A personal injury claim after an accident can quickly lead you to be taken advantage of. This can be especially true if you are not represented by an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer. After a consultation, one of the first steps in the case will be to send a letter of representation.
When you secure representation for your personal injury case with John Foy and associates, you are retaining years of collective experience and knowledge. In the last 20 years, we have recovered over one billion dollars for our clients. Rest assured that we will fight for your right to your maximum compensation.
Understanding Personal Injury
A personal injury claim may be made if you have sustained significant injury because of the negligent or malicious behavior of someone else. The umbrella of personal injury law is a large one. Some common cases of personal injury may be:
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Letter of Representation and You
Your personal injury attorney will send the letter of representation to the opposing parties or counsel, and this affects you in a few ways. The most general reason for this is to notify all parties that you have retained a lawyer and that communication should be directed to them. When this is sent, you are no longer required to and are strongly advised against speaking with the other parties without your attorney.
Further, this letter will typically include the written withdrawal of consent for any previously signed releases. It will also typically prohibit contact with employers. These notices ensure that most, if not any, communication or requests for information will be filtered through your attorney.
Upon receiving calls from the insurance company after retaining a personal injury lawyer, it is within your power to direct them to contact your attorney. It is advised to keep any contact brief and refrain from answering any questions. If you are informed that they have reached out to your employer or care providers, you should promptly inform your attorney.
Letter of Representation vs. Engagement Letter
You may hear about an engagement letter when you begin a professional relationship with an attorney. Though this may be something you see around the same time, it is not to be confused with a letter of representation. The letter of representation is something that goes to the relevant parties, notifying them that you now have legal counsel.
An engagement letter establishes the parameters of the relationship with your attorney. This may include what the services include, the fee schedule, who the client is, and under what circumstances the relationship may be terminated. This letter may also include information on disputing fees, though personal injury attorneys frequently work on a contingency basis.
Information in a Letter of Representation
These letters will typically be sent through certified mail. This will ensure proof of receipt and document who received it in case issues arise. Beyond the request for contact to be sent directly to the attorney, some of the information included in the letter is:
- Client name
- Claim number
- Injury date
- Policyholder
Included in the letter, your attorney will typically request information regarding insurance information. This request is pursuant to Georgia O.C.G.A. §33-3-28, which requires disclosure of insurance coverage amounts and limits. They may send the insurance policy declaration page with the necessary information.
The Benefits of a Letter of Representation
Sending a letter of representation notifies the insurance company that you have secured legal representation. It also tells them you are taking your settlement seriously and are unwilling to accept an unfair settlement amount. The most beneficial part of having a letter of representation is that you have legal representation to support you in recovering your losses.
How Personal Injury Representation Can Help You
Having an experienced personal injury attorney representing you in your case can be invaluable. Retaining an Atlanta personal injury attorney can take off your emotional load and, in most cases, negotiate a higher settlement. Some of the added benefits of bringing on an attorney are:
- Investigation experience: An experienced attorney knows what is worth looking into and may catch important details that non-lawyers may miss. They may also know where to look for evidence or what specialists to contact to get the information you need
- Navigating insurance hoops: The insurance company’s priority is to keep as much money for itself as possible. An attorney knows these strategies and can work around them to get you a fair settlement offer
- Referrals: An attorney who is familiar with your type of case may be able to connect you with professionals who specialize in your specific injuries, offering more tailored opinions and treatments
- Procedural literacy: Understanding all of the rules and pitfalls of the process is a huge undertaking, and the slightest mistake can affect your eligibility. A personal injury lawyer with Jon Foy is aware of those and can ensure that deadlines are met and that the paperwork is done correctly.
This is in no way an exhaustive list of how a personal injury attorney can help you in your case. Compensation is our goal, but we also want to ensure that all our clients are treated with respect and dignity. We value clear communication and responsiveness, which means you should always know what is happening with your case and who to contact for questions.
Why Work with an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer from John Foy and Associates
Deciding to retain a personal injury lawyer is a big step. There are a lot of terms and components that you may not be familiar with or fully understand. At John Foy and Associates, part of our job is ensuring you understand what is happening and what to expect in the process.
If you have not yet retained an attorney, contact us for a free case consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t owe us anything until we recover compensation for your losses. We will walk you through the process and ensure you understand what to expect regarding your letter of representation.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
