I've Been Injured in an Accident, Do I need an Attorney?

    The answer is an emphatic MAYBE, or in most cases, PROBABLY; especially if you are trying to get another person's car insurance (called third party insurance) to pay your medical bills, pay you for lost wages and cover all the other expenses associated with your injury.
    But Why, you ask?  The accident was their fault.  That's why they have liability insurance; to pay people when they get hurt!  (Of course there's no "pay" if you're in an accident, but theoretically, they are responsible for all costs associated with the injury they caused you.)  The simple fact of the matter is, they will probably pay for repairs to your car, but all other expenses, especially medical bills, they will not willingly pay for.
     But they gave me a claim number!  They said they will pay my medical bills!  First of all, a claim number is just like file number, it promises to do nothing.  And pay medical bills?  I've been doing this since 1996 and have yet to see "the other guy's" insurance pay more than a fraction of the medical bills unless an attorney is there to see that they do.  And guess who is responsible for unpaid medical bills?
     If you are skeptical of getting an attorney and the other guy's insurance has "said" they will pay your medical bills, then ask them to put that in writing.  Of course they won't and then you'll see:  if they are going to do what they said they would, pay your bills, then they should be willing to put it in writing.  Its really that simple.  When they won't, then you'll know.
     With an attorney, you can get the treatment you need without having to worry about medical bills while you are treating.  When your treatment is finished, your attorney will work to get all of your expenses taken care of.
     Where do I find an attorney?  You can find one on the internet, yellow pages, or get referral from friends.  However, I think the BEST source for an attorney referral is the doctor you treat with.  We get a lot of feedback from our patients about their attorneys; some good and some not so good.  We can refer you to one who our patients think is a good attorney.  I would much rather refer you to a good attorney than have you take a chance on one based upon some sensational advertizing.  I mean really, who wants an attorney who screams about himself on TV?