Did you know that unintentional injuries are the third leading cause of death in the US? Whether those injuries are due to car accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, or other personal injuries resulting from negligent behavior. They can have a huge impact on your life. If you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney to get the compensation that you deserve. Read on to learn more about how to find the best personal injury attorney in your area.
1. Check Their Peer Ratings
A referral or strong rating from a colleague in the legal field is one of the best references an attorney can get. There is no official rating system for attorneys, but looking at reviews from colleagues is one way to find reliable reviews. There are some different sites that you can review, including The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry, the Best Lawyers in America, and Superlawyers to see if any potential attorneys you are considering are listed.
Similarly, ask someone you know who is an attorney or works in the legal field. They may be able to give you a referral or at least tell you who to avoid. Having a good reputation among fellow attorneys and within the courthouse is an asset to personal injury attorneys.
2. Read Reviews
Even if you get a referral or find a potential attorney on one of the “best of” sites, you should still do your own research. Google reviews are a good way to get an idea of what other clients thought of the attorney. There also may be testimonials on the attorney’s website that you can read as well.
Check your state bar association’s website for any grievances or disciplinary actions that the attorney has faced as well.
3. Understand Their Fee and Expense Structure
Most personal injury lawyers will provide free case consultations and if they think you have a strong case, will work on a contingency basis. This means that they don’t get paid unless you win your case. If you lose the case, you don’t owe the attorney or the law firm any legal fees.
However, legal fees are different than expenses. There are often many expenses that may go into building your case, including medical exams, consultation with medical experts, investigating who is at fault in a car accident, accident reconstruction experts, filing fees, fees for obtaining medical records, etc. Plus, there are more fees than you would think just to keep the case moving along.
There are several ways these fees can be paid. Many attorneys will collect the fees from your settlement when you win the case. This means that your attorney will get a percentage of the case (usually about 1/3 of the settlement) and then your fees will be paid from the remaining settlement. What is leftover then goes to you.
Other attorneys may ask you to pay for the fees upfront and then when a settlement is reached, you don’t owe any fees. One of the most important questions, though, is to ask who pays the fees if you do not win the case.
When discussing fees and expenses, be sure you understand the fee structure and how the expenses work as well. This could have a strong influence on which attorney that you select.
4. Inquire About Resources and Support
If your injuries are very serious or your case is particularly unique, it may take a lot of resources to file a strong lawsuit. For example, in a medical malpractice suit, there may be multiple medical experts involved. These experts do not come cheap and their fees add up, especially if there are depositions and a trial.
If you are taking on a large corporation in a defective product case, you may also need a lot of resources to build a strong case. Make sure the attorney that you choose has the resources and support to adequately build your case. If they don’t have these things at their disposal, they may cut corners or you may not get the settlement you deserve.
5. Research What Types of Cases They Handle
If a potential attorney specializes in workplace accidents, you may want to look elsewhere for a car accident attorney. Not all personal injury lawyers are created equal, so you need to choose one who is best for you and your case.
Ask what types of cases they handle, how many cases similar to yours they have taken on, and what kind of success have they had. Many attorneys will list some of their past settlement amounts on their websites. This is a good place to see if they have represented similar clients and how the case fared.
6. Look for PERSONAL INJURY Attorneys Who Try Cases in Court
When picking an attorney, look for one who actually tries cases in court. Some personal injury lawyers never take cases to court, and only settle them. Insurance companies know this and will try to lowball these cases, as they know the attorney will eventually accept their settlement offers.
If you find an attorney who insurance companies know will actually litigate a case, they may be more likely to offer you a fair settlement to avoid a costly trial. Your insurance company will evaluate who is representing you and use that information to create their settlement strategy for your case.
Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Choosing a personal injury attorney can be a big decision. If you choose wrong, you may be shorting yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost settlement money. Using our tips, you should be able to find an experienced, respected, and feared personal injury attorney who will get you the most money.
If you’re ready to discuss your case, contact us today for a free case evaluation. We’re available to discuss your case by phone, text, or video chat.
CONTACT A Personal Injury ATTORNEY
In short, after an accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
