There’s an old saying in the legal business: ask ten different witnesses what took place, and you’ll get ten different answers. And, this seesawing of perception directly impacts both civil and criminal court cases—was one witness wearing his or her contacts? Did this witness have a clear view of the scene? Are there ulterior machinations and motives at work? To scythe through these legal quagmires, plaintiffs and defendants must employ the services of credible and cagey legal eagles. In other words, if you’re being sued for your role in an accident, better entertain the retainer of a personal injury defense attorney before you wind up on the financial chopping block.
Some accidents are cut and dried—for instance, an intoxicated driver careening through a red light and plowing into an unsuspecting driver. In this case, it’s pretty easy to assess blame. But, other situations get progressively stickier, and here, chiefly, is where a personal injury defense attorney aids immeasurably. A common roadway scam: fraudulent drivers will sometimes stop short in a ploy to encourage an accident to reap the potential benefits of personal injury and property damages. While naïve witnesses and on-the-scene cops automatically view you in the wrong (since rear-ending usually implicates the driver from behind as being at fault), a personal injury defense attorney can protect you from such scams and swindles. But, can hiring a personal injury attorney turn into a scam of its own? Not likely.
The big bucks are never in defense. In civil cases the plaintiff stands to capture the financial gains, while the defense swats down claims in an effort to protect current resources. Attorneys interested in the big bucks from frivolous lawsuits do not go into the defense arena—making personal injury defense attorneys generally free from scams and dodgy tactics. And, usually, defense lawyers will not actively seek clients (a la ambulance chasers and other offensive, greedy plots), proving an ancillary reason why personal injury defense attorneys are a safe bet for consumers finding themselves the target of a personal injury lawsuit.
Defending yourself, while a Constitutionally-afforded and thrifty option, routinely ends up poorly—legal entanglements generally prove hefty and frustrating for the neophyte, not to mention the enormous preparation involved, the indispensable knowledge of court procedures and regulations (not just knowing the word objection) and the ability needed to examine and cross-examine witnesses.
The good news for consumers is that personal injury defense attorneys are relatively easy to solicit through the World Wide Web. By employing search engines, defendants can readily locate lawyers with reasonable rates, extraordinary experience, and exemplary merits. But beware: when hunting for attorneys through online options make sure to read all available small print—because hidden fees and back-handed clauses could turn paying for legal advice into more than satisfying the plaintiff would cost to begin with. Not to imply that all personal injury defense attorneys are out to grift clients for billable hours or surreptitious charges, but maybe you should hire a lawyer to examine the contract before signing with one.
By Jean-Pierre Lacrampe