Injuries happen all the time. And while not every accident leads to the need for litigation, the personal injury industry is massive. In fact, the personal injury lawyer industry is worth more than $50 billion in the United States.
You may be familiar with attorneys already, but the hiring process for a personal injury case is unique in the legal profession. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of what to look for and avoid when you hire a personal injury attorney.
1. Rushing into Hiring an Attorney
Whether you are seeking compensation following a car accident or a nursing home neglect case, you should never rush into hiring a personal injury attorney. As with important relationships, finding the right attorney for your specific case requires time.
While you may be tempted to take the first attorney you find, you can and often should wait. Try contacting several lawyers and researching their firms. How many high-profile cases have they won?
Finding the right attorney can save you time and money.
2. Not Asking Questions
When you do meet a prospective attorney, come prepared. You should not hesitate to come with questions. And don’t worry about whether they seem like “good” or “bad” questions.
Here are some common questions you could ask:
- How much do you charge for services?
- How long have you practiced law?
- Of those years, how many years were in personal injury law?
- Will you personally represent me if we go to trial?
- What do you estimate my case is worth?
- How long do you think my case will take?
These are reasonable questions. Some answers may require rough estimates.
3. Hiring the Wrong Type of Lawyer
The field of law encompasses many types of attorneys. Most lawyers focus on one area of specialty. Other attorneys work in general practice law.
Whether you have experienced an auto accident or another form of injury, you will want to work with someone who understands the field of personal injury law.
Even within the field of personal injury law, now all attorneys are equally qualified. You will want to find an attorney who has experience winning cases similar to yours.
4. Paying Everything Upfront
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fees. Under this system, you will only need to pay if you win or settle your case. For most cases, a personal injury attorney should not ask you to pay anything upfront.
5. Hiring an Attorney with no Trial Experience
Some cases may require a trial. The vast majority are settled outside of court. In the case of a trial, you will want to have legal counsel who has experience in court.
Settling a case may mean losing potentially large awards. This is why you should hire an attorney who has a track record of winning cases at trial.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
From your initial consultation to the final settlement process, the attorneys at McDonald Worley are here to advise and lead you through the entire legal process. Our esteemed team of attorneys covers a wide range of law.
To find the best personal injury lawyer for your case, contact our office today. We look forward to helping you recoup the settlement or court-ordered award you deserve.