|
At the Law Office of Dean P. Smith, we understand that there are many questions you may have regarding your case. We specifically developed this Q&A page on our website to provide some answers to your questions and concerns. Please also feel free to call our office at any time at 716.983.0525
__________________________
Q: How do I pay for my legal fees?
A: We take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no recovery, then you owe us nothing for our services.
Q: How do you decide if you will take my case?
A: We carefully evaluate each potential case. Our office does not take a high volume of cases. This allows us to devote the time to your case that you deserve. We determine whether to take a case based on our evaluation of your damages and the likelihood of success. Unfortunately, we cannot represent everyone who asks for and needs our help. If we believe that we can help you, we will take the case. If we are unable to help you, we will be happy to give you the names of other attorneys for you to interview.
Q: How do I pay for the expenses of the case?
A: In most cases, we advance the expenses of the case. The expenses are then reimbursed to our firm at the conclusion of the case.
Q: How much is my case worth? A: The value of each case is different and must be evaluated separately. We take a great deal of time to come to a proper evaluation of your case. At the Law Office of Dean P. Smith, we have been evaluating cases and successfully representing people for over 25 years, but we cannot ethically guarantee you a recovery.
Q: How long will my case take?
A: Some cases can be completed in a few months and others may take years. If we can resolve your case without filing suit, it typically takes less time. But we will NOT settle your case before we believe that we have obtained the MAXIMUM amount of recovery. If litigation is necessary, each court differs in the time it takes to bring your case to trial. While litigation tends to be slow, we make every effort to push the case to a fair and reasonable conclusion as quickly as possible.
Q: Will I be consulted before my case is settled?
A: Absolutely. Our clients are an integral part of our “team” approach to representing clients. We will provide you with copies of everything that we produce and receive about your case and will never settle your case without your express consent. You rely on us for legal advice and opinions, but the final settlement decision is yours.
Q: What should I do if I have been in an accident?
A: The first thing you should do is obtain medical care, either at the emergency room or with your family doctor. The second thing you should do is call the Law Office of Dean P. Smith at 716.983.0525. We are available to you 24 hours a day and will also personally come to you. We will always go the extra mile to make sure that you are provided the best possible legal and medical services available.
Q: What if I don’t feel hurt?
A: It is very common for a person to not "feel" an injury for several hours or even days after an incident. If you think you might be hurt, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Q: Someone representing a personal injury lawyer came to my home and said I should "sign up" with their attorney. Is this even legal?
A: In most states, it is illegal for a lawyer, or lawyer's representative, to call you on the telephone or come to your home, hospital room or anywhere else, without your invitation, to solicit your business. It is also illegal for an attorney or attorney's representative to pay, or for any person to receive, money, gifts, or other compensation for referring a case to a lawyer or for becoming a client of a lawyer. Any person committing such acts should be reported to the Erie County Bar Association and/or the District Attorney's office.
Q: What about these personal injury lawyers I see advertising on TV?
A: Any lawyer can advertise on TV and say whatever they want about how good they are, how much money they have collected for other clients, and that they will get you money. In our experience, many attorneys do not make good on what they promise the public in their commercial advertisements. In many personal injury law firms, you never even meet the "celebrity," the one that they claim will handle your case. Instead, your case is instead handed off to an attorney with no litigation or trial experience, a secretary with no education and no previous legal experience and/or, at the time of trial, completely outsourced to another law firm who literally knows nothing about your file until the very last minute and has no relationship with you as the client at all. Do NOT be intimidated to ask about the experience of your attorney or their staff.
Q: The insurance company keeps calling me and wants to take a recorded statement. Should I give one?
A: Under NO circumstances should you talk to an insurance company without having an attorney, at least on the telephone with you, to protect your rights. You are NOT required to give a statement, regardless of what the insurance company may tell you to the contrary. But you have an obligation to immediately report any automobile, motorcycle, or truck collision to your insurance company and to cooperate with it.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact our firm directly at 716.983.0525. Our law firm has attorneys licensed to practice law in New York State only.
_________________
Firm Disclaimer:
This web site does not offer, nor is not intended to offer legal advice. The content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. If you communicate with us through this site, please remember that internet e-mail is not secure and you should avoid sending sensitive or confidential internet e-mail messages unless they are adequately encrypted. Please be aware that the transmission of an e-mail itself does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Law Office of Dean P. Smith cannot act as your counsel, in any matter, unless you and our firm expressly agree, in writing, by virtue of a retainer agreement, that we will act as your counsel. Please be aware that the Statute of Limitations (the deadline imposed by law within which time frame you may potentially bring a lawsuit and may vary according to your specific case and/or claim) may severely limit the time remaining for you to file any potential claim you may have. This web site may be considered advertising in some jurisdictions under applicable law and ethical rules. The hiring of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based solely upon any form of advertisement. Before you make the important decision to retain our firm, please call Dean P. Smith directly at 716.983.0525.
|