
Personal injury lawyers have for years been fighting a negative image put forward by the media which implies that they chase victims and persuade them to make petty claims for outrageous sums of compensation before fleecing them.
However, the results of a survey from YouGov demonstrate that the majority of adults do not expect large sums of compensation in the event of an accident, suggesting that personal injury lawyers have not been suggesting to the public that they can win more for their injuries than is feasible.
It also demonstrates that the public is not in general part of a claims culture, desperate to make money out of minor accidents. If this was so, we would expect the answers in the survey to far exceed the true levels of compensation.
An extensive survey conducted by YouGov, has revealed that many adults underestimate the amount of compensation which they could claim for a number of injuries.
Almost 2,000 people were questioned by YouGov and asked to predict the maximum amount of compensation that they would expect should they suffer from a range of different injuries in the workplace.
61 per cent of those questioned said that they would expect to receive less than 5,000 if they were to fracture their arm at work. In fact, the typical award for a fractured arm is 6,000 with an additional 2,000 for loss of earnings.
Similarly, for a leg broken at work, 46 per cent of those surveyed would expect 5,000 or less, while the typical compensation is 8,650, including 2,900 for loss of wages.
Charlotte Pegman, managing partner of personal injury lawyers Hubbard Pegman and Whitney, says, ‘While large compensation awards for seemingly minor injuries and slights rightly attract hostile media attention, the reality is that awards for most workplace injuries – often nasty ones – are generally much more modest.’
In the case of more serious and dramatic injuries, those questioned were more accurate in their answers, possibly as a result of the media coverage which more unusual and dramatic cases with large payouts attract.
For example, for the permanent loss of the use of both legs, 20 per cent of adults expected 100,000 or less, underestimating the typical payout for this injury by about 100,000.
However, 42 per cent expected more than 200,000 for the permanent loss of both legs ‘which in most cases people would get’, according to Pegman.
Denise Kitchener, Chief Executive of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), says that ‘repeated government pronouncements, supported by statistics, prove]that the so-called compensation culture does not exist. For more articles like this, bookmark www.AccidentClaimCompensation.net
By: Robshaw Carys
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July 22nd, 2010 in
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According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, an automobile
accident occurs every 10 seconds. These accidents account for the majority of personal injury
claims in the U.S. Car accident claims and lawsuits are probably the most common type of civil
tort case filed by attorneys today. Except in those states where legislation has been passed
doing away with fault as an issue car accident cases are litigated under general negligence
principles.
Auto Accident Attorney
An auto accident attorney is a legal professional who specialized in helping people who have
been in an auto accident. The expert services of an auto accident attorney can be valuable
in civil and criminal proceedings. An auto accident attorney can represent anyone who has
been involved in an accident, whether they were responsible for, or a victim in, the accident.
An auto accident attorney can help a person collect compensatory damages in a civil personal
injury, wrongful death, or property damage legal case. Through a personal injury case,
an auto accident attorney can help a victim seek relief for their medical expenses, loss of
income, disability, and pain and suffering. Through a property damage case, a person can seek
compensation for damage done to a vehicle, residence, or any other property. The services of
an auto accident attorney may also be extremely valuable in criminal cases.
After an auto accident, a series of accident reports may be filed with the police, insurance
companies, and department of motor vehicles. In some cases a police report is necessary.
In most, an insurance report is necessary. In some states a person must file a report with
the DMV within a certain period of time to avoid driver’s license sanctions. Every state
differs in their reporting requirements. An auto accident attorney can be very helpful in
protecting a person’s legal interests in accident reporting matters.
Auto Accident Laws
Auto accident laws are created and enforced differently in every state. For this reason,
it may be helpful to contact a qualified legal professional with questions about very
specific auto accident laws. Auto accident laws state that people involved in auto accidents
have a legal responsibility to stop, ensure safety and provide pertinent information to others
involved in the accident. After an accident it is important to collect all pertinent
information about the scene of the accident and those involved and any witnesses.
Causes of Auto Accidents
Negligence or willful actions on behalf of one party are often the causes of auto accidents.
Willful or malicious acts on behalf of one party are one of the major causes of auto
accidents. One of the major causes of auto accidents is drunk driving, or operating any
motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The causes of auto accidents can also
be attributed to a defective auto part, auto design, or auto maintenance. The causes of auto
accidents involving auto defect can include any of the following: defective door latches,
tires, fuel systems, air bags, seat backs, and seat belts, faulty ignition, and roof strength
deficiency. Defective fuel systems can cause fuel fed fires in auto accidents, which can
cause serious property damage, injury, and death in a vehicle accident. In some cases there
are external causes of auto accidents, such as poorly maintained roads or traffic signals.
Things to Remember if in a Auto Accident
First, anyone involved in an auto accident should try to remain calm so that any injuries
can be properly attended to and the damages evaluated. One of the most important things to
remember after an auto accident is not to discuss the accident with anyone but the police,
insurance company and legal counsel and to avoid admitting any type of fault or liability.
Lastly, call your insurance agent immediately so that the most accurate information is given
and any lapse in time for your claim being processed can potentially be reduced. For more articles like this, bookmark
www.AccidentClaimCompensation.com
By: David Vtipil
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You’ve been injured but can’t afford the fees and expense that accompany the assistance of a lawyer, so you’ve decided to hire a no win no fee lawyer. But before you begin your search for the right man or woman for the job, you should know which questions to ask to ensure that you’ve hired a real winner to represent you.
Five questions you should ask
You should always work with a solicitor that makes you feel comfortable and that encourages you to ask them questions that are directly related to your case, or any others that you may have. While you should also come up with questions on your own, here are a few must-haves that can really help you.
Can you review the agreement and return it later- It’s often stated that, “the devil is in the details” and this is often true when it comes to legal documents. Don’t sign anything that you have not had the opportunity to review at your leisure.
How long have they been practicing law and offering their services in the no win no area of specialization?-Experience is important when you are attempting to win high dollar claims for individuals. Insurance companies hire lawyers that are highly skilled and at the top of the field in winning no win no fee compensation claims, so it’s important that you find a lawyer who can hold their own against them.
What are their fees and expenses?- Although you won’t have to pay unless you win, you’ll need to be clear on the amount of money you’ll owe for other expenses like research, exams, and testing.
Who pays, if you lose? – No one wants to lose, but unfortunately someone will. And if that person is you, you’ll need to know beforehand what expenses you could be potentially facing. In most no win no fee cases, the losing party is responsible for paying the costs of the winning side. Many lawyers carry insurance to prevent their party from having to take on these expenses, but some do not. So make sure to ask.
How long will the process take?- It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how long it will take for your claim to be settled, but an experienced lawyer should be able to provide you with an estimated time frame. Knowing how long it may take for your settlement is important because it can affect when you are able to return to work, your finances, and even your health. For more information on accident and injury claims check back to www.AccidentClaimCompensation.net