Settling your personal injury claim may prove difficult. However, you may feel that hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim is not worth it. If you’ve decided that taking your claim to court is your best option, then you don’t want to hire just any attorney.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can offer support, advocate on your behalf, build a strategy to win your claim, and answer any questions you have regarding your claim. Before you decide on the right attorney for your claim, here are some proven methods for finding the right personal injury lawyer, and tips on choosing the right lawyer to represent you.
Securing an Experienced Injury Law Attorney
The first thing you want to do is find a lawyer who has experience representing claimants in personal injury cases. That is because a seasoned lawyer with experience representing personal injury defendants can be a real asset.
Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer's fees are paid as a percentage of what you ultimately receive in remuneration. Therefore, if the amount you are likely to receive is small, or your injuries aren’t significant enough, many lawyers will not take on your claim.
Initial consultations are a great way to connect with potential lawyers and sit down with them in person to discuss your claim. You can bring copies of all the documents you have concerning your claim: police report, medical bills, income loss information, and all correspondence with the insurance company, including your demand letter. Personal injury lawyers don't usually charge for an initial consultation.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you hire someone to represent your claim, you may need to learn about the lawyer's background and experience. Some important questions might be:
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How long has the lawyer been working in personal injury law?
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How much of their practice deals with personal injury law cases?
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Does the lawyer most often represent claimants or businesses and insurance companies?
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Does the lawyer have experience with the insurance company or adjuster in your case?
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Which lawyer will handle your case, and can you meet with the other lawyers working on your case as well?
How well you and a lawyer communicate with each other is an important aspect of choosing the right attorney. It’s imperative to find a lawyer that listens to you, follows your wishes, explains things well, and keeps you informed.
Personal Injury Lawyer Duties
Your claim’s process will evolve as more information is found. The details of your claim will also play a pivotal role in the lawyer your choose and your settlement process. Approaching your claim in a particular way when you hire a lawyer does not mean that you have to be stuck with this approach.
The right lawyer will understand the appropriate moment to update your strategy. Some plaintiffs grow weary of the process and need their lawyers to conclude things quickly. Sometimes taking your claim to court is more harmful to you and your finances than not doing so.
Other times, as the case goes on, your odds of obtaining a higher settlement than you originally anticipated improve so you are willing to have the lawyer fight longer than you initially anticipated. The right personal injury lawyer can support you while your circumstances change, listen to your concerns, and help you come to the best conclusions.
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is all about finding someone you mesh well with, who has experience representing claims like yours, and who works at a firm that will give your claim the attention it needs.
