The key to getting the most from a lawyer is knowing when you need one and what type of attorney you need. When fighting with a spouse goes over-the-line, it is time to call a family attorney. When the District Attorney’s office charges someone with a crime, it is time to call a criminal defense attorney. These example are relatively obvious.
What do you do when you have been wronged in other ways? How do you know if the law will help you?
Safeguarding Accountability
For example, I am an Alaskan Personal Injury lawyer. Most folks know I help people who have been hurt (and the families of those killed by) other people’s bad conduct (“negligence”). Usually, the negligence is poor driving – ignoring the Rules of the Road. People call me because they were hurt in a Motor Vehicle Crash – caused by somebody else. Some Drunk Driver crossed the center-line, or ran a Stop sign … and Crashed into them. When this happens, it really is not too difficult to conclude that the Drunk Driver engaged was wrong/negligent. We all agree that accountability is good: The law should do something to help people who get injured, and the families of those who get killed, by Drunk Drivers. Society is better when Drunk Drivers are held fully accountable for their bad conduct.
Helping Those Who Are Hurt
But what about situations where a person like you was hurt … and it is unclear whether bad conduct was involved? How is a person like you to learn whether another person engaged in the type of bad conduct that give rise to a tort claim for injury or death?
Or, what about situations where an insurance company tells you “there is no claim here,” “there is no coverage for that loss,” or “there is nothing we can do for you”? What should you do then?
The answer is simple: You can either: (1) Wilt away and let it drop; or (2) Find a good attorney to investigate for you. Most good Personal Injury attorneys are willing to expend the time and money necessary to investigate potential injury and death claims. We foot the bill to hire investigators, collect the records, do the legal/engineer/medical research to determine whether a claim exists.
It is part of our job. We also usually do it gratis: No charge.
Today’s blog is part one of a four part series. Visit us here each Wednesday in May for examples of what to expect from and how to get the most from a lawyer. See: Two, Three, and Four.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: Ward Merdes
Image Source: Merdes Law Office: Meet the Firm
