If you’ve ever been injured in a car crash, by medical negligence, or by other means, you have likely asked yourself the important question of how to choose the right lawyer.
According to The Research Intelligence Group (TRiG)*, approximately 70% of all households have needed to hire or consult with a lawyer in the last year. Choosing the lawyer who will represent you is perhaps the most important decision you will make in regards to your case, because it will determine whether you get the full measure of justice and compensation you deserve.
How to Find a Personal Injury Attorney
There are many places to look for a personal injury attorney, the most common being online, on television, or online directories or rating services. Many online lawyer directories such as Best Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and Super Lawyers look at the awards, distinctions, verdicts & settlements, and peer opinion of attorneys and can be helpful when making a decision.
It’s also important to see who is actively going to trial in your community.
Ask yourself questions like:
- Who represented a family member, friend, or neighbor in their own case?
- Were they happy and satisfied with the result the lawyer obtained for them?
- Who takes the most cases to trial in your area?
- What law firms have a main office in your area?
There are certainly advantages to choosing an attorney who knows the customs and laws in your area.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
First of all, it’s important to have an attorney that specializes in Personal injury law. An attorney who dedicates their practice to people that have been injured by somebody else’s negligence or wrongdoing will be better suited to assist with your case.
For example, if you have a heart condition, you would go to a heart doctor, not a brain doctor. In the same way, you want an attorney that dedicates their practice to personal injury law.
Not all personal injury lawyers are equal in skill and experience. When looking for an attorney, you want to choose someone with extensive experience in the courtroom and presenting cases to a jury. Many lawyers are eager to settle their client’s claims for a modest sum with the insurance company, rather than going to trial and taking the case to court to obtain the best result for the injured person. This is why you want to choose an attorney who is not afraid to go to court.
Your Attorney Should Offer a Free Consultation
Another important question to ask yourself is how will the lawyer be paid? It’s important to consider the cost of fees, litigation, and other expenses and what that will mean for you. Lawyers who specialize in personal injury litigation often provide a free initial consultation and accept the case on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee means the lawyer is not paid a fee unless the injured person receives a recovery. If there is a recovery, then the lawyer’s fee will be a pre-determined percentage of the recovery.
Personal injury cases can cost a significant amount of money to take all the way to trial. When you sign on to a personal injury case, it may be a long road to recovery, so you want to make sure that your attorney has the resources to take your case from start to finish.
Questions To Ask Your Attorney Before Hiring
Meet with your lawyer before making your final decision. Ask them questions and get to know their level of skill, experience and their dedication to the personal injury practice and your case. You want to be comfortable with this lawyer. A personal injury case is based on trust between the lawyer and the client.
Watch Board-Certified Attorney, Jason Odom’s video about How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer.
We Are Here to Help
Finding the right attorney is imperative to you receiving the kind of recovery you deserve. Someone who is experienced, has sufficient resources, knows the law, and regularly tries cases before juries has a better chance of earning the fairest settlement or verdict for their clients. If you have been injured and need a personal injury lawyer, ask somebody you trust, ask the attorneys at Gould Cooksey Fennell about your rights. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Source:
*https://www.legalserviceslink.com/blog/how-to-hire-a-lawyer-for-a-lifetime-of-legal-needs
