Today there are many attorneys with sufficient knowledge to successfully tackle a personal injury claim; however you should take time to choose one with the right skills and experience to stand for your interests in a personal injury case. Irrespective of the years of experience, refrain from choosing an attorney who mainly works with an insurance company because it is only normal for these attorneys to put the interest of the insurance company first before yours. There are many ways to go about finding the perfect personal injury attorney to defend your interest. One good way to do this is to compare different law firms. You can contact several attorneys and arrange meetings where you can discuss your claim with each of them. You can then go on to hire the attorney you feel most comfortable working with after the consultation.
Why an attorney might not be interested in handling your case
Searching for the perfect personal attorney is no easy task, avoid going for just any kind of attorney. You will need to select an attorney that shows sufficient interest in your case and this would typically involve a lot of research. You will also need to agree on a mode of payment once you have found the right attorney. It is advised that you choose an attorney you can pay based on a contingency fee. This means that the amount of money the attorney is paid depends on the compensation you get. The contingency fee mode of payment may present a number of reasons for some lawyers to decline handling your case. Since law firms are typically very expensive to run, an attorney is likely to reject your offer if he considers your claim too small. However if your claim is really small, you can still hire a personal injury attorney, but this time you can pay your attorney hourly to put you through any complicated part of the case that you do not understand. An attorney may also refuse to take on your case if he feels the chances of winning full compensation is very slim despite your high claim. This is usually the case if the attorney thinks you are largely to be blamed for the situation due to your negligence and it would be difficult to pin the blame on someone else. It is also possible for an attorney to refuse to represent you simply because he does not feel comfortable working with you the same way you may not feel comfortable hiring a professional lawyer. An attorney can also refuse to represent you if the individual who is responsible for the coverage is not fully insured.
Important questions to ask your personal injury attorney
A lot of victims are usually unprepared and confused in the event of an accident, leaving them unsure of how to handle the case effectively. It is necessary to make swift decisions if you sustain any injuries in an accident. First and foremost, you should seek urgent medical attention and after recovery you should contact a personal injury attorney to fight for full compensation if you are sure you are not to blame for the accident and the damage was caused by some other person’s negligence. Choosing the right personal injury attorney is vital and if you are unsure about how to make this choice you can ask your potential attorney some of the question listed below to guide your decision:
What is your area of specialization?
It is important to be informed about your attorney’s area of specialization. Just as it would be unwise to have an auto mechanic deal with a leaking pipe rather than a plumber, it is also a terrible idea to hire an attorney that does not specialise in personal injury cases. Hence, with the vast array of attorneys available today focusing on different areas of law like; wrongful death, accident, product liability etc., ensure you go for an attorney that specializes on personal injury law to increase your chances of a good outcome.
How many years have you spent working on a similar case?
You will also want to ensure that you hire a professional attorney who is not just focused on personal injury cases but also one who is experienced in handling them. You risk paying for sub-standard services if you are dealing with an inexperienced attorney. Inquire about the outcome of similar personal injury cases your attorney has handled in the past. You should however keep in mind that it is possible for your attorney to either fall short of expectations or improve based on past performance. Still this question will guide you in choosing the perfect attorney.
How long will it take for my case to be resolved?
After discussing your case with your personal injury attorney, he or she should be able to give an estimated time on how long it will take for you to be fully compensated for someone else’s negligence which resulted in your injuries. Your attorney should also be able to talk to you about any issues that may cause the case to be prolonged
How will you keep me updated in real time?
Effective communication is essential in every relationship and this also applies to you and your personal injury attorney. You should always stay in touch with your personal injury attorney all the time. It is essential that you remain fully informed of any new development that may arise in the course of your case. Ensure that you get value for the services your paying for; request that your attorney gives you weekly or bi-weekly status update on your case. Featured photo credit: msh4665 via flickr.com
