How to Know You’ve Found the Right Accident and Injury Lawyer
There are a number of factors you need to consider when searching for an accident law firm to represent you in and outside of court. In addition to checking on the educational background—from law school to the accident law firms he or she interned for—you should make sure that you get along with your prospective personal injury attorney. A win record is pertinent, but you should also check to see how much time was spent on a
given case, whether the case was clear-cut or complicated, and find out which firm represented the other side. Find out whether they are well-respected among their peers and in the courtroom to ensure that your c
ase isn’t influenced by your attorney’s reputation.
All accident and injury lawyers are not created equal. Life would be a lot simpler if they were, but the fact is that you’ll need to do your research before settling on an accident attorney who will work for you and win your case. While all personal injury lawyers have attended law school, passed the Bar Exam, and performed significant hours of litigation and research, we have to face the facts that not all of them will be able to win your case. In addition to looking for obvious signs of competence—like the number of cases a personal injury lawyer has won outside of court, which accident law firm they work for, when and if they made partner—you must also examine pricing, ethics, and a number of other factors before deciding on your accident attorney.
Education Credentials
While all personal injury lawyers attended law school, you may want to look into the particular specialties their program is known for. If they attended a school focused on personal injury law, you’re headed in the right direction. If the school has a poor reputation, you should note this as well. This isn’t to say that you need an Ivy League honor’s student to represent you in court, but that you should at least have some idea of what the accident attorney studied before beginning his or her career. You may also want to check to see whether they interned at a particular accident law firm during law school to get a better idea of how long they have been involved in this field.
Personality
Obviously, you aren’t looking through accident and injury lawyers because you want a friend, but you shouldn’t discount personality when looking or legal representation. Remember that you may, in some cases, be required to disclose personal information, such as your past medical history, to your attorney, and you would likely feel more comfortable doing so if you get along. Your personal injury lawyer will likely coach you through your testimony and offer other intimate forms of counsel. Being able to trust and feel comfortable around your attorney will make you feel more at ease in a courtroom situation. Considering what’s at stake, you need to feel that your accident attorney is on your side.
Record
Most cases are settled out of court, but unless records are confidential, you should be able to find a reasonable history of a prospective accident and injury lawyer’s history, both in terms of cases won and the size of the settlement. However, you can’t necessarily judge their credentials based on results alone. All cases are different; a lawyer has a history of taking on highly difficult cases and has won at least half of them may be far more effective than a personal injury lawyer who takes on uncomplicated cases and settles them within a few months. Put your critical thinking skills to the test to figure out which kind of attorney you need for your particular claim. Look into which accident law firms they have worked for to get a better understanding of the sort of clientele they represent.
Reputation
What do others think of this particular attorney? Is the accident law firm in good standing with local judges? Are they well-known for ridiculous tactics, or well-respected for their commitment to clients and integrity? All of these factors can influence a lawyer’s efficacy and should not be overlooked when you search for the perfect personal injury lawyer.
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