- Prioritize practice area focus and experience – Your ideal attorney should focus on personal injury cases and will have considerable experience handling claims similar to yours.
- Insist on transparent communication – Choose a firm that clearly outlines how they will communicate with you, who will handle your case, and what their success rate is.
- Avoid red flags – Don’t partner with “settlement mills” that focus on quick settlements over client care, and avoid lawyers lacking a clear focus in your case area or those engaging in disreputable practices.
If you’ve been in an accident, time is of the essence, especially when it comes to seeking compensation to aid your recovery. You need to work with an attorney who can quickly assess your case and gather evidence, while providing an open and honest dialogue as the case progresses. Below, we’ve outlined some key steps on when and how to hire a personal injury lawyer.
Vetting Expertise and Legal Focus
Personal injury law is complex, so it requires the knowledge of an experienced attorney. You will want to work with a lawyer who is well versed in personal injury law and not one who merely dabbles in such cases, as these individuals can lack the knowledge and skills needed to achieve effective results.
You will also want to determine if a lawyer has experience relevant to your case, as some attorneys can focus on car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death .
For instance, lawyers overseeing car accident cases need deep knowledge of state driving laws, experience with investigating claims and collecting evidence, and an aptitude for calculating damages and negotiating.
Assessing Track Records and Ensuring Clear Communication
Once you’ve decided you need to hire a personal injury lawyer, you can approach your meeting like a job interview, taking note of your confidence in their abilities and your comfort level with them. Here are some other key factors to consider:
- Their success rate and willingness to go to trial – Fair settlements can be achieved in negotiations, but sometimes a trial will be required to reach worthwhile compensation. You want to be confident that your attorney is willing to go to trial and fight for you, and their success rate will give you an idea of what you can expect.
- Evaluate communication protocols – Effective communication is key in attorney-client relationships, as poor communication can lead to missed opportunities, confusion, and lost cases. Determine how your firm will be communicating with you (email, phone, text), who you will be working with directly, and what the attorney’s current caseload is so that you’re confident you’ll be given proper attention.
- Request client feedback and references – Getting a direct client reference can be exceptionally valuable since testimonials on a site are static and preselected. By speaking with a former client, however, you can get information straight from the source, asking about communication, attorney expertise, case outcome, and more.
Case Viability and Readiness
Your attorney will need access to key documents related to your case, and you will be able to help secure or release some of them. Documents might include the police report of an incident, medical records, any medical bills or receipts, correspondence with others involved in your incident, and potentially proof of lost income. Ensuring such materials are delivered to any attorney you choose will help streamline your case.
Once you’ve decided on hiring a personal injury lawyer, you will also want to ask about the viability of your case and specific circumstances. Key aspects to ask about include:
- The liability pertaining to your incident
- Evidence that may be in or against your favor
- How your specific injuries could impact the outcome
- What a realistic compensation estimate is
Red Flags When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Our last bit of advice for learning how to hire a personal injury lawyer relates to aspects to avoid, including:
- Avoiding “settlement mills” – Firms that focus on settlements only might handle hundreds of cases in a year, devoting little time to individual clients. They also seek to settle cases quickly, often to the detriment of their clients and their compensation amounts.
- Avoiding unethical and inexperienced lawyers – Attorneys who engage in shady practices, and those who lack experience in a given area, can both create serious problems and weaken a client’s case. Look for firms with a focus on personal injury and/or vehicular accidents, and review disciplinary records to ensure any lawyer you work with has not been sanctioned or fined for their professional behavior.
FAQs on Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
What ethical obligations do personal injury attorneys have to their clients?
Attorneys are ethically obligated to act in your best interests, which includes fighting for the maximum compensation possible and avoiding unfair settlements merely to benefit their firms.
Do I owe any legal fees up front if I hire Stephenson Rife?
No. At Stephenson Rife, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay any legal fees upfront and we are only paid if we win a settlement or recovery for you.
Can I switch attorneys if I realize I hired the wrong firm?
Yes, if you’re unhappy with their communication, effort, or results, you can remove your lawyer from your case and select a new representative.
Have a Personal Injury Case in Indiana? Reach Out to Us
If you’re looking to hire a personal injury lawyer following an accident or incident, contact the team at Stephenson Rife today. We can review your case and help you determine next steps.