After being injured due to the actions or negligence of another party, a personal injury lawyer will help you understand and fight for your rights. Filing a case against the at-fault party can result in crucial financial compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs. However, the personal injury that you select for legal representation plays a considerable role in the outcome of your case. How do you select a personal injury lawyer for your case?
Table of Contents
Look at Experience
There are many types of personal injury cases. These range from dog bites and work-related injuries to car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, and more. A personal injury lawyer may have experience in several types of cases, but that experience may not translate to your specific case. When interviewing a lawyer, ask about specific experience related to your type of injury or event rather than overall legal experience.
Ask About Board Certification
A board-certified personal injury lawyer has endured a rigorous training and educational process related to this area of the law. Certification also requires lawyers to comply with continuing education requirements. References and trial experience are also certification requirements. Look for certification or membership with organizations like the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and others.
Focus on Communication
During an initial consultation, you have the opportunity to ask questions about your case as well as about the general legal process. You can also learn about the strength and potential value of your case. Is the lawyer answering your questions directly or skirting around the questions? Your case can have a profound impact on your life, so you need to feel comfortable with the quality and level of communication that your attorney provides. In addition, your case may extend for months or longer, and proper communication can make the process less stressful for you.
Understand Accessibility and Contacts
While highly skilled lawyers are in demand, they should still be accessible to you throughout the case. Often, personal injury lawyers work closely with their legal assistants, and these assistants may be your primary contacts. Inquire about your primary contacts, and ensure that you are just as comfortable communicating with him or her as you are in dealing with the lawyer.
Review Fees
Legal fees vary considerably from law firm to law firm. Your personal injury lawyer may work on contingency, which means that no fees are due until the case is settled or won. Carefully review a contract before signing it, and ask questions as needed. Understand the fees due upfront as well as the fees that may be taken out of the amount awarded to you. More than that, inquire about how much your case is worth and how confident the lawyer is in his or her ability to win the case.
Hiring the best personal injury lawyer for your case has a major impact on the outcome as well as your experience throughout the proceedings. As a rule of thumb, consider interviewing at least three personal injury lawyers before making a decision about your legal representation.
