Most of us don’t plan to get hurt by others’ negligence. When it happens unexpectedly, we are suddenly faced with the need to find a qualified personal injury lawyer. Although you can pick one randomly by searching Web results in your area, the following guidelines may help to steer you in the right direction for finding competent legal representation.
Personal injury specialization.
Look for an attorney who specializes in personal injury. While most attorneys know how to file a claim of this type, the specialists are skilled in this type of law and understand how the legal process works when filing a claim. If you cannot find a personal injury law firm in your area, contact the local Bar Association and ask for a referral or recommendation.
Check credentials.
When exploring personal injury lawyer websites, look for attorneys’ licensure, years of practice, and testimonials. Some websites list sample verdicts or settlements won on behalf of their clients. Do a general Web search of the attorneys’ names and reviews to see if negative reports come up in the search results. You can also ask the local Bar Association about a specific attorney’s or firm’s reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if a complaint has ever been filed against the attorney or the practice, and if so, how it was resolved. Some people still use the Yellow Pages and other business referral lists. You can also check professional social media websites like Linked In.
Word of mouth.
Ask friends, relatives, neighbors, and coworkers to suggest a reputable personal injury attorney. You don’t have to tell them you are in need of one; just say you wonder if there are any in the local area.
Interview prospective attorneys.
You don’t have to hire the first attorney you talk to. It may help to meet briefly by phone, email, or in person with two or three personal injury lawyers to discuss your situation to see if they are interested and the course of action they recommend. You can learn quite a bit by listening to how they speak, what they suggest, and if or when they are willing to meet with you to discuss the situation in greater detail.
In general, it is advisable to carefully search for the best available personal injury lawyer in town to consult regarding your injuries. After hiring an attorney, it is possible to discharge him or her from your case once it has been filed, but it becomes a little more difficult to retain another attorney, with any compensation that is collected being split between the two lawyers. Check out the available personal injury lawyers in your area to find one that fits your needs. The information and resources at Futerman Partners LLP can provide you with additional insights.
