Injuries can be life-wracking. Besides the physical pain, you have to deal with the emotional stress and expensive medical bills. While serious injuries take time to heal, you don’t have to sit and curse the person responsible for hurting you. In the cases of personal injury where the victim is hurt due to carelessness or fault of another person or company, the injured victim (plaintiff) has the right to sue the at-fault party (defendant). But without legal knowledge, it can be tricky to prove your case and get justice.
Law is a complex field and without professional assistance, it can be difficult to file a lawsuit and build a strong case. Whether it’s a civil case or a criminal lawsuit, finding a specialist to pursue the claim is important. So, when you get injured in an accident and want to seek compensation from the negligent party, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer first.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer deals in tort law and represents clients in claims for bodily or psychological suffering caused by the negligence of others. As civil litigators, personal injury lawyers have in-depth knowledge of tort law which is concerned with the effects of someone else’s negligence or harmful behavior. They collect evidence, calculate compensation amounts, and negotiate with insurance companies to seek the best possible financial recompense for the plaintiff’s losses and damages caused by the defendant’s negligent behavior. Choosing an experienced lawyer is important to maximize your chances of winning the case. So, if you’re hurt due to the actions/inactions of another individual, here are some tips to find a qualified lawyer.
- Make a List of Potential Candidates
Use the local directory or Google to find some personal injury law firms in your state. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family members who might know a reliable lawyer. However, searching online or checking local legal directories isn’t enough to prepare a list. Your list should include only licensed and qualified lawyers. So, do your research and include only licensed, accredited lawyers such as The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and affiliations with recognized organizations.
- Evidence of Expertise
Law is a broad field and similar to medical specialists, there are legal specialists. You need to find a lawyer specializing in personal injury law. It is critical to find a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours and has a proven track record of success. To verify their expertise in the field, you can read client testimonials and real-life case studies. Online reviews can help you learn how the solicitor has assisted others who have been affected in a similar way to yourself. It is also a good idea to search for any statistics on the solicitor’s website that support their claims of success, such as how much financial compensation they secured for clients in how much time, and their success rate.
- Payment Terms
Before signing the contract with a law firm, make sure you understand their terms of service and the fees they will charge. A face-to-face meeting is important to ensure that you discuss everything and there are no surprises when your claim is settled. Experience and expertise matter, but competitive prices are also important. Some personal injury lawyers represent clients on a No Win, No Fee basis. A lawyer may also charge a percentage of the final compensation amount or ask for a fixed rate.