Knowing the Law is Useful: but Knowing Your Opponents is Critical

Here’s another little-known fact. Knowing how to “read” the law or do legal research is only about 30 percent of the equation that produces a successful personal injury case. And it’s the easiest 30 percent. Much like being a successful race car driver or professional athlete, legal success is directly tied to the experience of your personal injury attorney. This involves knowing how to precisely execute the procedures the law demands, proving the damages properly, and establishing a strong tie between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff/victim’s injuries. Most importantly, however, is being able to convince a suspicious insurance company that your damages are legitimate, as well as a jury of the justness of your civil claim. This is how to win personal injury claims and civil cases. When it comes to any profession, from professional athlete to CPA to personal injury lawyer, experience always wins.

Anyone can read a law book or purchase internet access to Westlaw. A lot of people are also tenacious negotiators in life and know how to “do deals.” But when it comes to personal injury, someone on your side must know how to apply the law by using the proper procedural methods and an intimate understanding of the task before you and those who oppose you.

Sadly, most people don’t call an attorney until their chances of winning are extremely low. We can tell you through their personal stories that those who call us quickly have a much easier time winning their damage claims and cases than those who wait even a few days to call us. Those who are not successful usually reach out to us after too much time has passed (usually after they’ve been knocked out in the first round of a 15 round bout).

By first attempting to represent themselves and handle the issue alone the victims generally are misled by the insurance companies they have been corresponding with. Insurance companies know how to “shine-off” injury claimants and entice them with low-ball compensation amounts. We’ve spoken to many people who have settled, and then come to us when they realize they’ve been fooled into thinking they won, when in point of fact, not only did they lose, they got creamed. One time a person chose to keep what he would payout to an injury attorney and got absolutely creamed in a settlement that was no better than ten cents on the actual dollars he would have won had he retained an experienced accident lawyer.

Many times an insurance company pressures accident victims to settle their lawsuits for less than they are worth: often much less. Now we assiduously believe in victims accepting a fair settlement offer. If it serves their needs, it benefits them. But jumping on an unfair settlement offer due to your dire financial straits can absolutely devastate your legal rights. For once accepted, you permanently give up your right to sue the defendant for more once you discover that the settlement was enough. That quick settlement is all you will ever collect from the defendant. So it’s important not to accept any offer unless it’s fair. And the only way for you to know a fair settlement offer from an insurance company that wants to victimize you is with the assistance of a Texas personal injury attorney.

What if that quick settlement amount is not the end of your expenses? Insurance companies know it’s not and they’re trying to get “out from under” those future bills and expenses. Since settlements are always binding, do you really want the defendant and their insurance company to get away with paying you less than you deserve for your accident claim! Contact our Law Firm to learn what your case is really worth. Then you’ll certainly know whether or not the settlement offer is truly fair, or merely the “ante” on the total worth of your claim.

Also, a non-attorney, or one who is inexperienced, or not respected by the defendants and their insurers, will never create fear in the minds of your opponents. Insurance companies and their expensively-tailored lawyers know at least a thousand ways to defeat you and your inexperienced legal counsel. Do you know how you must respond to a motion for summary judgment or how you’re supposed to answer interrogatories? Can you effectively depose witnesses in order to get to the bottom of the facts in your case? What if your opponent asks the court for a motion of summary judgment a week after the accident when you know nothing and haven’t even gotten out of the hospital yet? Inexperienced lawyers run to the courthouse too soon. And they get slaughtered for their rash initial act.

Can you investigate an accident scene? Can you follow the paper trail of defendants who try to hide their money? What recent rulings in Texas personal injury law might apply to your situation? What should you do if a counter-suit is filed against you and you must act quickly or your civil damage suit will get dismissed with prejudice (that means you can’t file again)? These examples are only a sampling of the hurdles common to the everyday activities encountered by the ”pro bono” injury lawyers with our Law Firm. Remember, you’re not risking a dime.

Put our years of experience to work for you if you want to know what your rights are, how to proceed with your claim, and how much compensation you can secure from your personal injury case. Regardless of how it happened or who is liable, we can answer all of your questions. Call our Law Firm now at 1(800) 862-1260 (toll-free) for a free consultation and find out how we can help you.