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When you’re injured, you need all the help you can get, and you need it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that means that some injury victims pick the first attorney they find rather than making an informed choice. Before you hire a personal injury attorney, it’s important to educate yourself and find the right fit for you and your case. The following list can help you find an attorney who is right for your case.
Experience Assessing Claims. Personal injury attorneys are experienced with cases like yours and can tell you at the outset whether it is worth your while to pursue legal action. If you are unlikely to prevail, you will not need to incur the time and expense of preparing for litigation.
No Fees If You Don't Recover. Most personal injury attorneys work for a contingent fee, which means that if you do not win your case or reach a settlement, you will pay no attorneys' fees. However, you may be responsible for other expenses associated with your case. Your attorney will explain any costs you may be responsible for when you meet with him or her.
Red Tape. An experienced attorney can work through the maze of paperwork necessary to resolve your claim so that you can get on with your life.
Investigative Team. Experienced attorneys work with a team of investigators who have experience in specialized areas and will skillfully investigate the technical aspects of your case.
Objectivity. A personal injury attorney can be more objective about your case than you can and will not make a rash decision. Whereas you may be tempted, for instance, to go for a quick payout, your attorney may counsel you that it is in your best interests to wait for a more appropriate offer.
Alternative Dispute Resolution. An experienced attorney will know whether your dispute may be best resolved through mediation, thereby saving you time, money, and emotional energy.
Experience Working With Other Lawyers. An experienced personal injury lawyer can often deal most effectively and expediently with opposing counsel.
Experience With Insurance Companies. Lawyers are also used to working with insurance companies and will not be confused by their tactics or feel pressured to settle for an unsatisfactory amount.
Settlements. Personal injury attorneys work hard to reach settlements that meet their clients' needs as early as possible in the litigation process.
Jury Verdicts. If a trial becomes necessary, a personal injury lawyer can zealously represent you in court and work toward achieving a jury verdict in your favor.
Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve suffered an injury through the fault of another, you may be out of work, overwhelmed with piles of medical bills, or in constant pain and agony. Under any of these circumstances, researching, locating, and retaining a lawyer to handle your personal injury claim can seem like yet another insurmountable obstacle. There are, however, some guidelines that can help you to select a personal injury lawyer to handle your case. With a personal injury lawyer from our firm on your side, you can breathe a sigh of relief and focus on your recovery while we carry at least part of your burden.
Experience
An important factor to consider when selecting a personal injury lawyer is whether he or she has experience in and concentrates his or her legal practice on personal injury law. An attorney whose primary focus is personal injury law is often at an advantage in that he or she understands the complexities of personal injury lawsuits, can more easily keep abreast of the latest developments and ever-evolving laws, and is more likely to know the habits and tactics of opposing counsel.
Additionally, a lawyer who has demonstrated experience in personal injury litigation may have also gained credibility with insurance companies and their lawyers and thus have “less to prove” in order to achieve a favorable settlement on his or her client's behalf.
Record of Past Successes
Another factor worth considering is whether a particular personal injury lawyer has experience trying cases, winning favorable verdicts, and negotiating favorable settlements. Knowing that an attorney is a skilled litigator and negotiator can add to your overall sense of security.
Billing and Fee Structure
Personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingent-fee basis under which the client is responsible for costs but pays attorney's fees only if he or she obtains a favorable settlement or verdict. In a typical contingent fee arrangement, attorney's fees, sometimes called legal fees, are calculated as a percentage of the recovery. Although it may be tempting to choose a lawyer based on who will take the lowest percentage, fees alone should not be the determining factor.
Initial Consultations
Because many lawyers provide initial consultations free of charge in personal injury cases, you may be able to interview multiple lawyers before selecting one to handle your case. Care should be taken, however, to make your selection in a relatively short period of time to avoid the loss of key evidence and to ensure that your claim is not barred by the passing of time.
Conclusion
Once hired, your attorney should be responsive to your needs. He or she should answer your questions satisfactorily, return your phone calls promptly, and, most importantly, represent your interests zealously. If at any time you become dissatisfied with your attorney's legal representation, you may be able to change attorneys without penalty; however, because changing attorneys while your case is pending can result in substantial delays and additional expenses, taking the time to select the appropriate attorney in the beginning can save time and money in the future. To find out if a personal injury attorney at our firm is right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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