1. There is never any charge for our initial consultation with you

There is no cost to consult with The Hastings Law Firm regarding your potential legal matter.

2. No Recovery, No Fee

If you decide to hire The Hastings Law Firm after discussing your legal matter with us, we work on a contingency basis. In other words, our fee is a percentage of what we are able to recover for you. If for some reason we do not obtain a recovery for you, you do not owe us any fee.

3. What to Do When You've Been Injured

An accidental injury often triggers a complex and critical series of events. Obviously the very first and most important thing an injured person should do after sustaining injury is to promptly get proper medical attention. Be aware that any statements you make to physicians, nurses etc. can and will be recorded and made a part of your medical records, which will become evidence in a subsequent claim or lawsuit. For that reason if you are asked by a doctor or nurse to describe how an accident occurred you should do so carefully. If you do not feel well enough to provide answers to those types of questions, or if you are medicated, you should indicate that to any persons questioning you about the occurrence of an accident. Injuries routinely involve on-scene police investigations. If you are interviewed by an investigating police officer be truthful and forthright, and ask for a copy of the police report.

4. Securing Evidence

It is important to secure any evidence as soon as possible following an accident. In some cases this is as simple as taking photographs of a scene or injury. In other cases it can be more complex--like preserving a vehicle, or a piece of ruptured gas pipe at an explosion site. The best course is to contact The Hastings Law Firm as soon as possible following an accident, so that measures can be taken immediately to preserve evidence and prevent potentially culpable parties from altering it or destroying it.

5. Dealing With Insurance Adjusters and Claims Representatives

Following an accident, injured persons are typically contacted by representatives of insurance companies or claims representatives/adjusters representing other parties involved. Many times this occurs while the injured person is at the accident scene, or lying in a hospital bed, or while the injured person is heavily medicated. These individuals usually try to obtain a written or recorded statement, which can--and will--be used against the injured person in the course of the subsequent claim or litigation. Do not give such a statement without first consulting an attorney. The one exception to this is when you are contacted by your own insurance carrier--your insurance policy requires you to cooperate and communicate with the carrier in the event of an injury. Be aware that many times the party that injured you will have the same insurance carrier as you--so every time you are contacted by an insurance adjuster be sure to clarify specifically who that person represents.