What to Look for in a Personal Injury Law Firm
If you find yourself the victim of a personal injury, you cannot afford to leave anything to chance. You hope that the insurance company will do the right thing and compensate you fairly, but with so much money on the line many firms try to settle for less than you may deserve.
That is why it is so important for anyone who is injured through no fault of their own to seek competent legal representation. Even if you feel your injuries are minor in nature, seeking timely representation is the best way to protect your rights. After all, you have no way of knowing whether the back pain you sustained as the result of a fall or auto accident will be mild and temporary or permanent and disabling. The sooner you seek personal injury representation the sooner you can set your mind at ease.
Of course deciding to seek legal representation is just part of the process. If you want to protect your rights, you need to choose a law firm that is high quality – and one that has your best interests at heart. Here are some important things to look for when hiring a personal injury law firm.
Relevant Training and Expertise
The practice of law is a specialty industry, and not all lawyers will have the training or expertise needed to represent you and get the compensation you have coming. Always make sure the firm you hire has experience in personal injury cases – and that the lawyer assigned to your case has the relevant training.
Accessibility
You should be able to contact the lawyer assigned to your case and get a call back in a reasonable period of time. You may not be able to get the attorney on the phone at a moment’s notice – a good lawyer will be busy, after all. Even so, lack of communication is a big red flag.
Courtroom Experience
While many personal injury cases are settled out of court through discussions with the insurance company, it is important that the law firm you hire be ready and able to go to court. If the law firm lacks expertise or confidence in the courtroom, the attorneys who work there may be too quick to settle – and that could leave you with a less generous payout that you could otherwise receive.
Community Involvement
Involvement in the community may not seem all that important, but it is the hallmark of a good legal firm. Not only does community involvement indicate a willingness to help and a commitment to serve others – it also helps the attorneys, paralegals and other professionals at the firm forge relationships that they can tap on behalf of their personal injury clients.
Willingness to Work on Contingency
When you are the victim of a personal injury, chances are you will be strapped for cash. Personal injury victims are often unable to work – resulting in a loss of income just when they need money most.
At the same time, expenses are rising sharply – from unpaid medical bills to the purchase of expensive medical equipment. A personal injury who is willing to work on contingency can be a real godsend in such a situation, and it is one of the factors you might want to consider.
No matter what the nature of your personal injury, it is important to seek the right representation. Quality legal representation is essential, and the tips listed above can help you find the right firm.
