4 Factors to Help You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injury cases are complex, and handling one alone can waste your time and money. A personal injury attorney is significant both to the success of your case and fair compensation for your injuries. The attorney will also offer you emotional support throughout the case and help you accurately fill out all complex paperwork.
You don’t have to endure a complex and tedious process to find a good personal injury attorney.
Read on to learn essential parameters to consider before you hire an injury attorney.
1. The Attorney’s Specialty
Clarity about a personal injury attorney’s practice areas is crucial before you make up your mind. The lawyer you hire should have vast experience and a successful track record in the injury claim you intend to file. Check the attorney’s website to confirm their areas of practice in injury law and reviews from some past clients.
Some areas of practice for injury attorneys are defective product liability, medical malpractice, and premises liability. Product liability claims happen when one consumes products, like drugs, which contain harmful ingredients that later cause health problems.
Medical malpractice claims happen when doctors, nurses, and other medical specialists provide low-standard care or negligently commit mistakes that cause injuries. Lastly, premises liability claims result when one sustains injuries from faulty wiring, chemicals, or other negligent causes while on someone else’s premises.
2. The Attorney’s Reputation
A trustworthy personal injury lawyer will be there for you even when things get tough. For instance, the attorney will handle the insurance company on your behalf and give you peace of mind. But word of mouth alone isn’t enough to prove that the injury lawyer of your choice is trustworthy.
Accreditation, clear payment structure, and recommendations from past clients can enlighten you about the attorney’s reputation. Regarding accreditation, the injury attorney you hire should be a member of the state bar.
Also, a clear payment structure upfront will protect you from hidden and unfair fees during your case. Lastly, a trustworthy personal injury attorney has positive online reviews and gives ethical responses to negative reviews.
3. The Charged Legal Fees
Personal injury cases aren’t one-size-fits-all since their costs vary based on factors like the case’s difficulty and the attorney’s experience. Common fees charged by personal injury attorneys are referral, consultation, and contingency fees. The party that refers your case to an injury lawyer will charge you a referral fee.
While many initial consultations are free, an injury attorney can decide to charge you when you first meet them to inquire about their legal services. Lastly, a contingency fee is the agreed percentage of the money you should pay the attorney after you get compensated. Get quotes from several personal injury attorneys to help you easily negotiate a fee reduction and create a reasonable budget.
4. An Initial Consultation
An initial consultation will require you to meet the injury attorney of your choice to know more about their work. Also, an initial consultation will enable you to build a good relationship with the attorney even before the start of your case. For the success of your consultation with a personal injury attorney, you must prepare well in advance.
One way to prepare for the consultation is to ensure you have a record of what happened during the accident. Also, collect adequate evidence, like medical records, police reports, and printed emails of your injuries. Lastly, prepare a clear and relevant list of questions to ask the attorney during the consultation.
If you have sustained injuries because of another person’s negligence, consider filing a personal injury claim. However, you don’t have to navigate the entire legal process on your own. At Bradley, Drendel, & Jeanney, we’re reputable and experienced personal injury attorneys you can trust with your case.