2019 Tips for Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer offers legal services to clients who have suffered an injury due to the negligence of someone else.
The injury can be either physical or psychological, and the entity that causes the injury can be either an individual, an entity or a government agency.
What Types of Injuries Might Require That You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you want to come up with a list of all the injuries that may call for a personal injury lawyer, car accidents and all that they cause will probably be at the top of your list. And you would be right since car crashes are what generate the most personal injury cases in the United States. Other types of injuries may be:
- Slip and fall cases
- Medical malpractice cases
- Damage to your reputation through libel and slander
- Assault and battery
- Animal attacks including dog bites
- Accidents at work
- Construction accidents
As you can see, the list may include a very wide variety of accidents that require the help of a personal injury lawyer. If you have suffered an injury, how can you be sure to hire the best one to represent you? Here are the 5 steps you’ll need to follow.
1. Do some research
The purpose of this research is to come up with several names of lawyers in your area that have dealt with cases similar to yours. You can gather these names either through personal recommendations or by conducting an internet search. You can also go to your public library and consult their resources on law firm information.
2. Interview all possible candidates
Make an appointment to interview all of the potential lawyers. Through this personal contact, you should aim to determine what experience they have with cases like yours, how long they have been practicing law, what percentage of cases have they won, what their fees are, and whether they can provide you with references from past clients. If other questions worry you, please take this opportunity to air them out and receive an answer that will make you feel comfortable working with them.
3. Tour their offices
A first impression can go a long way towards your decision to hire somebody. Take a moment to walk around the office. What do you see? Is it neat and in order? Are the people there working or gossiping? Are the phones ringing with nobody picking up? What about the atmosphere? Is it professional? Does it inspire your confidence?
4. Study the size of the firm
You definitely do not want to feel like you are just another piece in a huge machine. Find out how many lawyers work at the firm, how busy they are, and how much time the one you are interviewing would have to dedicate to your case. Might you feel more comfortable with a smaller firm? Depending on the complexity of your case, a larger firm might be called for.
5. Go with a lawyer that will fit your budget
In some cases, the lawyer might be willing to work on a contingency basis. Although this may mean no money out of pocket for you, do make sure all money matters are discussed before you sign on the dotted line.
Once you find your personal injury lawyer in San Diego, you will be able to rest easier, knowing you are in the best hands.
My name is Shannon Scagel, I went to Siben and Siben law firm, I went to Autozone they started a fire under the hood of my car I have second degree burns proof of the injury right away via e-mail to corporate and because the law firm said they would probably not get much money they would not take the case!!!!