Will attorney Tate Meagher take my case?
Attorney Tate Meagher and his staff are devoted exclusively to representing Plaintiffs in various personal injury claims. Tate and his team carefully and comprehensively evaluate each case individually. Tate and his team are happy to review your case for free and will quickly let you know whether we can take your case. Even if you think your injuries are minor, give us a call, as your claim may have more value than you think.
Is the initial attorney consultation free?
Yes! All initial lawyer consultations are 100% free. If you want to talk to an attorney about your case, please do not hesitate to call our office at (502) 309-9213. After you have answered some basic questions with our attorney, we will advise whether or not we think we can help you. If it is more convenient for you, you can chat with someone about your case on our website or fill out a short form on our website to provide some case details to our office on this page of our website: www.calltate.com/contact. We will follow up with you in a timely manner after your live chat or after you provide your case details on our website.
How much of my time will be required in my personal injury case?
Unless your case goes to trial, the amount of time requiring your involvement in a personal injury case is relatively minimal. The initial consultation (virtual or telephonic meeting) to discuss your claim usually takes about half an hour. Follow-up conversations to check on your medical progress and to update you on your case generally take less time and can be done by phone. When filing a lawsuit, you would likely need to come into the office to discuss, review, and sign certain legal documents. You may also be required to answer questions under oath at a deposition, undergo a medical examination by a doctor selected by the other party, and attend a mediation (also known as a settlement conference). Most cases do not go to trial, but you will be required to attend the trial if your case does.
If I had an accident, is it okay if I speak with an insurance adjuster?
Two groups of insurance adjusters are interested in your claim - your insurance company adjusters and the at-fault parties' insurance adjusters. While insurance adjusters can sound friendly, understand that one of their primary motivations is to limit or even deny part or all of your claim. Many adjusters have decades of experience and have found ways to deny thousands of recoveries to injured victims just like you, so don't be deceived that you can match wits with them and win them over. Their job security depends on limiting and denying your claim.
You are likely contractually obligated to report an accident and injury to your insurance company. However, giving a recorded statement to even your insurance company adjuster is not advisable until you have spoken with an injury attorney with experience handling insurance claims. Indeed, do not speak with the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster until you have consulted a lawyer.
Can I still seek out payments for my medical bills if I was partially at fault for the accident?
The simple answer to this question is yes. Kentucky subscribes to a pure comparative negligence system in dealing with tort claims. This means that if you were partially at fault for an accident, you are still entitled to recover the damages that are attributed to the negligence of others. Determining how much fault will be attributed to each party is challenging and will be left up to the jury if your case goes to trial. An experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney, like Tate Meagher, will be able to advise you on whether or not your claim is likely to succeed.
The person that caused my car accident is claiming it is my fault. What should I do?
Many car accident cases involve a he-said/she-said situation, where it is initially unclear precisely what happened or who is liable. An experienced injury attorney will have an action plan to prove who caused the injury. Attorney Tate Meagher works with several investigators and accident reconstruction professionals who can often provide scientific evidence of the accident and who is to blame.
It’s important to note that not every case results from just one person’s negligence. Often, more than one person, including the injured party, is to blame for the damage. In Kentucky, under these circumstances, an accident victim is entitled to recover a percentage of the damages they sustain. Speaking to an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney, like attorney Tate Meagher, is often crucial for receiving compensation in this type of situation.
The person I was in a wreck with does not have insurance. What should I do?
In Kentucky, insurance companies offer what is called uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage protects against injuries caused to a person with no insurance. To be covered by this type of insurance, you must carry it on your own policy (or the insurance policy for the driver of the vehicle you occupied). If a negligent driver is uninsured, your uninsured motorist’s insurance will be liable for your damages. These claims often operate in the same way as a typical personal injury case, with the difference being that you are recovering from your own insurer. It is essential to remember in these situations that the representatives from your insurer are not out for your best interests. Like every insurance adjuster, they seek to minimize the loss of the insurance company. An experienced injury attorney, like Tate Meagher, can advise you on whether or not your claim is likely to succeed.
How much does it cost to hire our law firm?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get compensated if we make a monetary recovery on your injury case. However, if no financial recovery is made, you owe nothing. Our law firm is paid a predetermined percentage when a monetary recovery is made. That percentage is determined at the beginning of your case.
Do I really need a lawyer for my injury claim?
Insurance companies are not concerned with giving you the compensation you deserve. Filing a claim without an attorney or accepting the first offer will drastically diminish your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
The legal process is incredibly complicated and can be overwhelming for those who do not deal with it daily. While some claims are small enough to be handled without legal counsel, most of them should involve an experienced attorney to ensure you receive reasonable and fair compensation. Attorney Tate Meagher and our lawyers offer a free initial consultation, which means you have nothing to lose when consulting with a lawyer from our office about your case.
Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?
An insurance company is a business. Their main goal is to minimize payouts so they can maximize their profits, which does not leave your best interests in mind. Accepting a settlement from an insurance company will get the ordeal over quickly. However, the settlement will be incredibly low compared to what you rightfully deserve. In most cases, it is worth it to work with an injury attorney to get the compensation you deserve so you are not drastically underpaid. It may take longer, but the payout is usually worth the process.
How long will my injury claim take to resolve?
This depends on the specifics of your case. Every case is different. If someone sustained significant injuries, a settlement for the insurance policy limits could be obtained within a couple of months after the accident. However, it is not uncommon for personal injury claims to be drawn-out if there are factual and legal issues or if the compensation at stake involves a large sum of money. In addition, if you are still recovering from your injuries, that can also prolong the legal process. Therefore, it is typically in your best interest to wait until you have fully recovered or reached maximum medical improvement to understand your injuries’ complete and final value.
What is my injury case worth?
It is difficult to estimate the value of any injury case right off the bat. Several factors will influence the potential payout, which is why attorney Tate Meagher and our lawyers will need to thoroughly research your case by looking at past verdicts in similar cases in the local area and settlement data. The following will all be factored into what you could potentially receive: Past medical bills, future medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, as well as loss of future income.
