It can happen in an instant. A car runs through a stop sign. You trip and fall on cracked pavement. You slip on a wet floor at the supermarket. After a stunned moment, you may realize you’re seriously injured. Or you may find only a minor bruise or no sign of injury at all.
Under which circumstances should you call a lawyer and when?
“If you’ve had any kind of accident, even if you initially seem unhurt, you should seek legal consultation as soon as possible,” said George D. Jebaily, managing partner of Jebaily Law Firm, one of South Carolina’s leading injury firms for over 50 years.
“We so often see what someone initially perceives as a relatively minor incident develop into something quite serious, so it’s important to consult with a lawyer who will look out for your best interests,” he said. “An insurance company has a very different interest than the injured person. They’re adversaries.”
Consultations at Jebaily Law Firm are free. If they take your case, all legal fees are on contingency, meaning your lawyer is paid only if they win.
Why acting quickly matters
Uncovering the facts of what happened and why, as quickly as possible, can be critical. As time passes, important details at the site of the accident can fade or disappear. Witnesses’ memories lose clarity. People don’t always tell the truth, and a lie can be harder to uncover.
“We are big believers in doing a thorough investigation immediately, because securing the evidence early can make the difference between a successful outcome and an unsuccessful one,” said Jebaily.
The lead investigator for Jebaily Law is a former police officer — and many of the procedures the team uses are not so different from what you’ve seen on detective shows.
They’ll review nearby surveillance video — and here timing can be crucial because these tapes are often erased after a week or two. They’ll also get witness statements, take photographs of injuries, check such details as road conditions and gouge marks, and delve deeper if necessary.
Jebaily remembers one case where his investigators got to the scene of a car crash while the police were still there, and his team discovered evidence that had been overlooked.
Choosing the right lawyer
It’s important to choose a lawyer who’s experienced, who you can trust and who has a proven track record. And for Jebaily, there’s one other quality that’s key to how his firm practices law.
“An important part of good representation is the quality of a client’s relationship with their lawyer and the staff,” he said.
It’s something that’s frequently mentioned in the firm’s hundreds of positive reviews, where clients often describe how attentive everyone at the firm is, from the person who answers the phone to the attorneys.
They also go out of their way to meet clients’ needs.
If you’re confined to home, your lawyer can come to you. If you work during business hours, they’ll meet with you on weekends or evenings, or you can schedule a video meeting. Each client also has their own dedicated text-messaging number, so they can safely upload confidential documents and photos at any time.
“Being accessible, being available and doing what is in the clients’ best interests — that’s what we’re about,” Jebaily said.
Jebaily Law Firm has offices in Florence, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach and Georgetown — so they’re easily accessible no matter where in the Pee Dee or Grand Strand areas you live.
For more information, visit jebailylaw.com.
