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How to Choose an Accident Attorney
by Mary Webster - Friday, 19 May 2023, 05:39 PM
 


You should seriously consider getting a lawyer if you've been hurt in an accident. If you need some direction, here are some suggestions.

Expert or Amateur?

You may have had tremendous success with your divorce attorney, but he may not be the greatest fit for your personal injury case. Find a lawyer whose practice focuses on personal injury litigation.

Get Your Questions Ready!

Feel free to get creative with your list of questions; they should reflect your interests. For your checklist, here are some things to think about:

1. For how long has she been an injury lawyer? a.

Five years of full-time study is recommended. Five years of practice are necessary to become proficient in any subject of law.

How many cases does she have experience with?

Keep in mind that after five years, she will have resolved well over a hundred cases.

c. Has she dealt with similar cases to yours?

Although it is not required that she has worked on a case similar to yours, it would be to your advantage if she had.

b. What was the largest award or settlement she received?

Keep in mind that the lawyer's track record of successfully closing cases for half a million dollars or more may be irrelevant if your case is worth only $50,000.

Have any of her writings about tort law appeared in print? e.

Considering that most injury case negotiations are conducted in writing, this demonstrates an interest in and proficiency with the field of personal injury law.

g. Has she discussed injury cases with other attorneys?

Take note that this not only demonstrates an enthusiasm for personal injury law, but also for public speaking, which could prove useful in court.

b. Does she plan on taking on your case?

A lawyer's caseload tends to increase in complexity as she gains expertise. Your lawyer may hand off your case to an associate if it's very minor. As long as the senior lawyer is monitoring progress, there should be no cause for concern.

Is she an authorized specialist in personal injury law?

A good clue is if your state offers board certification in injury law and your attorney has obtained it. However, some states do not offer this certification.

Does she have medical malpractice coverage? i.

You can rest assured that any reputable personal injury attorney will have this protection. It should raise red flags if your candidate doesn't.

The value of your case, j.

Keep in mind that most reputable attorneys won't give you a ballpark figure for your case's worth unless they've seen your medical records and invoices first. To entice you to hire them, some attorneys will give you an exaggerated assessment of your case's worth. Don't be fooled. Any lawyer who would represent you in such a way should be avoided.

k. On what basis does she make this claim that she should represent you?

This question is similar to those asked at the end of beauty contests. It's a great opportunity for the lawyer to make her case.

With your questions written down, you may begin your investigation. Some suggested approaches to creating a candidate pool are shown below.

Consult a Referral

Your divorce attorney can refer you to a qualified personal injury attorney. For a recommendation, you should approach him. If you see a chiropractor regularly for accident claims, they may be able to recommend a lawyer who has extensive experience in such matters. You may have heard good things from your friends about the personal injury attorney they used.

Try a web search.

Almost every attorney and law company today maintains an online presence. Search terms like "Wisconsin injury attorney" or "Albuquerque personal injury lawyer" are good places to start.

Finalize Your Checklist

Make a list of potential injury lawyers by using online resources and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Reach Out

Once you have finished compiling your list, it is time to start talking to potential applicants. Send a message or give a call. Wait to hear back from them and count the days.

Trim the Fat

Eliminate from consideration any attorneys who delayed more than 24 hours to respond.

Contact Them through Telephone

Have a phone chat with each potential attorney using your question list as a guide. Discover who they are. Just what are their thoughts on your case?

Set Up a Time to Meet

Schedule a consultation with the lawyer (or lawyers) in whom you have the most confidence. When choose who to meet with, trust your gut. In most cases, scheduling a free consultation is the best option. That first meeting is the "initial consultation." It's a great way to learn more about the attorney. Please remember to bring your questions. It is time for additional information.

Do something about it

At the initial consultation, you might feel confident enough to make a choice. Again, trust your gut. Finding the one can be a very satisfying experience.

Conclusion

A combination of careful fact-finding and gut feeling is required, just as it is for any important life choice. Hiring a lawyer, like most major life decisions, requires a healthy dose of both.




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