By David Peel
After an accident, your phone rings immediately — and not from people looking out for you.
Calls from “the state,” unknown clinics, and uninvited law firms is called ambulance chasing. It is sleazy, unethical, and often illegal. You should never owe a fee from an uninvited solicitation.
Your phone exists for your convenience, not theirs. Hang up.
Then insurers call quickly and insist on recording your answers — even while you’re on medication. Bad idea. Here are the five questions injured people Google most:
1. Do I Even Have a Case? Someone must have been negligent, that negligence must have caused your harm, and the claim must be collectible. Often the other side carries little or no insurance — but in crashes, using your own uninsured/underinsured (UM) coverage doesn’t hurt you, no matter who says otherwise.
Case can arise from car accidents, pedestrian strikes, slip and falls, dog bites, defective products, etc. A free consultation tells you where you stand.
2. How Much Is My Case Worth? No honest lawyer fully answers this on day one.
Value depends on medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Insurance adjusters are paid to minimize your recovery.
Be wary of TV lawyers who throw out big numbers just to sign you up.
3. What Does Hiring a Lawyer Cost? Nothing upfront. Contingency fee is percentage of what we recover. No win, no fee. And waiting to see if the insurer will be “fair?” Why would they be? Ever had a claim? What’s fair?
4. How Long Will This Take? Months to years. Tennessee’s statute of limitations is one year. Don’t rush it. Settling before knowing the full extent of your injuries is a mistake you can’t undo.
5. Do I Have to Go to Court? Probably not — but your lawyer must be willing to. I’ve been involved in cases in Mississippi, Arkansas, Maine, California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and beyond. If it settles before filing, no local counsel is needed. If not, that’s arranged at no extra cost. You have a right to an attorney you trust and can talk to personally.
Peel seeks justice for those injured in tractor-trailer and car accidents, medical malpractice, and disability. He often addresses churches, clubs, and groups without charge. Peel may be reached through PeelLawFirm.com wherein other articles may be accessed.
