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Most legal cases these days seem to arise from automobile accidents. Yet victims of auto accidents quickly find that if the accident is clear cut, the insurance companies will take care of the damage. This may seem odd coming from an accident attorney, but frequently matters work themselves out, and no attorney is needed to arrange for repairs, rental cars, etc. In other accident cases insurance companies will voluntary arrange for payment of medical bills, lost wages, and even for pain and suffering. If all of these benefits can be obtained without an attorney, why would anyone ever hire one? Consider the following:

If you have an injury case how will you know what it is worth? Unlike property damage cases, there is no readily available source to figure out what an injury case is worth. Even if the insurance company voluntarily agrees to pay compensation how much should you ask for: How much should you accept? How can you be completely sure that you are receiving a reasonable settlement? The final evaluation of personal injury cases has a great deal to do with the manner in which the evidence is presented (and the permissible court venue (e.g. cases in Norfolk, VA may be worth an amount which is entirely different than Virginia Beach, VA). Only an experienced attorney will be able to objectively evaluate the case.

A personal injury victim is entitled to personal attention and the prompt efficient handling of his or her case. If the firm is a “mill,” you will almost certainly not receive this level of service. Also, if the case is headed for court, the law firm will need to have significant resources to take the case all the way through trial and perhaps on appeal. Aggressive litigation requires legal research, the ability to handle voluminous documents, technology skills and deep pockets to advance the costs for experts and consultants.

The answer to this question may not be readily apparent from the Internet but you can get a sense of the firm’s trial experience from “outcomes”, which firms typically list. Often, firms that take high volumes of small cases are simply unable to get the best possible outcome. They settle to save time. Ask the potential lawyer what his approach is to the handling of small, medium and large cases.

Is the firm conveniently located? Will they meet with you at your convenience? What types of fees and costs will be charged? Does the firm practice in all local circuit and federal courts? (A hallmark of good firms is the ability to practice in federal court where the procedures are more complex and the rules less forgiving).

Once a personal injury victim gets the answers to these questions, he should consider setting up an appointment. Perhaps most important, the potential client should get to know the lawyer (not necessarily the paralegal or investigator, but the lawyer who will ultimately be responsible for the case). If the personal injury lawyer seems attentive and ready to take the case on and otherwise gives you a good feeling, you have probably reached the end of your search. If not, don’t be shy about asking for time to think about your retention decision. If something is telling you that there is something wrong, you should consider listening to that little voice.

Ultimately, the attorney-client relationship should turn into a bond. If a case is hotly contested, the lawyer and client are essentially going to war together and both parties need to feel that the other “has their back.” When the relationship works out, it is a beautiful thing. With attention to the guidelines above and a little bit of digging, you can find the right Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer for your case. Feel free to contact us if you think we may be right for you.

It may not be the first or even the second question on your mind, but inevitably all of our clients want to know: How much is my personal injury case worth? Not only is that a reasonable question, it is the most important question.

We don’t hide from answering questions like this, but we always ask our clients to step back and look at the big picture first. Before we can answer an important question like that, we need to consider whether the client has recovered sufficiently from her injuries to even make an assessment. Personal injury cases are almost always settled on a lump sum basis, and the injury victim is always asked to sign a release of all liability. If you settle for too little, too soon or for too little, you may come to regret it.

But if the time is right, asking how much the case is worth is a valid and appropriate question. We use a formula which is deceptively simple: we go to the Virginia Model Jury Instructions and review each item for which compensation can be awarded. Then, we deduct a factor for the cost, delay, inconvenience and risk that the client will endure in bringing the matter to court. Simple, right?

Of course, it is not always so simple. While some of the items which are recoverable are straightforward (for example, past and future medical bills), certain other items are hard to calculate such as pain, suffering, disfigurement, etc. In the end, there is no substitute for an experienced trial attorney and his or her knowledge of local cases and local courts. In fact, there are a number of jury verdict services and attorney publications which advise us as to case outcomes. Some outcomes are positive, some are not. By weighing all of this data and considering what it will cost to bring the matter to court, we can come up with a reasonably accurate prediction in most cases.

So, what is your case worth? It can sometimes be difficult to tell. Patience and forthright reporting to professionals and a realistic expectation can help clarify matters and get the case resolved for its maximum realistic value.