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There are probably more than 10 pages in any phone book and probably more than 20 personal injury attorneys listed in some large cities. So, how do you choose the right one for your case?
Personal injury cases are a serious matter. They sometimes involve large compensation. Victims of a personal injury will depend on their attorney’s ability to recover the financial damages that would be needed to cover medical treatment, replace lost income, and hopefully compensate the individual for pain and suffering. Will involve very serious injury including permanent disability and even death.
Remember, insurance companies don’t want to see you happy. They don’t care about you. They are more concerned with paying dividends to their shareholders than with your well-being. The insurance company’s attorneys will try to get you to pay the least amount possible. Therefore, choosing a good personal injury lawyer with a good track record of successful negotiations is essential to get the most out of your case.
Personal injury cases can include car accidents, product defects, bodily injury in the workplace, medical malpractice, to name just a few. Check with a legal professional in your city to make sure your case is valid in the eyes of the law.
Here are some tips to help you find a good personal injury lawyer.
Experience – Of course, a personal injury lawyer has a lot of experience, and not only years of practice, but a track record of a favorable amount of successful negotiations is a huge advantage for your case. Most personal injury claims are settled out of court. But a personal injury lawyer can win your case by threatening to take the matter to trial with decent amounts of settlements. Defendants are often willing to pay more money to the plaintiff to avoid negative publicity, costly litigation, and even the possibility that the court may award more money to the plaintiff. If your personal injury attorney has never won a case in court, the defendant in your lawsuit may not be taking the threat seriously.
Get a Personal Injury Lawyer Who Will Take Your Case on Contingency Fee Basis – This is a fee that is collected at the end of the case and only if your case is successful. This means that your lawyer does not get paid until you get paid. Lawyers who primarily represent people in accidents usually charge contingency fees. Your lawyer will charge a fee out of the money you get for your injuries. You can expect your attorney to take approximately 30% of your final settlement. Thus, it is essential for you to clearly understand the payment structure before signing the retainer agreement.
Face-to-face meeting with your future lawyer Your personal injury lawyer is about to become your closest advisor. You should feel comfortable talking to him and feel that you can trust him. If you don’t like that particular lawyer for some reason and don’t feel comfortable talking to him, then you need to keep looking.
Martindale-Hubbell Rating With over 133 years of history, the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network has a database of over one million attorneys and law firms in 160 countries. This service evaluates lawyers based on the reviews of lawyers. Their website, martindale.com, has an assistant attorney locator service and will explain the rating system.
Last but not least – Never, ever, record a deposition or talk on the phone (since phone conversations can be recorded) to a representative of the defendant or insurance company unless you have first consulted with your personal injury attorney. If asked, you can simply say: “I am not prepared to make any further statements at this time.” If you have overlooked any fact or you have missed some details while giving statement, your recorded statement can and will be used as evidence against you in settlement talks and trial.
Disclaimer: The author and publisher of this article have tried their best to provide you useful, informative and accurate information. This article does not represent or take the place of legal advice that you would need to obtain from an attorney or other professional if the content of the article involves an issue you are facing. Laws vary from state to state and change from time to time. Always consult a qualified professional before making any decisions regarding the issues described in this article. Thank you.
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