Being involved in an accident with injuries can be frightening, even life-altering in some situations. After suffering a serious injury, dealing with the personal injury claim process can be complex and intimidating. You may already be facing a mountain of medical expenses and lost wages, and are, understandably, feeling very vulnerable.
While hiring the right personal injury lawyer for your case can feel like one more task you must deal with, after obtaining the best medical attention, it is the most important choice you can make to safeguard your future. Remember, you are not alone. Once you take steps to hire the right personal injury lawyer for your case, you will be able to concentrate fully on recovering from your injuries.
Those who hire a personal injury attorney to handle their claim recover significantly more compensation for their damages than those who choose to go it alone. While having a personal injury attorney can be an invaluable asset following any accident, it is particularly important in the following situations:
- The accident was not your fault, and you have significant injuries to deal with. While not recommended, you may be able to handle a fairly minor accident with few, if any, injuries on your own. Keep in mind that many people believe they are “fine” after an accident because of the rush of adrenaline that floods their bodies, masking injury symptoms. You may not have a valid injury claim if you were fully or partly to blame for the accident. Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state, which holds that a person who is partially responsible for his or her own injuries may only collect damages in proportion to the defendant’s degree of fault.
- If liability for the accident is unclear, you definitely need to speak to a personal injury attorney. For example, a truck accident can potentially have several liable parties, as can a multi-car accident. A defective vehicle part may have caused or contributed to the accident in some cases, making the manufacturer liable. An accident that occurs on private property can have muddled liability, as can an accident caused by road conditions or traffic signals.
- If the accident left you with a permanent disability that will require years or a lifetime of treatment and rehabilitative therapies, you absolutely need a personal injury attorney.
- If the insurer is balking at paying a settlement that will fully cover your damages, you need a personal injury lawyer who will fight for justice and an equitable settlement.
- If you are offered a quick but low settlement, this means the insurer likely knows you are entitled to much more and is trying to avoid paying what your settlement is worth.
- Since 63 percent of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, an auto accident that leaves you unable to work can be devastating, and you can benefit from having a personal injury attorney who will fight for you.
How Difficult is Hiring the Right Personal Injury Attorney for Your Case?
Not only can it seem like an intimidating hurdle to cross while you are injured and in pain, but most people who have never hired an attorney are unclear on the process. Do you call the number on the side of the bus that just passed by, go with the catchiest television or radio ad you have heard, or call the State Bar Association? Personal injury is a broad aspect of the law, and the attorney you choose actually does make a difference. While you want an attorney you feel comfortable with and can talk to, there are other factors that are equally important. Consider the following suggestions on how to hire the right personal injury attorney for your case:
- Do They Have Positive Reviews?—In today’s technological world, you can easily look up reviews for any attorney you are considering. You can look at the attorney’s own website and see if reviews are posted, but few attorneys would willingly post a negative review. Take a look at the following sites to check reviews:
- Avvo is one of the most popular lawyer review sites, although it may hold less weight for the average consumer. Avvo automatically generates a profile for attorneys that the attorney then claims and optimizes, allowing consumers to search based on location, practice area, or name.
- Martindale-Hubbell is one of the most respected legal directories with a longstanding reputation and client reviews based on a five-point scale, covering such things as legal knowledge and communication skills.
- Thumbtack connects clients with many types of professionals, including lawyers. With nearly 5 million user reviews and more than 300,000 lawyers listed, it might be worth a look.
- FindLaw offers a platform that allows users to search for attorneys by name, legal issue, or law firm and offers ratings and reviews of the attorneys.
- Better Business Bureau has a dedicated law firm section with ratings, reviews, and contact information.
- Yelp, although usually associated with restaurant and retail reviews, is also used by legal clients.
- Google Reviews may serve as the first point of contact between potential clients and a law firm.
- Ask for Referrals—Perhaps someone you know has used a personal injury attorney in the past. Ask family members, friends, or trusted co-workers. You will likely receive several referrals, some of which may be for the same attorney. This is always a good sign when more than one person recommends a specific personal injury attorney.
- Look Online in Your Area—Type in a search term on Google or whichever search engine you prefer. You might type in something like “St. Louis attorneys for a motorcycle accident.” Read a few websites to get a feel for the attorney and the practice. Do you prefer a large law firm with extensive resources or a smaller law firm where the attorney always remembers your name and how many children you have? (These two things are not always mutually exclusive; in some cases, you can also receive personalized service with a larger law firm, so read through the website carefully).
- Check the Level of Experience—Although experience is not everything, it is certainly important. If you were injured in a truck accident, then you want a personal injury attorney who has handled many truck accidents. There are issues specific to truck accidents, and an attorney with a significant number of successful truck accident cases is simply more likely to be able to handle your
- Consult with Your Top Choices—Once you have a list of two or three personal injury attorneys in the area you believe might be a good fit, set up a consultation with each. Initial consultations are often free, and once you have had the opportunity to speak with the attorney, you will have a better sense of whether he or she is right for your personal injury case.
- Ask Thoughtful Questions—While it may not seem particularly important right now, ask each attorney how he or she handles communications with clients. Email? Phone calls? Texts? Then, ask how long it usually takes for the attorney to respond to your questions throughout the case. Hours? The next day? A week? Ask the attorney whether he or she believes your case has a high chance of success or whether it will be a fight from start to finish. Ask how many cases the attorney has done in his or her career that were similar to yours.
- Is the Attorney Willing to Go to Trial When Necessary?—You want a personal injury attorney who is a highly skilled negotiator – and who never hesitates to step into a courtroom and aggressively advocate on his or her client’s behalf. Some attorneys only want to settle cases. If this means you have to settle for a low amount that does not cover your damages, this is not okay. The right attorney will zealously negotiate a settlement but is always ready and willing to go to court to achieve justice.
How Finney Injury Law Can Help Following Your Auto Accident
As you can see, hiring the right personal injury attorney for your case can be a process, but like most things, it is easier than you think it will be – and the importance of having the right attorney cannot be overstated. This is your life and your future. The settlement you receive is it – there are no do-overs.
You want an attorney who will ensure you receive a settlement that completely covers your medical expenses, lost wages, lost future wages, and pain and suffering. At Finney Injury Law, we will accurately assess your damages and then advocate for a full settlement. We offer highly individualized service, along with a larger firm’s resources. Contact Finney Injury Law today.