Finding the Right Personal Injury Lawyer: What to Look For
Personal injuries can sometimes be overwhelming. Whether you are harmed by someone else’s intentional or unintentional mistake, you are always left wondering what you could have done to avoid all this.
From steep medical bills, taking time off from your work, to mental and physical stress, nothing goes easy on you after an injury. In this time of distress, you need the right personal injury lawyer to fight the legal war for you.
But you can’t expect any other lawyer to help you win against an insurance company or a rival lawyer. So, how do you find the right personal injury lawyer? What are the things you need to consider before you choose your legal partner?
Let’s find out!
Understanding personal injury law
Personal injury law in the US has its roots in the colonial era. It is also known as Tort law, and it deals with cases when one party suffers harm in case of negligence (or wilful intentions) of another party (or parties). When you are in an accident, you may ask what your rights are, and what you can do to get the best compensation for damages suffered in the incident.
Tort law is a civil law that works around making the injured parties recover all that can be logically recovered after an incident. With monetary compensation, the injured individuals (in most cases) can regain their physical and financial position and move on with their lives.
Do you need a lawyer?
When in an accident, you may ask yourself; Do you need a personal injury lawyer? Or can you handle the legal situation yourself?
There is no one right answer to this question. It’s both a Yes and No.
Yes! When your injuries are serious, and you are not likely to recover for a while. In these cases, you should not risk manoeuvring the legal landscape on your own, as there is a lot on stake.
No! When you have suffered minor injuries and are confident in fighting your own case. You can also skip hiring a lawyer when you have a legal educational background.
But, fighting your own case comes with its own set of challenges. In federal district courts, from 1998 to 2017, only 3% pro se plaintiffs got favourable results. This pretty much shows the importance of having a civil lawyer by your side.
Qualities to look for in a lawyer
Now that we know, hiring a personal injury lawyer is in our best interest and can save us frustrations later on, it’s time that we know what qualities to look for in the right lawyer.
Strong negotiation skills
After you file a personal injury claim, the other party’s lawyer will try to contact your lawyer and offer a settlement. In most cases, they do not offer enough to cover your physical and emotional loss.
Here you need a lawyer that can negotiate a great settlement for you without dragging your case to the court.
Great communication skills
Let’s face it, the legal world is not easy for a common person. It is full of complex jargon, and terms that you may not understand. The right lawyer should be able to explain these terms to you, so you can feel like being a part of the process.
Without good communication, they will not be able to help you understand the intricacies of your case.
Experience in personal injury law
Personal injury law is very broad, and it covers everything from car accidents to dog bites. So, not every lawyer can handle your case. Look for a lawyer who has experience relevant to your case, as he/she can better understand what the on-fault party can come up with.
Strong work ethic
This is probably the most important thing to consider in a personal injury lawyer. Yes, we have been wronged and have had miserable days after the incident. But your lawyer should not be allowed to go below the belt with the other party.
Your lawyer should stick to what is ethically right and not go beyond that in any way possible.
Client centric
Your lawyer should always represent your needs and desires to the other party or to a judge/jury, and not do anything otherwise.
A successful track record
Although your case is entirely unique, and its output is not directly related to any of the previous cases your attorney has won, But if he has a track record of winning such cases, you can be sure he will win this one for you too.
Affordable
You would not want a lawyer who takes a big chunk of the compensation money you get at the end of the case. Discuss the monetary details of your case with your attorney and decide on a fee that is mutually beneficial for both of you.
Compromising on any of these traits might end up with a not-so-great settlement or even worse. So, make sure you do your homework and don’t rush into any decision.
If you are on the lookout for the best personal injury lawyer, trust Hill Stone Law’s legal team to do the job for you.
7 questions to ask your personal injury lawyer
You have done everything right and got to a one-on-one meeting with the right lawyer. Now is the time you ask some tough questions to see if he/she is the right fit for your case.
These are some questions to ask your potential personal injury attorney:
- What percentage of your cases went to trial?
- Do you only charge a fee if there is a recovery?
- What type of cases do you handle daily?
- Are you certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy?
- How many years of experience do you have handling personal injury cases?
- What is the estimated timeline for my case?
- What happens if we don’t win the case?
Remember, you might not get all the right answers. However, asking these questions will give you a heads-up if you are hiring the right person or not.
Final thoughts
Hiring the right personal injury lawyer can mean a world of difference for you. When you know what to look for in the right attorney and you ask him/her the right questions, there are high chances you will end up hiring the best of the lot.
When looking for the best personal injury lawyer, you must check out Hills Stone Law. With years of experience, you can expect nothing less than the best for your personal injury case.