Being injured on the job can be a frustrating and financially devastating experience. However, it’s essential to make sure you have the best injury lawyer possible in your corner. Whether you have been involved in a work-related accident or personal injury, follow these six guidelines to find the right attorney.
- Ask friends, family, and community leaders
- Consider a referral service
- Research online
- Schedule a consultation
- Discuss fees before committing to representation
- Go with your gut instinct
1. Ask Friends, Family, and Community Leaders
It would be best to locate a lawyer through referrals from your family and friends, which can be hard to come by. Another option is asking the people in your community or even the Internet, but finding a personal injury lawyer can be complex.
When you finally find someone they recommend, get to know the expert and gauge whether or not they will be able to provide you with better representation than someone else.
2. Consider a Referral Service
We would all have our Athens car accident lawyer on speed dial in an ideal world. Unfortunately, every lawyer is not equal. You will have to make sure you’re using a quality referral service that connects you with an attorney well-suited for your case.
It can be not easy when so many lawyers ask your peers and friends for their recommendations. If they have had success with a lawyer in the past, they can tell you more about them.
3. Research Online
Just as you do your homework before purchasing a new cell phone, you should do some research online before hiring a personal injury lawyer. You can find out about fees associated with their representation and read about past clients’ positive and negative feedback.
Results may vary, but this will give you a general idea of what to expect from the attorney and make your search a little easier.
4. Schedule a Consultation
After narrowing down your search to a few candidates, it’s time to schedule a consultation. Don’t just pick the first person who comes along and make sure they are willing to spend time with you.
Most lawyers will be eager to meet with you, but it can be frustrating if they don’t return your calls or cancel appointments. Find out when they are available so you can schedule a meeting in the future.
5. Discuss Fees Before Committing to Representation
Be upfront with your injury lawyer about the fees you’re expecting. You may want to ask them how they are compensated and take a percentage of any award or settlement you receive. The last thing you want is to hire a lawyer that doesn’t have your best interest in mind or someone who will keep throwing around excuses for why they cannot collect on the insurance company.
6. Go With Your Gut Instinct
When hiring the best injury lawyer, consider different factors, including what your gut tells you. Make sure you feel comfortable with your attorney. They should be upfront and honest with you about what is happening in your case and compensation for your injury.
If they are not open about their legal strategy, it might be time to move on. Tell them straight up if you feel like you have found the right person. If they don’t want to represent you, at least they will know that they weren’t the right fit for you.
Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case
The great thing about hiring a personal injury lawyer is that so many options are available. You do not have to settle for anyone just because they are the first ones to pop into your head.
Take the time to research and try out different options until you find someone you feel comfortable working with for the time. If there is some doubt in your mind, then take a step back and make sure this is something you want to pursue.
With a law degree under his belt, Mark Scott understood very early that law communication was a relatively neglected area. He decided to help people by “translating” the language and offering information and advice in a clear, useful, and actionable manner. For this reason, instead of finding him in court, you will most likely find his name online, where he is very active and thriving as a legal columnist. His part of making the world a better place is to make the law a less convoluted maze. He aims to make it easier for people to understand when and how to seek legal counsel, how to proceed in a significant number of legal matters, and to find the proper resources so they can stand up for their rights.
