Jul 04 2008
How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
If youve been injured through someones negligence, dont rely on the insurance companies to compensate you. You need a personal injury lawyer who represents you.
The insurance companies have many lawyers, whose job is to make the insurance payout as low as possible.
They may offer you a quick settlement check
Dont accept it
Dont sign anything they present to you, without first consulting a personal injury attorney who represents you
Dont delay
Statutes of limitation vary in length. Personal injury cases can be complex and lengthy, requiring much discovery and much expert testimony on medical questions. So you want to get the process started as soon as possible, to avoid disqualification from an expired statute of limitation.
If youre severely injured, ask a friend to get it started for you. A friend could collect a list of names and write up a list of questions that you devise together. A friend could even make initial calls and set up interviews for you.
First find some candidates
Ask your friends if they know of any good personal injury attorneys. They may have stories to tell, either recommending a lawyer or warning you off.
Look online; do a search for personal injury lawyers in your location, and examine their websites.
Call the Texas Bar Association, or your city bar association.
Look in the phone book if its important to find one very close by.
When you have a list of candidates, start calling them to set up interviews.
You can already start assessing these lawyers when their phones are answered. How does this person treat you? Their degree of courtesy and helpfulness will be important if you choose this lawyer, as youll be calling periodically to give information or request it. So you want to choose a lawyer whose staff is professional and helpful.
Ask lots of questions
Have your list of questions written down. As you talk with the lawyer and understand the answers he gives, check off each question. If you dont understand the answer, ask more questions until you do.
Among your questions, include these:
How many cases has the lawyer handled that involved the same type of injury as yours? You want to choose one who already has working relationships with the appropriate experts
Has the lawyer taken any of these cases to trial, and if so, how many, and how many did he win?
The more hes won, the more likely it will be that hell win for you, because his reputation will be known by the insurance company lawyers.
Insurance companies would usually rather settle out of court for more money than risk a court case that brings them negative press or an even bigger settlement amount
Is the law firm offering a no recovery, no fee or costs deal? If not, move on. You want a lawyer wholl cover the costs of investigation and negotiation, and possible costs of a trial, rather than charging you as things proceed. When you obtain a settlement, the lawyer can keep a specified percentage of it to reimburse himself for those costs. This is known as a contingency fee.
Choose an attorney who has time for you
As you interview each candidate, notice whether they seem to respect you. Are they listening to you? Are they willing to take this time with you, to understand your position and injuries? If you get the sense that the lawyers too busy for you, move on.
When you hire a lawyer, youre paying him or her for a service. Why pay someone for shoddy service? You want a person wholl:
Establish a clear arrangement with you up front regarding fees and costs
Return your phone calls promptly
Keep you updated on the progress of your case
Provide you with copies of all documents
If you have sustained a personal injury and feel you might have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer for a free legal consultation. Some lawyers will come to you, if youre in a hospital bed, or confined to your home.
How Important is Personal Injury Attorney Licensing?
If you are in search of a personal injury attorney, you have probably got a list of qualities in mind that you want this pers...
How to Find A Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Defective Product Case
It has never been easier to get a personal injury attorney. They are everywhere. They are like the big brother of personal in...
Finding A Motorcycle Personal Injury Attorney
It is liberating to know that you can pick the type of transportation you want to usewhether it be a bus, a car, or a motorcy...
Do Not Be Pressured into Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer Quickly
If you have a strong personal injury case, you will probably know it without even talking to a personal injury lawyer. Howeve...
Could You Use A Personal Injury Attorney?
Have you got a case? Do you know when you need a personal injury attorney? Most people assume you only need a personal injury...
Victim of Unfair Insurance Company Practices? Hire An Injury Attorney!
It is clear that with so much going on in society today, we must purchase insurance as back-up when things do not happen as p...
Oregon Personal Injury Lawyers
Personal injury is the bodily harm caused to a person because of someone or something. It can also mean invasion of a persona...
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
If an individual becomes involved in a personal injury or accident, they may need a personal injury lawyer. This type of atto...
Personal Injury Lawsuits
A personal injury lawsuit is a viable weapon for the victims of any injury or mental stress. If a person gets injured due to ...
How To Choose The Right Personal Injury Lawyer
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer may be one of the most important things that you will ever do. If you want to win y...
Personal Injury Settlement Amounts
Personal injury settlement amounts provide the claimed amount to the plaintiff that has filed in the court for a personal inj...
Personal Injury Settlements
Personal injury settlements aim to offer comfort to someone who has become the victim of another persons negligence or misdee...
Oregon Personal Injury Law Firms
Personal injury is the bodily harm caused to a person because of someone or something. Personal injury includes: slip and fal...
Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorneys
Los Angeles Personal Injury laws govern injuries arising out of negligence on the part of the defendant. Los Angeles Personal...
Chicago Personal Injury Settlements
Persons residing in Chicago who have been injured by another party depend on Chicago personal injury settlements to recover t...
Statute of Limitations For Personal Injury Cases
When you have been injured in an accident, the first thing on your mind is likely healing and getting back to your normal rou...
Best Personal Injury Attorney - Make the Right Choice
A personal injury attorney is approached when you meet with an accident or sustain personal injuries and have to claim for th...
Personal Injury and Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy law may be more relevant to your personal injury case than you realize. As with any specialized area of law, you s...
Are You Sure Your Personal Injury Attorney is Competent?
It is one thing to hire a personal injury attorney, and another thing to hire a competent one.Since personal injury is one of...
Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring a personal injury lawyer requires the fulfillment of certain factors. This is necessary to ensure the outcomes of the ...