Tag: personal injury attorney

7 Questions to ask Your Personal Injury Attorney

Written by kwmlaw on January 12, 2023. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Severe injuries are likely to come without warning. If you or your loved one is injured due to someone else’s fault, you might feel confused about how to proceed with a case and how to prepare yourself. After getting immediate medical help, your next step should be speaking with an experienced Personal Injury Attorney before you talk with anyone else.

During that first meeting with an attorney, you will probably have some questions of your own. But here are seven others you should always ask:

1) Have you handled cases similar to mine? What were the outcomes?

It is essential to know that your attorney has handled similar past cases and how many. The more experience your attorney has, the better the chances you have of receiving rightful compensation. Don’t be shy about asking how those cases turned out either.

2) How often will you communicate with me?

Communication is key to a successful personal injury case. Your attorney should let you know exactly where they are in your case to prepare for the next step. Don’t be afraid to contact them if you have questions.

3) How can I be involved in my case?

Make sure you meet or speak with your attorney at least once a week. Also, make sure you deliver all necessary documentation or bills related to the accident. Notify your attorney if insurance companies, doctors, or associates ask you questions regarding your case. Getting caught off guard can lead to case disruptions.

4) How will I be paying for your services?

Every case is different and may result in fixed fees or contingency fees. The fixed fee amount is determined by the tasks associated with your case. The contingency fee is based upon the result of your case, so you don’t have to pay until your case is a success.

5) What if I have problems with creditors?

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for financial disruption to occur. Report to your creditors as soon as possible to let me know about your accident and see if they are willing to work with you or work out a more flexible payment arrangement. Your attorney should be willing to send them a letter, too, confirming your situation, if necessary.

6) Is there anything I can do to help make sure that I get fair compensation?

Getting fair compensation from an insurance company takes work, and you must talk with your attorney about what you can do to make sure that you receive fair compensation. Often, insurance companies want to see evidence that you have followed your doctors’ advice and any restrictions. Talk to your attorney about how you can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve by getting the treatment you need.

7) When can we settle my case?

Every case is different; however, most cases follow a similar pattern: you get injured, you receive medical treatment, you get better, and you get released from your doctor. Since insurance companies only pay you one time in one lump sum to settle your case, you must get all the medical treatment you need before settling your case. Talk to your attorney about what may trigger a settlement for your case, so you know what to expect.

Your list of questions should not be limited to this list. Every case is unique and calls for individual decisions. If you are victim to an accidental injury, the attorneys at Kelly & West can get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today and see what we can do for you.

Why Should You Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Written by kwmlaw on July 15, 2020. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Did you know that 700,000 personal injury cases are filed per year? If you have been involved in an accident at the hands of another, you might be wondering what you should do — and whether you can or should get help from a Lillington lawyer.

The first step is to determine if the accident falls into the personal injury category. In most personal injury cases, a physical injury has occurred, but not all. You can still file a personal injury claim if you have suffered a non-physical loss.

Let’s go over some of the common incidents where you might need a personal injury lawyer.

How Can We Help?

Generally, we can assist with personal injury cases that include accidents involving alcohol, as well as bicycle, automobile, or truck accidents. We help people with dog bites, head injuries, hit and runs, medical malpractice, negligence, nursing home injuries, pedestrian accidents, slip, trip, and fall accidents, and under/uninsured motorist claims. You can read about the types of accidents we cover at Kelly & West here.

motorcycle — Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels

So, Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Many people feel weird about filing a lawsuit after an accident. But rest assured, 98% of cases settle out of court without a lawsuit having to be filed. Also, most accidents cost you money. Those costs might be medical bills, even if you have insurance. The accident might mean paying higher premiums or missing work hours, shorting your paycheck. If the accident is someone else’s fault, it makes sense that he or she or his or her insurance company should pay those costs, not you.

You might think you can work it out on your own. But your case might be more complicated than you think. A personal injury claim can be overwhelming, and we are here to break everything down and inform you about every step. We take pride in making sure you are kept informed and updating you on the status of your case.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Fair Compensation – The insurance company’s compensation might not be as fair as you think. A personal injury lawyer can break down the case and offer expertise. Your personal injury lawyer will know what your claim is worth and will be able to advocate for fair compensation in your case.
Time/Energy Saver – When you hire a personal injury lawyer, they are responsible for keeping up with all of the documents involved, including medical records and reports. Organization is of high importance at Kelly & West, and we will be sure to keep everything in order. We will also communicate with adjusters, so you don’t have to.
Representation in Court – If it’s necessary to file a lawsuit to resolve the case, a personal injury lawyer will represent you in court and take care of all legal proceedings.
They can communicate updates and explain what is taking place inside the courtroom. We work diligently to offer frequent updates and do anything we can to make this process easier.

Our attorneys at Kelly & West are motivated to help our clients. It is our priority to make this process as smooth as possible. If you have been involved in an accident at the fault of another, please contact us today for a free consultation.

How Can I Help My Personal Injury Case Succeed?

Written by kwmlaw on August 22, 2019. Posted in Kelly & West News.

No matter the measures we take to avoid physical or emotional harm to our reputation or our bodies, the misfortune of personal injury is sometimes unavoidable.

If you’re concerned about whether you’re going to be fairly compensated for your injuries in a personal injury claim, make sure you pay attention to a few Do’s and Don’ts for the success of your case.

Do – Gather as much evidence as possible. Take pictures of your injuries and the accident scene and be sure to get contact information for any witnesses or anyone else who came on the scene.

Don’t – Wait until later to seek critical information. The fresher and more recent the evidence you gather about your injury, the better. It will be challenging to go back and recall what happened after the fact. If you or a family member can’t get a police report and immediate photos of the incident, do so as soon as physically possible.

Do – Understand negligence. In many personal injury cases, one person can be at more fault than the other; it’s important you’re aware of the degree to which you may be responsible for your own injuries. The results of your case could depend on the laws of negligence and on contributory vs. comparative negligence, so make sure you understand the difference.

Don’t – Talk with the insurance company or give a statement until you seek legal advice. Also, don’t assume the right to compensation based on being “less at fault.” Sometimes personal injury isn’t so straightforward. In some cases, being at all at fault can deny you any compensation. The more you understand about fault and how you may be at fault, the better equipped you are to deal with these issues in your case, before you talk with the insurance company.

Do – Research the full value of your claim. There are multiple types of damages you can sue for, and you should be aware of all of them. Your case doesn’t have to only revolve around one or two types of damages.

Don’t – Accept the first offer. The first offer is rarely ever the largest amount that the other party is willing to pay.

Do – Listen to your doctor. Answer all questions honestly and adhere to the rules and recommendations given by your doctor following an accident.

Don’t – Steer away from your instructed treatment, as this could be used to suggest that your injuries are less severe or perhaps non-existent.

Do – Cooperate with your lawyer. As with your doctor, you must answer all of your lawyer’s questions truthfully as well.

Don’t – Hide information from your lawyer. You must fully disclose former injuries, medical history, criminal background, and other factors that could come up in your case.

Consider having Kelly & West on your side to maximize your claim with decades of experience and extensive knowledge in personal injury specifically. The sooner you contact us, the more effective we can be. As stated above, it’s best not to wait. You can use live chat on our website or call us at 910-893-8183.

The Top 5 Personal Injury Claims

Written by kwmlaw on November 13, 2018. Posted in Kelly & West News.

Personal injury is a fancy way of saying you got hurt — and it’s something someone else caused or could have prevented. Accidents happen every single day, but if you get hurt in one, you may feel concerned or worried about paying for your medical bills or time you missed from work. That’s why people may choose to file a personal injury claim, a way of seeking monetary benefits for an injury caused by another person or company.

In 2017 alone, Nationwide insurance company paid $18.7 billion in claims to its members. Here are the top personal injury claims that affect most people:

Car Accidents

Yearly, there is estimated to be more than 6 million vehicle-related accidents in the United States. While this number is only increasing, drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists are in danger. Distractions such as smartphones, navigation systems or car-related functions might be the reason. Regardless, if you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible for compensation. Make it a priority always to always visit a doctor after an accident, even if you feel fine. There are many cases where victims did not suffer physical injuries but sustained many internal injuries.

Slip and Fall

Slip and fall claims are a common personal injury claim. A slip and fall can occur anywhere, at work, home, in a restaurant. Elderly people are more likely to sustain a severe injury after a fall. Damage to the hip, head, back, and neck are very common. It may be difficult to prove a slip and fall claim. Contacting a lawyer after a slip and fall incident is crucial.

Product Liability

There is an average of 20,000 product liability claims that are filed in the United States each year alone. Many cases of product liability claims are defective toys, dangerous pet products, unsafe medical devices. Product liability typically has one of the highest average compensation values.

Workplace-Related Injuries

Have you fallen on the job? Work-related injuries are very common and can happen to anyone. Work-related injuries are often unreported due to fear of termination, but that means someone else may get hurt later in the same way. If you have been injured at work, report it immediately and contact a lawyer.

Medical Negligence

Medical negligence is another very commontype of personal injury claim. Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider doesn’t meet an adequate level of standard care required for a patient. This malpractice causes injury or harm as a result. There are many ways to prove medical negligence has occurred. Some examples are, failing to tell a patient of known risks, failure to diagnose, doctors negligence caused the injury and improper treatment was administered. Medical negligence is among one of the hardest and complex claims to prove and win; it requires many witnesses that must be willing to testify. However, that shouldn’t scare you off if you feel something wasn’t right with your medical care.

If you have questions about a personal injury, contact us for a free consultation.

Personal Injury

Written by kwmlaw on April 17, 2014. Posted in Areas of Experience, Personal Injury Lawyer and Legal Services.

Did you know you don’t always need a physical injury to bring a personal injury lawsuit?

In order to have a valid personal injury claim, you must first have suffered an injury. Second, your injury must be the result of someone else’s fault. However, suits may be based on a variety of physical and nonphysical losses and harms. Watch video: About Personal Injury.

There are a variety of typical personal injury claims such as car, truck, motorcycle accidents; slip/trip and fall accidents. Learn more about your particular personal injury case by choosing one of the buttons below.

If you would like to talk with an experienced and caring personal injury attorney, please contact us today.