or settle cases that they know they will lose at trial. However, before your lawyer can settle your case, you need to be fully recovered from your injuries or you need to be at a stable point in your health status. The most important thing for you and your lawyer should be to get you healthy again. Once that is taken care of and you feel well enough that you no longer need to see a doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist or other health care provider, your lawyer will submit your claim to the appropriate insurance company and make a demand for compensation. Often times the entire process from will only take between six and nine months from the date of the accident. Depending on the type of injuries you have it can take longer. But in most cases involving soft-tissue injuries, meaning that you have broken bone or permanent disabilities, your case can be resolved within two or three months after you are finished going to the doctor.
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How Do I Pay For Legal Services?
You are paying your lawyer to help you resolve your case and to get you compensation or money for your injuries. Most people can’t afford to pay a lawyer an hourly fee for his or her legal services. Most lawyers charge between $100-$250 per hour and get paid in advance for the work that they do. Lawyers know that many people cannot afford these rates and can be hired on a Contingency Fee Basis. This means that the lawyer will receive a percentage (usually 1/3 or 33%) of whatever you receive. The more you receive the more your lawyer receives. Your initial consultation is free and you will only pay a legal fee if your lawyer resolves your case and gets you money.
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Why Doesn’t My Lawyer Call Me Back?
If you already have a lawyer and are unhappy with his or her services, then it may be time to fire that lawyer and look for a new one. Many lawyers work in big firms and have hundreds of cases to handle. To some lawyers you will only be a name on a file. There are some lawyers who don’t even meet their clients. They will send a paralegal or other employee to meet with a prospective client and will have that same person handle your entire case. If your lawyer walked past you in the street do you think he would recognize you?  The answer is most likely “No.” Some lawyers receive numerous calls from clients and instead of returning those phone calls would rather pay attention to those clients who have really big cases. Your lawyer works for you. You are the boss. If you have questions you need answered or problems that you want resolved, you should be able to talk to your lawyer. Just like any other employee, your lawyer has a boss, and that boss is you. If you are unhappy with your lawyer’s performance, you can fire them. Even if you have already signed a Contingency Fee Agreement, in most cases you will still not have to pay that lawyer unless your new lawyer resolves your case. When your new lawyer resolves your case he will contact your old lawyer and they will arrange to split the legal fee according to the amount of work done by each lawyer. No matter how many lawyers you have, your percentage of the settlement amount (usually 2/3 or 66%) will not change.
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Last revised: 10/22/99