How Do I Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer

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What is a personal injury lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who takes on clients who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, whether physically or psychologically. This may include a workplace accident, car accident, or boating accident. A personal injury lawyer might also prove beneficial to people wrongly accused in an accident that has led to someone else being injured.

In addition to dealing with the effects of your injury – including medical examination costs and its subsequent bills – at minimum, you’ll also have to deal with insurance companies. If multiple parties were involved in the accident, insurance claims and legal matters become more complicated. 

Though you may be tempted to forgo legal assistance to save money, hiring a personal injury lawyer can actually be financially advantageous. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows your rights and is much more likely to help you receive compensation than you would be able to obtain on your own. They also take the stress and headache away from the process of dealing with insurance companies so you can focus on healing. 

How to choose a personal injury lawyer

Not all personal injury lawyers are created equal, so it’s important that you take the time to do your research. If you’ve never hired a lawyer before, the process can seem quite daunting. As long as you consider the following factors, you’ll be able to feel confident that the lawyer you’ve hired is the right one for the job. 

Check their credentials

Personal injury lawyers who are members of state and national personal injury organizations and associations are generally well qualified. One of the largest national organizations is the American Association of Justice, so check to see if they’re a member of this association, as well as any relevant state associations. 

Additionally, your lawyer may be board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. To become NBTA certified, they must have courtroom experience and undergo an examination. 

Ask for references

Before starting your search, ask family and friends if they or anyone they know has had a positive experience with a personal injury lawyer. Receiving a reference from someone you trust is one of the best ways to choose a lawyer. It’s also a good idea to ask the lawyer you’re considering for references from past clients and other esteemed lawyers. This will give you confidence in their credibility. 

Consider previous experience

Though there are many different types of lawyers, you’ll want to pick a lawyer who specializes exclusively in personal injury. Because the law in this area is constantly evolving, a more general lawyer may not have the expertise to take on your case. 

It’s also essential that the lawyer have extensive experience trying cases in court. Lawyers who don’t go to court often settle, and if your insurance company knows your lawyer has a reputation for doing so, the proposed payout will be considerably smaller. 

Take advantage of free consultations

Almost all personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. Take advantage of these to ask the lawyer the following important questions:

• Have you handled a case like mine in the past? What were the results?
• What are your fees?
• What is the likely outcome of my case, and what will the payout be?
• How long will it take to settle my case?

If you receive unsatisfactory answers to your questions, it’s time to look for another lawyer. 

Hire a personal injury lawyer today

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is the first step to receiving the compensation you deserve. Call an experienced and esteemed personal injury lawyer today to get justice today.