Whether someone crashed into your car or you slipped at the supermarket, you may need to pursue compensation for your injuries. Once you’ve received medical treatment, it may become crystal clear that you need a personal injury attorney to help you with your case.
But how do you choose a personal injury lawyer that can serve as your legal representation? According to the attorneys at Caputo & Van Der Walde, LLP, you should consider the following tips to help you select the right personal injury attorney for your case.
Get Referrals and Check Their Credentials
It’s likely you’ve seen big billboards and flashy commercials for attorneys in California. However, check with people you know first and see if anyone has needed a personal injury attorney in the past. Friends, family, and even coworkers can provide you with the names of lawyers they’ve used before. You will want to check their credentials to ensure you’re choosing someone licensed to practice in the state.
Choose an Attorney Who Practices Personal Injury Law
There are many lawyers who are exceptional, though that won’t matter if you don’t pick one who practices personal injury law. A divorce lawyer or criminal defense lawyer won’t have the intricate knowledge needed to fight for your rights after a car crash, dog bite, slip and fall, or other personal injury. To put it another way, you wouldn’t go to your dentist if you were experiencing a problem with your foot, so it only makes sense to go to a lawyer who knows and practices personal injury law.
Make Sure They Have Trial Experience
You will likely have your case settled before it winds up in front of a judge or jury in the courtroom. Regardless, you will want a personal injury attorney who has the experience to fight for you in court. One of the questions you’ll want to ask as you sit down for consultations with prospective lawyers is how often they’ve gone to trial and their success rate. Choose one that doesn’t back down when facing insurance companies.
Check Their Ability to Get the Right Resources
Personal injury cases can sometimes be expensive to prepare. You’ll want an attorney with the resources to retain the right expert witnesses to help prove the other party is liable. For example, your injuries may require expert testimony from doctors. Your accident may have involved many other vehicles, which would require an expert accident reconstructionist to help determine liability. These are just a few examples of the kinds of experts your attorney should have access to when building your case.
Choose an Attorney That Makes You Feel at Ease
Once you’ve checked off all the other requirements, you should take into account how you feel about this lawyer. Personal injury cases can take months or even years to resolve, which means you will be working with this person for a while. You shouldn’t just feel confident in their legal competence but also feel peace of mind and assured when you talk to your attorney. The one that makes you feel confident and that you can comfortably communicate with will be the right legal representative for you.
Ask About Fees
You’re bound to need a personal injury attorney for your case but don’t forget to ask about their fees. Most will charge on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay anything up front or if they lose. Even with this setup, you don’t want to be surprised, so ask about the percentage they take from your award and what other fees are involved so you have clear expectations from the start.
