RECOMMENDATION TO CHOOSE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
We’ve put together some tips for choosing a good personal injury attorney. They will help you understand what to look for to make your search easier.
1. WATCH YOUR EXPERIENCE: AGREEMENTS, TRIALS AND TRIAL
In personal injury law, there is no substitute for experience. The first thing you want to see is how many years the lawyer has spent in the practice of law.
While most personal injury claims are settled through private settlement agreements (meaning they never go to trial), it is still important to hire an attorney with significant practical experience in the courtroom.
There is always a chance that your claim could end up in court, after all. Even if not, the insurance company may be willing to negotiate more reasonably if it believes that their claim could be a threat to them in court.
In other words, the insurance company will probably investigate your lawyer’s experience, so you should too.
It’s also a good idea to ask the law firm about its recent results, including settlements and verdicts. While the attorney may not be able to share specific details about past cases, you should still have a clear idea of your history.
2. CONSIDER YOUR FOCUS AREA
One of the best tips for choosing a personal injury attorney is to find an attorney who handles many cases similar to yours.
If you have a medical malpractice claim, for example, it might not make sense to hire an attorney who focuses on bicycle injury claims or real estate business disputes.
While it’s not uncommon for personal injury attorneys to handle various types of accident claims, you should check to make sure they have significant experience with the type of claim you will hire them for.
3. READ YOUR WEBSITE … WHAT HIGHLIGHTS?
Look for law firms that emphasize you, the client.
While law enforcement websites will naturally need to tell you a little bit about the lawyer, their experience, and their success record, you may want to search for law firms that position themselves as client-oriented.
You will work extensively with your attorney and office. Find a law firm that values your time, experience, and the impact their services will have on your life.
4. BE SURE TO OFFER CONTINGENCY RATE ARRANGEMENTS
In a contingency fee agreement, you do not have to pay the lawyer for your services unless and until he or she manages to get your money. If the lawyer is not successful, you do not have to pay anything. If you get money, the attorney’s total fee will be only a percentage of your recovery.
Contingency fee arrangements make it possible for personal injury victims to fight for justice with no initial financial barriers to stand in the way. They do it so that you, as a customer, have nothing to lose. The risk of loss is with the law firm.
While contingency rates are not always available in all areas of the law, they are standard practice in personal injury cases. If you have been the victim of a car accident or personal injury, find an attorney who will take your case contingently.
5. CONSIDER YOUR AFFILIATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, MEMBERSHIPS AND AWARDS
While credentials like these can only tell you a lot about an attorney, we believe they can speak not only about experience, but also about an attorney’s willingness to stay connected to the community they serve.
At O’Connor and Partners, for example, we offer a list of attorney admissions, published jobs, professional associations and memberships, volunteer work, past employment, educational institutions, and other honors on each attorney’s bio page.
6. SEARCH REFERENCES AND TESTIMONIALS
References and reviews can give you an objective idea of what it is like to work with a certain attorney.
Don’t be shy about asking for testimonials. It is one of the best tips for choosing a personal injury attorney because it allows you to listen to someone other than the attorney himself.
7. SCHEDULE A FREE MEETING WITH THE LAWYER
The right personal injury attorney will offer a confidential consultation, at no cost and without obligation. This is your opportunity to meet with the attorney one-on-one, get an idea of who they are, and ask the questions you need to answer.
Think of it as your opportunity to «interview» the attorney before making a hiring decision.
8. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
Do not stop. Enter your initial consultation ready to ask questions. His claim is important and the result is at stake. Questions to ask include:
- What is your communication policy? Will you answer my phone calls and emails?
- Will I be able to speak to you directly or will I primarily deal with secretaries, assistants and paralegals?
- Do you try cases in court? How often? When was the last time?
- What types of financial recoveries have you achieved for clients in the past?
- How often do you handle cases like mine?
- What is your experience with large and powerful insurance companies?
- How strong do you feel about my claim?
9. CHOOSE SOMEONE YOU BELIEVE IN
We begin our «Tips for Choosing a Personal Injury Lawyer» by saying that there is no substitute for experience. We would like to end by saying that there is no substitute for passion either. After you have checked all the other boxes, at the end of the day, go with your gut.
- Does your lawyer believe in you?
- Will he or she fight for you?
- Do you detect the passion in his spirit?
- Do you think they care what happens to your claim?
- These are the questions that can guide you to the right decision.
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION WITH OUR KINGSTON PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS
O’Connor and Partners is a Kingston, New York-based personal injury law firm that provides legal services throughout the state, including in Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Ellenville, Hudson Valley, New York and beyond.
We fight hard to maximize compensation for the clients we represent.
We are proud to offer confidential, no-cost, and no-obligation consultations for injured people and their families throughout New York State. If you choose to hire us after your consultation, we will not charge you a fee unless we first get your money.
