AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS ARE NOT WHAT THEY USED TO BE When I began practicing personal injury law in 1967 almost 40 years ago we were in a Plaintiffs' paradise. Cases settled on a fixed formula, no one looked at the amount of property damage and jury verdicts always punished the defense attorney who failed to settle for the three times specials formula. Life was easier, negotiating was simple and the results were known. The ability of the attorney really didn't matter because anyone could add up the specials, make a demand and settle the case by using the formula. And if the case went to trial - who cared - we had friendly juries in the entire Metropolitan Area. The District of Columbia was plaintiffs' heaven and Prince George's and Montgomery Counties were not too far behind. The bottom line was that you really didn't have to worry about your lawyer or his ability. If he could add and multiply, you were in good hands. However, as we move along in the new century and millennium there are new challenges facing todays plaintiffs and their attorneys. Today, a plaintiff needs to take time to know about the attorney who is handling his or her case. Does he have the ability to negotiate? Does he understand the dynamics of how to deal with insurance company adjusters who take a very conservative approach to motor vehicle accidents? Does he understand the medicine associated with a whiplash type injury and the nuances of a minor impact/minimal damage collisions? And most important, does your attorney have the ability to litigate when the situation arises? You need to answer these questions with the assurance that you have an attorney who has the experience and knowledge to handle your claim and if necessary your case. And, when the case is concluded, your need an attorney who can negotiate with the health care providers in order to, where appropriate, get reductions in the medical bills. Today, insurance companies are settling cases based upon how much treatment the plaintiff has actually received and for how long a period of time he was treating, in addition to the medical bills and lost wages. Insurance companies only pay a certain amount per month for pain and suffering. And different companies pay different amounts. Todays attorney needs to know which company will pay what based upon the property damage and the force of the impact, the treatment - whether it was physical therapy, testing and/or office visits, and lost earnings. Todays attorney needs to be skilled and know how to best represent his client. It is a different time and a different atmosphere for plaintiffs and their attorneys. Today the selection of the attorney you make in your automobile collision case is an important one. I have been providing legal services for plaintiffs injured in automobile collisions for almost 40 years. I have surrounded myself with other attorneys, who assist me with my litigation and who have the ability and skill in personal injury cases so that you are not getting the experience to negotiate and litigate, to handle the case from the moment the collision occurs until it is concluded. I have served thousands of clients over the years and look forward to serving you in the future. I am always glad to answer any legal question that you have concerning personal injury law. Think of me whenever the situation arises. Remember that picking an attorney today is an important process and as I have always said, the "Most Important Decision You Will Make."