When you’ve been injured in an accident, you might try to find out if you need a lawyer. While you can definitely file your own insurance claim, most will agree that a lawyer is a valuable resource.
A personal injury attorney in Baton Rouge recommends at least speaking with their company before making a decision. They offer free case consultations, so that injured victims can figure out their options before deciding whether to hire a lawyer. Here are five things to consider when looking for the right injury attorney for you.
1. Are They Experienced with Your Type of Injury Case?
There are many different ways a person can be injured in an accident. There are also a number of laws that suit different types of cases.
For example, if you have been injured by a medical professional, your case will be handled much differently than a car accident injury case.
It is very important that you find a lawyer who is experienced in handling cases like yours. You can ask a lawyer directly if they have dealt with your type of personal injury case. You can also ask them to show you the results of previous cases.
2. How many years have they practiced the personal injury law?
While there is an argument to be made for the usefulness of youthful excitement, most people expect that the law firm they ended up with had at least one attorney with considerable experience in the field. You want to know that the company you choose knows the ropes. You don’t want to be the experiment they learn from.
You care about receiving justice and compensation for your personal injury. You will want to consider your level of experience when making decisions about which personal injury attorney to work for.
3. Consider Company Size
The bigger the company, the less personalized attention you may receive. This works for some because there are benefits for large companies. They have significant resources, for example. If one attorney gets stuck in your case, they may be able to get help from other people in the company.
You need to find out what type of company you are interested in. Would you like to work directly with your lawyer? Do you want a personal relationship with your attorney or with your attorney secretary or paralegal?
4. Do Prosecutors Have Litigation Experience?
Many personal injury cases will never go to trial, but that doesn’t mean you won’t. There is always a chance that your case will go to court. You may want to make sure you have a lawyer who can handle the courtroom. You want at least to have a lawyer who isn’t afraid to go to court.
5. Consider a lawyer who will work out contingent expense arrangements with you
Contingent charges are when the attorney agrees to take your personal injury case on the condition that you pay them for their services when your case is won. You pay nothing up front and only pay your attorney off your settlement. This is especially beneficial for injured victims who don’t have a lot of money to pay for lawyers.
6. How Busy is the Company or Lawyer?
When you are looking for a lawyer, you will want to consider how busy the company is. This may seem difficult to decipher, but during the initial meeting you should be able to sense this. Are people rushing around, looking a little frantic? Do you feel pushed out the door?
You need to be able to tell whether the attorney will have enough time to give your case the attention it deserves. There’s no point finding the best attorney in town if they don’t have the necessary time to devote themselves to your case. You want to be treated like a person, and not like a case to close.
Even if the attorney or company seems a good match for you, maybe not if they just have too many cases. Move to another company, and find one that has time to devote themselves to you.
7. Does Your Attorney Seem to Make You and Your Goals?
Sometimes, people just don’t get along. It’s nobody’s fault, really. It’s just that the personalities are not linked, or the two people have different goals. This is completely true of the attorney / client relationship. You want to have a lawyer get you. Really-benar makes you. You want a lawyer who knows what your goals are and will work towards achieving them.
If your attorney’s office is far away, this can really make the personal injury claim process difficult for you. Also, if your attorney is far away, will they consider coming to you or meeting you in the middle? Many of the injured do not move after the accident. Is your lawyer willing to make your life easier by meeting up at your home?