2801 St. Marys
Hannibal, MO 63401
573.221.3225
fax 573.221.1991 email us
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need an attorney?
If you are being sued or have been arrested or charged with a crime, you will need a lawyer. In other situations, people may hire attorneys for advice and expertise. In any case, you should consider what's at stake and how serious the situation is.
What type of lawyer do I need?
Many attorneys specialize in one type of law. Other lawyers handle a wide range of cases. You want to hire an attorney who has expertise and experience to represent you effectively with respect to your legal matters.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Talk to friends and relatives about a lawyer they may have used and would recommend. The bar association for your area can, for a fee, make a referral for you. The lawyer will be helping you solve a problem, so an important qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her all the facts necessary to resolve your issue. The final decision on who can best represent you must be yours.
How quickly should I consult a lawyer?
Generally speaking, it is better to begin looking for a lawyer sooner rather than later. Deadlines may quickly approach and your lawyer needs time to prepare. There are also statutes of limitations – the body of law placing time limits on filing a lawsuit -- to consider. Different types of cases have different time limits. Your lawyer is knowledgable about these limitations and can advise you accordingly.
Do I have a case?
Our office can evaluate your case on an individual basis. This is the most efficient way for our attorneys to evaluate your situation. Get help now. Give us a call today for a quick, confidential evaluation!
What can I do to help my case?
There are many things you can do to make your claim go more smoothly. Gather documentation to help support your case. Be organized and completely honest and upfront with us. We don't want to find out something damaging when the opposing attorney brings it up during your deposition, or worse, trial. The most successful outcomes occur when you and your attorney work as a team, and each person has his or her part to play.
What is a deposition?
A deposition is one of the methods that attorneys use to find out information to help prepare a case for trial. Anyone who may have relevant information about the facts of the case may have a deposition.
Why choose us?
Wasinger, Parham, Morthland, Terrell & Wasinger offers many years of exceptional service and expertise to our clients.
We are known throughout northeast and central Missouri for our accomplishments in the courtroom and service to our local community. You can count on us to accomplish the result you are entitled to.
What do you do if you are in a car accident?
An accident is frightening. It is important to educate yourself beforehand to protect yourself and your loved ones. From the moment of impact, the actions you take or fail to take after a car accident can affect the outcome of your injury claim.
Ten things you should should know if you are in a car accident
Stay calm and don't panic or leave the scene of the car accident.
Call the police. If the police don't come to the scene, report it immediately to the local police department in the community where the accident occurred.
If anyone is injured in the car accident, administer first aid or call 911.
Exchange insurance information, driver's license numbers, phone numbers and addresses with every driver involved in the accident.
If the owner of the other vehicle involved in the auto accident was not the driver, you should also obtain the owner's name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
Get names, phone numbers and addresses of any witnesses. This includes passengers in vehicles involved in the accident.
Promptly notify your own insurance company and be sure to ask for the claim number.
If you are in a hit-and-run accident, consult an attorney immediately. You should also make a police report and notify your insurance company immediately.
If the driver/owner of the car that struck you doesn't have auto insurance, notify your own insurance company immediately that you are claiming your rights to any uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a car accident, talk with an experienced auto accident lawyer. Contact our office for a simple legal consultation.
Working with an adjuster
A claims adjuster will investigate the circumstances of your loss and provide an assessment of the damage amount to the insurance company. Before meeting with the claims adjuster, review your insurance policy to learn the type and extent of coverage that you have. Make a list of questions to ask and remember that you are conducting serious negotiations with someone who is working for your insurance company, not you. Don't minimize the extent of your loss or damage.
