Every day, people sustain injuries. Most of them are not severe enough to require a trip to the ER or doctor’s office. However, it might be challenging to know where to turn when you need an accident lawyer. If this describes your legal predicament, read on for advice on how to choose an injury attorney.
Experience
When selecting a personal injury attorney, expertise is one of the most crucial factors to take into account. If you are dealing with a legal issue that is related to your injury, then it is quite possible that you will be required to negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit in order to resolve the issue. Just as this personal injury attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, states, personal injury may be devastating not just physically but also emotionally and financially. This is why you need someone on your side who has expertise working with situations that are quite similar to the one you are now facing. It may be simpler to choose the attorney who is most suited for your case if you consider the number of years an attorney has been in practice as well as their record of victories and settlements.
Reputation
A good lawyer will have experience working with insurers and other attorneys in the local court system. This will have a beneficial effect on your case and speed up a just resolution. The plaintiff, the defendant, and the court may all benefit from the lawyer’s established track record of getting matters resolved quickly and fairly, thanks to his or her sterling reputation.
Attorney fees
In today’s world, contingent fees are the norm, and the age-old standard rate of a third of the total is typically charged. Although it is currently usual practice for the agreement to increase to 40% in the event that a suit and/or trial are necessary and to 50% in the event that an appeal is lodged, the original fee of 30% remains unchanged. Personal injury attorneys often take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that their clients only have to come up with the money to pay them if they win their case. You should not let the cost of hiring a lawyer be the deciding factor in who represents you in a personal injury case, but you should understand their billing and fee structure beforehand.
Trial representation
Although most personal injury lawsuits are handled out of court, a skilled personal injury attorney will be prepared to go to trial if necessary. This is because both parties have strong incentives to reach a settlement rather than face a jury.
When negotiating, insurance firms are notorious for their aggressiveness. They’ll do their hardest to either not pay anything at all on your personal injury claim or pay you as little as possible. They will try to take advantage of the fact that your lawyer lacks trial expertise in order to convince you to accept a lower settlement.
Before selecting a personal injury lawyer, you may want to ask them the following questions to ensure they are prepared to represent you in court:
- Would you be prepared to represent me in court if it were necessary?
- How many times do you find yourself in court?
- What percentage of cases do you win in court?
Success rate
Remember that many solicitors out there with many years of experience do not truly have a stellar record of success. The insurance company may know they can count on them to settle for less than they’re worth, or they may not have a track record of success in the highest-stakes situations.
Review their past cases and ask them these questions while you search for an attorney.
Do they often win multi-million dollar settlements and judgments for their clients?
In addition to minor incidents, do they have expertise in winning cases involving wrongful death claims?
Have they been recognized for their successful judgments and settlements?
Good and strong relationship
Personal injury claims may take a long time to settle. It seems like it would be preferable to go through such a long process with a lawyer you trust by your side. You and your attorney need to communicate properly in order to build a solid personal injury case. You shouldn’t feel like you’re doing all the work for your lawyer, and neither should he or she. When you are able to communicate effectively and often, and when your queries are answered to your satisfaction, you will have a very positive working relationship.
Reviews and recommendations
Talk to people you know who have recently hired a lawyer to handle a personal injury claim, such as colleagues or coworkers. Put that attorney on your shortlist if they had a positive experience with them. But don’t rely on your choice of attorney based on the advice of just one person. A lawyer’s style and personality may elicit a range of reactions from clients. Their enthusiasm and/or energy levels for taking on a new case might fluctuate widely over the course of a single day. Don’t decide to hire someone until you’ve had a chance to talk to them about your case and feel confident in beginning a working relationship with them.
Online directories
A search engine can help you locate personal injury attorneys online. You may do a search within your city, county, or even state. In order to provide the greatest possible representation, it may be necessary to travel. People who are wondering how to find a competent personal injury lawyer may consult not just Google but also specialized web directories. Keep in mind that some of these sites only post ads for attorneys who are prepared to pay a fee, so be careful.
You want to choose a lawyer who is committed to getting you the money you’re owed and who you believe will be on your side throughout the case. Finding the correct legal partner is essential, so choosing a personal injury attorney is a job that needs your full attention. Your chances of success in court will increase if you choose an excellent person to represent you.