Hiring a personal injury attorney is not as simple as picking up the phone and making a call to any random lawyer. Because there are so many attorneys available, it is a serious challenge to select the one best suited for you and your case. In this article, we will inform you about a few things that you have to know before hiring a personal injury attorney. It will help you to find the best lawyer for your situation.
Pay Fees Only if the Attorney Wins
Most experienced attorneys do not charge any fees until they win the case for you. This fee is mostly on the higher end as all the legal costs are incurred by the lawyer. If he loses the case, not only will you not have to compensate him, but you also will not bear his expenses. In general, fees range from 33 percent to 45 percent of the amount of the settlement or jury award. However, it might vary depending on the complications of the case. His fee structure will also help you to know the credibility of the attorney and the confidence he has in himself.
Before hiring a lawyer, discuss the fees and the arrangement as to who will bear legal expenses like filing fees, witness fees, administrative charges, and the other charges.
Check the Attorney’s Experience
Very few personal cases go to court, thus it is challenging to find an attorney with sufficient experience. Your attorney should have experience in your type of case. A lawyer with generic knowledge will not be as effective as a specialized one. Moreover, if he doesn’t have much court experience, it may be detrimental to your case. Firstly, he will not be familiar with the proceedings of the court, and secondly, he might lack confidence.
So, along with knowledge in the specific field of personal injury, the attorney also needs to have sufficient court exposure. Have a detailed discussion with him on his past experiences and try to ascertain if he is sharing his true experiences or if he is bluffing.
Reconfirm If He Can Handle Your Case or If He Will Pass It on to Someone Else
Many times an attorney will not deal with a case until it is resolved. Some personal injury attorneys act as a middleman, and they hand over the case to someone else after taking it from you. Keep a close watch, and if during any time you suspect there is something incorrect, don’t hesitate to change your lawyer. Your case can be best explained by and only to the attorney who will fight for you in court; middlemen complicate the process and reduce your chance of winning.
Have Trust and Confidence in the Personal Injury Attorney You Hire
You will think of hiring a personal injury attorney only in dire situations when you have lost someone dear to you or have suffered significant harm through someone else’s fault and negligence. Although there are different Defrees of Fault, a fault is a fault. So, it is crucial that you feel confident of your lawyer so that you can rely on him completely. You do not want to go through a traumatic situation in life without gaining justice, and if you cannot rely on the attorney, winning is nearly impossible!
There are various types of personal injury lawyers, and each has a certain characteristic of his own. The priorities of each differ and might not sync with your case, so it is important to understand them clearly. You are the best person to judge if you and the attorney are aligned with each other. Talk to any attorney prospect and research his background until you are comfortable he can succeed.
Choosing your personal injury lawyer is a crucial decision, so be judgmental, practical and patient while making your decision.
