Have you recently been in an accident and need to find a good personal injury lawyer? Dealing with injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma after an accident can make researching personal injury lawyers the last thing on your list.
However, choosing the right attorney will help ensure you are protected and fairly compensated for your injuries. Here are five tips on choosing the best personal injury lawyer for your case.
1. Ask Your Friends and Family for Referrals
With so many personal injury attorneys advertising on TV and online, it’s hard to narrow down a good fit for your case. One of the best tried-and-true methods to find an excellent personal injury attorney is asking the people you trust for a referral. Word of mouth is a powerful referral for successful attorneys. If friends or family have had a positive experience with a lawyer for their personal injury claims, add that lawyer to your list.
2. Look for Certifications or Recognitions
Certifications and recognitions demonstrate a lawyer’s proven expertise and value to their community. While you shouldn’t choose a personal injury lawyer on awards alone, they are a good indicator of a lawyer’s reputation, experience, and contributions to the community. You can usually find this information directly on an attorney’s website, where any reputable attorney will list their accomplishments.
3. Find Out Their Experience Handling Personal Injury Cases
Once you begin initial consultations with different lawyers, it’s essential to ask questions regarding their specific experience with personal injury cases. Some typical questions to ask include, “How long have you been practicing personal injury law?” “What is your trial experience?” and “Will you personally handle my case?” Many lawyers advertise their services but will then refer your case to another litigator. Be sure you speak with the attorney who will handle your case.
4. Discuss Fees
Always ask about fees upfront and make sure you understand a lawyer’s fee agreement. Some questions to help you navigate conversations about payment include asking about fees if your case is unsuccessful, or whether the attorney works on contingency fees. A reputable personal injury lawyer will be transparent about their fees during your consultation. Make sure to get any fee agreement in writing and review it carefully before moving forward.
5. Note Their Professionalism and Character
Initial consultations are also a great way to get an idea of a lawyer’s personality and professionalism. While this shouldn’t be your primary factor in choosing a personal injury lawyer, it’s a reasonable consideration to keep in mind. You will be spending a lot of time with your lawyer. Working with someone you get along with who is friendly, honest, and straightforward will be helpful.
Choosing the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
If you need a personal injury lawyer experienced in Norfolk personal injury law, contact the law offices of Marcus Gomez. With over four decades of experience, we’ll handle your case with the careful expertise you deserve. Book a free consultation today!