A severe injury can change you or a loved one’s life forever. At the Bison Law Firm, we understand the hardships caused by another person’s careless decisions. Our personal injury attorneys can help with the issues of medical bills, loss of employment, disability, and many other difficult situations.
If you or a close family member received an injury due to the negligence or irresponsible behavior of another, you will need an experienced legal representative to legally pursue and recover damages.
As practitioners in personal injury law, with years of courtroom experience behind us, the Bison Law Firm attorneys are able to advise and deliver assistance to those families and individuals who have been injured. We’re more than happy to answer your questions 24 hours a day by phone or email, and to discuss your legal options free of charge. If you decide to have us help you with your case, you will never be charged a fee unless (and until) we win your case and put money in your pocket.
WHAT DOES A LAWYER DO, AND HOW CAN THEY HELP?
Most people have been involved in minor fender-benders before. In collisions like this which only involve property damage, the process is often pretty straightforward. These types of claims are generally resolved easily and without the need for an attorney. So why do car accident attorneys exist?
Well, if you’ve ever attempted to handle a car accident injury claim on your own (or know someone who has), you probably already understand the value of having a lawyer on your side.
Unlike property-damage-only accident claims, car accident bodily injury claims are handled very aggressively. The process can often be extremely contentious, and insurance companies will do everything they can to delay, deny, and defend. Understand that the goal of the insurance company is always to pay out as little as possible on every claim. They already have a team of attorneys looking for ways to deflect liability, reduce the value of your case, or deny your claim entirely.
The role of a personal injury attorney is to advocate on behalf of the victim, to look out for their best interests, and to handle all communication with the insurance company. Your attorney will also thoroughly investigate your case in order to put together the strongest possible claim for compensation. This includes:
- Collecting evidence of negligence on the part of the other driver;
- Qualifying and proving your damages (losses) to demonstrate the value of your claim;
- Issuing an official demand, backed up by the threat of a lawsuit;
- Working with the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement;
- If necessary, filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial.
One other important thing to note is that, according to research conducted by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), car accident victims who were represented by an attorney recovered, on average, 3.5 times more than those who did not hire a lawyer. You only get one shot at bringing your claim, and working with the Collin County, Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding DFW area accident lawyers at Bison Law will give you the best chance at recovering the money you deserve.
HOW MUCH DOES A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER COST?
After a car wreck, one of the biggest concerns for victims is money. You may be out of work and struggling to pay your monthly bills—on top of your ever-increasing medical expenses. The good news is that there’s no financial risk in hiring an accident injury attorney.
Unlike other types of law firms, we operate on a strict no-win, no-fee basis (contingency fee) basis. In the simplest terms, a contingency fee means that you pay nothing out of pocket. If we’re successful with your case, a percentage of your settlement or award is allocated as attorney fees. If we don’t put money in your pocket, you literally never pay us a dime.
A contingency arrangement puts the goals of your lawyer squarely in line with your own. Because we don’t get paid by the hour, you can trust that we will work hard to get you the best possible recovery in the shortest amount of time possible. We take this financial risk in order to make the process easier on you, and because we’re confident in our ability to win your case.
If you don’t have health insurance, the car accident attorneys at Bison Law can even help you obtain medical treatment at no out of pocket cost. Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident is vital to your case, and our firm can get you treatment at no out of pocket cost under what’s called a ‘letter of protection’.
A letter of protection (LOP) is essentially an agreement between an attorney and a medical provider which allows a victim to receive medical treatment for no money out of pocket.
Through a letter of protection, the doctor or medical professional agrees to treat the victim with the understanding that they will be compensated for the treatment provided if and when the victim’s case is settled or won at trial.
For those who don’t have health insurance or are worried about the costs associated with a doctor’s visit, a letter of protection can help ensure that you receive the medical attention you need, regardless of your ability to pay.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT
The actions you take immediately following a car, truck or motorcycle accident can be critical to your ability to file a claim and recover compensation. While some of these steps may not be possible if you were seriously injured, doing as much as you can will help ensure that you have the best chance at a successful outcome.
First, if you are injured, call 911 and wait on first responders to come to the scene. If you are not injured to an extent that you require an ambulance, it’s still vital that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in your entire claim being denied.
Second, collect as much evidence as possible. Try to take photos of the accident scene, gather contact information from the other driver(s) and any witnesses, and keep track of any and all medical records related to the crash. Write down or take a photo of the other driver’s insurance information and be sure to get the driver’s contact info while you’re at it.
Third, contact the police and ask for a crash report number. You or your lawyer can then request a copy of the accident report from the police as soon as it becomes available.
Fourth, when you are able, write down as much as you can remember about the accident in detail. Try to be as accurate as possible about what happened and when certain events occurred, such as the police or ambulance arriving. Make these notes as soon as possible after the accident (when your memory is fresh).
After you have exchanged information with the other driver, do not volunteer additional information to them, their insurance representative, or their attorney. If you have hired a lawyer, simply direct anyone who attempts to contact you about the crash to speak to your attorney.
The most important thing that you can do to protect yourself after a car wreck is to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. Unlike the insurance company, your attorney is obligated to advocate for your best interests. Working with a skilled Collin County, Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding DFW area accident attorney will no doubt put you in the best position to recover the money that you truly deserve.
DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES
If you were not seriously injured in the accident, it may be tempting to try and negotiate a settlement directly with the insurance company so that you can move forward with your life. Unfortunately, doing so ignores the reality of the situation: insurance companies are solely working against your best interests.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is not to make sure that you get the money you deserve, but to pay out as little as possible on every claim. While this may be your first serious accident, insurance adjusters handle injury claims like yours every single day. They know how to take advantage of accident victims while they are in a vulnerable state, and they have no reason to play fair with an unrepresented claimant.
One of the primary tactics used by insurance companies is to calm your fears by telling you everything will be covered by them in the end. They’ll tell you to continue to seek treatment and to send them your medical bills, only to completely reverse course several months down the line when you’re already in over your head.
They will often needlessly stall at every turn in order to frustrate you. They will deny liability or say your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. They will even defend their driver when fault seems plain and obvious. Their goal is to convince you that they’re on your side, that you don’t need a lawyer, and that your case is worth far less than it actually is. Do not fall for these tricks.
Insurance companies have a team of on-staff attorneys who begin building a case against you the moment that your claim is filed. When someone attempts to handle a car accident injury claim without a lawyer, the insurance company knows it holds the upper hand. The only way to level the playing field is to have an attorney on your side who will fight for what’s owed to you, and who is willing and able to take your case to court if need be.
Even though you may not initially be in pain, it’s generally a good idea to seek medical attention after any car accident. This is particularly true if you have any initial soreness in your neck or back. Remember, it’s your duty to mitigate your damages. In many cases, symptoms of injuries such as whiplash or a concussion are very mild at first. Without prompt treatment, these conditions may become difficult to manage and difficult to prove even came from this crash.
At Bison Law, our job is to work for you. We will handle your entire claim so that you can stay focused on your recovery. Our attorneys will aggressively pursue your claim to make sure that you get every penny that you deserve for your injuries and related losses.
WHAT’S THE VALUE OF MY CAR ACCIDENT CASE?
It can often be difficult to determine the value of a car accident case early on. This is because any case’s potential value is heavily dependent upon multiple factors (e.g., the extent of the injuries suffered, liability issues, insurance coverage available, etc). The best way to get a general idea of your case’s actual value is to speak with someone who deals with car accidents like yours on a daily basis. The Collin County, Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding DFW area car, truck and motorcycle accident attorneys at Bison Law are happy to evaluate your case and explain the types of damages available to you free of charge.
When we say “damages,” we’re talking about injuries and losses suffered in the crash; what you’re seeking to be compensated for. Damages include economic losses (such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage) and non-economic losses (like pain and suffering and reduced earning capacity). In rare instances, victims may even be awarded punitive damages if the facts of the case merit them.
In the majority of car accident cases for example, a victim’s economic damages will likely include their resulting medical expenses (including expected future costs), property damages, as well as lost wages. The typical car accident victim’s non-economic damages often include compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. While it can be difficult to put an exact dollar figure on something like one’s pain and suffering, our law firm’s considerable experience handling personal injury cases helps us put together a strong case for why the insurance company should pay you what you’re truly owed.
It’s also important to note that accident victims should never entertain the idea of settling until they’re done treating and know the full extent of their medical expenses (including the possibility of future medical care or rehabilitation). Consider a situation where an insurance company offers you $10,000 to settle your case early on, and you decide to counter at $20,000. They’ll still say no, but let’s say that your condition doesn’t improve (or deteriorates to the point where you’re unable to return to work). Your losses may now be in the six figures. Unfortunately, since they have you on a recorded call verbally agreeing to accept $20,000, they have no reason to ever offer you a penny more—and they won’t.
Because our accident attorneys work on contingency, there is no financial risk in having us help with your claim. Consultations are always free, and we’re available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and explain your legal rights moving forward. Contact the Bison Law Firm today.