Can a Law Firm Decide Not to Represent a Personal Injury Claimant?

When someone becomes a victim of serious injury at the hands of another, it is common for them to seek legal counsel in order to make a personal injury claim against the negligent party, seeking recovery from the negligent party’s insurance carrier. But is it possible for a victim’s claim to be denied by a law firm?

Continue reading to learn why a personal injury lawyer might choose to pass on a case.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys
317-881-2700

How Personal Injury Lawyers Get Paid

Many law firms that specialize in personal injury work on contingency, meaning they will represent a client and handle their case for free, initially, and only collect lawyer fees if they obtain a settlement for their client. If they cannot settle, and fail to recover a judgment in court, the law firm does not get paid and loses the expense money the law firm spent on pursuing the claim.

For this reason, it is important for personal injury lawyers to take on cases that have a strong chance at being successful. If a victim of a personal injury has a claim that is not strong enough to win a settlement or judgement in the attorney’s opinion, a law firm may choose to pass on representing that potential client, and in doing so, refer them to other sources.

On the other hand, if the client insists on pursuing a claim that they could win but is not as strong as other cases, a lawyer may agree to do so in exchange for an upfront, non-refundable fee. So what makes a case weak? And why do lawyers pass on certain cases and personal injury claims? There are several reasons why a personal injury law firm might decide to not take on a case or to take on the case but have the plaintiff pay some of the up-front expenses.

Accepting and Passing on Personal Injury Claims

In order for a victim of a personal injury to successfully win a settlement for their damages, they must prove that they were injured as a result of another’s negligence or carelessness, that person had a certain duty of care to prevent such accidents, and more. There are several laws and stipulations that regulate these boundaries of negligence and fault, all of which vary among states, and personal injury lawyers are extensively well-versed in each of them. If they review a case that seems to have flaws or holes within it or a case where the evidence that once existed no longer exists, they may not see value in representing the client because the case is weak.

For example, if a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident because the opposing driver failed to stop at a red light, they likely have a valid case at first glance. A lawyer will assess whether or not the injured driver followed and obeyed all traffic signals and laws; and in the case they did, a lawyer will most likely agree that they were injured as a result of direct negligence and is entitled to compensation for their damages. In this situation, a personal injury attorney would most likely accept this case and represent this client for free, only collecting lawyer fees if they recover a settlement. If there is a witness stating the opposing driver ran the stop light, obviously the case and evidence would be even stronger and worthwhile pursuing.

Speaking with Different Attorneys

If you call and discuss your potential case with an attorney and they decide not to represent you, it is important to speak with different attorneys for their thoughts on the pros and cons of you potentially pursuing a case. Some attorneys will only represent a personal injury claimant who has undeniable evidence of negligence of the opposing party. Other law firms will represent a personal injury claimant who has strong evidence but not undeniable evidence.

Who to Call for Direct Personal Injury Advice

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers are ready and able to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment, today.

Basic Glossary Terms for Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

When a person is seriously injured by a person, place, or thing as a result of negligence, they are victims of a personal injury. Victims of personal injuries are entitled to compensation for their damages and losses; such as medical expenses, hospital bills, prolonged rehabilitation, lost wages, mental anguish, pain, suffering, and more. In order to pursue compensation following an accident, it is strongly advised to hire a licensed and experienced lawyer that is well-versed in tort law.

It can be very complicated dealing with insurance companies and opposing parties when it comes to recovering compensation; but a seasoned personal injury attorney has the resources and knowledge to fight for the recompense their clients are rightfully owed. Because the process of filing a claim against a company or person is complex, it is imperative to have professional legal counsel in order to present an effective case. Below are several glossary terms that are related to tort law and lawsuits. Continue reading to learn common legal jargon used in a personal injury claim or case.

Important Legal Terms for Tort Law

Personal Injury – Injury to the body, mind, or emotional health.

Accident – An unexpected and often sudden event that causes harm to another person, reputation, or property, unintentionally.

Tort – A wrongful action that results in the injury or trauma of another person, their reputation, or their property.

Negligence – Failure to possess or demonstrate a level of care, expected by all persons under law, which protects another person, reputation, or property from harm or foreseeable and unreasonable risks.

Pain and Suffering – Mental and/or physical distress experienced by a victim of a personal injury.

Recover – To receive compensation equivalent to the losses and damages incurred from a negligent accident that caused a personal injury.

Party – A participant in a lawsuit.

Plaintiff – The party of people bringing forth a lawsuit. Also referred to as a claimant.

Defendant – The person or entity that is being presented with a lawsuit from the plaintiff. The party supposedly liable for the plaintiffs’ injuries and damages.

Lawyer – The licensed legal party that represents a claimant or a defendant. Sometimes one person, and other times, a small team of people.

Judge – A pubic officer that is appointed to hear and decide legal cases in a court of law.

Jury – A small group of randomly selected individuals that assist a judge in identifying the guilty party in more complex lawsuits.

Adjuster –An individual appointed by an insurance company to settle a claim. Their purpose is to coordinate a settlement that doesn’t require the insurance company to pay out, or pay-out as little as possible.

First Party Insurance – The claimant’s insurance company.

Third Party Insurance – The defendant’s insurance company.

Answer – The note filed by the defendant or opposing party in response to the claimant’s allegations and requests, revealing their position in the case.

Complaint – A formal expression of grievance filed in the appropriate court by the plaintiff.

The Personal Injury Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about personal injury lawsuits in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned accident attorneys that can fight to recover compensation for your losses. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, today.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. Writes Their 100th Blog Entry!

Now Users Can Access an Abundant Inventory of Helpful Topics and Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Law and More! Get Useful Tips, Advice, Facts, and Answers Regarding Serious Accidents, Injuries, and Compensation!

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Here at the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we are proud to announce that today marks our 100th blog entry on our website! For nearly two years, we have committed to adding new and interesting topics to our blog site with the intention of providing helpful information for anyone in need.

Now, end-users can access several topics and categories of personal injury law for answers and guidance after being seriously injured. Peruse blogs regarding workplace safety or workers’ compensation, as well as, personal injury facts, tips for safer driving, insurance injury claims, who’s at fault for an accident, and much more!

We strive to be an effective and efficient source of information for anyone looking for answers to general personal injury questions, or topics about general personal injury law. And as for our clients, we work even harder to make sure they are fully-informed during their claim process by avoiding confusing legal jargon and only using a legal language that everyone can clearly understand.

Give Us a Call Today!

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call our office today at 317-881-2700 if you have been injured in an accident recently, and have questions about filing a claim, insurance settlements, or receiving compensation. Seasoned attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are happy to discuss your legal options after being hurt in an accident. We offer free initial consultations to hear your case and determine if you have a valid legal claim at no obligation to you.

And if we believe you are entitled to compensation for your damages and losses, we will represent you without collection any upfront fees. You only pay us if we prevail for you! Visit our blog page for additional information about personal injury claims and more. Or call 317-881-2700 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable legal attendant about scheduling an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney that truly cares.