Whether you have been injured by someone in an accident or caused the injury, a personal injury lawyer can help. Regardless of your situation, it’s crucial to understand how to choose a personal injury lawyer to represent you and help you navigate your case.
Below, you’ll learn how to choose the right lawyer for your case.
Step 1: Gather Documentation
Make sure to begin your research as soon as possible after your accident to ensure that you have plenty of time to find a great lawyer before your statute of limitations runs out.
Before you begin researching a lawyer, make sure you know as much about your case as possible and that you have any documentation you’ll need on hand. Your personal injury lawyer will use this information to determine whether you have a strong case.
Immediately after your accident, write down everything you know about your case, including both major and minor details, so it’s fresh in your memory when you talk with a lawyer. Don’t forget to gather medical bills and documents, citations or arrest records, photos you took at the accident scene, and written statements of witnesses.
Step 2: Choose Criteria for a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you need to work with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law. By choosing a specialist, you’ll ensure that your lawyer has successfully handled other cases like yours. These types of lawyers often have trial and negotiation expertise, deeper knowledge of medical problems that result from accidents, and a strong understanding of negligence law and torts.
Other criteria you should investigate include:
• Strong reputation
• Years of experience in personal injury law
• No disciplinary record (no disbarments, suspensions or complaints can be found online)
• Experience with trials
• A strong track record of wins
Step 3: Gather Personal Referrals
After you’ve determined what is important to you in a personal injury lawyer, it’s time to gather referrals from your family, friends and coworkers. Referrals from people you know are important because they are more likely to be honest. Make a list of these referrals and hold onto it. Remember that although personal referrals are important, you will want to wait until you’ve done more research before hiring a lawyer.
Step 4: Conduct Research through a Variety of Avenues
There are many ways to gather more information on your lawyer, including Internet searches, specialized online legal services, and the telephone. Using a combination of methods will often give you the clearest sense of the right lawyer for your case.
Read any background information on the lawyer’s website and try to get a sense of their expertise, personality and track record. Make note of the firm’s size and whether the entire firm specializes in the area of expertise you’re looking for.
If a general Internet search isn’t your preferred method of information gathering, use a web service designed to connect you to a good lawyer. Make sure to evaluate the website to ensure that they have a reputable method for selecting the lawyers on their site, since some of these services will list any lawyer who pays for a listing. More reputable options include OTLA and Canadian-Lawyers.ca. Some of these websites, such as Lawyers.com, provide ratings and contact information for lawyers in the community.
Finally, talking on the phone to bar associations and law firms can give you a stronger sense of the firm’s personality. Many local bar associations also offer lawyer referral services and can help you find a lawyer who is close by. Law firms will also have the ability to answer specific questions you may have.
As you complete this process, take notes so you remember which lawyers seem like the best choice for your needs.
Step 5: Create a List of Top Lawyers
Review your notes and make a top ten list of the lawyers that seem like the best fit for you. If you feel confident moving forward with fewer than ten choices, that is fine. Assess how much time you have available to meet with lawyers in person as you decide how many to include on your list. If you decide to choose fewer lawyers, make sure you are still diligently conducting the process.
Step 6: Determine Which Questions to Ask
Before you sit down to meet with a lawyer, draw up a list of questions. Consider asking about experience with your specific type of case, fee structures, statutes of limitations, how many lawyers will work on your case, communication methods, the strength of your case, and success rates. In addition to these general areas of consideration, create your own list of questions that you need answers to.
Step 7: Set up a Consultation
Once you’ve gathered your questions, evidence, and documentation regarding your case, contact each lawyer on your list to arrange a one-on-one consultation. Most initial consultations are free, but make sure you ask whether this is true so you aren’t surprised if you are charged a fee.
During your consultation you’ll discuss your case, questions and evidence, and get a clear sense of your rights. Remember that meeting with a lawyer does not require you to hire that lawyer. Take your time to ensure that you make the right choice. Finally, take notes during the consultation so you can remember the pros and cons of each lawyer.
Step 8: Evaluate Your Needs and Feelings
Before you hire a lawyer, take the time to carefully review and consider each candidate. Make sure you feel comfortable with your choice, that the lawyer has a strong reputation and credentials, and that your personalities and goals are compatible. You should always feel that your lawyer will be available when you need them and that they are willing to fight for your rights.
You should also make sure you understand and are comfortable with the fee structure. All lawyers have slightly different fee structures, so make sure to review the fees before you commit. In personal injury cases, most lawyers take cases on a contingent fee basis rather than charging an hourly rate. In this scenario, the lawyer does not get paid unless they win your case. Typically, contingent fees amount to 1/3 of your settlement or judgment.
Step 9: Ask Follow-Up Questions
If there is still more you need to know about your final candidates, contact them with any follow-up questions you have. This is especially important if one lawyer addressed something that another didn’t, such as a concern about your case.
Step 10: Choose Your Lawyer
Now that you have considered all of your options, it’s time to hire your lawyer. Choose the personal injury lawyer that feels like the best fit for you. At the time you hire the lawyer, ask for the fee agreement in writing. The lawyer will list all of the services you will be provided, and how you’ll be charged.
Hopefully, you now have a clearer understanding of how to choose a personal injury lawyer. Speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case to understand your rights and learn more.
