Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be an overwhelming process. There are so many out there, but because it’s such a large specialty, it can be hard to figure out who to trust. The best way to tackle this process, then, is by thoroughly vetting a group of personal injury lawyers before you choose one to take your case. You can try here to find a list of qualified lawyers, and reading this article will help you ensure you’re working with a lawyer who understands your needs and who will pursue your case with the attention it deserves.
These 4 questions can help guide you through the process, from perusing general listings to finally choosing a firm.
Ask Around
One of the best ways to get started with finding a lawyer is simply by asking around. Many people in your circle have likely had to deal with a personal injury case at some point and can tell you who they worked with and whether they were happy with the process.
Furthermore, unlike simply pursuing local advertisements, talking to a friend about their experience is a good way to get an honest sense of what to expect, rather than reading a list of hyperbolic self-promoting statements.
Check Their Website
While every law firm obviously wants to represent themselves in the best possible light, most offer valuable insights into their process via their website, which can help you further weed through the listings.
For example, just by glancing at the website for Matthews Injury Law, you can see what types of cases they typically handle, read examples of their successful verdicts and settlements, and learn about their client intake practices. And if you’re not impressed by the website, remember that this is a first impression, and if a firm can’t come up with a few highlights to help them stand out, their behind the scenes efforts likely won’t stand out either.
Fee Structure
Personal injury lawyers have different fees and payment structures, so before you hire a firm, you’ll want to ask about how they approach payment. Typically, personal injury lawyers are paid via contingency fee – and that means they don’t get paid if you don’t win. Be cautious about working with lawyers who require upfront payment. While contingency fees are often as much as 40% of your settlement, at least they don’t require payment when you’re both injured and haven’t received a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Expert Assistance
If you’re not familiar with the world of personal injury, you may not realize just how many other experts lawyers rely on to help win your case, but now is the time to learn. So, who will they call on? It’s a good question to ask, but as part of helping you recover your losses, your lawyer needs to account for your current and future medical care, impact on employment, and other factors. As such, they’ll likely connect with healthcare providers, economists, and other professionals who can help estimate these costs and their long-term consequences. Your lawyer has a lot of skills, but they aren’t a jack-of-all-trades and, more importantly, they shouldn’t try to be one.
There are countless other factors you might wish to consider as part of choosing a personal injury lawyer, these highlights offer a good place to start. Ultimately, as you speak to different firms, you’ll get a clear sense of what firm is a good fit and where your case won’t get the care it needs.
