YouB次元官网网址檝e been in a car accident.

Although the accident was almost a year ago, you still have a nagging pain in your shoulder and mild recurring headaches. The insurance company offers you a settlement B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 not as much as youB次元官网网址檇 hoped for, but itB次元官网网址檚 something.

Do you take it?

B次元官网网址淢aybe,B次元官网网址� says , a personal injury lawyer with in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淚nsurance companies often tell people that if they press for more it will cost them a bundle in legal fees B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e better off taking the offer.B次元官网网址� And sometimes, he said, thatB次元官网网址檚 true. But if youB次元官网网址檙e not fully recovered from your injuries, legal advice and further medical investigation may help you get a much better settlement.

Your chances are better with a lawyer B次元官网网址� and if you donB次元官网网址檛 get paid, neither does he

His advice is to talk to a lawyer and find out where you stand. And if youB次元官网网址檙e worried about the cost, you neednB次元官网网址檛 be. Lawyers like Farquhar work on a percentage basis B次元官网网址� if you donB次元官网网址檛 get paid, they donB次元官网网址檛 get paid.

B次元官网网址淚n my experience clients receive more compensation with a lawyer involved, even with legal costs factored in,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he only exception is if someone is fully recovered within a month or so of an accident. I advise those people to settle with the insurer directly B次元官网网址� they donB次元官网网址檛 need a lawyer.B次元官网网址�

In 20 years of practice Farquhar has seen most cases settled out of court. He says the client and the lawyer work as a team to reach an appropriate settlement.

But he has run his share of trials over the years, and this experience serves his clients well if their case goes before a judge.

Your lawyer can book a medical specialist

ItB次元官网网址檚 important to have solid, accurate medical information. B次元官网网址淚 can refer clients to specialists who do medical-legal assessments,B次元官网网址� Farquhar said. B次元官网网址淪ometimes a family doctor isnB次元官网网址檛 proactive in referring patients to specialists, and sometimes patients donB次元官网网址檛 know how to ask for a referral. I can book specialist appointments directly.B次元官网网址�

Farquhar advises his clients not to settle their injury claims until they are 100 per cent recovered, or have been diagnosed with a chronic condition. He will work with clients for months or even years to obtain fair compensation for them.

And then, rather than presenting his clients a bill, he hands them a cheque.

B次元官网网址淚 love that,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎fter working to help clients recover from their injuries, the opportunity to hand them a settlement cheque is one of the joys of personal injury practice.B次元官网网址�