5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer to handle your personal injury case can sometimes be extremely daunting. Where do you start your search and when you do find a lawyer, how do you know they are the right one for you? Whether you’ve been injured in an auto accident or you need someone to represent you in a medical negligence case, you want to ensure that you choose the best lawyer for the job.
We’ve put together five things for you to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer.
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Ask for Referrals and Check Online Reviews
Personal recommendations are often the best way to find a good lawyer. While in the past we may have relied on asking our family and friends or a work colleague, now searching out online reviews can be a great way to learn more about how lawyers work, their expertise and the success they have achieved for their clients.
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Research Attorneys Online
When you’ve narrowed down your shortlist of attorneys based on recommendations and online reviews, do a little research of your own. Investigate different firms and attorneys online to ensure that they are licensed and in good standing in the state where your accident or incident occurred. You’ll find that every state has its own bar association and database where all local attorneys are registered. This will allow you to check their bar status and discover whether are subject to any sanctions or disciplinary measures.
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Trust Your Instinct
With your research under your belt, it’s time to speak to the lawyers on your shortlist. This will enable you to find out more about how they operate and allow you to see how you interact together. Do you get the feeling that an attorney genuinely cares about you and your case or do you feel that they see you in terms of how many dollars your case will generate for them and their firm? Are they being honest about the chances of success? Listen to your instinct and choose a lawyer who demonstrates that they have your best interests at heart.
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Ask Questions
During your initial meeting, some good questions to ask are:
- What kind of training have you had?
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases of this type have you handled?
- Will you handle my case personally or will you pass it to an associate?
Always ensure that you get the chance to speak to the lawyer that will ultimately represent you rather than their secretary, paralegal or intake person. You want to make certain that you like each other before you hire them especially as you’re likely to be spending a lot of time together.
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Clarify and Understand Fees Before Signing
It’s imperative to ask about the fees charged before you sign up and you should always get the fee agreement in writing. Personal injury attorneys usually work on contingency which means that they’ll possibly receive as much as a third of the eventual settlement or judgement, with other expenses on top of this. Be sure that you understand what they mean when they say, ‘no recovery, no fee’! You MUST be clear about fees before you hire your attorney.
The Takeaway
You must feel comfortable with your choice of attorney and be satisfied that you have both a good connection and good channels of communication. Remember, your case is unique, so you need to find a lawyer who will fight for you and take care of your wellbeing throughout the case.
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