FAQS - Basham Law Offices

1) How do I know if I should contact a lawyer?

If you have been hurt in an accident that you did not cause (even if you were a passenger riding with a family member or a friend), or have lost a loved one due to the mistake of another call us and we will help guide you through the legal process.

2) When should I contact a lawyer?

Contact us as soon as you suspect that you may have a claim. Statute of limitations vary from state to state, and at most you have 3 years from the date of the incident to bring a wrongful death or survival action. Investigation can take months and the memories of witnesses often fade quickly, so it is always better to get started with a claim as soon as possible.

3) How much will it cost me to hire your law firm?

There are a lot of different types of retainer agreements. In wrongful death cases and personal injury cases our firm, like many others, have what are called contingency fee agreements. A contingency fee agreement means that you pay the firm if you recover any fees for your claims. Payment is based on a percentage of the money that you recover in your claim or lawsuit. If you do not recover any monies then you do not have to pay any fee in these types of cases.

4) Who pays for the costs if I hire your firm?

Our firm, like many others, requires the repayment of all costs associated with your claim or filed lawsuit if you are successful in recovering monies. You should understand what costs are, and to what extent you are responsible, before you sign a retainer agreement with any firm.

5) What documents should I bring when I first meet with you?

Bring everything that you have related to your case. Do not try to decide what may or may not be relevant. That is our job. We are here to help you with each step of the legal process. Some items that are helpful in getting us started include:The name, telephone number, and address of the party that you believe

The name, telephone number, and address of the party that you believe caused your injuries or the death of your loved one;
Any journals or notes that you have kept regarding the incident;
All medical records that you have regarding your injuries;
In wrongful death matters - please bring as much of the above information as you have plus the death certificate, autopsy report, recent pay-stubs for the decedent, medical records relating to all life-saving measures provided before death, and any legal documents relating to the Estate (including appointment of Personal Representatives)

6) Should I wait to schedule an appointment with your office until I have all of the information that you listed above?

Definitely not. The above are only suggestions, not requirements, to bring to our first meeting. We will help you get any information that you do not have. I would suggest making and bringing a list of questions about your case and the legal process. I have always found that clients who come prepared to our first meeting have a much easier time moving forward with their claims.

7) What if I don’t know if I have a claim?

Clients are not expected to know whether they have claims or not. If you are injured, however, or have lost a loved one because of the mistake of another, contact us. The law can be complicated and I will talk with you, complete an investigation and explain your legal rights. Feel free to ask any question. I will always do my best to provide an easy to understand answer. Consultations in wrongful death matters and personal injury cases are free.

8) How long will it take to settle my personal injury claim?

We recommend that clients to wait to settle their claims until they either feel as good as they did before the accident, or if that is not possible when they reach their maximum medical improvement. Maximum medical improvement happens when an injured person reaches a point where his/her condition is not expected to get any better. The ultimate decision as to when you feel good enough to have us start the settlement process, however, is completely up to you.

9) Will I have to go to Court?

The ultimate decision as to whether a law suit is filed and if a client goes into a Courtroom is made by the client. Most cases never see the inside of a Courtroom, but no attorney should ever guarantee that a lawsuit wont need to be filed in order to try to achieve a recovery.

10) Will the man/woman who caused the accident lose their insurance?

He/she was so nice to me after it happened. Accidents happen. This is why we have insurance. If each time a driver had an accident they lost their insurance the roadways would be empty. There are always exceptions to the rule, but in most cases a negligent party’s insurance remains intact.

11) How are you different from all of the other lawyers that I have talked to?

It is impossible to speak for, or about other attorneys, but the approach of this Firm is very unique. The focus on personal attention to clients is at the core of the Firm’s philosophy. Questions are answered quickly and I personally walk clients through each step of the legal process, so that the focus can be on recovery in a stress-free manner.

12) I work during the day and cannot take off to come to meet with you. Can you still help me?

It is understood that especially during these difficult times missing time from work is simply not possible for a lot of clients. A meeting can be arranged according to your schedule at either your home or business. You will not be charged for this meeting in any personal injury or wrongful death or survival matter.