Are you in the market for a personal injury lawyer? If so, you have your work cut out for you. When one mistake can cause your case to be dismissed, you don’t want to find a lousy lawyer.
If you’re planning to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case, you need to do your due diligence to find the right person for the job. Ask the four questions below to figure out if a personal injury attorney is worth working with.
1. Do You Have a Disciplinary Record?
Not every lawyer you meet during your search is someone who will follow the rules. Some lawyers do anything they can to get results. Not all of those things follow the rule of law.
Ask your potential lawyers to see if they have had problems in the past. Not all disciplinary issues are going to be deal-breakers. However, you need to know if your lawyer is upfront about their past.
You can check your lawyer’s answer by looking at your state’s bar association website. You’ll find any marks on their records there.
2. Will You Handle My Case?
Many lawyers don’t work on their own. They work in bigger firms with other attorneys. In many cases, law firms use the top lawyers of the firm to advertise their services.
The question is, will the people you talk to when interviewing firms about your case be the ones who work on it? Check with law firms to figure out which one of their lawyers will represent you. It pays to talk to the person you’ll work with directly so you can figure out if they are a good fit for your case.
3. How Do You Handle Fees?
Some personal injury cases are open and shut. You can file a claim, get your claim decision, and receive compensation for your injury. Other claims aren’t so simple.
If you pay hourly for a lawyer during a lengthy claim process, there’s no telling how much money you’ll spend for their services. The good news is that hourly fees aren’t the only payment structure offered by lawyers.
In lengthy cases, look for an attorney who offers payment by contingency. This means you’ll only pay your lawyer if they win. Their fee comes from a portion of the money you receive from your personal injury claim.
4. How Many Personal Injury Cases Have You Filed?
The personal injury law field is large and complex. An excellent general lawyer might be able to scratch the surface and get you through your case. However, they won’t have the in-depth knowledge that a specialized personal injury lawyer has.
Make sure your lawyer has a history of working and winning personal injury cases. Ask for more information about a lawyer’s past personal injury cases to ensure that they have the experience you need.
Do Your Due Diligence When Looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer
You can’t afford to make a mistake in your personal injury case. Hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your claim means you get a partner that will give you the best chance for success. Use the questions above to find the best personal injury lawyer for the job.
If you want to learn more about the law process, head back to our blog. You’ll find more posts detailing how to navigate the legal system.
