Guidelines For Issues Of Employee Rights Law Omaha NE

Good Solid Advice For Selecting A Quality Lawyer

Dealing with lawyers is something that nobody wants to contemplate, as it often implies problems or troubles that are somehow undesirable. But, by gaining a bit of education about lawyers and how to find a good one, the experience is not something you need to dread. By reviewing the following information, you will have the preparation you need.

When looking through the Yellow Pages, you should never go with the first lawyer you see. You want to find a lawyer that will represent you well and one who is a specialist in what you need. Do not take just anyone's word either, do your own research so that you can choose with confidence. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

The lawyer you choose to represent you should be one that is easily reachable by phone. Being unable to reach a lawyer is a common complaint. You don't need to wonder if it's because they're golfing.

Never hire the first lawyer you come across. There are so many out there that it can be tempting to select the first one you come in contact with. Take your time and consult with a few before you make your decision. You don't want to make the mistake of choosing the wrong one.

A good tip if you're thinking about hiring a lawyer is to not get swept away with just the costs alone. Deciding on the cheapest lawyer around isn't always the best idea, and it can actually cost you more in the long run because they might not be very experienced.

Know any fees and costs before signing anything. Remember, it's your job to ask questions in regard to the costs. Ask every question you can think of, and look through every document you are given. Your lawyer is not responsible for you being quick on the draw when it comes to signing official paperwork.

If your lawyer does or says anything you don't understand, speak up. They should be more than happy to explain anything to you, from what a fee is for to a document they're having you sign. If your lawyer doesn't want to talk about anything related to your case, drop them immediately.

See how prospective lawyers react to your personal requests. The key to a great lawyer is being willing to accomodate the needs and desires of their clients. If you come across a lawyer that is not interested best personal injury lawyer near me in fulfilling this, then you have been given sufficient warning that you should find someone else to represent you.

Make sure that you and your lawyer communicate well with one another. In fact, it is important to discuss in advance how often you will be talking and by what means. Will your lawyer email you weekly or biweekly? Does he prefer to call you with updates instead? The form of communication doesn't really matter as long as you and your lawyer stay in contact often.

Try to gauge your expectations for lawyers when you hire one. If you come across a lawyer that claims that he will definitely win your case, he is a blantant liar and should be avoided at all costs. There aren't any guarantees in the legal system, so don't believe a lawyer that guarantees a win.

Be aware of the fact that every lawyer is covered by malpractice insurance in case they are responsible for an error that costs you in some way. This is helpful to you because your lawyer doesn't want to have to pay high malpractice fees, so he or she will strive to adhere to the letter of the law. Keep the faith that your lawyer has only your best interest in mind.

Do not allow yourself to judge an attorney based on how good their advertisements are. The reality is that an attorney that is reputable doesn't have to advertise to get new clients. Look into your attorney's background and use what you find to help you make the decision about whether or not to hire them.

Trust your first impressions of your lawyer. If a lawyer does not seem trustworthy or works too hard to convince you to file a lawsuit, you should not hire them. You should find a lawyer who makes you feel comfortable, takes the time to explain things and clearly has your best interest in mind.

It is often the case that lawyers are seen as a necessary evil, only to be consulted when things really go badly. The truth, though, is that if you educate yourself about what lawyers do and how they can help make your life easier, you are likely to see things differently. Hopefully the information above has been a useful resource to help you do just that.

Auto insurers play hardball in minor-crash claims

Profitable strategy

The cases, CNN found, illustrate a carefully developed strategy to make the victims look like they are trying to defraud the insurers.

But documents CNN obtained indicate profit, not fraud, is the reason companies decided to play hardball in small accidents.

For Allstate and State Farm, according to documents obtained by CNN, the strategy was developed in the mid-1990s with the assistance of consulting giant McKinsey & Co.

Looking for a way to boost profits, McKinsey focused on soft-tissue injuries incurred in minor crashes.

While the McKinsey documents -- numbered in the thousands -- are under seal in courts around the country, CNN saw several of them during a court hearing in Lexington, Kentucky.

Playing off Allstate's signature slogan, one document recommends the insurer put boxing gloves on its "good hands" for those who insist on going to court.

The strategy, according to former Allstate and State Farm employee Jim Mathis, relies on the three D's -- denying a claim, delaying settlement of the claim and defending against the claim in court.

"The profits are good, and as long as the community, the public allows this to occur, the insurance companies will get richer and people ... will not get a fair and reasonable settlement," Mathis said.

Both Allstate and State Farm declined requests for interviews.

In an e-mail, Allstate wrote it did not believe it would "have any real opportunity of being successful in getting you (CNN) to do a balanced report."

State Farm wrote: "We take customer service seriously and seek to pay what we owe, promptly, courteously and efficiently, and we handle each claim on its own merits."

The company also said, "Any attempt to generalize that State Farm adopted consultant recommendations as other insurers is just plain wrong."

A company spokesman sent an additional e-mail, saying that the company did work with McKinsey to improve claims handling but State Farm stopped using the McKinsey program in 1999.

Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, told CNN insurers do not have a strategy of blanket denial of claims. He also said strategies to limit expenditures on minor-impact crashes are needed to fight fraud.

Hartwig specifically singled out lawyers who he claims make a living on car accident victims, saying those lawyers are upset because "the gravy train is over."