Dallas Insurance Dispute Lawyer

Serving Dallas and North Texas

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit with a lawyer the first time?

We charge a flat fee of $75 for a half hour consultation on insurance issues. Typically one of three things happens at the end of that time:

The client has no more questions and the consultation is over
The client hires us on an hourly fee basis to do more work for him; or
The client hires us on a contingent fee basis to sue the insurance company.

How much will it cost to have one of your lawyers represent me in my case?

If we take your case and are representing you as the plaintiff, often we are hired on a contingent fee basis-meaning that you pay us nothing until the case is over, and then you pay us a percentage of what we recover for you. Examples of this type of case are suits against disability insurance companies for payment of disability benefits, or suits against fire insurance companies to make them pay for a house destroyed by fire. If we are not able to recover anything for you, then you owe us nothing. Either way, you would pay us nothing out of your pocket for our services.

We also represent many of our clients on an hourly fee basis, which means that we are paid a set amount per hour for our time spent on your case, plus whatever expenses we incur on your case.

Since every case is different, it is very difficult to give a general answer to the question "what will this cost?" that would fit every case. Give us a call to discuss your legal problem, and we can give you a good estimate of the kind of expense that will be involved.

What do your charge just to look over a contract, or answer a few questions about a personal legal issue?

Almost always less than you would expect. Because we have so much experience, normally we can answer your questions or do routine legal work pretty quickly and cheaply. It never makes sense to just "guess" about your legal rights or the meaning of a contract. Some of the most costly decisions imaginable have been made because someone thought they would "save" money by not consulting a lawyer. With our low initial consultation rate of $75 for the first half hour we spend on your legal issue, you can be sure you are not going to be stuck with a big unexpected fee, and in many cases that’s all you pay.

I'm not sure if I even need a lawyer. How do I find out?

You can schedule free consultation to discuss your case. If we feel that you don’t need a lawyer, we’ll tell you. We will always provide you with honest, sound guidance, even if that means telling you not to file a claim. We will always be up-front with you so that we do not waste our time or your money on unnecessary legal action.

How Much is My Case Worth?/How Much Trouble Am I In?

Nobody can answer those questions until they have had an opportunity to examine the important evidence in your case. As a general rule, the value of any case is dependent on the likelihood of winning if the case is tried before a judge and jury and the amount that a jury is likely to award in damages. Only experienced trial lawyers have the expertise to obtain and analyze your evidence in order to give you advice you can trust about what your case is worth if you are the plaintiff, and how much trouble you are in if you are the defendant.

How Much Time Do I Have to Sue?

Not much.

In most breach of contract cases, you have either two years or four years in which to sue. But there are many, many exceptions to these general rules. The actual rules can be so confusing that even many lawyers get them wrong. In many cases, your insurance contract will require you to make claims and provide information to the insurance company within as little as a month of your loss. There really is no reason to delay, and every reason to move fast.

Our lawyers have seen many people miss out on receiving the compensation they deserve because they waited too long to file their claim. While you may still have time before the statute of limitations expires on your claim, delaying filing your lawsuit may reduce your chances at a favorable outcome. Over time, physical evidence may get altered, records may disappear or get destroyed, and witness testimony becomes less reliable. In order for our lawyers to successfully prove your case, we need to get started gathering the necessary evidence as soon as possible.

How Long Will My Case Take?

It is impossible to determine this with any degree of certainty. In general, the more complex your case, the longer it will take. For example, if you are seeking a multi-million dollar damage award in a case involving a dozen or more witnesses living across the country, your lawsuit will probably take longer than a case involving $50,000 and two or three witnesses all located in Dallas.

Every case is different. An experienced attorney familiar with local courts and your type of case can give you an estimate of how long your type of case takes from start to finish.

If you have an insurance case, call us today. You can't call us too soon, and it is far too easy to be late.

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The personal injury attorneys of Polewski & Associates help accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you are fighting the insurance company after an accident, please call us today.