Although it may seem scary, you never know when a personal injury lawyer will be needed. Nobody ever thinks they will find themselves in a scenario that requires an attorney, and most people don’t expect to fall victim to a serious injury.
Unfortunately, accidents and injuries happen to people every single day – even to careful individuals who have done nothing wrong.
By nature, you can’t prepare for an accident (whether that’s a car accident, a pedestrian accident, a slip and fall accident, or something else), but you can plan what you will do afterward.
One of the best things that you can do to protect yourself in the event of an accident is to find the right legal help – but that requires to you know how to choose a personal injury lawyer.
Being prepared and knowing what questions to ask can make all the difference in your case, from the amount of money you’ll be able to recover for your injury to the level of stress you have to deal with throughout the legal process. Choose an attorney who can provide the support you need and who is qualified to help you get the best result for your accident case.
The following tips can help you choose the best personal injury lawyer.
The Lawyer Selection Process
These are the steps to take when searching for and evaluating attorneys in your personal injury case.
- Assess their experiences.
A lawyer with experience in personal injury law can be invaluable to your case. That’s because they’ve seen it all, so they know how to handle even the biggest obstacles, from proving the damages of highly complex, catastrophic injuries to seeing through the tricks of manipulative insurance companies.
An accident lawyer with years of experience under their belt is likely already familiar with the kind of personal injury case you’re bringing to them.
To properly assess an attorney’s level of experience, make sure to ask the following questions:
Do they consider personal injury to be one of their primary practice areas as both a lawyer and a business? (Personal Injury could be one among a dozen types that general-practice law companies practice. They might only handle these cases occasionally and may not have the appropriate experience.
How long has the law firm or attorney been handling these cases?
Do they have extensive experience in trial work?
Are they well-recognized in the personal-injury law community? (This recognition might be in the form of professional awards, membership/leadership in personal injury or trial lawyer associations, etc.)
Do they have experience handling the specific type of case you’re dealing with? For example, if you were injured in the brain, has their firm won compensation for brain injury cases?
- You want to ensure that they have a track record of success.
These are the questions to ask an attorney when you’re considering them.
Are they able to consistently recover multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for clients?
Are they able to win cases involving catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, and not just minor injuries?
Are they the recipients of any settlements or verdicts?
- Pay close attention to their interactions with you.
You can trust your judgement. You should trust your judgement.
It’s important to pay attention to the following:
Are they willing and able to answer all your questions?
Are they friendly, professional, and polite?
Are they good communicators? Do they explain clearly the legal process and call you back promptly?
Are they available to travel to you if necessary?
Are they concerned about your well-being?
- Learn about their payment system.
When you hire a new attorney, make sure to carefully read the contract to make sure you understand all terms and conditions.
Here are some good questions to ask:
Is there a free consultation?
Do they work on a contingency-fee-basis? This means that you pay only the legal fees of the firm if your case is won. Additionally, your legal fees are taken out of your settlement, or paid by the defendant, so you don’t have any upfront fees related to your legal representation.
- Think about the other resources they can offer.
It’s important to think about the additional resources your prospective injury lawyer can provide. Personal injury law firms may offer more assistance in handling different stages of your case. This will make it easier for you and provide a smoother overall experience.
Ask the following questions:
Are they able to refer you to the right medical professionals?
Are they able to help you find doctors who will work on a lien basis? This could allow your medical expenses to be deducted from your verdict or settlement. They may be able to assist you with other services such as property damage appraisal and liens negotiation (i.e., negotiating with your medical providers).
Why hire a personal injury lawyer?
After being injured in an accident or another incident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering if you actually need to hire a personal injury lawyer. The short answer to your question is Yes!
Why? It’s because there will be an opponent in your case, who will try to prove that you are at fault for your injuries or get you the best settlement. The insurance company of the individual or company responsible for your injuries will usually be the opposing party in most cases.
A personal injury attorney can help you protect your right for fair compensation.
An experienced lawyer will review your case and prove your liability to the at-fault party. They will also handle all negotiations with your insurance company. They will also make sure you don’t get short-changed, fighting for the highest settlement or verdict to which you are entitled.
Make sure to do your homework before you choose a lawyer. Use the information in this article to help you make the right decision.
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