Strausbaugh & Tongier

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14 Corporate Woods
Suite 400
8717 W. 110th Street
Overland Park, KS 66210
(v) 913.451.8383
(f) 913.451.8530

Toll Free: 800.451.8089

1) Selecting a law firm instead of a lawyer.

When you simply go to a law firm to handle your injury case, you may think you are hiring a "team" of lawyers to represent you, only to find that once you have signed your case up with the law firm, it is being handled by one (or several) inexperienced associate attorneys. At Strausbaugh & Tongier, you will either work with Dan Strausbaugh or John Tongier (or both) from beginning to end-no exceptions-no substitutions.

2) Selection based solely on referral from family or trusted friend.

It is only natural that we seek referrals from people we trust and respect. The key is to ask the referring person that one extra question: What did that attorney do for you? If the legal work involved a divorce or a tax issue, the attorney may have done a fine job, but it does not mean that same attorney will effectively handle your medical malpractice case. In this day and age, the legal profession-like the medical profession-is becoming more and more specialized. At Strausbaugh & Tongier, we don't try to be everything to everyone. We do not handle real estate transactions, bankruptcies, employment or civil rights issues along with a host of other legal matters. We are personal injury lawyers-plain and simple-with combined experience of over 50 years.

3) Failure to "interview" your lawyer.

The outcome of your case can impact the remainder of your life and the lives of your family. Something that significant warrants you taking the time to actually sit down and try to get to know the lawyer who will be representing you. Before retaining any attorney, ask to meet with the attorney you are considering, and make sure that meeting is free of charge. That is exactly how it is done at Strausbaugh & Tongier. We have a particular style or demeanor in representing our clients that may be something very different than what you are looking for or think you need for your particular case. If, at the end of your initial meeting with a prospective attorney, you did not enjoy your brief time with that lawyer, then you surely won't want to be working closely with that person throughout the course of your case. Select a lawyer who shares your thoughts and philosophies regarding how your case should be handled.

4) My lawyers are on TV all of the time-they must be good.

More and more, attorneys are advertising on television-a lot. If you see a lawyer or law firm advertise frequently on television or in the yellow pages, it says nothing about their legal skills. It only tells you they spend a lot on advertising. If you are considering legal counsel for your case solely from a TV commercial, at least interview the lawyer involved and find out if they have ever tried a personal injury case to a jury, and if so, how many times? To maximize the recovery in your case, the person at fault (and their insurance company) needs to know that your attorney is an experienced trial lawyer-and not just someone with an impressive advertising budget. At Strausbaugh & Tongier, we know how to try cases to verdict, and most importantly, defense attorneys and insurance companies know we do as well. In the end, this will serve to help you achieve a better result in your case.

5) Guaranteed Results.

You've heard the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it must be." If a lawyer guarantees you a win or a particular result or outcome in your injury case-stay away from that lawyer! Each case has some risk, and a decision to go to trial or settle your case is about weighing that risk. Even though no firm can guarantee a result, we at Strausbaugh & Tongier promise to give your case our maximum attention and to represent you honestly and aggressively, within the bounds of the law.

Contact Our Kansas City Accident Law Firm

For more information about medical malpractice or other claims, contact the lawyers at Strausbaugh & Tongier, L.L.C. We can be reached toll-free at (800) 451-8089 or through the intake form on our Contact Us page.