Have you been injured in an accident? If so, you may need the services of a personal injury lawyer to ensure your legal interests are protected. That’s because not all personal injury law firms are the same! In this post, we explore what makes some personal injury lawyers more effective than others, and what to look out for when choosing an attorney.
You’ll learn how hiring a trusted firm with experience can help you get the most out of your claim and ensure your rights are protected. You’ll also discover the benefits of hiring a skilled attorney who has successfully handled hundreds of personal injury cases and is licensed to practice law in your state.
What makes a good personal injury lawyer?
Aside from having years of experience and being highly qualified, there are a few key traits you should look out for when choosing an attorney. If you can find someone with these qualities, then you’re likely to have a more positive outcome:
Ethical – Your personal injury lawyer should always keep your best interests at heart. They should be honest and ethical in all dealings and willing to put your needs above all else.
– Your personal injury lawyer should always keep your best interests at heart. They should be honest and ethical in all dealings and willing to put your needs above all else. Expert – In addition to being a friend to those who have been injured, you probably want someone with experience when it comes to dealing with insurance companies. That’s why it’s important that you hire someone with lots of knowledge of the ins and outs of personal injury cases.
– In addition to being a friend to those who have been injured, you probably want someone with experience when it comes to dealing with insurance companies. That’s why it’s important that you hire someone with lots of knowledge of the ins and outs of personal injury cases. Efficient – There are several steps in a personal injury case, and you will be required to attend many appointments. Your attorney should take an “active” approach to your case, which means they will take an active role in your case by attending all hearings and court dates. They will also act on your behalf to ensure your case is progressing.
– There are several steps in a personal injury case, and you will be required to attend many appointments. Your attorney should take an “active” approach to your case, which means they will take an active role in your case by attending all hearings and court dates. They will also act on your behalf to ensure your case is progressing. Skilled – Choose a law firm that specializes in personal injury and has experience in the area of law dealing with your specific injury.
– Choose a law firm that specializes in personal injury and has experience in the area of law dealing with your specific injury. Trusted – Can you trust them to do everything possible to achieve a successful outcome for your case? You should trust your attorney enough to be open and honest about the details surrounding your case, including any risks or uncertainties.
How to choose a personal injury lawyer?
When looking for a personal injury lawyer, start by considering the following qualities:
Professional – Do you want to hire someone who is highly qualified? Personal injury lawyers should have completed law school, passed the bar exam and practiced law for at least five years. They should also have experience handling cases involving car accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice or other types of accident claims. It’s also important that they are licensed to practice in your state of residence.
– Do you want to hire someone who is highly qualified? Personal injury lawyers should have completed law school, passed the bar exam and practiced law for at least five years. They should also have experience handling cases involving car accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice or other types of accident claims. It’s also important that they are licensed to practice in your state of residence. Responsible – Because your lawyer will be advocating for you in court, you want someone who stays on top of case management and will follow through with the agreed-upon timeline.
– Because your lawyer will be advocating for you in court, you want someone who stays on top of case management and will follow through with the agreed-upon timeline. Hireable – Although some attorneys are more difficult to work with than others, a good personal injury attorney should elicit positive feedback from their clients.
What to avoid when hiring a personal injury attorney?
Although most personal injury lawyers are competent, you should make sure you avoid the following pitfalls when hiring a lawyer:
Overcharging – Be wary of an attorney who presents an initial price tag that seems too high compared to other insurance claims professionals or what’s quoted by other reputable firms. This is a red flag. Most lawyers do not have the authority to negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company.
– Be wary of an attorney who presents an initial price tag that seems too high compared to other insurance claims professionals or what’s quoted by other reputable firms. This is a red flag. Most lawyers do not have the authority to negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. Lack of knowledge – Don’t choose a law firm that uses inexperienced or trainee lawyers. They might be excellent, but you probably won’t know until they’ve handled several cases, which could take years.
– Don’t choose a law firm that uses inexperienced or trainee lawyers. They might be excellent, but you probably won’t know until they’ve handled several cases, which could take years. Lacking confidentiality – You should always ask how the law firm will keep your information confidential and whether they will break the attorney-client privilege.
– You should always ask how the law firm will keep your information confidential and whether they will break the attorney-client privilege. Lack of experience – Don’t choose a lawyer based on the number of times they’ve been to court. Although judges like to see long-time lawyers in the courtroom, it isn’t necessarily indicative of their success.
How to hire an attorney?
You can search for a personal injury lawyer by using websites such as Lawyers.com and FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory, or by simply calling up one of many legal referral services. To get the best sense of how well the attorney will be able to represent you, ask for references and contact them. You can also take a look at ratings and reviews from previous clients, which you can find on Avvo, Yelp or on the law firm’s website.
The initial consultation
Personal injury lawyers usually charge an initial consultation fee to meet with you and discuss your case. The meeting is meant to give both sides an idea of whether or not they would be able to work together. Many more firms offer free initial consultations, but you should make sure you talk to at least one other potential attorney before making a decision.
