Anyone who has ever watched television or opened a phone book has
been bombarded with advertisements from personal injury law firms. In
choosing a law firm to help you in a personal injury matter, remember
that lawyers charge a contingency fee, which is a percentage of the
recovery that goes to the lawyer. No one charges you a fee in addition
to that. An advertisement that says or reads "No fee unless you win"
does not offer you a special deal. It is the way all firms work.
When looking for a law firm to represent you, make sure you ask about
the contingency fee. Most people have come to expect a 1/3 contingency
fee. Some firms charge more than that, up to 45% of the recovery. Some
firms charge less than that, especially in cases where the matter is
resolved quickly without the necessity of filling a law suit. If you
have a good case a lawyer will understand that and work with you.
In addition, when looking for a law firm, don't think that you can
only talk to one firm. Visit more than one firm. Get to know the
individual who will handle your case. Get a feel for his or her
knowledge on the subject matter. If you have been in an automobile
accident, see what your lawyer knows about insurance and insurance
companies. Check on his or her experience. Find out if the lawyer who is
helping you is the same lawyer who will work on your case. In some
firms, you may never see that lawyer again, and you'll be dealing with
junior associates and paralegals.
Oliver, Price & Rhodes will not be advertising for personal
injury clients on television. We built our practice on word of mouth, by
reputation, and by our experience in the field of personal injury. Our
interest is not in publicizing our own work, but in taking care of your
problems.
