You deserve fair compensation when you are injured and someone else is legally at fault. While you could represent yourself, you’ll have a better chance at getting justice when you hire a personal injury lawyer. For one thing, studies have shown that people who hire a lawyer to handle their case tend to receive larger settlements than those who don’t.
However, just because someone has a law degree doesn’t mean they are a good choice for your circumstances.
Here are three things to look for when you’re choosing a personal injury lawyer:
1. They work on a contingency-fee basis. If a personal injury lawyer says that they work on a contingency-fee basis, it means that they won’t be paid unless and until they successfully recover money for you. This is a great sign because no lawyer is going to take on your case if they think you have no chance of winning it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t get paid. You’ll know you can expect good results if they decide to work with you. In addition, you won’t have to pay out of pocket, since your lawyer’s fees will be paid out of your settlement.
2. They have lots of experience. It’s important that you choose a lawyer who has years of experience practicing law. It’s also important that your lawyer has lots of experience in personal injury law, specifically. Where personal injury law is concerned, an experienced lawyer will do their best to reach a fair settlement with the insurance providers, but if a fair agreement cannot be met, your lawyer should have lots of experience in trial.
3. They communicate well and respond quickly. Dealing with a personal injury claim can be an anxiety-inducing experience, so you need a lawyer who will make you feel heard. Timeliness is important too, so they should respond to you promptly (within reason, of course).