How Do You Know if Your Lawyer Has Your Best Interests?

Have you been injured in an accident? Maybe a reckless or distracted driver caused a motor vehicle accident, or maybe you tripped over an obstruction on a sidewalk because it was carelessly hidden in the un-shoveled snow. Regardless of how you were injured, if another party is responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to receive compensation under Alaska’s personal injury laws. 

Examples of accidents that are covered by our personal injury laws include:

• Motor vehicle accidents, including car crashes, truck accidents, and motorcycle crashes
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip and fall cases (premises liability)
• Medical malpractice
• Commercial or private airplane and helicopter accidents

If you have been injured, contact the Anchorage personal injury lawyers of Kelley & Canterbury, L.L.C. by calling (888) 639-4817 or toll free at (888) 639-4817 to schedule a free legal consultation.

Everyone Has An Opinion About What You Should Do After An Accident

Every non-lawyer has an opinion about your accident claim, but all of these individuals are untrained. Your family, friends, or doctor may care deeply about you and they may want to give you good advice; however, they are not trained and experienced attorneys. Insurance adjusters, and even your family and friends, may not have your best interest in mind when they give you advice about your accident claim.

It is always in your best interest to consult with an objective, experienced, and trained legal team that has your best interest as their top priority. Below is a true story that illustrates this point perfectly.

Don’t Let This Happen To You

I met with a young lady who sustained significant injuries in a drunk driving accident. She was a passenger in the vehicle with the drunk driver and she was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. This young lady decided not to pursue an accident claim against her drunk driving “friend” that injured her for the following reasons:

• Her parents knew the family of the drunk driver. They feared if their daughter pursued an accident claim against the driver it would create an awkward situation. This young lady’s parents put the interests of the driver’s family above their daughter’s interest. I am sure they did not mean to harm their daughter; however, their “good intentions” toward the other family did just that.
• Family and friends blamed this young lady for getting in the car with a drunk driver, even though she did not know the driver was drunk. She had not even seen the driver drinking before she got in the car with her. I am sure if this young lady had known the driver was drinking, she would have thought twice about getting in the car with her. Again, her family and friends were not putting her interests first.
• The chiropractor that this young lady saw for treatment said it would be hard to prove she was injured in the car accident because she did not seek treatment for several months after the accident. She thought the pain and other symptoms would go away given time and rest. She took Tylenol and warm baths, but eventually , she had to seek medical treatment. The chiropractor was obviously not trained in the legal field or he would have known that a young lady in her 20s with no prior treatment for injuries or conditions before the car wreck should definitely seek legal counsel to file an accident claim.

The Moral Of This Story . . .

This story breaks my heart for several reasons. First, it is unfortunate that this young lady took the advice of non-lawyers that knew nothing about liability, causation, and damages. They knew nothing about Alaska personal injury laws as they relate to car accidents.

Second, I knew this young lady was hurt, needed treatment, and would likely overcome injury with the right treatment.  I also knew we could obtain a good recovery for her that would satisfy those needs. Unfortunately, she made a choice not to pursue an accident claim because others played lawyer and got into her head before she ever consulted with our law firm.

Now, this young lady will not only bear the physical pain and emotional stress caused by this accident, but she will now bear the entire financial burden even though she did nothing wrong. The drunk driver caused the accident that resulted in her injury; however, she will bear the entire burden from this tragic accident. I wish I could turn back time and meet with this young lady before these non-lawyers began giving her their opinions about her case.

Consult With An Experienced Alaska Personal Injury Attorney First

If you want an objective, honest opinion whether you should pursue an accident claim based on the merits of your case, we can help!

When you are injured in an accident, you not only suffer physical and emotional damages, but you suffer financial damages. The judicial system cannot undo the damage that has been caused by the accident; however, it does provide a way for you to seek compensation from the party at fault for your injuries.

If you are injured, it is in your best interest to seek the advice of an attorney who handles personal injury cases. The insurance company has a team of professionals working for it to mitigate its liability. You deserve someone working on your behalf that puts your best interest as the top priority. We want to be that person for you!

Do You Need An Anchorage Personal Injury Attorney?

Do not allow friends, family, insurance adjusters, or medical providers keep you from seeking experienced, trusted legal counsel. Only an Anchorage personal injury attorney who understands Alaska laws pertaining to liability is qualified to give you legal advice.

Call Kelley & Canterbury, L.L.C. at (888) 639-4817 to schedule a free case evaluation.  You may also contact us online. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call. We are here when you need an attorney regardless of the time of day or night!