Hiring the Right Personal Injury Attorney

After an injury accident, you must deal with medical bills, lost income, and property damage. If you’ve never been in this position, knowing where to turn for help is hard. A personal injury attorney can take much of the pressure off your shoulders. However, how do you go about hiring the right personal injury lawyer?

Here are some things to consider when seeking a lawyer to handle your personal injury claim. Ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable before hiring the right attorney for you.

What Should You Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you haven’t had any experience with an accident case, you may not know what to look for in an accident lawyer. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family. You can also contact your local bar association for a referral. Another option is using an online attorney directory to search for a personal injury law firm.

You can contact a few attorneys and meet with them in person or on the phone. Here are some things you may want to look for when deciding who to hire:

• What is their experience with cases like yours?
• Can they deal with the insurance company?
• How will they keep you informed about updates in your case?
• Is the lawyer available any time of the day to answer your questions?
• How much do they charge for attorney fees?

How Much Experience Does Your Lawyer Have?

If you were in a severe injury accident, you want to have a lawyer on your side with experience in your type of case. An experienced attorney can help guide you through the process. An attorney with a history of success can explain how much your case may be worth and fight to get you the maximum compensation.

Not all areas of personal injury law are the same. Ask the attorney about their experience with your type of personal injury case. Some common types of personal injury lawsuits include:

• Car accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Slip and fall
• Dog bite injury
• Premises liability
• Product defect claims

Can the Lawyer Help With the Insurance Company?

Dealing with the insurance adjuster can be frustrating. The insurance company may try to get you to accept a fast settlement offer before you have time to talk to a lawyer. Before you sign a settlement agreement, make sure you understand your legal options.

Once you hire a lawyer, you can tell the insurance company to contact your lawyer. This will allow you to focus on recovery. Your attorney won’t get distracted by the insurance company tricks. Your lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement covering all your damages and expenses.

How Will the Attorney Keep You Informed?

One of the most frustrating parts of an injury claim is how long civil lawsuits can take. Even if you have a simple injury case, it can take months or years before your case goes to trial. Personal injury lawsuits move slowly, but you should be informed of updates.

Ask your attorney about how they will keep you informed. You can also ask about the timeline of a personal injury case and what you can expect.

Will the Lawyer Answer Your Questions and Concerns?

If you’re unfamiliar with the court process, you’ll have many questions. Sometimes, these questions can’t wait until your next scheduled meeting. If communication is important, ask your attorney about their availability. Can you make a phone call to the law office on the weekends or evenings? You should make sure someone will be there to answer your questions.

How Much Will the Lawyer Charge?

Don’t let the issue of legal fees stop you from getting fair compensation for your injuries. Most personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don’t accept payment upfront. Instead, they only get paid after you win your case. A contingency fee is a percentage of the amount you win in a jury award or settlement.

If you have questions about the contingency fee agreement, ask your attorney.

Does the Attorney Offer a Free Initial Consultation?

Many personal injury attorneys offer a free initial consultation. This is a chance to interview the attorney and ensure you are hiring the right personal injury lawyer for your case. There is no obligation to go with the first lawyer you talk to. You want to feel confident you are in good hands.

For any questions about your legal rights, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for legal advice.