If you’ve been in an accident and have been injured, there are some signs that you need a personal injury lawyer. The first is that you were seriously injured and stopped going to work because of your injury. The second is that you can’t afford to pay for your medical bills and to repair any property that has been damaged. If the insurance company is questioning who’s at fault, and you’re sure it is the other party, a lawyer can help you. If you are looking for tips on how to pick the right lawyer, you’ve come to the right place.
1.Good Track Record
Just because a lawyer appears on tv and billboard, that doesn’t mean they are great. You should be able to easily track the records of the law firm you’re hiring. The more cases they’ve won, the better. Insurance companies can get track records of lawyers they’re up against. If they know that they’re dealing with a good lawyer, they will give you a better settlement. Your lawyer’s past cases are never a guarantee that they’ll win your case, though, so keep that in mind.
2.Specialty Field
It’s always better to hire a lawyer that specializes in personal injury. That way, you will be sure that all the experience they had was in cases like yours. If you click here, you will discover that in Tennessee, if you’ve been in a truck accident where the property damage is over $1500, you have to file a police report within 20 days. Your injury lawyer should have handled similar cases before to know that time limit.
3.Trial Experience
This point combines the previous two. Your lawyer should have a track record of winning cases in personal injury cases. But most of these kinds of cases end up with settlements. Your lawyer has to have experience in courts, too. If the insurance company knows that your lawyer is afraid to take it to court, they will give you a lower settlement than you deserve. Ask your lawyer about how many cases they have taken to court.
4.Accessibility
When you meet your lawyer for a free consultation, you should discuss availability. Can you reach them via email or phone calls or texts when you have questions? If they’re not available, can you reach their paralegals, secretariat, or assistants? If you can’t communicate with your lawyer, your questions will remain unanswered. Your lawyer should make the time for you and your case. It’s hard for them to win a case they’re not devoted to.
5.Honesty and Transparency
Transparency and honesty need to exist between you and your lawyer. From the first consultation, They should give you all the legal information regarding your case. If they promise victory right away, that means they’re not the ones. Any honest lawyer knows that they need to make assessments and gather the evidence before they can predict how the case will go. They should also be honest enough to give you bad news, and not good news only.
6.Focus on Justice
Your lawyer’s aim should be to bring justice to you and your cause. They should listen to your story and believe it to be able to tell it and make it credible. Their fight for justice includes gathering evidence, fighting for medical bills, lost wages, and permanent injuries. They should be willing to go the extra mile in their investigation. This is as important as having experience and a good track record.
7.Recommendations
Your first step towards finding a good lawyer is to ask friends and family in your area. Personal injury cases are more common than you would believe, so surely someone knows someone who had to make a claim. Tell them to ask around, and spread the word.
That way, you can get a lawyer or two on your recommended list. And you will probably hear of lawyers to avoid as well. The next step is to do research online. Lawyers who market themselves excessively won’t usually represent you themselves, so beware of that trap. Not because a lawyer’s name is everywhere, you can count on them being good.
Finding a good lawyer is important to your case. They must be credible, honest, and experienced. Try to watch them in court before hiring them to make sure they have good social skills. Their reputation is vital, as well. Look for lawyers in the national publications. Lawyers there have been chosen by their peers, which means they’re respected. Meet your lawyer in person in the free consultation, and make sure they will represent you themselves. Some lawyers will make their associates handle the case. Finally, make sure you’re comfortable with your lawyer before hiring them, as these cases can take up a long time.