how to hire personal injury attorney

by Ward Purdy 5 min read

How To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney

  • First, seek medical attention for your injury. ...
  • Get your claim in order by gathering documents, reports, information, and photos. ...
  • Screen multiple attorneys by asking about their expertise and success rate with cases like yours. ...
  • Understand the process of the lawsuit, and what your role will be. ...
  • Weigh the benefits of settlement against the risks of going to trial. ...

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
  1. Determine the Area of Law You Need an Expert In. ...
  2. Search for Legitimate, Licensed Attorneys. ...
  3. Look Out for a Discipline History. ...
  4. Scope out Size and Resources. ...
  5. Review Past Client Reviews. ...
  6. Call the Office to Schedule a Consultation. ...
  7. Come Prepared with Questions.

Full Answer

Why you should hire a personal injury attorney?

Why You Should Hire a Personal Attorney After Being Involved in An Accident

  • The Law is Complex. Source: rocketlawyer.com The main reason that you should hire a lawyer is that the law is complex. ...
  • Lawyers Can Negotiate. ...
  • Self-Representation Fails. ...
  • Lawyers Challenge Evidence. ...
  • They Have Investigators. ...
  • They Provide Expert Witnesses. ...
  • Lawyers Bolster Cases. ...
  • The Other Party’s Representation. ...
  • No Win No Fee. ...

Why should you hire a personal injury lawyer?

Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

  • Paperwork. Filing a personal injury case means a lot of complicated paperwork. ...
  • Your Best Interest in Mind. Hiring a lawyer means having someone that has your best interest in mind. ...
  • Peace of Mind. Knowing that a professional is on your side can give you confidence in your case and ensure that your rights are not taken advantage of.

How to hire the best personal injury lawyer?

When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

  • Speak to a personal injury lawyer and be candid. ...
  • Further, once the lawyer has a clear image of what happened to you in your injury, then they might be able to judge if you need a lawyer’s serving or ...
  • Similarly, most lawyers will be very upfront and honest with you.

More items...

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

Many personal injury lawyers will take a fee of about 33-40%, but the exact amount will depend on your contract with the firm and the laws of the jurisdiction in which your case is filed. There are many variables to take into account, so it's important to talk to your lawyer about potential fees based on your unique situation.

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1. Seek Referrals and Analyze Reviews

Ask friends, relatives and colleagues about any experiences they’ve had with personal injury lawyers. Many personal injury attorneys post client reviews on their websites or can be found when searching online for personal injury lawyers.

2. Request a Free Consultation

Narrow down your list to a few firms to reach out to. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations to discuss the specifics of your case. These consultations will give you a sense of what kind of case the lawyer thinks you may have. Many injury cases are complex and may involve multiple liable parties.

3. Evaluate Your Options

An accident lawyer with years of experience is likely familiar with all kinds of injury cases. However, to back up the years of practice, a good injury lawyer should have a strong record of success in those injury cases.

4. Understand the Legal Fees

Whether they’re in New Jersey, Connecticut or New York, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. That is, you do not have to pay any legal fees unless your lawyer settles your case (or takes it to trial) and recovers financial compensation on your behalf.

5. Sign a Fee Agreement and Contract

Once you have made a decision, your attorney will ask to sign a fee agreement in which they agree to represent you, and you agree to abide by certain terms. Make sure to thoroughly read the agreement before signing it.

What is the best personal injury lawyer?

Experience and reputation are essential attributes that define the best personal injury lawyer to hire. It should be someone who understands the various factors of your case, has excellent negotiation skills, and will strive to iron out the settlement process.

Is personal injury law complex?

Personal injury law is complex, having specific rules and regulations that must be followed. Lawyers handling these kinds of cases should not mix things. Therefore, avoid working with attorneys that handle divorces, bankruptcies, criminal law, and others, along with personal injury. They mostly are a jack of all trades but a master of none.

What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer/attorney is a licensed legal professional who can help you get full and fair compensation for any injury or loss caused by the carelessness or negligence of another person.

The Steps Involved in Hiring a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney

The first thing you need to do is identify potential candidates to represent you. As with anything, you should never make a commitment without considering more than one option.

Things to Look for When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

What types of cases do you handle?—Does the attorney focus exclusively on personal injury claims or handle a wide range of legal controversies? You are typically better served by a lawyer whose sole or primary practice is dedicated to personal injury.

Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney? When Should You Retain Counsel?

If you have been hurt in any way in an accident caused by another person, you should hire legal counsel. Don’t decide not to hire an attorney because your injuries seem minor? Often, the most debilitating injuries suffered in an accident can take weeks, months or even years to fully manifest.

Contact the Proven Personal Injury Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen

At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we understand the devastating impact any type of personal injury can have on every part of your life. We’ll aggressively protect your rights throughout the legal process, acting as your intermediary with insurance companies and as your voice in all meetings, hearings and legal proceedings.

Ask for Recommendations

You will never go wrong with first-hand recommendations and referrals. One of the best ways to find a reputable personal injury attorney is to ask your family and friends for referrals. They may have closely worked with the lawyer to help them with a claim of their own.

Check How Responsive the Attorney Is

When narrowing down your choices for a personal injury lawyer, you should look at how responsive they are. How long did they take to return your phone calls or answer your email? How well did they explain your case to you?

Discuss Their Fees

Hiring a personal injury attorney isn’t a walk in the park. You will need to have those difficult conversations about their fees. When you meet different attorneys, ask them about their fees structure and their services under that amount.

1. Identify the Area in Which You Need Legal Assistance

This is important because you want to make sure that the attorney you hire is well-versed in the area of law that pertains to your case. For example, if you were in a car accident, you would want to hire an attorney who specializes in car accident cases.

2. Search for Personal Injury Attorney Near Your Location

As you begin your search for attorneys near your location, you may feel overwhelmed with the sheer number of options. While it is important to find an attorney who is qualified to handle your specific case, it is also important to find one who is conveniently located.

3. Know Your Case and Your Options

If you are unsure of the severity of your injuries or the best way to move forward with your case, consult with a few different attorneys. When you visit this injury law firm, be sure that you should know the facts of your case, the applicable law, and the options available to you.

4. Make Sure They Have the Proper License

Hiring a personal injury attorney is a big decision. You want to make sure you have the proper license. This is an important tip for hiring a personal injury attorney.

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