The Livingston Law Firm, P.C.Gerald W. Livingston, President |
 |
 |
FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS Disclaimer Of Legal Advise And/Or Attorney Client Relationship The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) appearing on this web site and the information provided in response to them, including that information contained in the posted "Articles" are not intended to give or be taken as legal advice, nor to create any type of legal representation or attorney/client relationship between Gerald Livingston, or any other members of his law firm and any person who may visit this web site or receive the information. Any such understanding to the contrary is specifically disavowed. The information provided is designed to impart a general understanding of some of the mysteries surrounding the adjustment of insurance claims for personal injury and automobile property damage or loss. Just because the author is an attorney, there is no intent nor may a reader reasonably understand that an attorney client relationship is created by the presentation of material contained in this Web site or the reading of it. "What should I do at the scene of a motor vehicle accident?" "Should I take photographs of the vehicles and the Scene?" "Should I call my insurance company about an accident even if I do not believe it was my fault?" "Should I give the Insurance company a chance to be fair and see what they will do before I talk to a lawyer?" "Should I give the Insurance Company of the person who caused my injuries and damages a recorded statement?" "Am I entitled to a rental vehicle if mine needs to be repaired or is totaled? "My vehicle needed to be towed. Who should pay these charges?" "I am pretty smart, why do I need a personal injury lawyer?" "I don't know if Mr. Livingston handles my type of case. Should I call him or not? "How much is this going to cost me and how am I to pay for the service?" |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARTICLES
"I am pretty smart, why do I need a personal injury lawyer?" Although many of us enjoy the ability to handle most problems which come our way, there is one time when it is not wise to "do it yourself" and that is when you, a loved one or a neighbor has been injured or killed due to the carelessness of others. Like I often state, I may have a lot of legal experience and a bunch of degrees, but when I want to fly from Dallas to some other location, I let the pilot do it for me because I want to get there successfully. The point being personal knowledge and generally good intelligence will not get you through a serious injury or death case problem in the best of shape. Rather than trying to handle a personal injury claim yourself, and all of the numerous other matters involved, one should seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer for several reasons. By hiring Gerald Livingston, you take advantage of his experience. Remember, you may be involved in only one accident, but he has experience in thousands. He will be more aware of what should be done or not done in the development of your claim. Certainly, having been down the road more times than the average person, he will know where the "potholes" are located and how to avoid them. You may be sure, if you try to handle the matter yourself you will be dealing with the other fellows insurance adjuster. The adjuster is trained to do his job for the company not the you no matter how nice and friendly he may seem. The insurance company has its experienced experts. With Gerald Livingston you level the playing field while removing yourself from a lot of the everyday aggravation of not knowing when or what to do much less how to do it. There is the added advantage that Gerald Livingston will know better than the you how to properly evaluated the case and what is or is not a fair settlement offer under all the circumstances. If you, members of your family or your friends experience injury or the death of a loved one under the circumstances I have described, don't try to "do it yourself." A person has a right to represent themselves, but it is rather like the right to remove one's own appendix - not a good idea! So, if you or anyone you know may have need of Mr. Livingston's experience and services, have them give him a call, or, if they will agree for him to call them, let him know their telephone number and he will contact them. He wants to help! Some people hesitate to call a lawyer but once they begin to speak with Mr. Livingston, that fear goes away and he and the client can get on to business. go to the top of the page "I don't know if Mr. Livingston handles my type of case. Should I call him or not? This is often the question for a person, but it is always better to telephone and discuss the matter than not. There is no charge for a basic contact. You will find Mr. Livingston will talk to you, if he is available when you call, or if you leave a message with a telephone number, he will call you back. You will be able to speak to a lawyer about your case and not depend upon a paralegal to analyze it for you. If it occurs Mr. Livingston does not handle your particular type of personal injury case, because of his associations and contacts with many other lawyers, he is often able to refer you to another attorney without you having to guess who to contact. go to the top of the page "How much is this going to cost me and how am I to pay for the service?" If you, a member of your family or a friend experience injury or the death of a loved one as the result of the negligence of another, Mr. Livingston will speak with you or them at no charge unless the case is accepted. In a case that is accepted, it is taken on a contingency fee basis. This means the client does not pay unless a recovery is made. The usual and customary contingency fee in a personal injury case is 1/3, if the case is settled without the necessity of filing a lawsuit and 40% if a lawsuit is filed. The additional fee is usually charged not only because of the greatly increased workload, but because Mr. Livingston funds the reasonable expenses of the case out of his pocket which do not draw interest when repaid, if the case is settled or a judgment is received, but if the case is lost, the client is not obligated to repay Mr. Livingston for the reasonable expenses invested. He absorbs this loss. Since the risk is greater, the fee increases. |
|
© 2003 Gerald W. Livingston L.L.B. All rights reserved | Disclaimer The Livingston Law Firm, P.C. 6440 N. Central Expressway, Suite 405, LB-10, Dallas, TX 75206 |