Common Questions: Personal Injury Laws in Las Vegas

 

How much do you charge?

We charge a percentage of what we collect for you. This is called a "contingency fee." In plain language, it means we don't get paid unless you do.

We encourage you to do your research and find the lawyer that is right for you. Unfortunately, in a competitive legal market many attorneys have begun to rely on deceptive marketing practices that lead a prospective client to believe that they will pay a smaller percentage of their recovery than another attorney might charge. Be very careful when you see these ads - often the fine print paints a much different story - and clients find that out only after the percentage has risen from 25%, to 33%, to 40% or even higher! Usually, those lower percentage rates only apply in the event that your case resolves in an unrealistically short period of time. "Unexpected delays" and "Defense tactics" are blamed but the bottom line is that clients rarely get the benefit of these schedule-dependent and upwardly mobile percentages.

We handle all of our cases on a fixed contingency basis. That means that when your case concludes and only when you receive your money, do we collect a percentage of that amount. If we do not obtain a recovery on your behalf, then we do not collect any fees or reimbursement. You owe us nothing.

If we take your case it is because we are confident that we will be able to obtain a positive outcome, and no matter what happens, we have a policy that we would like other firms to adopt: we will never, ever, take more money (our fee) than you receive.

If, due to excessive costs, our percentage works out to be more than your net recovery we will reduce our contingency fee so that we don't earn more in attorneys fees than you get. The only way the percentage will ever change at Crockett & Myers is if it is reduced so that you will get more money, rather than less.

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How can I get the treatment I need?

Once we accept your case, we will work with you to help you arrange any necessary treatment for your injury. If you do not have insurance we may be able to help you get treatment while your case is pending resolution. We have always adhered to the strictest of ethical standards in our relationships with clients and physicians, and will work hard to get you the medical attention you need to recover from your injury.

If you do not have health insurance, it can be difficult to find treatment options, and a medical lien may be an option. A lien means that you are responsible for the full cost to the treating physician when your case resolves. Liens are useful for clients who cannot otherwise afford medical attention.

Beware of any attorney that wants you to have unnecessary and expensive treatments or surgery, especially if you are being asked to be treated on a lien if you already have insurance. Clients are told that these treatments will be covered by the recovery in the lawsuit, and that the lien will increase the value of the suit - but what clients don't learn until later is that most of that "extra value" goes towards paying off those liens (usually at an inflated rate) and to the attorney, often reducing the net amount the client receives at the end of the case. Remember, if you have insurance, it is usually in your best interest to use it.

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How do I get my vehicle repaired?

Property damage claims are separate from your bodily injury claim. The most common loss of property is the loss of your vehicle or the ability to use it while it is being repaired. Before you sign anything, it is always in your best interest to have at least had a conversation with an attorney about your rights under the law. Call us for a no-obligation evaluation of your case and let us explain your rights to you, before you sign a release that may limit the amount the insurance carrier has to pay you for your lost property.

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How much is my case worth?

Injuries serious enough to result in a lawsuit can be devastating and life altering. Injuries to the brain, spinal cord, broken bones, burns, disfigurement, and internal injuries can disrupt your life by taking away your ability to earn a living and enjoy your life as you normally would. In addition to the physical distress, the emotional distress of having to pay escalating medical bills, insurance, and managing future care can overwhelm the average person.

Considerations such as past lost income and projected future lost income, past and future medical expenses, pain and anguish, loss of companionship, and punitive damages are all elements of damages for which you may be compensated. Call us for a free evaluation of the facts surrounding your situation and let us help you understand what you are entitled to, and how to go about getting it.

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How do I choose a good lawyer?

Choosing a lawyer is a very important decision, and choosing one that has earned the highest ratings among their peers lets the insurance company know that your case is being taken very seriously and will not be settled for any less than the absolute maximum amount that you deserve.

Billboards and slogans tell you very little about the actual performance of an attorney. When researching lawyers on the internet bear in mind that many of these websites rate attorneys based not on any objective rating system, but solely by how much attorneys are willing to pay for the recommendation. Instead of relying on advertising, ask what certifications the attorney has, and what rating they have been assigned by their peers.

The most widely recognized and respected consumer's guide to attorneys is Martindale-Hubbell (www.martindale.com). Martindale had assigned us a rating of "AV" - the highest possible rating Martindale can give to a lawyer due to our exceptional reputation and history. Also, ask about certification programs like the National Board of Trial Advocacy. These certifications are not just pieces of paper; they must be hard earned by attorneys to prove that they have the specialized abilities to perform in the highest capacity as their client's advocate.

Another important consideration is your attorney's trial experience. Believe it or not, there are many attorneys with years of practice that have never been to trial. Ask any prospective lawyer if they are willing to go to trial for you. Also, ask if they have done so for other clients in the past. Insurance companies know which attorneys will not go to trial, and they will offer lower settlements knowing that the attorney is more likely to accept it in order to avoid a courtroom appearance. We will not hesitate to take an insurance company to the court if it means that you will benefit from a trial - we have been doing it for decades with repeated and remarkable success. This means that when we negotiate for a settlement, the attorneys for the insurance company know we are not afraid of going before judge and jury for you.

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Will you take my case?

We would be happy to evaluate your case with absolutely no obligation to you. As one of the top firms in Nevada, we take our client's injuries very seriously, and we have a history of exceptional results to prove it. We do not take every case that comes to us - we only take legitimate, serious cases from individuals and families who have been injured and require the assistance of ethical, experienced counsel in order to prevail. Call us to arrange for an evaluation or a questionnaire that you can email or fax back to us. If you have been injured, do not wait until it is too late - the insurance companies have attorneys working against you beginning the moment you report a claim. You should have someone in your corner that they recognize and take seriously.

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How long will it take to resolve my case?

Crockett & Myers has several decades of experience in obtaining record-setting verdicts and settlements for their clients, and we have mastered the science of efficiently and quickly getting you the maximum amount of money for your claim. We always endeavor to bring your case to a favorable conclusion as soon as possible - but not at the cost of a reduced recovery for your damages. Every case is different and should be treated with individual attention and dedication. Quite often cases may be settled extremely rapidly. Larger cases require a period of time to properly assess, investigate, and prepare.

We are not a "settlement factory." Many firms have several employees (often not attorneys!) whose sole duty is to settle as many cases as possible with the least amount of cost to the firm for investigating the claim and future needs. The primary concern shifts from maximum recovery to volume recovery. This is never good for the client. Because of the large number of cases that pass through these firms, the insurance companies know that they can offer less on each case and that the firm will convince their client that the amount offered is "the best they can hope to get." Unfortunately, in too many cases, clients find themselves in need of additional treatment from an injury after the case has been settled for an amount that did not include provisions for future bills. Clients are often unaware that their cases were settled for far less than they could have received in with aggressive, competent representation.

Every case at Crockett & Myers is personally handled by an attorney who has been awarded the prestigious honor of "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the Nevada Justice Association, as well as having the highest "AV" rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Jim Crockett is a certified Civil Trial Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates, an exclusive honor that can only be attained by attorneys who have obtained awards of multiple millions for their clients.

Contact our Las Vegas Personal Injury Law Firm today for a no-obligation assessment of your claim and let us help you understand your right to the maximum recovery under the law.

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