Thanks to advances in tech, small firms like ours now have the resources of big business
Let’s say you’re in a car crash. Let’s say the crash is bad. It’s the kind of crash that puts you in the emergency room. And it’s definitely not your fault. You know you have the option to take legal action, but you’ve never hired a lawyer before. The first step is choosing a firm. But at what cost?
Just because it appears cut and dry that the person who hit you is at fault doesn’t guarantee that everything will work out the way it should. Insurance companies— who select and pay for the lawyers representing the at-fault driver—come armed with two important tools: resources and money. Since the insurance companies pay the prospective settlement or award, they’ll fight as hard as possible to protect their own interests. And that’s when everything is in play—whether it’s your medical history, a newly inked divorce, even something as innocent as a social media post.
A lawsuit can get ruthless and it can last a long time. That’s when you, the victim, suddenly find yourself in a vulnerable position. Regardless of whom you choose to represent you, you’re likely looking at a slew of (potentially growing) medical bills with no guarantee of a favorable outcome. You may start to question whether legal action was the right decision in the first place, as you and your attorney begin to parcel through the financials. The goods news is that firms like ours only charge based on what we’re able to collect as part of a contingency policy. When you’re paying your medical bills, you don’t have to worry about paying us at the same time. Even then you may doubt whether a small firm can compete with big business.
Much of that doubt has been quashed in recent years. Plaintiffs now have opportunities that were once unimaginable. Part of that is because technology has leveled the playing field, giving us the ability to go toe to toe with the biggest insurance companies around. We’re able to hold people accountable and keep everything on track to maximize the outcome of your case. Here’s how we do it:
The cloud concept
You’d be surprised to learn how many law firms have yet to adapt to modern-day best practices. One of those best practices is utilizing a cloud-based storage system to keep track of records. Our associate attorney and resident tech guru, Brett Manchel, has worked over the last two years to implement a comprehensive, streamlined data system to make sure every detail of your case is accounted for. When you walk into our offices, you can expect Brett to walk you through the ins and outs of what we collect, why we collect it, and how you can obtain any necessary records moving forward.
A paper-free commitment
Even attorneys have entrepreneurial ambitions. Many have branched out to the realm of legal tech to produce some notable management systems, apps and digital services that tailor to the needs of small firms. As such, we’ve been able to identify a few choice systems that make our office as paper-free and efficient as possible. The reduction of paper equals the reduction of costs, which equals more money in your pocket when everything is said and done. Cloud-based programs also diminish marginal costs per case, which means more dollars to improve our services in the long run. Our ability to stay organized without the need for mounds of paper is not only making it easier for us to manage your case, but also keeping every shred of information easy to reference at any stage of the process.
Savants of social media
The concept of private vs. public information has changed dramatically with the advent of social media. The rules of precedent are being re-written as we speak. The definitions of what it means to be social, to share opinions, and disseminate commentary online is tricky business. Our team has taken the opportunity to look over several case histories as a means to overcome any challenges associated with your social media history, some of which could have an impact on your case.
The worldwide web
As with most things, the worldwide web has given us access to a wealth of information at the click of a button. Investigating your case, vetting expert witnesses, and digital record keeping are easier than ever. In 2014, Forbes described the business model of Big Law as “stumbling.” Clients are demanding better service at cheaper costs and this is where small firms are succeeding in ways that big law firms are not. We can’t overstate how much we’re able to cover in a short amount of time thanks to the ability to connect with our files and our clients wirelessly. When you work with us, our attorneys take advantage of dozens of digital resources that help us stay organized and moving efficiently, and securely.
If you have questions about how Levinson and Stefani can put its office to work for you, give us a call, or reach out on social media. We’re happy to give you a free consultation.
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