Choosing an attorney can be stressful when you’re under a time constraint. With charges pending or a personal injury claim to file, you need to find the best legal representation as soon as possible.
With so many lawyers out there, finding a good attorney with a specialization that lines up with your case can seem daunting. Here are some tips to find the best personal injury lawyer.
Ask Friends and Coworkers
If you’re filing a personal injury claim from a work injury, it’s likely that you work in a dangerous injury. Ask your friends and coworkers if they’ve ever suffered a work injury. If so, who represented them? Hearing personal recommendations is a much more reliable form of referral than simply reading reviews online. This way you can ask more personal questions about the lawyer’s character and effectiveness.
Ask Another Lawyer
If you’re familiar with another credible lawyer in a different field, don’t hesitate to ask them for a referral. While they may not be able to represent you at the level that you expect, they will likely know someone who can.
By asking an attorney’s opinion, you’ll wind up with someone that they would allow to represent them. They have an insider’s view, so they likely know their success rate as well as what their disposition is with clients.
Research and Interview
If you have a running list of potential lawyers, it’s time to sit down and evaluate them. If you do not have any personal referrals, you may rely on Internet research. Visit sites like Nolo to find lawyers in your area. Review their websites, reviews, as well as possible news articles that contain the lawyer’s name for any insight.
Regardless of how you find an attorney, you should always see them for a consultation before hiring them. Think of some good questions to ask a personal injury lawyer:
- How much experience do you have?
- What is your success rate?
- How many cases like this have you handled?
- What do you presume the outcome of my case will be?
Additionally, you’ll want to find a lawyer that you can trust. When it comes to personal injury, you’ll want someone who is sympathetic and has a strong character.
If you find yourself put off by a layer who is otherwise qualified, it is often not worth it. Find someone that you can work well with and you’ll have a higher chance of getting the outcome you want.
