How To Find A Good Personal Injury Attorney
In today's world, you may not have a high opinion of lawyers until you need one. And if you're injured due to someone else's negligence, then you definitely need an attorney.
Finding a personal injury lawyer
The question is, how do you recognize a good personal injury lawyer? If possible, begin by interviewing several lawyers. Skip any who don't offer a free consultation. You can speak with attorneys who advertise themselves as personal injury lawyers, or receive a list of names from your local bar association. You can also check out resources such as the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry, The Best Lawyers in America, or Superlawyers.
Always ask the attorneys you interview about their fees. Personal injury lawyers typically receive a percentage of your award - if you win your case - but the percentages may vary. Also ask whether you'll be responsible for any costs if you lose. Ideally, you should not have to pay anything out of pocket if the lawsuit is unsuccessful.
Pennsylvania personal injury attorney Noah Paul Fardo recommends that you ask prospective attorneys when your lawsuit will be filed, and that you demand a specific answer. If you've been injured and you need money for items such as health expenses or rehabilitation, you want to be sure that your lawyer moves quickly. Also ask whether the attorney you interview will actually handle the case; in a larger firm, it could be shuffled off to a less-experienced lawyer, for example. Also ask the attorney for an estimate of what your case is worth.
Checking an attorney's background
You'll also want to know how many personal injury cases a lawyer has actually tried in court. Many injury cases settle out of court, but you want to have a knowledgeable litigator on your side in case you can't settle with the defendant. Additionally, Indiana's Sweeney Law Firm suggests asking attorneys about the percentage of their cases that are referred from other lawyers. An attorney is unlikely to develop a strong reputation among other lawyers without winning plenty of cases. And, as with members of other professions, you can also ask attorneys you interview for references from satisfied clients.
If you've been hurt in an accident, you probably want to get the legal process moving as quickly as possible. But taking a few extra days to find the right personal injury attorney may be the best investment that you can make. Click here for more info.