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Representing the Injured in Hancock County, Mississippi  Since 1989

Personal Injury Attorney FAQs

Clear Answers in Confusing Times

We understand that being injured, at no fault of your own, is a stressful time for both you and your family.  Depending upon your injury, you might be unable to work and face hardships physically, emotionally, and financially.  If you've been hurt in an accident, bitten by a dog, or injured at work, we encourage you to speak with a local personal injury attorney to learn of your options. 

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If you're in Bay St Louis, Waveland, Kiln, Pass Christian, Diamondhead, Long Beach, or Gulfport, or any area along the Mississippi Coast, feel free to call our office at 228-467-0006 to set up a free, no obligation, consultation.  This is where you can sit down with Brehm and discuss your accident, ask questions, and decide whether pursing legal action against the responsible party is right for you.

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We've outlined a few of our more common questions below but are happy to talk with you about your particular situation.

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“The staff at Mr. Bell’s were very understanding and kept me well informed of my case status. I had a great experience with Mr. Bell. He was honest and loyal.”

-CM

  • Do you provide a free consultation? What does that consist of?
    Yes, we proivde a free consultation. This is a one-on-one meeting with Brehm in our office to discuss details about your claim and answer any questions you may have.
  • I've never seen an attorney before. What should I expect?
    In our office, you will be greeted personally and not pressured into signing a contract for representation. You will feel free to express your opinions and will be encouraged to discuss all aspects of your claim and the legal process. The goal of every meeting/consultation is to make sure you are informed about your individual claim and to answer any questions you may have.
  • I have a consult set up. What do I need to bring?
    If you are involved in an accident, you need to bring any paperwork that was given to you at the hospital, doctors office and/or by the police regarding the accident you were involved in, including any photos of the vehicles and the scene. It also helps if you have your vehicle insurance information, health insurance card and your photo ID with you.
  • Will I always meet with Brehm or are there other attorneys?
    You will be dealing directly with Brehm Bell on the initial consultation. After the initial consultation, if you decide to sign a contract of representation, you will ALWAYS be able to discuss your claim directly with Brehm. Often times, our experienced office staff will be able to answer questions or get answers to your questions in an expedited manner. Due to trials, court hearings, depositions and other similar matters, Mr. Bell is occasionally unable to return calls within 24 hours, however you can expect to speak with him directly within 48-hours. However, if your accident occurred outside of Mississippi, we will establish a referral case to an attorney licensed to practice law in the state where the accident took place. Mr. Bell will remain your point of contact even though there will be another attorney involved.
  • What's your fee structure? When do you get paid? What if we don't “win”?
    In the type of cases Brehm handles, you never pay attorney fees unless you settle or collect on a jury verdict. Our fee structure is a contingency fee contract which is determined at the beginning of your case. We receive a percentage of anything recovered by way of settlement or jury verdict. You pay nothing if we do not recover anything for your claim.
  • Can I pay by the hour? If so, what's your rate?
    No, I do not charge hourly rates.
  • Who pays out-of-pocket costs, i.e. medical visits, tests, etc.?
    Our firm pays all the expenses of litigation. In the state of Mississippi, an attorney cannot pay for the medical treatment rendered to a patient. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Please note, that just like your attorney fee, your expenses are to be deducted from the settlement or jury verdict at the END of the case. If there is no recovery, your responsibility to pay the litigation expenses is $0—wiped out.
  • What are the general steps to resolution?
    There are four basic steps: Collect information, presentation of the claim, negotiations for possible settlement, and filing of lawsuit if settlement is not reached.
  • What's the likelihood that we'll go to court? Are most cases settled before?
    In our experience, approximately 80-90% of all cases are settled before court. However, if the at fault defendant or their insurance company is not reasonable in their settlement offers, we will proceed to a trial.
  • Approximately how long does a case take?
    Many factors determine the length of a case, from the complexity of case, to how extensive a client’s injuries are and how long medical treatment will last. Each case is unique but generally, a case can take 6 months to 2 years to resolve, based upon your individual facts.
  • My accident was out of state but I live in BSL, can Brehm represent me?
    Yes, while Mr. Bell is only licensed to practice law in the state of MS, based upon the facts of the accident, Mr. Bell can represent anyone in any accident in any state by establishing a referral case to an attorney licensed to practice law in the state where the accident took place. Often times, out of state attorneys want individuals to have local counsel, to assist in fact gathering and acting as local counsel during the claims process. By associating an out of state attorney, YOUR ATTORNEY FEES WILL NOT INCREASE. Instead the two attorneys divide the attorney fees among themselves, for the exact same contingency agreement that you would pay if you had hired the out of state attorney directly.
  • The accident happened a few months ago. Is there a time limit for when I can pursue a case?
    There are time limits, called Statute of Limitations, in EVERY STATE. Every state is different based upon the type of case you are dealing with. It might be as soon as one year or as much as three years. Your failure to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, will COMPLETLY BAR your right to recover for damages caused by the wrongful actions of others.
  • Will I have to talk with the other person that caused the accident or will you be the point of contact?
    The attorney will be the sole line of communication between you and the defendant.
  • I've been in an accident where I was not at fault. I've incurred medical bills that I would like to get paid but I don't want the other person to go bankrupt/lose their house. Is that possible?
    It is ALWAYS possible for the defendant to file bankruptcy. However, in the event the defendant has insurance that covers them for negligent actions, your claim can survive bankruptcy in order to obtain recovery from the at fault party’s insurance company.
  • I was bitten by a dog, but don't want the family to lose their pet. Can I still pursue coverage for my medical bills?
    Yes, there is no requirement that the pet owner lose their pet as a result of a dog bite claim. Generally, the pet owner will have insurance that covers for any damage caused by the pet.
  • How much experience do you have with personal injury cases?
    I have practiced law in Mississippi since 1989. For nearly 3 decades, I have handled personal injury cases and decided to focus my practice solely on personal injury in 2005. I am the ONLY local personal injury attorney in Hancock County, MS that handles ONLY personal injury cases. My entire law practice is devoted solely to representing those who have been injured due to someone else’s wrongful actions.
  • What areas do you work in?
    I am licensed to practice law throughout the state of Mississippi. Most of my clients reside in the coastal counties in: Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Pass Christian, Kiln, Picayune, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Ocean Springs, Gautier, Pascagoula, Moss Point, and Saucier.
“Mr. Bell is the consummate professional.  He took the time to explain every aspect of our case in great detail and answered all of our questions.  Additionally, he presented us with all of our options and allowed us to make the decisions that were best for us.  If needed again, he will be the first person we call.”

-ML

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