If you find yourself in an unfortunate scenario where you have been injured and need help getting the compensation that could be due to you it is often the case that one of the most important decisions you will make at this point is deciding which lawyer to represent your interests.
When it comes to hiring the right attorney, it is not just a case of searching your local listings and picking one out at random.
There are a number of key factors that will help you narrow down your list and by following a selection process based on certain criteria it should improve your odds of finding the right personal injury lawyer for you.
Here is a look at some of the things you need to ask or look out for when selecting a lawyer to help you make a successful personal injury claim.
Know someone who has already had experience of using a personal injury lawyer?
A good starting point in your search for a personal injury lawyer is to ask around amongst your family and friends network to see if anyone you know and trust can recommend a lawyer to you.
That should not be the only determining factor as everyone’s needs are different but at least you should get an honest appraisal of how they handled a claim.
Do some online research:
You always have to exercise a certain degree of caution when you are searching online to check ratings and customer reviews but it can be a useful guide in certain circumstances.
What is worth remembering, however, is that customers do tend to be motivated to post negative reviews when they have had a bad experience and just because you can’t find too many positive reviews it doesn’t mean that the firm is not any good.
Take note of negative reviews as a potential note of caution that service standards may not be as promised.
Do they have experience with your type of injury?
It is essential to be mindful that personal injury claims can be very complex and in order to get the best representation you will ideally want to find a lawyer who has previous experience in this sphere.
If they know the procedures involved in filing a successful claim and understand what sort of circumstances and outcomes result from being involved in an accident this can help your lawyer to appreciate what approach is required to achieve a positive outcome.
Appointing a lawyer with a track record in personal injury claims will mean that they know how the trial system operates. They will also have an understanding of medical conditions and outcomes attributed to personal injuries and previous experience relating to how to pursue a negligence claim on your behalf.
Location matters:
It is highly relevant to appreciate that your lawyer needs to have the appropriate license to be able to practice in the state where you were injured.
Check that this is the case before you appoint someone.
Also, you will have a lot of contact with your lawyer and may need to make a number of visits to their office. This is why choosing someone who is within close proximity to you or is easily reachable from a geographic perspective could prove to be a good move.
Is your lawyer approachable and reachable?
You don’t have to get along famously with your lawyer but there are certain aspects of the professional relationship that needs to work in order to avoid any potential frustration on your part.
Does your lawyer return your calls when you try to make contact and do they keep you up to date with what is happening with your case?
You won’t know the answer to the second point until you get underway but if you have trouble getting a response when you first approach a lawyer fro their help this could be an indication that your lawyer is not as approachable or contactable as you might like.
Observe how good they are in responding to your inquiry and see if that might be a clue as to how they will treat you when you are their client rather than a potential customer.
“Interview” your potential lawyer:
A good tactic for choosing the right personal injury lawyer would be to create a shortlist of potential candidates and arrange to meet them in person at their office.
In preparation for this meeting, it would be a good idea to create a list of relevant questions that you want to ask about making a personal injury claim.
By working your way through their answers and gauging their responses to your questions you should get a good feel for which lawyer might be best suited to your needs and that includes seeing how comfortable they make you feel with their ability to achieve a positive outcome for you.
Ticking all the right boxes:
Having a checklist of things you want your lawyer to be able to do and feeling comfortable with your choice it will be time to commit to cementing the professional relationship.
It is essential at this point that you also fully understand exactly what your lawyer’s fee structure is and how much it is going to cost you to gain access to their services.
Don’t feel pressured to sign up at the meeting as it can often be worthwhile to take a moment to review all the details and confirm in your own mind that you are happy to go ahead before signing on the dotted line.
It is often the case that a personal injury lawyer will not charge you an hourly rate but, instead, their fees will be collected upon the conclusion of the case. It is normal to expect to pay a percentage of the amount awarded to your lawyer if you win the compensation claim.
Take your time reviewing all the contract details so that you are comfortable with all the terms and fees being proposed.
If you work your way through these various factors it should help you to identify a personal injury lawyer who is right for you and your claim circumstances.
