Insurance companies are for-profit companies, and they strive to save as much money as they can. Therefore, they hire the very best attorneys to protect them against paying out personal injury claims. If you have suffered a personal injury, a personal injury lawyer, such as those at the Quirk Law Group, may be necessary.
Your Needs
You should list your most important criteria for a lawyer. For example, are experience and success rate more important than easy access to their office location or frequent communication? Also, you want someone trustworthy and accountable, someone with integrity.
Your lawyer will need a detailed account of what happened and what you are looking for in a recovery award. You will also need to provide your lawyer with all your medical and other expense records related to the injury. If you know of witnesses, your attorney will need their names. Finally, your lawyer will need to know about your financial situation and any urgency in the case.
Research
If you know individuals who have had successful personal injury cases, you may ask them who their lawyers were. In addition, if you have used a lawyer previously, even if it is for an unrelated matter, you may ask your lawyer for recommendations on a personal injury attorney as well. Other legal professionals are also great resources.
Several online resources, such as the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry, offer peer-reviews of lawyers across the country. These reviews may include lawyers’ specialties, short biographies, personal and professional characteristics, client comments and satisfaction ratings.
Don’t choose your attorney based on solicitations or billboards. Do your research and find the best.
Experience and Certifications
As you deepen your research, make sure your prospective attorneys have the proper certifications (e.g., are they board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy) and are licensed in your state. Also, find out if the attorney has the staff and financial resources to pursue your case. You need a lawyer who has the appropriate experience, so search for those who have extensive personal injury and trial experience. Finally, find out if your prospects are members of professional legal organizations, such as the American Association of Justice.
Meeting
Prior to discussing your case, you may want to ask the lawyer some questions, such as their success rate and percentage of their cases that are referrals from clients or other legal professionals.
Ask your prospective lawyers about their fees. Most personal injury lawyers do not charge you any fee unless they win your case and you are awarded money from the insurance company. However, you need to know what percentage of your award the lawyer will retain. In addition, you may be required to pay case expenses, such as money paid to expert witnesses, court reporters, medical records and filing fees. You may be required to pay some or all of these fees, whether the lawyer wins your case or not, either during or at the end of the case.
Personal injury cases can be daunting. You are fighting companies with lots of money and time. Don’t settle for less than the best lawyer.
