There may be more than 10 pages in any given phone book, and in some larger cities there may be more than 20 pages listing personal injury attorneys. So how do you choose the right one for your case?
Personal injury cases are a serious problem. They sometimes involve high payouts. Victims of personal injury will depend on their attorney’s ability to recover financial damages to cover medical bills, compensation for lost earnings, and if the person suffers very serious injuries (including permanent disability and even death) .
Remember, insurance companies don’t want to see you happy. They don’t care about you. They care more about paying dividends to shareholders than your well-being. The insurance company’s attorney will try to pay you as little as possible. Therefore, choosing a good personal injury attorney with a track record of successful negotiation is critical to getting the most out of your case.
Personal injury cases may include car accidents, product defects, personal injuries in the workplace, medical malpractice, and more. To determine whether your case is legally valid, contact a legal professional in your city.
Here are some tips to help you find a good personal injury attorney.
experience – Of course, an experienced personal injury attorney, not only with years of practice experience, but with a track record of extensive successful negotiations, is a great benefit to your case. Most personal injury claims are settled out of court. However, a personal injury attorney with a substantial settlement may try to win your case by threatening to take the case to trial. Defendants are often willing to pay plaintiffs more money to avoid negative publicity, an expensive trial, or even the possibility that the court may award more money to the plaintiff. If your personal injury attorney never wins a case in court, the defendant in your lawsuit may not take the threat seriously.
Hire a personal injury attorney who will handle your case on a contingency fee basis – This is the fee charged at the end of the case and only if your case is successful. This means your lawyer won’t get paid unless you get paid. Attorneys who primarily represent accident parties usually charge a contingency fee. Your attorney will deduct fees from the injury settlement you receive. You can expect your attorney to collect approximately 30% of your final settlement. Therefore, you must have a clear understanding of the payment structure before signing the employment agreement.
Meet face-to-face with your future lawyer – Your personal injury attorney will be your closest advisor. You must feel comfortable talking to him or her and feel that you can trust them. If for some reason you don’t like that particular attorney and are unwilling to talk to him or her, you need to keep looking.
Martindale-Hubbell Rating – With a history of over 133 years, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network maintains a database of over 1 million lawyers and law firms in 160 countries. The service evaluates attorneys based on peer review. Their website, Martindale.com, provides a helpful attorney locator service and will explain the rating system.
last but not least – Never, ever, never provide a recorded statement or telephone conversation to a defendant or a representative of an insurance company (as telephone conversations may be recorded) without first consulting with your personal injury attorney. If asked to do so, you can simply say, “I am not going to give any statement at this time.” If you omit any facts or leave out some details when you make your statement, your recorded statement can and will be used in settlement negotiations and at trial Use as evidence against you.
Disclaimer: The author and publisher of this article have done their best to provide you with useful, informative and accurate information. This article does not represent and is not a substitute for the legal advice you need to obtain from an attorney or other professional if the content of the article addresses a problem you face. Laws vary by state and change from time to time. Always consult a qualified professional before making any decisions regarding the issues described in this article. Thanks.
