When you need a personal injury lawyer, you really need a personal injury lawyer. You want to find a good one as soon as possible after your accident, not only so you can get your case moving before the statute of limitations expires, but also so you can get your settlement or award as soon as possible. You need that money to pay the bills that are piling up, compensate you for your lost earning potential, and help you and your family make a fresh start.
But how do you find a good personal injury lawyer? Try not to let a sense of urgency force you into hiring the first lawyer to walk into your hospital room. Instead, take the time to look into an attorney’s background before you hire them. Make sure you’re hiring an attorney you can work with, and someone with the skills and experience to take your case to trial – and win – if necessary. Follow these expert tips to find the best personal injury lawyer in your area.
Get Referrals
One of the easiest ways to find good personal injury lawyers in your area is to ask family and friends for referrals. You never know who in your circle has been involved in a personal injury case, so your friends and family may be able to recommend a lawyer or lawyers for you to talk to. They might also be able to tell you which lawyers to avoid.
If you have any attorneys in your circle, you should ask them which local personal injury attorneys do the best work. Even if your attorney friend or relative doesn’t practice personal injury law, he or she may know local personal injury lawyers from law school and local professional organizations. Attorneys usually know which other attorneys are worth hiring.
On that same note, when you talk to a personal injury attorney, ask them what percentage of their clients come through referrals from other attorneys. When a personal injury lawyer has a high rate of referrals from other attorneys, that means they’re highly regarded among their colleagues, and that’s a very good sign.
Talk to Multiple Lawyers
When you’re involved in an accident, you might get solicitation letters from local law firms or even have local personal injury attorneys show up in your hospital room to ask if they can take your case. Don’t just hire the first attorney who comes around.
Ask the Right Questions
When you talk to a personal injury attorney, it’s important to ask the right questions so you can judge his or her skills and experience. Ask how often the attorney takes personal injury cases – it’s usually better to hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury claims, rather than a generalist who might not be up to date on all the latest developments in personal injury law.
You’ll also want to hire someone who has experience in your specific type of case. For example, if you hurt yourself in a slip and fall accident, you’ll need a slip and fall lawyer. If you were attacked by a dog, you’ll need to talk to a dog bite lawyer. Make sure any attorney you hire has extensive experience litigating cases like yours, and don’t be afraid to ask what your case is worth.
Make Sure You Understand the Fee Structure
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means they take a cut of your settlement or award money when you win, but if you don’t win, you don’t owe anything. Usually, contingency fees are 33 to 40 percent of your settlement or award. Some attorneys will charge you separately for case expenses that are paid to third parties, such as court filing fees, fees for expert witnesses, fees for obtaining physician reports and medical records, and other expenses. Some attorneys won’t charge you for these fees if you don’t win. Make sure you understand the contingency fee structure and know what expenses you may be on the hook for if you don’t win your case.
Finding the right personal injury attorney can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s worth taking the time to find someone with the skills to bring your case to a successful conclusion. Your entire future could depend on it, so ask the right questions and choose your personal injury lawyer carefully.
Also read: Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring
