Frequently Asked Questions about Hiring an Attorney
When do I call an attorney?
The general answer to this is: whenever you experience legal trouble.
We know that can be different in separate instances, so we like to provide guidelines on how quickly you should act when experiencing legal trouble.
Workers’ Compensation: You should report the incident to your employer within 24 hours. However, reporting the incident is not the same as filing a claim. In most cases, you only have one year to file a claim in the state of MIssouri Work comp claims must be filed using a special form, which is filed with the Missouri Department of Labor, Division of Workers’ Compensation. If that form is not filed in the required time period, you have waived your right to bring a claim and possibly your right to medical benefits. Getting a lawyer involved as soon as possible is usually the best plan.
Car Accident: You have up to five years to report a car accident claim in the state of Missouri, but we recommend taking action much sooner. The more recent the accident, the more clear all the details are. If you were involved in a car accident that you feel was due to someone else’s negligence, you should always call an attorney after you call 911.
Criminal Defense: You have a constitutional right to an attorney of your choice. If you have been charged with a crime, we suggest you talk to a lawyer right away. It is a good idea to hire an attorney before your first court date. Anything you say in court is considered an admission and can be used against you.
Defective Product: We recommend contacting an attorney as soon as an incident occurs. The sooner we can gain insight into the accident, the better we can advise you on what to do.
Filing for Bankruptcy: We recommend contacting an attorney about filing for bankruptcy If you have large debts that you can't repay, are behind in your mortgage payments and in danger of foreclosure, or are being harassed by bill collectors.
Wrongful Death: You have three years from the date of a loved one’s death to file a claim for wrongful death in the State of Missouri. If you have a loved one who has died in an accident or due to someone else’s mistake we recommend you contacting an attorney as soon after the death as possible.
What questions should I ask an attorney before hiring them?
Choosing an attorney is an important decision that should not be based on advertising or feeling alone. Before you hire an attorney we recommend that you ask them about their experience in the type of case you are meeting them for. It is also important to ask them and make sure you understand the fee structure so that you know how much you will pay or what percentage of any settlement the attorney will be able to take.
How do I get assigned an attorney? Am I always working with Matt himself?
We take a team approach when it comes to work on your case. The office, as a whole, has over 23 years experience handling work injuries, auto accidents and criminal matters. Matt and members of his team have worked in the insurance industry as well as law enforcement. All of this experience is brought to bear on each case to get the best possible result for the client. For more information on our team, visit our contact page.
What does the payment structure look like to work with the Matt Uhrig team?
Each case is different, so our fees change based on the type of case we are working on. Typically, there are multiple pricing options that are considered:
Retainer/hourly fee
Flat-rate pricing
Contingency fee - A contingency fee means that you don’t have to pay any money up front and the attorney’s payment is a percentage of your recovery.
There is no fee for consultations, so it doesn't cost you anything to call us and set up a meeting to discuss your case.
Do you offer payment plans?
In most cases we handle, we charge a contingency fee, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case. In criminal matters we either charge a flat or hourly fee and yes, we offer payment plans. Our goal at The Law Office of Matt Uhrig is to make sure our clients receive the representation they need, regardless of their financial situation. That is why we are proud to partner with Affinipay to offer payment plans to our clients.
Am I able to consult with an attorney before paying any fees?
Yes. We offer free consultations to all new clients before recommending any legal services. We will assess your situation and give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to move forward with our services. If you’re interested then please contact us to schedule a consultation.
Can I hire an attorney that doesn’t live near me?
Yes, the Law Office of Matt Uhrig team can practice anywhere in the state of Missouri. Although we are headquartered in Ashland, Missouri, we will travel to you for a case. Any trial will take place in the county in which the case occurred. We travel to see clients all the time. In the interim between traveling, we can conduct business over the phone or through protected video calls to eliminate the need for travel.