If you or a loved one has suffered injuries, medical bills, and loss of income due to an accident, you need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. But it’s not as simple as finding an attorney with a low price tag or bold promises.
First and foremost, look for a lawyer who handles personal injury cases exclusively. This will ensure they have the experience and knowledge to get you what you deserve.
Qualifications
While no one expects to hire a personal injury lawyer, when that need arises, it is important to find one who is accessible and knowledgeable. Statistics consistently demonstrate that injury victims come out ahead when they have an experienced attorney on their side.
Good attorneys like the Fuicelli & Lee personal injury lawyers can help clients understand the legal processes and negotiate with insurance companies to get maximum compensation for their injuries. Insurers are businesses that operate with the bottom line in mind, and an experienced injury law firm knows how to counter their tactics and negotiate a fair settlement.
When you interview a potential injury lawyer, provide detailed information about your accident and injuries. The attorney should also be able to clearly articulate their strategy for handling your case and answer all of your questions. In addition, look for an attorney who is a member of a legal organization dedicated to the rights of injury victims.
Reputation
A personal injury lawyer’s reputation can tell much about their ability to win your case. For example, a law firm might share numerous video testimonials of clients who won millions in their reviews. These are great, but they should not be the only sources you use when growing your list of lawyers to interview.
When a personal injury attorney or law firm brags about multi-million dollar wins, remember how many years ago these were won. Often, the star attorney who was part of these big wins no longer works at the same law firm.
It would help if you also considered whether the lawyer or law firm is a member of any legal organizations or professional affiliations devoted to representing injured victims. These types of memberships can be an excellent way to learn about the attorneys’ passion for their work and commitment to continuing education in personal injury law.
Experience
A personal injury lawyer’s experience will majorly impact your case. You should limit your search to attorneys specializing in the type of accident you’ve been injured in – a car crash, medical malpractice, or a slip and fall.
Experience matters because an attorney with significant time and familiarity in your area of law will be able to navigate the process more smoothly. They’ll have the skills and connections needed to negotiate with insurance companies, and they may be able to offer insights that might not always be evident to lay people.
Avoid the large firms that advertise heavily on television and billboards. They might be a “settlement mill” where the attorney hands your claim to junior associates or paralegals, and you might get less personal attention. Instead, look for a smaller firm with reviews, connections, and experience. You’ll want to make sure they’re willing to take your case on a contingency basis.
Fees
A personal injury lawyer may charge different types of fees. For example, some attorneys work hourly and bill the client for the exact time spent working on the case. However, most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and get paid only if they recover money for their clients.
It’s important to find out what each attorney charges and make sure you have a written fee agreement that specifies the attorney’s percentage of any final settlement or verdict award and spells out all other costs, including outside expenses, such as expert witness fees, court document filing fees, travel expenses, etc.
Additionally, find out if the attorney will advance these expenses or if they will be deducted from the final settlement. You should also find out the law firm’s policy on expense reimbursement if they lose the case. Some lawyers expect their clients to reimburse them for these expenses, while others do not.