The good news is that you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. But before you do anything else, it’s important to think about how to get the best possible result. Legal experts can help you with this.
In this article we discuss 5 points to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer.
1. Does the lawyer specialize in personal injury?
Not all lawyers are created equal. Some attorneys specialize in criminal law, while others may specialize in family law. When it comes to finding a personal injury attorney, you want to be sure that the attorney you consult specializes in this area of law.
Average, 2 million drivers sustain a permanent injury every year in the U.S. Finding a lawyer who is not only experienced in handling car accidents, but also in dealing with the insurance companies is critical to making sure you get the best possible get result.
2. Does the lawyer have experience with your type of injury?
There are different types of personal injury cases: car accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice and more. You want to make sure that the attorney you consult with has experience handling cases similar to yours.
For example, if you’ve been in a car accident, you’ll want to make sure that the attorney you’re consulting with has experience handling car accidents. A few questions you can ask the lawyer are:
- How many car accidents have you dealt with?
- Did any of those cases go to court?
- What was the outcome of those cases?
Asking these kinds of questions will give you a better idea of whether or not the lawyer is right for you.
3. If you are in hospital, can the lawyer make visits?
If you are in the hospital, you want to make sure that the lawyer you consult is able to make visits. This is important as you may not be able to come to the office for consultations. Some attorneys have a policy of meeting their clients only in their offices or in court. Of course this is not ideal. You want to be sure that the attorney you consult is willing to make hospital visits, no matter how severe your injuries are. If the attorney is unwilling to make hospital visits, consider seeking another attorney.
4. What kind of references do they have?
When looking for a personal injury attorney, it’s important to ask for references. You want to make sure that the attorney you consult with has a good track record. Most lawyers will provide you with a list of references upon request. You can also research what others have said about working with your potential attorney by using sites Avvo or google.
Once you have a list of references, you should contact them and ask about their experience with the attorney. Some questions you may want to ask are:
- Did the lawyer keep you informed of the status of your case?
- Were they difficult to work with?
- Did the lawyer call you back in time?
- Were you satisfied with the outcome of your case?
After asking these questions, you should have a better idea of whether this is the right lawyer for you.
5. What are their fees?
Personal injury attorneys usually work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. The attorney’s fee is usually a percentage of the settlement or judgment. Most personal injury lawyers count between: 33% to 40% of the total amount.
It is important to ask about costs before engaging your lawyer. You want to make sure you are familiar with their fee structure.
Other costs that are often incurred before a decision is made include standard court costs and the costs of investigating and preparing your case.These costs can add up, so it’s important to ask the lawyer in advance how much money you’ll need upfront to properly budget for your case and avoid any surprises.