COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PERSONAL INJURY CASES

How will The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C. handle my case?
The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C. will investigate your claim. This usually requires a review of some or all of the following:

1. Witness statements.
2. Police reports.
3. A review of appropriate statutory law (laws enacted by your legislature).
4. A review of appropriate case law.
5. A review of all medical reports and bills.
6. A review of other documents such as property damage estimates, photographs, etc.

The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C. will also contact the insurance company for the person, persons, or company who caused your injuries. Medical records will be obtained through the use of authorization forms. The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C. will review those medical reports as they come in from your doctor and will keep abreast of the applicable law relating to your case.

How will The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C. be paid and what is a contingent fee
agreement?
In almost all personal injury cases, The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C. will be paid by keeping a percentage or portion of the final settlement or court award resulting from your injury. The percentage will be discussed with you and will be the subject of what is called a contingent fee agreement. The law requires for your protection and that of your lawyer, a written contract which specifies the fee he will charge so there will be no misunderstanding about how much your case will cost. The Law Office of William M. Didlake, P.C.’s fee agreements provide that you do not have to pay your lawyer for his or her services unless, and until, the case is settled or is resolved by a court verdict in your favor.

When will my case settle?
It is impossible in the early stages of a personal injury claim to predict when that particular claim will actually settle. Some cases settle in a matter of months after the injury while others can take years to get to settlement or trial. Your lawyer will usually wait until you have completed recovery from your injury before tying to settle your case. It is important to know the following before your case is settled:

1. What is the total of all medical bills?
2. Will any further medical treatment be necessary?
3. If further medical treatment is necessary, what is the prediction of its cost?
4. Are any of your injuries permanent?
5. What was your total loss of income because of the injury?

There are other factors that must be taken into consideration before settlement. As the case progresses, your lawyer will have some idea as to the approximate time that the case may be appropriate for settlement.
After attorneys’ fees, medical bills, liens, and costs, will there be anything left
for me?
You must remember that the law allows you to be compensated for your injury – to give you compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and a reasonable amount for pain and suffering. The law does not provide that injured parties “get rich” from insurance claims, especially in small cases. Your attorney will do his very best to see that you get fair compensation for your injuries.