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When people are injured by others, they have little reason not to consult
with a lawyer about their rights and ability to sue for damages. Generally
speaking, lawyers charge no fee for their initial consultations in personal
injury cases. Victims of injury may utilize this free legal advice to inform
themselves about how the legal system may be used to their advantage. If both
the injured party and lawyer decide to go ahead with a personal injury case,
this is likely to be handled on a contingency fee basis. This means that the
lawyer only gets paid if the case is won. Plaintiff maybe liable for other
costs of litigation, whether he or she wins or loses. This includes the
out-of-pocket expenses that the lawyer incurs, such as court reporter bills,
copying expenses, expert witness fees, costs for obtaining copies of doctor's
and hospital records and the like. The fact is, however, that many lawyers
will not take a personal injury case without being reasonably sure that the
case can be won.
It is generally a good idea to consult a lawyer about your injuries, even if
they seem relatively minor. What you may not know is that you may have the
right to be compensated for much more than the medical bills you have
incurred. Without consulting a lawyer, the insurance company may take
advantage of your ignorance of your rights and convince you to settle for
substantially less than what you deserve. Before settling even on a minor
claim, it is wise to seek legal advise. You may be surprised what you learn.
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