If you or a loved one has been severely injured in an accident, then you have the right to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation for the injuries and losses. However, the outcome of your case often depends on the way it is pursued. This is why it is advisable to hire a personal injury lawyer. With over 130,000 personal injury attorneys currently working in the US, selecting a lawyer to represent your case is not easy. And this is exactly what we’ll focus on in today’s post. Read on to learn about crucial steps that you can take when choosing a lawyer for legal representation.
Crucial Steps for Selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer
Your search for a personal injury lawyer should entail the following steps:
- Areas of Specialization
The first thing that you should do is to find a lawyer who practices extensively in the area that matches your needs. For example, if you’ve been injured in a car accident, then you would want to look for a personal injury attorney who has extensive experience in that area.
You can start by looking at their website to view their practice areas or contact them via phone to get details.
- Experience
Once you have found a lawyer who practices in the area you’re looking for, the next step is to learn about their experience. Narrow down your choices based on experience. Find an attorney who has a wealth of experience in cases similar to yours.
It’s a good idea to work with an experienced lawyer as they have the skills and know-how to handle legal complexities tactfully in order to help you seek fair compensation. For example, if your case goes for trial, with an experienced lawyer, you can rest assured that they would know how to handle such situations with confidence.
- Track Record
The next step is to learn about their settlement history. Look for an experienced attorney with an impressive record of good results. It is advisable to work with someone who has a strong track record. However, keep in mind that each case is unique and must be evaluated on its individual merits. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
- Offers Free Consultation
Another factor that you should consider when choosing among North Carolina and South Carolina personal injury lawyers is their service. A free consultation shows confidence in their service. Besides this, it is a great opportunity for you to discuss your questions and your claim with the lawyer without spending any money. Furthermore, it also gives you a chance to get to know your lawyer and start building a level of trust.
When you schedule a free consultation, prepare some questions beforehand that you want to ask the lawyer such as:
- Do you have the resources and time to devote to my case?
- How will you keep me informed?
- Which lawyer from your team will handle my case and how much experience do they have in the area of my case?
- How and when will we communicate?
A client-focused lawyer, at this point, will respond to your questions patiently, in detailed, simple language, and with integrity. They will try to answer to your satisfaction so that you are clear about the way you’ll work with them on the case.
This interaction with the personal injury lawyer will also help you decide if you feel comfortable working with them. All of this is important to ensure that you have a trust-based relationship with your attorney and have confidence in them that they will do whatever it takes to protect your rights and help you seek justice.
- Works on a Contingency Basis
When hiring an attorney for case representation, it’s also important to learn about their fee structure. You need to be clear about the way they will charge you. Since you’re already financially burdened because of the ongoing medical expenses and lost wages, it is advisable to select a personal injury lawyer who works on a contingency basis. This generally means that they will not charge you up front and you will only have to pay them legal fees if they win the case and get you compensated.
To find such a lawyer, you may need to do some legwork. This means that you’ll need plenty of time to do the research and even visit offices of different lawyers to interview them before you make your selection. However, this can be challenging for you if you are recovering from your injuries. Moreover, you may not be able to wait until you fully recover because of the statute of limitations. Don’t worry! Contact us for legal assistance.
At the Law Office of Jason E. Taylor P.C., we have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury cases. Whether you are injured in an automobile accident or suffered from workplace injuries or a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, we can help you. Also, we offer legal representation on a contingency basis so you don’t have to spend a dime on legal fees unless you get compensated.
Our team of North Carolina and South Carolina personal injury lawyers is focused on helping victims fight for justice and fair compensation. Give us a chance to represent your case.