FAQ

Do I need an Attorney?
Most clients do not know their legal rights. An insurance company will not tell you your legal rights. Insurance adjusters handle hundreds of injury claims a year and have insurance defense lawyers at their disposal. Ask yourself, how many injury claims have you handled? In most cases, there are no fees or costs unless we recover money for you.

What is a personal injury case?
A personal injury case is any case where there has been a death or bodily injury. At The Martin Law Firm, we represent people in all types of cases; injuries or death from car and motorcycle crashes, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, pharmacy errors, boating mishaps, slips and falls, dog attacks, as well as any other type of injury claim. If you, or a loved one, have been hurt by another, we would like to speak with you regarding your rights.

Do I need to consult a lawyer immediately?
In many cases, it is extremely important to contact an attorney immediately. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and witnesses move or leave town. Although it may not seem important at the time, contacting an attorney immediately to begin investigating the case may be the most important thing that you do to protect yourself and your family. It is also important to contact an attorney immediately because the insurance company will insist on taking statements, contacting witnesses and collecting the evidence whether you contact an attorney or not. In our experience, the sooner we can get involved in a case the more likely it is that important evidence and witnesses will be found.

How much is my case worth?
This is one of the most difficult questions any lawyer is ever asked. The value of your case is typically based on five areas, assuming that the other party is at fault. Those areas are:
1. past medical expenses;
2. future medical expenses;
3. past lost wages;
4. future lost earning capacity;
5. pain and suffering.
Of course, every case is different. The value of the case is affected by many factors such as the strength of witnesses, testimony of doctors, inconsistencies in the testimony and the strength of the testimony by the insurance companies' witnesses. However, based on our experience in trying cases, and through extensive research of jury verdict results, we are typically able to come up with a range of reasonable values for a case. This can only be accomplished after a thorough review of your medical records and after your doctors have given you their final diagnosis and prognosis.

How long will my case last?
Typically, your case cannot be resolved until your doctor gives us a final diagnosis and prognosis. Only then will we be able to calculate your future medical expenses and future lost earnings. Then we can begin negotiating with the insurance company. Typically, a case can be resolved within 6-9 months after you hire our firm. However, this time range may change depending on the complexity of the case and whether a lawsuit must be filed, or if your case can be resolved without having to file a lawsuit.

Can I afford a lawyer?
Most trial lawyers are willing to handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer will not charge you a fee unless there is a recovery. If a recovery is made, the attorney's fee is based on an agreed percentage of the gross amount recovered.

Why do I need a lawyer when the insurance company has offered to pay my medical bills?
Insurance companies would love to get away with paying only your medical bills. Medical bills are only one element of damages to which you are entitled. You may also be entitled to past and future lost wages, and pain and suffering.

My friend has a lawyer who handled her divorce for her. Why can't that lawyer represent me in my personal injury case?
The practice of personal injury law is a very narrow field. The insurance company is represented by adjusters and defense lawyers whose only responsibility is to try to limit your recovery.

The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law. See Terms of Use.