1000 W. Nifong Blvd., Building 7, Suite 201, Columbia, MO 65203
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost to hire a lawyer for my personal injury or wrongful death claim?
There is no charge for an initial meeting with an Eng & Woods attorney to determine if we can help you. If we represent you on this type of case, it is always on a contingency fee basis, which means you will never get a bill from us or have to pay a retainer. We will only get paid if and when we obtain a financial recovery for you.
What is a contingency fee agreement?
You will often hear lawyers who practice in the injury space refer to contingency fee agreements. These are contracts between a lawyer and client in which the client hires the lawyer and the lawyer agrees to:
- Work on the case
- Advance expenses on the case
- Do what needs to be done to best position the case
In exchange, the client promises to pay the lawyer an agreed-upon percentage of any financial recovery obtained by the lawyer for the client. Typically, these agreements will require the client to reimburse the lawyer for any case-specific expenses from any financial recovery obtained.
Contingency fees are almost always client-friendly because they allow a person who has been involved in a traumatic event to get all of the benefits of having an advocate in their corner while not costing them any money out of pocket or requiring them to pay a monthly bill to the lawyer.
When do I need to hire a lawyer?
If you are involved in a car accident, sustain a fall injury, or are injured on the job, you may want to consult an Eng and Woods attorney as soon as possible. You should call us before you speak with any insurance adjusters or representatives. In discussing your situation with us, we will be able to help you determine when you should hire a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer as close to the event as possible is often the best course of action. Getting a lawyer involved in your case early makes it easier to:
- Obtain witness statements
- Preserve evidence
- Deal with the insurance companies
- Make sure you are protected
Why should I hire a lawyer for a personal injury claim?
While you can always represent yourself, it is not the best idea to do so if you expect to obtain maximum value for your claim. You will face a large, sophisticated insurance company and its highly trained professional adjuster.
If you are not knowledgeable about your rights, the value of your claim, and how to maximize your claim, you will be at a disadvantage against the insurance adjuster.
If I call Eng & Woods, will I talk to a lawyer about my case?
Yes. Unlike other law firms, when you call Eng & Woods, you will speak directly to a lawyer about your case. The lawyer will be able to answer your initial questions and provide you with useful guidance as you start your journey.
From there, scheduling a more formal meeting with your attorney may make sense. Your call and initial meeting are always free of charge.
What should I do if I am in a car accident?
If you and the people in your vehicle are okay and it is safe to do so, you should:
- Take pictures of the involved vehicles, any nearby traffic control or signs, and any debris or skid marks on the roadway
- Obtain the name, address, phone number and insurance information of all involved drivers
- Speak with any individual who stopped to determine if they witnessed the accident and obtain their contact information
What should I do if I sustain a slip and fall injury?
If you are well enough to do so and it is safe to do so, you should:
- Take pictures of the area where you fell
- Collect the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed your fall
- Report your fall to the property owner, business manager or other staff member present
What is a wrongful death claim?
In Missouri, wrongful death is a statutory cause of action. It involves certain survivors having a claim against the wrongdoers who are responsible for the death of a loved one.
Generally, under Missouri law, the parents, spouse, and children of a person who tragically dies due to the fault of another have the highest priority to bring a wrongful death claim. However, if no one in those groups exists, other surviving family members may have a right to bring a claim. Adopted children of the deceased can also bring a claim.
Should I talk to the insurance company after an accident or other incident?
Generally speaking, you should not make any statements to the opposing insurance company about what happened to cause your injuries, the extent of your injuries, or your state of recovery. There is little to gain by making statements to the at-fault party or their insurance adjuster about these things.
The insurance company can use your statements against you or twist them negatively toward your case. Please note, however, that in the case of a car accident, it’s important to communicate with your own insurance company and cooperate fully with your own insurance company.
Contacting Eng & Woods allows us to help you navigate all communications with insurance companies.
Why should I call Eng and Woods?
You should make a no-obligation, free call to Eng & Woods after you have been involved in an incident in which you have been injured or a loved one has lost their life. You will speak with a lawyer who will provide you with honest, straightforward feedback about your rights.
The attorney will answer your specific questions and discuss the benefit (or not) of having a lawyer in your specific situation. You will benefit from making this call even if you don’t end up hiring Eng & Woods, and it won’t cost you anything.
The lawyers at Eng and Woods have decades of experience handling injury and wrongful death claims. We’ve obtained great results for our clients, who express their gratitude for the job we have done. Many refer their family members and friends to our firm.
What is uninsured motorist coverage?
In Missouri, any insurance company selling an automobile insurance policy is required to have uninsured motorist coverage included in the policy.
While the amount of coverage will vary, this coverage will help pay your claim in the event you are struck by a driver who doesn’t carry auto insurance.
What is underinsured motorist coverage?
Unlike uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage is voluntary coverage you may add to your auto insurance policy. It is not required in Missouri. However, underinsured motorist coverage can often be just as important as uninsured motorist coverage and therefore, we would recommend that you review your coverage to make sure that you have it.
Underinsured motorist coverage may provide supplemental payments if you are involved in a traffic crash and the driver who caused the collision does not have sufficient liability coverage to pay for your damages.
Find Attorneys Who Will Answer the Tough Questions.
1000 West Nifong Boulevard
Building 7, Suite 201
Columbia, Missouri 65203
Phone: 573-874-4190
Fax: 573-874-4192
Eng & Woods is located in Columbia, MO and serves clients throughout Mid-Missouri.
Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. [ Site Map ]
© 2024 Eng & Woods All Rights Reserved.