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An accident causes you so much physical and emotional distress that finding
a reliable personal injury lawyer is near the bottom of your to-do list. But
it's crucial to get one as soon as possible in order to protect your rights.
Wading through tons of ads or Internet pages is a daunting task so we've put
together some tips to help you narrow down your search to the best personal
injury lawyer available. If you arm yourself with these tips and aren't
afraid to ask questions, you'll soon find a lawyer who will do his or her
best to protect your rights and get you the most compensation possible for
your situation.
Ask for referrals from friends. Many people use personal injury attorneys.
Do you know someone who tripped and fell at the grocery store? What about
your neighbour whose son was injured due to a faulty baseball helmet? Ask
around and you'll be surprised by how many people offer you the name of the
attorney who worked with them to get results.
Ask for referrals from other lawyers. You might have used an attorney to
draw up a will, handle your divorce or help you incorporate your business.
Ask these lawyers who they would recommend for a personal injury case; they
will often give you the name of the personal injury lawyer they would use
for themselves. You can also check with the county Bar Association, which
may recommend some attorneys.
Schedule a consultation with any personal injury lawyer you are considering.
Asking the right questions will give you a feel for whether they are the
right fit. A good working relationship means open lines of communication,
the ability to explain things to you clearly and concisely and availability
when you need to contact them or your legal or medical team.
A few questions to consider asking might be: How many personal injury cases
have you managed? How long have you been practicing personal injury law? Do
you have access to the appropriate attorney or attorneys to handle my case?
Will you keep in contact with my doctors, therapists and other medical
specialists? How will you keep me informed on the progress of my case? Can I
call you if I have questions or concerns? Will you contact me to discuss any
offers for settlement that are made? Will you take care of the details for
me so that I can recover without worry?
Look for a personal injury lawyer who isn't afraid to go to court. Insurance
companies love working with lawyers who settle out of court every time.
While there is nothing wrong with a generous settlement, in most cases
insurance companies have far greater respect for attorneys who are willing
to go to court and litigate in front of a jury. Ask each lawyer you talk to
how often they go to court and what kind of awards they have gotten for
clients in the past.
Look for a personal injury lawyer who works closely not only with local
attorneys but with doctors and other health care specialists. The best
personal injury lawyers have access to hospitals, physicians and other
medical experts and know which doctors you should be seeing as well as which
lawyers are best qualified to handle your particular case.
In the end, you'll also need to rely on your intuition. If the attorney
you're talking to puts you at ease, shows you proper respect and is
sympathetic to your needs while being honest and forthcoming, he or she will
have your best interests at heart. The right personal injury lawyer for you
is often the one who you instinctively lik |
