It is important to ensure you make the best decision when hiring a personal injury lawyer. Accidents can happen suddenly and without warning, leaving people injured and financially devastated. If you are involved in an accident that caused the injury, it is essential that you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney right away so you can learn more about the options available to you.
While you may be tempted to hire the first lawyer that you find, it is important to choose someone who is qualified to represent your interests. Here are five important questions to ask yourself before you hire a personal injury lawyer.
1. How Experienced Is the Lawyer?
An attorney who is highly experienced in handling personal injury cases will be able to advise you regarding the options available for your case and can guide you through the legal process so that you can recover maximum compensation for your injuries. Some lawyers handle only a few types of cases and may need to be more familiar with the issues relevant to your particular situation. It is a good idea to inquire about the lawyer’s experience before hiring him or her. You should also ask how many cases like yours the lawyer has handled in the past, and how successful the attorney has been in those cases. Experienced Chicago area lawyers like the Rosenfeld Injury Attorneys can help guide you through the process.
2. How Much Will It Cost to Hire the Lawyer?
Your initial consultation with the lawyer should be free, and you should only have to pay if you win your case or receive a settlement offer. It is important to understand the terms of any agreement you make with your lawyer in advance to know how much you will have to pay over the proceedings. Never sign an agreement that states that you have to keep paying fees to the lawyer even if the case is unsuccessful or you do not receive a payout.
3. Does the Lawyer Have an Ethical Obligation to You?
Ethical obligations bind all attorneys to their clients. These obligations include maintaining the confidentiality of any information you give them, ensuring that they obtain all available evidence to properly represent you, and not disclosing information about the case to anyone except you and your attorney unless you give permission. You should ask the lawyer if they have maintained their ethical standards in the past and if they are in good standing with the bar association in your area.
4. Is the Lawyer Accessible After You Hire Them?
It is important that your attorney be available to you throughout the entire duration of your case so that you can ask questions about the proceedings and get updates on the progress of your case. Many attorneys provide their clients with a direct line or email where they can contact them at any time with questions or concerns about the case.
5. Do You Have References from the Lawyer’s Previous Clients?
A client-centered approach to the practice of law emphasizes a client’s legal rights and encourages the client to participate in his or her own defense as much as possible. For this reason, it is a good idea to ask for references from past clients of the lawyer you are considering hiring.
Ask what they liked and disliked about the attorney’s services and whether they would recommend them to someone else in a similar position. You can then use this information to determine whether it is the right lawyer for you. It is also important to do your own research on the lawyer before making a decision to hire them, including looking at online reviews from other clients and checking their credentials on legal websites.
Conclusion
Accidents are an unfortunate part of life, but you don’t have to deal with the repercussions alone. If you have been injured in an accident and are facing a mountain of medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. In that case, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will work hard to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Many work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay them unless they win or settle your case. This is great news if you have been injured in a personal injury accident and are worried about paying expensive legal fees out of your pocket. Researching an attorney online is the best way to find a reputable personal injury lawyer in your area. Use others’ recommendations and the information here to help you make your decision, and remember to watch what is in your best interest!