How to Choose Which Personal Injury Lawyer to Represent You
Virtually all lawyers who specialize in personal injury offer prospective clients free initial consultations and work on contingency fees; however, not all are equal in terms of expertise or client services.
One of the key factors when hiring an attorney to represent you in court is whether they regularly file lawsuits; this is important because their calculations of damages could make an enormous difference to your compensation payout.
1. Experience
Finding a legal representative that best meets your needs can be an essential decision. A reputable attorney will be invaluable in getting you the compensation that is owed to you from insurance companies while relieving you of stress and pressure, all while working toward an equitable settlement for yourself and family members.
Personal injury lawyers possess extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and fighting on their clients’ behalf. Furthermore, these legal professionals possess an in-depth knowledge of how accidents or injuries impact victims long term; this helps them make more accurate judgments when estimating compensation awards to victims.
Finding an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential, and reviews can provide invaluable insight into a firm’s expertise, professionalism and demeanor. Trustworthy reviews come from past clients of the firm in question.
When reading reviews of personal injury attorneys, pay particular attention to how many cases the attorney has won or lost and if they teach other lawyers or write articles related to legal topics – these indicators show they are experts in their field and that other lawyers trust them.
Ask the attorney how long they have been practicing law and how often they try cases in court – while many assume all personal injury lawyers go to trial often, this may not always be the case. Furthermore, inquire as to their policy for reimbursement of expenses should the case go downhill; many forget this important detail when interviewing potential lawyers.
2. Reputation
Friends or colleagues working in the legal profession may be able to suggest personal injury lawyers known for their expertise and professionalism, however it’s wise to also check online reviews in order to gain a sense of how other clients have experienced working with a particular lawyer or law firm.
Reviews provide invaluable insight into client experiences. When reading reviews, pay close attention to whether people mention both positive and negative aspects of working with a personal injury lawyer.
Check that your personal injury attorney has been asked to speak at legal education seminars or write articles for legal publications – these can be indicators that their professional peers regard them as authorities in their field and trust their advice. An outstanding personal injury attorney should work hard to help their clients recover after an accident has taken place – this might involve getting fair settlement offers from insurance companies or taking their case through trial if necessary; unfortunately even great lawyers sometimes fail in these endeavors.
3. Fees
The amount of fees charged will depend on how long a case lasts and which services are needed, with quicker settlements generally costing less while lengthy trials or complex cases often incur higher expenses. Some personal injury lawyers charge flat fees while others may require retainers; still others use sliding scale fees that increase as the case progresses.
Firms may incur various case expenses that aren’t part of their attorney fees, such as photocopying, postage, courier fees and witness fees. These extra costs may add up quickly when choosing a personal injury lawyer to represent your cause.
Virtually all personal injury lawyers provide free consultations and state that their fee will not be assessed unless there is a successful recovery in your case (known as contingency fee agreement). There may be exceptions, so be sure to read any contract carefully before agreeing to its terms.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to assess the value of your claim and explain all possible damages, such as non-economic and economic ones. Furthermore, an injury attorney can give insight into how much an insurance company might likely offer as settlement money.
As with selecting any lawyer, it is also important to ascertain their experience presenting personal injury cases before juries. Many laypeople assume all personal injury lawyers regularly present cases before juries; this isn’t always the case. If a personal injury lawyer you’re considering has no trial experience it may be wiser to look elsewhere for representation.
4. Reliability
When dealing with an insurance company, your choice of personal injury lawyer will have an enormous impact on how much money is awarded for your claim. Finding someone who will act as a tough negotiator and not allow them to nickel and dime or take advantage of you is key.
A good personal injury attorney will fight hard on your behalf for the compensation that is rightfully yours and won’t shy away from going the distance to get it. Additionally, it would be useful if the attorney had experience representing clients with similar types of injuries as yours and could navigate legal hurdles, medical access restrictions and insurance coverage for you on behalf of their clients.
An important question to ask when selecting an attorney is whether they regularly try cases in court. Some lawyers claim to be trial attorneys when in reality they never actually go before the jury for trial. Insurance companies know which personal injury lawyers regularly go before juries when making offers of settlement to victims of personal injury claims.
Hilda Sibrian is a dedicated personal injury attorney who prides herself in creating strong relationships with her clients and meeting their needs. She earned two bachelor’s degrees in human sciences before graduating from South Texas College of Law in Houston. For sixteen years now she and her team have practiced personal injury law; with each case they focus on providing superior client service so as to achieve the most positive outcome imaginable; these cases cover motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation claims and wrongful death lawsuits among many others.
5. Communication
No matter if your attorney is explaining the legal process or results of a trial, their ability to communicate clearly and concisely is paramount. They must listen closely and respond thoughtfully when responding to any of your inquiries; otherwise they may not be the best fit for your case.
Personal injury lawyers that excel are equipped with superior analytical abilities and are willing to spend the time to explain matters in terms that non-lawyers can understand. Analytical skills encompass looking beyond superficial appearances by uncovering opportunities others might overlook in your case and researching and finding technical experts (forensics for instance) who can analyze evidence from multiple angles.
When interviewing potential attorneys, be sure to ask about previous cases similar to yours and their success rates in handling them. Inquire if they have published information about jury verdicts as this will demonstrate whether other attorneys trust them with their cases.
Be sure to ask your attorney about their professional education and training. Many states mandate attending continuing education seminars annually in order to retain their licenses; find an attorney who stays informed on cutting-edge developments by attending relevant seminars and programs to improve their practice.
Personal injury lawyers possess excellent negotiating abilities and can communicate efficiently with other lawyers and insurance companies to achieve a fair and just settlement for their clients.