Your life has been completely changed by an injury due to someone else’s negligence. You can’t work and your bills are piling up.
The best way to find the right personal injury attorney is to get referrals from friends, family, and colleagues who have had good experiences. You should also read online reviews about the firm or attorneys you are considering.
1. Experience
The right attorney can make a major difference in the outcome of your personal injury case. The best personal injury attorneys have the skills, resources and experience to help clients recover the full compensation they deserve.
The first step in finding a good personal injury attorney is to do some research. Look for recommendations from friends and family, and check out online lawyer directories.
It’s also important to ask potential attorneys about their previous experience. Find out whether they have handled a lot of personal injury cases and what the outcomes were like. A good New York personal injury attorney will have a proven track record of success.
Also, find out how much they have recovered for their clients. Remember, damages are more than just medical bills. They include lost income, future losses, pain and suffering and other related costs. The best personal injury attorneys know how to calculate these damages and demand everything they are owed.
2. Reputation
Choosing the right lawyer to handle your injury case can be an overwhelming task. How do you know if the lawyer you’re considering is truly one of the best?
The best way to find a qualified personal injury attorney is to get referrals from friends and family members who have been injured. Ask them about their experiences with the lawyers they hired and what their experience was like.
Another important factor is a lawyer’s reputation in the legal community. Lawyers who are frequently invited to speak at legal education seminars or write articles in legal publications are often viewed as experts in their field.
3. Personality
Just like you read online reviews when choosing a restaurant or movie, you should also look at personal injury attorney online reviews. However, focus on the substance rather than how many stars a firm has.
Check the lawyer’s website for information about their practice areas and experience level. It is a good idea to find out if they are in good standing with the bar and have no public disciplinary records.
Consider whether the lawyer you will be working with is the one who will be handling your case or if you will be handed off to a paralegal or junior attorney. Large personal injury firms may have more than one attorney handling a case.
Talk to friends and coworkers who have used a personal injury attorney in the past and ask for recommendations. If they have good things to say, put that attorney on your list of potential candidates. But do not make your final decision until you meet in person and discuss your case.
4. Fees
If you’re looking for a personal injury attorney, it’s important to do your homework. This is because the best attorneys know the insurance companies and can negotiate a settlement that is worth more than what the victim could get on their own.
One of the most significant factors to consider is fees. Personal injury lawyers almost always charge a contingent fee which means that they only get paid if they win the case. They also typically have case “expenses” that they need to cover which can add up quickly.
Some attorneys will charge a flat fee, but that is rare in the personal injury world. It is also important to find out whether the lawyer tries cases in court because there is a huge difference between a case that will be settled outside of the courtroom and a complicated personal injury case that may need to go before a jury. Also, some attorneys will reimburse their clients for expenses that are incurred during the case, while others will expect the client to pay for them.