After a car accident, a slip and fall incident at a store, a botched surgery, or another type of personal injury case, it is imperative to seek legal representation. However, choosing the first lawyer you find is not prudent. You need to find one that meets your specific needs.
Currently, there are over 1.3 million lawyers in the U.S. While many of them are personal injury attorneys, not all of them will be the right fit to help you win your case. Here are a few attributes to consider when choosing the right personal injury lawyer.
Experience with Your Kind of Personal Injury Case
Getting recommendations from friends or family is a big help. However, if the lawyer they recommend doesn’t have experience with your type of personal injury case, they’re not the right choice. For example, if you were hurt in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you will want a personal injury lawyer that has handled many car accident cases.
Successful Track Record
Let’s say you find a personal injury lawyer with plenty of experience representing car accident victims. That’s a great start, but they also need to have a successful track record. You may find that they often take the lowest settlement from the insurance company or have zero experience in the courtroom. While most personal injury cases are settled before going to trial, you will want someone who has the ability to command a courtroom if it gets to that point.
Good Communication Skills
The majority of lawyers are very outspoken and confident. These skills should extend behind closed doors when they speak to you too. Responsiveness and the ability to keep open lines of communication are essential when it comes to choosing a lawyer. You should feel like you’re always in the loop about everything involving your case.
Additionally, you should find out whether or not you will be in direct contact with your lawyer or if they will have someone else from the firm contact you. Trust your gut when you sit down to discuss your case in a consultation. If the lawyer makes you feel like they care about your well-being, they’re a good fit.
Know What to Expect Regarding Payment
Most personal injury lawyers charge via a contingency fee basis. This means they don’t get paid unless you collect a settlement or win at trial. Understanding their fees is important so you’re not surprised later on.
Check their website to see if they offer a free initial consultation and what fees are listed for their services. This will give you a better understanding of what to expect when hiring your personal injury lawyer.
When you find the right personal injury lawyer for your case, you will feel like everything is coming together. The best lawyer for you is one who will handle everything related to your lawsuit, allowing you to work on healing from your accident.