The role of personal injury attorneys in Baltimore is to make sure your rights are protected and get you the compensation you deserve. In the event of an injury, you will want to speak to your attorney before speaking to any insurance companies. Insurance companies are looking out for their interests and can use what you say to reduce their liability or deny a claim altogether. An attorney can intervene on your behalf and deal with the insurance company. You focus on recovering and they will focus on getting your short term and long term needs met.
Personal injury cases can be complicated and drawn out affairs. Short term needs, such as medical expenses, repairs, and a rental car in the case of an automobile accident, can be coordinated between the insurance company and personal injury attorneys in Baltimore. They will handle interviews and fact finding research to determine long-term needs. Those can include retraining if the injury prevents you from doing your current job, recovery of lost wages if you are out of work and compensation for pain and suffering. They can also negotiate a settlement that is fair and appropriate. If a settlement cannot be reached, the attorney will represent you in court.
Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation, so there are costs involved in getting your case started. Some attorneys work on a contingency basis. That means that they will not collect any money until you receive compensation from the insurance company. Once you are awarded a settlement, the attorney will take an agreed upon percentage as fee for the services. If you are not awarded a settlement, you will not be charged attorney fees. Not all attorneys work on a contingency basis so be sure to ask that at the initial consultation.
While some firms handle only personal injury cases, many do not. Other areas of services may include drunk driving, bankruptcy, criminal law, drug crimes, business law, and/or wrongful death. Take the time to find an attorney with experience in personal injury law. Ask how many personal injury cases have been settled and how many have gone to court.
