Choosing the right personal injury lawyer will make the difference between a highly stressful and hassle-free experience. Approximately 16 397 personal injury cases were tried nationally. This may not sound a lot but considering that only 4 per cent of tort cases get to trial, with most being out of court settlements, this equates to 409 925 claims in a single year.
Suppose you are unfortunate enough to be the victim in a personal injury accident. In that case, you should hire an experienced lawyer who specializes in the field and preferably comes from your area.
Choosing your lawyer is by no means a simple issue – there are so many lawyers out there all claiming to be the perfect fit for you.
However, only you can decide which is the best fit for you.
Here are a couple of things to look for before you make your decision.
Important Qualities
It is a good idea to have a face-to-face meeting with the attorneys you consider for your case.
A bit of extra time spent at this stage will pay dividends along the way.
At your meetings, you can assess the following qualities to have a method of comparison before making your final decision.
The Right Specialization, Experience and Track Record
Just like in other professions, the practice of law has become more and more specialized. For example, you would not see a general doctor if needed a heart operation or liver transplant, would you?
In the same way, you need to seek out an attorney who specializes in your personal injury claim niche. A general law firm will not have the experience or the knowledge that a focused law firm will have which deals with the same matters every day.
Satisfy yourself that the firm you are considering does, in fact, have the experience and successful track record they claim to have. Ask for a few references, and then check these out.
Extensive Litigation Experience
Although most personal injury cases are settled out of court, some go to court
Make sure you are satisfied that the firm has the experience, confidence, and ability to represent you in the courts. Do not take for granted that all law firms are experienced at court work. This is a particular skill and can only be honed over years of practice.
Fees Must Be Reasonable and Transparent
When you appoint a lawyer to your case, you enter a legally binding contract. The lawyer will handle your case, and you agree to pay their fee for doing so.
It is crucial to know how they charge and when it will be payable. Unfortunately, many people feel intimidated to challenge lawyers on their fees.
Make a point of raising the issue upfront with them. Ask how the fees work and what you will be paying for, whether there are any additional costs and when these will be payable.
Make sure that your lawyer is prepared to work on a contingency basis which means that you only pay once they win your case for you. If they lose, you are not liable for any fees.
At a face-to-face meeting, it is easier for you to assess the response to your questions to get a feel of the firm’s transparency. However, if they are far too general in all of their responses, you may be well advised to go elsewhere.
In Conclusion
Do your homework, and don’t simply settle for the first lawyer you come across. Instead, compare a few before deciding. Then, you should feel comfortable that the lawyer you appoint will do their utmost for you, you will be able to work with them, and they will charge a fair price for their services.
These are all reasons why Zayed Law Offices may just be the right choice for you.
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