What to Look for When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
In the US alone, over 30 million people are injured annually. Over two million of them require some form of hospitalization, and an even larger number need to go to court. Most of the time, liability is disputed, leading them to take legal action and file personal injury claims.
Now, if you have suffered personal injuries, it’s only right that you file a claim to get the compensation you deserve. That said, the trick now is to find a reputable personal injury lawyer to represent you. With a market size of a whopping $38 billion, you can be sure there are hundreds of personal injury lawyers in the country.
So, what should you consider when hiring an attorney? Keep reading to find out.
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Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Based on Your Type of Case
Personal injury happens to be a very large category of the law.
Different personal injury lawyers deal with different cases, from car accidents to wrongful death, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, among others. Having the right personal injury attorney can be the difference between securing the rights compensation or suffering due to your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
Find a personal injury lawyer specializing in the area of law involved in the kind of accident that caused your injuries. You’ll find numerous lawyers who specialize in auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and many more. You can find lawyers for any personal injury on Hirsch & Lyon.
When a lawyer has extensive experience in a certain field, they understand relevant laws. They know how to investigate the claim and craft an argument that will potentially win your case.
Conducts an In-Depth Research
The next step involves finding a legitimate and licensed personal injury lawyer in your area.
When you search for a personal injury attorney on the internet, you’re possibly going to get a lot of generic results and not necessarily the best skill sets. The first thing you should do is note down a few potential lawyers who have good websites.
A professional website shows that a law firm cares about its reputation. However, it’s not enough to assure you that they’re professional and competent enough.
One of the best things you can do is search within the State’s Bar Association and other professional organizations in your state. Research whether they are board-certified in the field of practice and whether they contribute to campaigns.
Lookout for Experience and Good Reputation
Experience is one of the most significant factors you should consider when hiring a lawyer. It gives them an edge in handling similar cases because they know exactly what to look for and where to look for it. Start by looking at the company’s website for articles related to your case.
Gauge how informative and knowledgeable the content is. It’ll directly help you understand whether the attorney knows their stuff. When you talk to them, ask several important questions that’ll help you determine their level of experience.
These questions include how many similar cases they have handled before, how much their firm focuses on similar cases, and what kind of outcomes they get. Beyond experience, reputation is just as important and will provide insights into what kind of legal firm you’ll be dealing with.
An attorney with a strong professional reputation will have a strong track record and high respect from peers. Check to see whether they have received any awards, accolades, or hold any leadership positions.
Customer reviews and testimonials can also be quite telling about their character, customer service, expertise, and overall competence as a lawyer.
Look for a Long Track Record of Success
Picking a personal injury lawyer based on the level of success is a very wise decision.
Apart from experience and reputation, you want to know that your attorney has a big chance of winning in a court settlement. When reviewing their website or during the interview, inquire about the last successful case they handled, what type of case it was, and what outcome they got.
Check for Disciplinary Action in the Past
It’s essential that you find an attorney with a clean track record, such as this injury accident lawyer. If an attorney has faced disciplinary action in the past, then you have no idea what kind of behavior and violations led to that decision.
They may also conduct similar behavior in your case and put you in jeopardy. Check with your State Bar Website for public records regarding the attorney.
Compare Attorney Fees
Attorney fees may be a determining factor when hiring a professional injury lawyer. Different legal firms will have different fee structures, so it’s important for you to ask how much they charge.
Dig deeper and find out whether they charge a flat fee or by the hour, whether you need to pay upfront, whether you could get a discount, and whether they could offer you a payment plan. Make sure you’re comfortable with the fees before you allow the lawyer to dive into your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Most attorneys will offer you a free consultation.
Narrow down your search to three of your top choices and schedule meetings, after which you will compare and choose the most suitable one. The initial consultation will help you determine if this is a person you want to be dealing with in the next few weeks, months, or possibly years.
The personality of the attorney also matters because you will be in contact for a while. Check how friendly and courteous the staff is at the firm, gauge how responsive they are and how much they’re willing to accommodate you as a client. Keep in mind that bigger firms don’t always have to be the better choice.
Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
If you follow these steps, you will undoubtedly find a suitable personal injury lawyer for your case. Ensure you check that they are licensed to practice in your state and that they have the right insurance policy.
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