Follow these steps to arm yourself with a personal injury lawyer.
If you’ve never had to hire a personal injury lawyer before, doing so can be an overwhelming task. Understandably, you may not even know where to begin but there are a few things you can do to make the process a whole lot easier. Check these five items off your to-do list before hiring an attorney to increase the likeliness that you’ll have the end result you’re hoping for.
Ask family and friends for suggestions.
When you go to hire a local nanny, plumber or auto shop, what do you typically do first? Most people would say they ask friends and family for suggestions. The same goes for hiring a personal injury lawyer. If you ask around your circle of trusted friends and family you are bound to come out with a few viable options. Just make sure to use those suggestions as a starting point for your own research. Do a quick Google search to make sure potential attorneys have prior experience with personal injury claims.
Know all your options.
It’s important to note that just because you hire a personal injury lawyer doesn’t mean you’ll be going to court. In some cases, your attorney can get you compensation by communicating with insurance companies and transferring the necessary information to complete and settle your claim. Settling a claim without filing a lawsuit often means the whole process will be a lot quicker and less expensive.
Research the costs of a personal injury lawyer.
As with any other service like a plumber or electrician, you’ll want to find out how much it will cost to hire a personal injury lawyer. In most cases, a lawyer will have a contingency fee, which insures that he or she does not get paid until you get your settlement. But you’ll also want to beware of additional fees. If an attorney has to pay for someone else to work on your case during its duration, you’ll also be responsible for paying those expenses on top of your contingency fee. To avoid being surprised with a hefty bill, make sure to discuss this with your personal injury lawyer before you make a decision to hire them.
Schedule a consultation.
The good news is most initial consultations are free! This consultation allows time for you to sit down with a personal injury lawyer, discuss your case, determine if you even have a case, and then talk about contingency fees, types of damages and such. Just because you consult with an attorney doesn’t mean you are required to hire them.
Ask for an ETA.
During your initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer, don’t forget to ask for estimated time of arrival. And by that, we don’t mean that you should ask for exactly that. But just ask for an estimate on the amount of time the attorney expects you to wait before you receive a settlement for your case. Personal injury cases are never fast so if a personal injury lawyer promises to get you a settlement quickly, recognize that as a red flag and stay far away.
Once you have completed these initial steps, you should be ready to make a decision. If you still feel unsure or nervous, ask a family member or trusted friend to accompany you to an initial consultation.
The attorneys at Tolbert Beadle are always willing to discuss your case with you by providing a free consultation. Meet with a personal injury lawyer today and let us help you get the settlement you deserve.
