Top Tips on What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice. To ensure you make a strong case and get the settlement you deserve, you’ll need a personal injury lawyer acting on your behalf. With a personal injury lawyer acting on your behalf you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you’ll make the strongest possible case for the maximum compensation. Yet when you’re suffering physical or emotional pain, it can be difficult to find and evaluate an attorney. Follow these tips to learn what to look for in a personal injury lawyer.
Get a consultation
You’re hurt, upset, and suffering because of someone else’s actions. But do you have a case? Any personal injury attorney worth her/his weight will be able to tell you this after providing an initial consultation. Some offer free consultations and will listen to the details of your case and be able to tell you if there’s a potential lawsuit or not. Make calls, ask questions and find an attorney who will hear you out before making any decisions.
Run fast from ambulance chasers!
Many people will tell you about how they received letters, emails, and phone calls from personal injury lawyers after their accident. This practice is called ambulance chasing and it’s not legal in most states. If a lawyer is trying to get in touch with you in this manner, avoid this person and continue your search – they are already doing something they shouldn’t be.
Ask trusted friends and relatives
We’ve all seen those TV commercials and billboards with friendly smiling faces of lawyers who claim to have your best interest at heart. Making a decision based on advertising alone is never a good idea. Talk to people you trust, ask your family attorney for a reference, or research personal injury attorneys online. Read as many reviews as you can about each attorney that you’re considering — people talk about their experiences, whether they won their case or not, and whether or not they were happy with the attorney they chose.
Ask about experience
It only makes sense that if you’re seeking compensation because of an injury you suffered caused by someone else, you’ll want someone with this exact experience in your corner. If you’re looking into attorneys, be sure to choose one that has years of experience practicing this type of law.
Seems simple enough, right? But many attorneys have a list of areas they practice in and while personal injury may be listed, it could an area that’s weak for them or one that they have not had a lot of cases in. You want to find a personal injury attorney who knows how to build your case, take it to trial and negotiate with insurance companies. They’ll also know when it’s better to accept a settlement offer and when to forge on to trial.
What’s their success rate?
Once you’ve found a few possible attorneys, remember that beyond their experience, you’ll want to know their track record. Because it’s not just important that they have dealt with personal injury cases before, it’s crucial that they’ve had success with those cases. Check into how many cases they’ve handled and how many of those they have won and lost.
How much will representation cost you?
Most personal injury attorneys will work with you on a contingency basis. This means that they won’t take any money from you unless the case is won. The percentage they receive will vary depending on the attorney you choose, so be sure you compare rates before you hire one to represent you.
Look for a specialist
Not all personal injury attorneys are created equal. Depending on the cause of your injury, you may want to seek out an attorney who specializes in that type of case. There are many that focus their practice on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accidents, slip and fall, etc. If you can find one that has built their practice on your type of case, you’ll benefit from their extensive knowledge and experience.
Of course, there are many personal injury attorneys who work on a myriad of cases that include all sorts of injuries. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re weak in any of those areas, which is why it’s important to research their track record on your particular kind of case.
Honesty is still the best policy
No matter what happens, seek honesty from your personal injury attorney. A credible attorney will tell you if you don’t have a case and what the odds are of you winning or losing. If anyone tells you they can guarantee a win, that’s not only a bad sign, it’s a reason not to hire them.
Do you click?
After you’ve done all your homework and compiled a list of personal injury attorneys, take the time to speak with each one. Do they seem to empathize with your situation – do you feel they truly care about what you’ve been through? Make sure you feel comfortable, that your personalities are in sync and that the attorney you choose truly has your best interest at heart.
When you’re hurt or suffering from an injury, the last thing you need is to hire the wrong person to represent you. Take your time and follow these tips on what to look for in a personal injury lawyer. If you’ve been injured and are seeking legal representation, put Lauriston Law Firm at the top of your research list and contact us today.