Harris Lowry Manton LLP Lawyers Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions
Thoughtful guidance for injury clients in Atlanta, Savannah, and throughout Georgia
Even though every case we handle is different, most potential clients share a lot of the same concerns: do I really need a lawyer? Which attorney should I choose? How do I know you can help?
We know you have questions: about your case, about your future, even about us. We wanted to address some of the more frequently asked questions here, so that you have the information you need right from the start. We hope that this will assuage some of your fears and frustrations, and empower you to make the right choices moving forward.
- Questions about choosing a law firm
- Questions about your case
- Questions about Harris Lowry Manton LLP
Questions about choosing a law firm
Why do I need a personal injury lawyer?
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, and the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement (or any compensation at all), then yes – you probably do need a personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer can help you secure the compensation you need to pay your bills, so you can focus on healing.
What does a personal injury lawyer do?
Personal injury lawyers offer legal counsel about their options, and represent their clients’ best interests in settlement negotiations and in trial. But we also do a lot of work behind the scenes that you might not know about, such as:
- Communicating with all involved insurance companies
- Helping you find the right doctors, rehabilitation centers and/or nursing homes
- Helping you secure rental cars while your car is in the shop
- Helping you secure childcare or caretakers for injured relatives
- Reviewing all of your medical files and associated documentation, to ensure that everything is up-to-date
- Investigating the scene of your injury
- Reviewing research and studies done by experts in the field in regard to defective products, medical treatments, roadway design, product design, safety violations, etc.
- Gathering evidence and documentation to help prove liability by the other person or entity
- Conducting discovery, such as deposing witnesses and gathering information from the defense.
What should I bring to my first meeting with my lawyer?
There are a few things you should bring with you to your initial meeting, once you have decided on a lawyer:
- A copy of your insurance policies
- An up-to-date copy of your medical records
- A copy of the police report
- A copy of any worksite injury reports
- Copies of your pay stubs, as well as any documentation that states what your last official day at work was
- The names of your doctors
- Copies of any medical bills you may have received
- Any pictures you have of your injuries, or of the scene where you were injured
If you do not have access to all of this information, it is okay. Your lawyer can help you get what you do not have. Just bring as much of it as you can.
Questions about your case
How do I know if I have a case?
Sometimes, you might not realize that your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, or that you may be entitled to compensation for them. This is why you should consult with an attorney. He or she can review the circumstances of your case, your medical records, and any other pertinent information, and then advise you about your options moving forward.
How much money am I entitled to receive?
The short answer is, it depends. There is no set amount of money you may receive for your injuries. It depends on what happened, what types of injuries you sustained, how much it has cost to cover your bills and medical treatments, and who was liable. If you or a loved one sustained catastrophic injuries, that could affect how much compensation you are entitled to receive as well.
Do I have to go to trial?
No, you don’t. We never force clients to go to trial if they do not want to go. But we do encourage clients who have not been treated fairly to consider that option.
There are pros and cons to settling and to going to trial. Which you choose will be determined by what is best for your case. We invite you to read more about it here.
Questions about Harris Lowry Manton LLP
How much do you charge?
The initial consultation is free, whether we decide to work together or not.
All of the attorneys at HLM work on contingency. This means we put the firm’s money to work on your case, so you pay nothing out-of-pocket for our services. When we win, we take a percentage of your settlement or verdict as our compensation.
In short, if you don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay us anything.
Will I always work with a lawyer?
Yes. We may also assign a member of our staff to help you and to answer quick questions, but our clients are always represented by the attorneys at our firm. You will meet with at least one of us in your initial consultation, though you may see more of us through the course of your case, since we often work as a team. You will meet with your attorney throughout the process too. If you decide to go to trial, a lawyer will represent you.
When can I talk to a lawyer?
Our offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Monday through Friday – but we know that not all of life’s curveballs come during regular office hours. We employ a service that takes after-hours calls and sends us the messages, so that we can reach out to our clients. We also provide our cell phone numbers to our clients, so they can reach out to us directly in case of an emergency.
Where are you located?
The Atlanta office is located at 1418 Dresden Drive NE, Unit 250, Brookhaven, GA 30319. We’re just 2 minutes drive from Brookhaven Park and 8 mins walk from Brookhaven parking lot just down the street.
The Savannah office is located at 410 E Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401. We are right next door to the B Street Salon and the East End Provisions restaurant and around the corner from the Junior League of Savannah. We’re also right in the middle of all the squares.
How do I reach you to schedule a consultation?
To reach us during office hours, you can call 404-961-7650 for our Atlanta office, or 912-651-9967 for our Savannah office. To send us your information after hours – or if you just feel more comfortable writing it all down – you can fill out our contact form. Someone will get back to you within 24 hours.