Nobody plans to need a personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, when the need does arise and it is always during an already stressful, painful time. What do you need to consider before you hire an attorney?
- Cost – Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer because they are intimidated by the cost. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your claims and advise you if you have a case. It does not pay for either of you to pursue a case that is not likely to result in any sort of compensation. Many personal injury lawyers work for a contingency fee, meaning they do not get paid until you get paid. Be sure that this cost is established up front before you sign a contract so that there are no surprises later on.
- Experience – Does your lawyer have a reputation for settling out of court? Has your lawyer litigated cases similar to yours before? In personal injury cases, experience matters. Make sure that your lawyer works in the area that aligns with your needs. Ask questions about previous similar cases and their results. A lawyer who has taken on many cases but has not won his clients any compensation is not likely to do so for you either.
- Time – The best time to speak with an attorney is as soon as you possible after your injury. You may want to take time to heal and recover but this can hurt you in the long run. The more time that passes between your incident and the time that your lawyer begins collecting information, the more likely that evidence may be missing or memories hazy. However, just because you contact an attorney early on, it does not mean that you case will take less time. Ask your lawyer how long he or she believes it will take to reach a resolution in your case. Most cases will take a lot of time. Be wary of anybody who promises a quick settlement. There are no guarantees in the world of personal injury law.
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