Nobody can predict outcome of a court case, but with a great lawyer you can increase the chance of winning. If you need to know the steps to go through in order to find the right lawyer, the article below should be able to help. Since your case is so important, you should not be taking chances.
You want to write everything down in detail following an accident.
Make sure to list any and all injuries that you sustained or think that you might have sustained from the accident. You should add to your list if you notice any additional injuries as time passes. Additionally, if you seem to be stressed after an accident, you may be suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome.
If you lost income as a result of your injuries, you will need proof for court. Speak with your employer and ask them to give you a statement that outlines how much money you earn and how many days of work you missed because of what happened to you. Depending on whether you earn an hourly wage or not, your income tax return could also be valuable documentation to bring with you.
Check the American Bar Association. You will likely need a good attorney when it comes time to file your case. The American Bar Association (ABA) is a great starting place. While they don’t offer reviews or ratings, you can find out if a potential lawyer is in good standing or if he or she has had any disciplinary action taken.
Take a second to ask your friends and family about any recommendations that they might have. Personal injury lawyers come in all shapes, sizes, and varieties: you might need a trusted friend’s opinion to find the right one for you. Make sure it’s someone you know is trustworthy and has no financial motivations.
Personal injury lawyers tend to specialize in a number of different fields.
For example, one may solely take on medical malpractice cases, whereas another may be proficient in automotive accidents. Don’t assume that all personal injury lawyers are the same and be sure to make inquiries about any lawyer you have under consideration.
How quickly does a lawyer get back to you? The answer to this question should play a huge role in which attorney you choose for your personal injury case. Anyone who leaves you hanging for days on end is no good. To figure out how long it will take once hired, multiply how long it took for them to first contact you times three.
You should not think about settling your case until all of your symptoms have disappeared. This is important because you may settle and then realize later that the injuries you have are much more serious than anyone thought they were, which means you were entitled to receive more than you received.
Look for a personal injury lawyer that’ll work on a contingency fee. This means he or she will cover all costs associated with the case and be paid at the end through a percentage of any settlement. You may need to shop around to find the right one here, as some lawyers may be more comfortable with working your case like this than others.
You may have to hire a personal injury lawyer if you are involved in an accident.
If you do, make sure you consult with professional organizations in the area to ensure that the lawyer is qualified to represent you. These organizations will also know if there have been any ethical or legal troubles associated with the firm you are considering.
You absolutely must like your lawyer if you plan to hire them. Any niggling feeling you might have, be it a feeling that they are trying to sell you, or that they are not as competent as they make themselves out to be, will be the same feeling a jury or judge will feel.
Keep in mind most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. These attorneys get paid a pecentage of the ultimate judgement for your injury. This can range to as high as 40% of the eventual settlement. Find out the contingency percentage before you make any agreement with an attorney.
Make sure you are prepared prior to speaking with any personal injury lawyer. This is quite important in the event your lawyer is working on contingency. The attorney will only make money if you get a reward from the case, so it could get rejected if you don’t present it well. Practice your case ahead of time, and be sure to have all the paperwork you need.
Although your case isn’t guaranteed to win just because you’ve got a great personal injury attorney, it will certainly increase your odds. Use the advice above and follow any advice given to you by your attorney. That may feel tedious, but ultimately you will get a payoff.