A good personal injury lawyer can be hard to find, but if you’ve been injured in an accident or through someone else’s negligence, it’s absolutely vital that you choose the right lawyer to represent your case. Some attorneys may get in touch with you after your accident, but you shouldn’t just go with the first attorney who calls. Do your homework to make sure that an attorney really does have the skills to get the best outcome for your case.
How can you find the best lawyer for your case? You can start by asking around among friends and family, or using a lawyer referral service. Read online reviews for any attorney you’re considering, and ask the right questions when you meet with them. Consider what resources an attorney has at his or her disposal, and whether it’s best to go with a large firm or a small one. And, finally, choose a lawyer you can work well with – your personal injury case may take a long time to resolve.
Ask Around
The first thing you can do when you’re looking for a good Lakeland personal injury lawyer is to ask your friends and family if they’ve ever used a personal injury attorney in your area and if they can recommend someone to you. You might be surprised to find out how many people in your social circle have used a personal injury attorney before. You might even find someone that had a personal injury case similar to yours.
Get a Referral
If you don’t know anyone who can recommend a personal injury attorney, you can use an attorney referral service to find one. Contact your state bar association for attorney referrals, or use a tool like Avvo to find crucial information about lawyers in your area, including whether there have been any complaints filed against a given attorney.
Read Online Reviews
Online reviews are rich with information about the attorneys they concern. Look up online reviews about any attorney you’re considering. You’ll get all kinds of information about them, including how responsive they are to communication and how well previous clients feel that their cases were resolved. Reviews may appear on attorneys’ websites or on Google or on third-party websites like Avvo. Look for common threads that run through all of the reviews to get a more accurate look at an attorney’s track record.
Ask the Right Questions
Asking the right questions is a crucial part of hiring the right attorney. Meet with any attorney you’re considering and ask questions like:
- Do you have experience handling cases like mine?
- What is your track record of outcomes for previous clients?
- Do you have litigation experience?
- What is your fee structure?
- What would the terms of our contract be?
- How long do you think it will take to resolve my case?
- What are the chances of my case going to trial?
- How much is my case worth?
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency, which means they don’t get paid unless you get a settlement or award from the court. Usually, the lawyer takes 25 to 40 percent of the settlement or award money. A good personal injury lawyer will add his or her legal fees on top of the desired settlement or award amount so that they don’t have to come out of your share of the money.
Consider the Attorney’s Resources
Would you rather work for a large firm or a small firm? A small firm may be able to give you more personal service, but a large firm will have more resources to fight your case. If your case is particularly complex, your injuries particularly severe, or your damages particularly high, you might want to go with a larger firm that will have the manpower to take your case all the way to trial and get you the best outcome. However, when you speak to attorneys, you should ask whether the attorneys you speak with whether they will be personally working on your case, and how much of the work will be done by junior attorneys. If you want your case to be handled exclusively by a more experienced, veteran attorney, you may want to go with a smaller firm.
Choose Someone You Get Along With
A personal injury case can take a long time to resolve. You may be working with the attorney you choose for months or even years, so it’s important to choose someone you can work well with. Choose an attorney who seems responsive and communicative when you have questions or need something. That way you won’t be left in the dark about your case or frustrated with your attorney/client relationship.
Choosing the right personal injury attorney isn’t easy, but it’s worth taking the time to find the right person. With the right attorney by your side, your case is sure to have a positive outcome.