Your car accident report is, in fact, a public record so anyone can see it and anyone can access it. This includes car accident lawyers who are hungry to represent you.
In the state of Maine, car crash reports are available online for $10.00, which may result in an attorney soliciting your case. And while there are ethical rules regarding attorney solicitation in this scenario, those rules do not outright prohibit solicitation via mail from a Maine attorney.
If you’ve been injured in Maine in an automobile accident, motorcycle wreck, or other types of personal injury, you’ve probably received a letter like this. But you’ll never receive a letter inquiring about your accident from Mann Law. This is not an approach we use nor endorse.
While the public records of car crashes are available, some medical offices pay people to search for individuals injured in a car crash. Although this information is a public record, the result of receiving a letter of solicitation from a law firm can feel like an invasion of privacy. Receiving the letter can also leave you perceiving the law firm as aggressive or desperate. Or, lacking the personal grace to respect your space while you endure what is likely a difficult experience.
You do not need to hire, or feel inclined to hire, a lawyer who contacts you about your accident, unsolicited, via mail.
When drafting a letter following a car accident, your attorney’s primary objective is to formally communicate with the insurance company regarding the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
This letter serves as a strategic tool to 1) initiate negotiations, and 2) explain the extent of your losses due to the accident. It outlines the specific damages suffered, including medical expenses, lost wages, and any other relevant costs. The goal of the letter is to facilitate a fair settlement.
By clearly presenting your case and outlining your demands, your attorney aims to secure the optimal compensation for your accident effectively.
Read the law firm’s Google Reviews
Ask friends, family, and colleagues for advice
Research the firm’s previous successes and practice history
Make sure the law firm is actually in Maine. Many of these big, “box store” law firms are actually headquartered in another state and simply rent an office here in Maine. They want to make it seem like they know Maine people and Maine cases. Be careful, they don’t.
Contact the law firm and ask about the firm’s caseload. Depending on how many cases are given to a real lawyer, you’ll be able to assess if yours will be a priority. Will it land with an assistant? Be sold off to another firm? Or will you actually be treated with the care and attention your case deserves? Don’t become just another number.
If you have been injured in an automobile or motorcycle accident and need a Maine personal injury lawyer, contact us today.
