There are 93,000 to 135,000 personal injury lawyers in the US, making up about 10% of all lawyers in the country.
With such a massive number of personal injury lawyers, it’s hard to know who you should trust regarding personal injury cases. The lawyers differ in their approaches, and your best interest may not be the same as someone else’s.
So, how do you choose the best personal injury lawyer for you? In this post, we’ll be going through a checklist that will help you determine if your injury attorney is the best choice for your situation, so read on.
Do They Have Experience?
Experience is vital in personal injury cases. The longer the lawyer has been practicing, the more chances they have had to learn the ins and outs of case litigation.
Not only that, but a local personal injury attorney who is experienced will most likely know how the local court system works. If they’ve been practicing for a while in your area, you can bet they’ll be able to tell you what it takes to win your injury case.
Not sure if your injury attorney has experience? Ask them about past wins or results they’ve obtained for other clients. All personal injury lawyers should be proud of their track record.
Can They Explain How Your Case Will Be Handled?
Handling personal injury cases requires a lot of documentation and work from personal injury attorneys. You should know how your injury attorney will be handling the case before you decide to take them on as your lawyer.
In general, lawyers use one of two approaches: contingency or hourly billing. In contingency cases, clients pay their attorney once they have won their injury case settlement. Hourly fees are flat rates that will vary depending on which state you’re living in and the experience level of your lawyer.
Are They Licensed?
Besides experience, another vital thing to look for in the best law firm is whether they are licensed. The state’s bar association needs to license a lawyer before they can practice.
If your injury attorney isn’t currently a member of the local bar association, you should ask why. It may be possible that they do have some formal training on personal injury cases, but it doesn’t mean much until they’ve passed an exam and gotten formal licensing from your state’s bar association.
What Kind of Law Do They Specialize In?
Many personal injury lawyers handle all types of cases. However, most specialize in certain types of personal injury cases.
For instance, some may deal exclusively with product liability lawsuits, while others only take on medical malpractice claims. You want to make sure that you’re using a local lawyer specializing in the type of case you have. If they’ve never handled your specific type before, it’s likely not worth hiring them for your legal needs.
The best alternative is to find out what types of cases are their specialties is by asking them during your initial interview. Most personal injury attorneys will offer this information right away.
Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
Choosing the best personal injury lawyer can be challenging. However, using this guide as a reference will help you make an informed decision that ensures your rights are protected, and your legal needs are met to the fullest extent possible.
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