Frequently Asked Personal Injury Questions
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How can you represent me if I am from out of state?
CONTACT US for a Free Consultation - How quickly should I file a lawsuit?
Q. How do I know if I have a case?
A. A short consultation, at no cost to you, usually is all that is needed in order to determine if you should hire an attorney. In many cases, we can tell you if it is, or is not, in your best interest to hire an attorney.
Q. How can I afford an attorney?
A. Attorneys fees and costs of litigation can be overwhelming. Understanding this reality, we handle cases on a contingency basis. That means that you pay our attorneys fees only if there is a recovery in your favor.
Q. Who will work on my case?
A. Attorneys will handle your case. However, legal assistants help the lawyers working on your case. They often can answer any question you may have. Our attorneys are often in court, depositions and in meetings. Nonetheless, our attorneys will take your calls when available and return your calls when not.
Q. How do I pay for the expenses of my case?
A. In many cases, our law firm will advance the expenses and be paid back from your portion of the recovery.
Q. Can you settle my case without me knowing?
A. No, the attorneys at Slappey & Sadd, LLC will not settle your case unless you decide upon it.
Q. What is a deposition?
A. A deposition is given under oath in front of a certified court reporter. You will be asked by opposing attorneys, a wide range questions regarding your claim. Your attorney will be present with you during the entire proceeding.
Q. Should I speak with the insurance company?
A. If you have already hired an attorney, you should be able to direct the insurance company to them. If not, it’s best to consult with an attorney if you have any questions. Insurance companies are looking out for their best interests, not yours. Be wary about being asked to give a statement without legal advice. Many times information given in this statement can be used to unfairly minimize your claim.
Q. How can you represent me if I am from out of state?
A. If your loss occurred in the state of Georgia you will need to find an attorney here. We are accustomed to working successfully with out of state clients and their local attorneys.
Q. How long will it take to settle my case?
A. There's no definite time when a personal injury case ought to be settled. It all depends on your unique circumstances. In all matters, the legal assistants and attorneys will regularly inform you of progress toward settlement. You should also know that cases do not always settle. If the insurance company insists on not compensating you or unfairly minimizes your losses, lawsuits are required to resolve the case.
Q. How quickly should I file a lawsuit?
A. Many cases have a “statute of limitations” which means that you only have a certain amount of time in which to file a claim. You should seek legal counsel as soon as you can in order to determine if you have a valid case, and the strict time limits within which you must file a case to preserve your legal rights.
Communicating With Our Lawyers
We know that open communication an attorney is critically important. Our office hours are generally from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If our regular hours office are inconvenient, we are always willing to talk at other times by appointment. Meetings can be held at any of our firm’s offices or at another location more convenient for you. We are flexible.
After hours, a message can be left in our general telephone mailbox or one can ask for the direct dial extension of a specific attorney.
Confidentiality
We take the confidence our clients have placed in us very seriously and unless granted express permission, will never discuss your matters with any other person or organization outside the firm or our co-counsel.
Basis For Our Charges - Contingent Fees
Many of our clients have significantly fewer financial resources than the well-heeled corporations they oppose who can invest almost limitless time and money in the legal process. For this reason, we work predominantly on a contingent fee basis, meaning we get paid only if we bring a case to a successful conclusion for you. This is true whether such a conclusion is through settlement, judgment, or otherwise. The percentage to which our firm is entitled as an attorney's fee is specified in our retainer agreement.