Posted by Andrew Parker

Despite the average number of motor vehicle accidents falling and car safety, as ever, improving that has been a rapid increase in motorists and passengers saying they have been hurt, and are seeking compensation.

These claims are causing premiums to increase, with some motorists expecting to see a 40% rise in the cost of their premiums. This problem is particularly endemic in the UK, where personal injury lawyers are a relatively new development. In a report submitted to the houses of parliament, Brit MPs called on the insurance industry to do more to tackle this fraud – which they said was the main cause of increasing insurance costs. They called this a ‘merry go round’ of referral payments from lawyers for whiplash claims and passenger accident claims after an incident.

Another issue is accident management companies, who often get involved in these cases and bill insurance companies for all kinds of expenses such as car hire and doctor’s fees. This again drives up the insurance premium – making for large expenses just to get your car on the road.

The report summed up ‘bodily injury claims’ as the biggest single factor in driving up costs for honest motorists. Twenty years ago these type of claims accounted for 20% of all insurance claims in the UK – now it is in the region of 50%. This flies in the face of contradictory figures, for example in 1989 341,592 people were killed or injured on Britain’s roads but in 2009 this number had fallen to 222,146.

What is happening is that the cash pay-outs offered by injury lawyers for people referring a car accident are too tempting – particularly in the current economic climate. The massive amount of whiplash claims would indicate that Brits on the whole are all weak necked and unable to drive! When really it is just a good time to make a claim stating you have whiplash and you can get your insurance to cover both your car and your body!

Posted by Elizabeth Retton

One of the facts of life that you’ll just have to learn to deal with is that lawyers are expensive.  If you can’t avoid paying legal fees, you might as well learn how to save money on them.  Here are a few suggestions how.

Research.  You can do a lot of learning on your own and in some cases avoid a consultant’s fee.  You can cut down on your time with a lawyer if you learn how to do routine legal tasks yourself, such as draw up a contract, line up witnesses, or gather up some of the documents you figure you might need.  Your research will also save you time and money if you make sure that you having hired the right type of attorney.

Compare. This might also fall under the category of research, but relates specifically to the lawyer you choose after you have settled on the appropriate kind of attorney to meet your needs.  You will often have a plethora of lawyers specialized to deal with your type of case.  Don’t choose the first one to come along.  Check out the lawyer’s track record before you settle.  You want someone with proven talent to work on your case.

Prepare.  Make sure you know exactly what you are going to say when visiting a lawyer.  This tip is especially helpful to keep in mind when making phone calls, as lawyers charge you every time they engage with you on the telephone.  You can consolidate what might be more appropriate to discuss in one conversation by listing the topics you want to discuss in advance.  Ask your attorney if they have any worksheets that can help you out to be better prepared for future meetings.  If you ask your lawyer to help you out as a sort of coach, they can help you save money by guiding you in a direction wherein you can perform certain tasks yourself.  You can do much of the work on your own.

Your lawyer is not your therapist. Though lawsuits can be taxing, both physically and emotionally, it is important to remember that your lawyer is not your friend or psychiatrist.  You are wasting valuable time and money by discussing your personal problems with them, unless it is relative or pertains to your case.

Ask for an estimate. While not always possible or even very easy, you and your lawyer can discuss an estimation of what you might be expected to pay as you both pursue your case.  This way you will be able to figure out how to save in advance rather than being surprised in the end.

Be a good client. This means paying your bills on time, not missing appointments, not troubling your lawyer with excessive calls and visits, and knowing exactly what you need.  Your lawyer will work harder than they will if you prove to be a nuisance.  Offering a recommendation to your other friends or colleagues is a good way to build a solid relationship that will benefit both of you.

Elizabeth Retton is a contributing writer for The Wilson Law Firm, the premier Virginia DUI lawyer.

Posted by Elizabeth Retton

Lurking beneath the sadness and sense of loss which inevitably accompanies every divorce are the numerous financial consequences that dissolving a marriage can produce. Because of the often contentious nature of the circumstances, divorce proceedings can easily devolve into a proverbial match of “tug of war” in which both parties refuse to give ground. What should be a simple legal matter can balloon into a convoluted mess of briefs, motions and other legal wrangling. The cost of divorcing your spouse can become crippling when one remembers that assets are typically divided according to a judge’s determination. While the decision to obtain a divorce is a drastic one which should only be used as a last resort, it is an unfortunate truth that many marriages are not sustainable. In cases such as these divorce is the most prudent option, and fortunately, there are many ways to save on legal fees during a divorce. Below you will find the six most effective methods of reducing the legal costs of your pending divorce.

1. The maxim reminding us that “Time is Money” should always be remembered by those coping with divorce. Nearly every lawyer in the country bills by the hour so it is of paramount importance that you resolve your divorce in a timely manner. Organize relevant records and make your lawyer’s work as straightforward as possible and your final legal bills will be significantly lowered.
2. Providing your lawyer with the information he or she needs to pursue your case is your responsibility. Make sure that loan documents, bank statements, joint tax returns, vehicle title certificates and all other links between you and your former spouse are readily available to your lawyer. Every minute your lawyer does not have to spend researching this information equates to money saved on legal fees.
3. No matter how personally motivated you may be to secure personal belongings or other assets in your divorce, you must not let personal vendettas affect your bottom line. Simply put, spending thousands of dollars on legal fees to gain possession of your spouse’s favorite books or other mementos does not make sense financially.
4. The concept of compromise is usually forgotten during a heated divorce but if you remember this crucial negotiating ability your legal fees will be reduced. Your goal should always to reach an amicable settlement, and even if this means surrendering a few household items the eventual savings will prove to be worthwhile.
5. Remember that your lawyer should never become a surrogate psychologist during a divorce. Even though divorces are emotionally draining, if you spend time unloading worries and fears on your lawyer the resulting legal fees will leave you with another source of distress.
6. If your divorce is relatively simple and there are no custody issues to be decided, you may want to consider acting as your own legal counsel. Many of the forms needed for a standard divorce are straightforward and can be completed with the help of innovative websites like LegalZoom.

Elizabeth Retton is a contributing writer for the Maryland Injury Lawyer Group at Price Benowitz LLP. The firm has offices in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and New York and handles DUI, criminal, immigration, personal injury, and disability cases.