When you've had an accident, you are
already in a state of duress. Finding the right personal injury law firm to
handle your case can give you peace of mind. The right attorney can take care
of all the details and ensure that you are treated fairly by your insurance
company or other parties involved. Before you begin your search for the right
firm, here are a few things that you will need to consider to help you make the
right decision. Keep in mind that some firms offer free
consultations. Many people avoid hiring an attorney
because they immediately assume that it will be expensive.
A good attorney will
talk with you about the basics of your case and will tell you if he or she
believes you have a case, free of charge.Always remember that experience is very
important.
Many lawyers specialize in only a few
distinct types of law. When hiring an attorney to represent you in a personal
injury case, be sure that the lawyer has experience specifically in those types
of cases and has taken many cases of that kind to court.
Be careful to avoid sensational lawyers or
ambulance chasers.
These types of legal professionals
are illegal in most states.
When you're in an accident and receive a letter or
call, beware. Talk to neighbors or others in your community about local
lawyers to ensure you're working with a personal injury law firm with a solid
reputation.
Filing a lawsuit can not always be necessary.
Some cases settle out of court, and
some cases do not even require a lawsuit to be settled. Your attorney can
sometimes get the important information to your insurance company for you and
bring about the settlement without even having a lawsuit. This is usually
quicker and much cheaper.
All expenses are not included.
The fee is often stated as a
percentage of your settlement and only pays for the attorney's time. When your
attorney needs to bring someone else in to work with him or her on your case,
he or she pays expenses. Most lawyers will pay these expenses to the other
parties for you and will bill you at the end of the case. Always find out about
these expenses before you commit to anything with your lawyer.
Keep in mind there are no guarantees.
When an attorney in a personal injury
law firm tells you that you're guaranteed to win the case, find someone else to
handle your case immediately. An honest and experienced attorney will give you
an objective opinion of what he or she thinks of your case and will never
promise you upfront that your case will be won.
