Getting injured, unfortunately, is part of life. Accidents can happen anywhere, even in the most unlikely place and time causing physical injury or psychological harm. Regardless of whether the injury is due to an accident or a medical condition, you can claim compensation. This is where a personal injury lawyer comes in.
A personal injury lawyer is someone whose services are required for legal representation by those who have sustained injuries, either physical or psychological harm. The lawyer proves your personal injury claim and helps in the legal process to help the client receive some monetary compensation.
Therefore, you must have an experienced attorney to represent your interests and ensure you receive a worthy settlement. This article highlights some factors to consider when choosing a personal injury lawyer.
Experience
First and foremost, the attorney must be highly experienced and qualified. Before proceeding with the hiring process, look into the lawyer’s qualification background. Legal documents of operation will let you know if the attorney is indeed qualified. Also, check out the firm’s records, including client testimonials, to guide you in choosing the right attorney/firm. In most cases, the longest-serving attorneys or firms have understood the industry more than novices. You are likely to win a compensation claim with this kind of attorney as they know how the process works.
In addition, if you have found your debts getting out of control due to your injury leaving you unable to work for a period of time, you may wish to speak to a bankruptcy lawyer like those at Stoneroselaw.com, for example, who can help you take stock of your situation and find you the best path forwards.
Firms such as Saeedian Law Group are examples of firms with experienced and qualified attorneys to help you win your case successfully.
Reputation
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, it helps to know what kind of reputation they hold. One good way to rate reputation is by looking at their popularity and experience in their service delivery. You can ask friends, families, and past clients. If an attorney has successfully represented several people you know, you can consider hiring their services.
Fees
It is crucial to understand the mode of charging service fees when hiring a personal injury lawyer. Different attorneys have different modes of settling fees, and it would help to choose the one that suits your preference.
In most cases, there are four modes of payment, including flat rates, contingency fees, retainers, and hourly pay rates. Most lawyers settle for contingency fees which means you do not pay the lawyer unless the case is successful and you receive compensation.
Still, some attorneys will ask clients to pay a flat rate which is a fixed amount paid when the lawyer takes up your case. The hourly pay rate means you pay the lawyer a fixed amount for every hour spent on the case. Finally, the retainer model means the client pays a fee before the legal process commences.
Success Rate
Another factor to consider is how many cases the attorney has won in the course of his career. It would be wise to choose someone with a remarkable scorecard as it would mean they can win your case. While the fee for a highly qualified lawyer will be higher than a novice’s, you will be at peace, knowing your case is in good hands.
However, this is not to mean there aren’t great novice attorneys. Some lawyers and firms may not have been around for a long time, but they can deliver good results as highly experienced ones. You only need to take time and choose wisely.
Personality
While recommendations from other people do help a lot, it is essential to hire someone with whom you feel comfortable and one you feel you can trust. Do not blindly follow reviews and recommendations but take time to know your prospects well and hire the one whose personality sits well with you.