After being hurt due to someone else’s carelessness, you’ll need to make several important choices in the period following the injury. And choosing the correct attorney to advocate for you becomes a key element in achieving a successful outcome.
Insurance companies have enough money to work with experienced Conrad Curry compensation lawyers who specialize in protecting against personal injury claims. So, in a way, your lawyer’s level of experience and skills will greatly impact the compensation you are awarded.
Many individuals who are injured are unaware that top-rated personal injury compensation lawyers in their area charge the same fees as inexperienced attorneys without a proven track record of success in court. So, avoid the error of selecting a personal injury attorney based solely on advertisements.
Also, some lawyers may not act ethically and will rush to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company due to their focus on handling many cases quickly. Therefore before you hire someone, it’s best to do a thorough background check on them.
Here’s how you should do it.
1: Learn about Their On-Field Experience
The greater the expertise a personal injury compensation lawyer possesses, the higher the chances of winning your case. This is because they have experienced everything, allowing them to navigate even the most significant challenges, such as demonstrating the effects of extremely intricate, disastrous injuries and uncovering the deceptions of deceptive insurance firms.
An experienced accident attorney is probably already acquainted with the type of personal injury lawsuit you’re presenting. When evaluating a lawyer’s experience, do ask about the following:
- Do they primarily specialize in personal injury cases as individuals and as a legal firm? (Personal injury may be just one of several areas of law that certain general-practice law firms handle, leading to occasional involvement in such cases and potential lack of sufficient expertise.)
- For how long has the lawyer and law firm been dealing with these kinds of cases?
- Has the attorney undergone numerous trials in court?
- Are they highly esteemed and highly regarded in the personal injury law field? (This acknowledgment could come in the form of receiving professional accolades, being part of personal injury or trial lawyer organizations, etc.)
- Have they dealt with the exact type of case you are facing before?
- If you had a brain injury, does their firm have a history of securing compensation for brain injury cases successfully?
2: Keep an Eye on Their Track Record
Remember, there are numerous lawyers with extensive experience who lack a genuinely impressive success record.
For instance, they might have a reputation for accepting low settlement offers from insurance companies, or they may not have a track record of succeeding in complex, high-value cases.
Nonetheless, when thinking about hiring a lawyer, examine their track record and inquire about the following:
- Have they secured multi-million-dollar settlements & verdicts for their clients?
- Also, have they handled cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims successfully, not just cases with minor injuries?
- Finally, did they receive any awards for their settlements and verdicts?
3: Understand the Payment Model They Follow
It is important to carefully review the details in the agreement when selecting a new lawyer. Coincidentally, this way, you can make sure you have a clear understanding of how they charge to avoid any unexpected fees in the future. For example, some good inquiries to make are:
- Is a complimentary first consultation provided?
- Also, is their payment based on the outcome of the case? Remember, in some cases, you’ll only have to pay fees of a firm if they have won the case for you. Hence, it might be better to ask them about when they want to get paid and what that amount would be.
- Finally, is it possible for them to offer a monetary advance to pay for expenses prior to your settlement or verdict?
4: Be Attentive to How They’re Talking to You
Have confidence in your decision-making. Also, you have to ensure that you’re comfortable with the communication and treatment you receive from any potential lawyer, as the attorney-client relationship is crucial. The following should be given careful consideration.
- Are they eager to respond to any inquiries you may have?
- Do they have a friendly and professional demeanor?
- Thirdly, are they prepared to come to you when necessary?
- Also, are they truly interested in your welfare?
- Finally, do they provide clear explanations of the legal process, return your calls promptly, and more?
5: The Additional Resources
Considering the extra support that a potential personal injury attorney can offer is crucial. Certain personal injury attorneys provide enhanced support for different phases of the case. This can lead to lower inconvenience and a more seamless overall experience.
Ensure that you inquire about the following things:
- Is there a group of healthcare providers that they work with to assist in finding the necessary treatment for you?
- Is it possible for them to assist you in locating physicians who are open to working on a lien basis, allowing your medical bills to be covered by your settlement or judgment?
- Will it be possible for them to help with other services like assessing property damage and negotiating liens (e.g. bargaining with medical providers about costs) related to your case?
6: Get Referrals
Have conversations with friends, family, colleagues, or individuals who have had experience with a lawyer for their personal injury cases.
And if your contact provides positive feedback, consider adding their attorney to your list. But do not rely solely on another person’s suggestion to make a decision.
Also, remember different individuals will respond differently to a lawyer’s style and demeanor. So, don’t form a conclusion until –
- You have met (or at least spoken with) the lawyer,
- Talked about your case, and
- Determined if you would feel at ease collaborating with them.
The Bottom Line – Something to Remember
Ultimately, a lawyer could reject a strong case due to the same reason you may not want to hire a skilled lawyer – if there is a lack of mutual liking or comfort between both parties. Therefore, if the lawyer finds that there is an immediate conflict between your personality and theirs, they may choose not to pursue your claim. So, yes, you have to convince them of yourself as well.
Read Also:
- Common Types of Personal Injury Cases Handled in Glendale, CA
- 4 Reasons Why a Personal Injury Lawyer Will Not Take Your Case
- Factors That Affect The Value Of A Personal Injury Settlement
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