FAQ

This is another important factor you may be considering when deciding whether to bring a personal injury lawsuit. It is not always possible to predict exactly how long it will take for your case to go from filing to final judgment or settlement. It depends on many factors and the facts of your particular situation. During a consultation with one of our Goldsboro injury attorneys, we may be able to estimate how long your case will take if nothing out of the ordinary crops up during the process.

In personal injury lawsuits, attorneys customarily charge what is known as a “contingency fee.” A contingency fee is a percentage of the total amount we recover for our client. If we can recover financial compensation for you, the attorney’s fee will equal a percentage that we both agree on when you hire us. This will be discussed during your consultation.

If you are involved in a personal injury claim, it is advisable to seek an attorney’s review before you sign any release or other documents. Signing a release without proper advice could cost you thousands later in unforeseen costs or medical expenses. You should never sign a release without reading it, understanding it, and having an experienced personal injury lawyer review it with you.

The insurance companies or other liable parties in your case may approach you to settle your case under the guise of a speedy resolution. They may tempt you into signing a release by use of guilt or other underhanded tactics. This is because it’s the insurance adjuster’s job to keep the company’s payout as low as possible. That’s why you need an experienced attorney who will look out for your best interests, not those of the insurance company.

You should never speak with an investigator from an insurance company without your lawyer’s advice. You do not have to answer questions during a telephone or in-person meeting with your insurance company or anyone else without consulting with a Goldsboro personal injury lawyer at our firm.

Always consult with an attorney first. Depending on the nature of the interview with the insurance company, have an attorney present with you before answering any questions. This is vital because answering a question in the wrong way can do irreparable harm to your case, potentially costing you thousands of dollars.

Your case will go to trial only if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer that covers your losses. Many times a case does not need to proceed to a trial due to the nature of the case and willingness on the part of the liable parties to be reasonable and submit fair settlement offers.

When an offer of settlement is received, you and your attorney will sit down and calculate the cost and potential benefit of going to trial and the likelihood of success. An experienced attorney will be able to determine that with you. We can help you decide whether to go to trial or accept the offer.

If you are asking this question, you need a lawyer. We will be happy to discuss your case with you and we will not charge for the initial consultation. It never hurts to talk to a lawyer to determine your true rights.

If you have been contacted by an insurance company shortly after you were injured, the insurance company is trying to lowball you by paying you less than what your claim may be worth. They hope that you will accept a quick settlement without fully investigating or considering the facts of the case or your medical situation. Often, what may appear to be a moderate injury could, after a fuller review of the case and further medical treatment, turn out to be a significant and permanent injury. You owe it to yourself to make sure that you settle your case knowing all critical factors.