Did you know the US personal injury lawyers and attorneys market is worth over $50 billion in the United States?
With such a vast market to explore, it can be hard to find the right personal injury lawyer for you. There are a lot of factors that can have an impact on this choice, like the type of case you have, the extent of your injuries, and even where the accident occurred. That’s why knowing what to look for in an attorney is so important.
Luckily, we’re here to help you get started. Read on to learn everything you need to know about hiring an attorney.
Things to Consider
Before you start the hiring process, you need to know what qualities to be on the lookout for. Here are a few of the most important.
Experience
Experience is probably the most important thing to ask about. You don’t want to hire a criminal defense lawyer to cover your personal injury lawsuit, right?
You also might want to avoid hiring attorneys that have served insurance companies in the past. While they’re meant to have your best interest in mind, they might unintentionally be used to siding with the insurance company. However, if you find an attorney with a bit of experience on both sides, you might find that to be invaluable.
Specialization
You definitely want to know an attorney’s specialization before you hire them. Hiring a personal injury attorney might be enough, but finding an attorney that’s covered cases specifically like yours before can be a huge advantage. They’ll already have an idea of how to approach things.
Reputation
Finally, how is that lawyer’s reputation around town?
If they come as a personal recommendation from your friends or family, then you can be confident in their experiences. It never hurts to do a bit of outside research, though. This list can be longer, as you’re going to narrow it down when you get to the next step.
Make a List and Research
Once you have your list together, you’re going to want to narrow your options down. Ideally, you’ll pick three to five lawyers to do a deep dive on and then move from there.
Start with reading online reviews or simply asking around outside your immediate circle. These two things alone can provide more insight than you might think possible. You’ll also want to explore their website and bios if there are any.
First, if your lawyer doesn’t have a website you should take that as a red flag. In today’s digitally-driven world, a well-designed website is essential for any business to have. It can say a lot about your lawyer and their overall presence in the industry.
Check Their Bar Association
Checking any potential attorney’s bar association is also important. In Alabama, it’s as easy as typing in their last name and searching with this tool. You can learn more about how lawyers become licensed in your state, and then you can make sure they’re actually permitted to practice law in that particular state.
You’ll also be able to find out if they’ve ever been disbarred, disciplined, or suspended from practicing at any point in time.
Meet With the Personal Injury Lawyer
Once you’ve found a few lawyers you like, you’ll need to call their office to set up an appointment. You’ll first need to ensure your case meets their criteria and expertise (which you can usually do online). Once you’ve verified you can work together, you’re set to meet them.
When you first meet them, there are a few initial questions you should ask. Here are a few examples:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- What cases do you typically manage?
- Who will be handling my case?
- Who’s your typical client?
- Have you dealt with a case similar to mine before?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What’s your payment policy?
- How will you let me know what’s going on with my case?
- Do you think I have a fair shot at winning?
You can always come up with more questions on your own, but these are a great place to start. They’ll give you a solid baseline to consider each attorney you meet, and you’ll start to know whether or not you have a solid case.
Remember, your lawyer is the one speaking for you, so it’s important to make sure it’s someone who you trust to be your voice throughout this case.
Sign Your Contract
Finally, you’ll choose your lawyer and sign a contract. Be sure to get everything you initially talk about in writing so there’s no misunderstanding later on, and make sure you read over your documents thoroughly.
Feel free to bring a notebook and pen to your meetings so you can keep track of everything. You’re likely going to speak with a few different people, and if you’re not careful then things can start getting mixed up.
Also, make sure that you understand everything. There’s likely to be legal jargon or phrases that you don’t understand throughout the contract, and it’s OK to ask your attorney for clarification whenever you need it.
Win the Case
While winning your case can’t ever be a guarantee, working with the right personal injury lawyer in Birmingham can surely increase your odds. Whether it’s an auto accident or workplace injury, you can find the help you need whenever you need it.
Luckily, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get started.