If you’re a victim of an accident that happened because of someone else’s carelessness, you might need to consult with a personal injury attorney. Cases wherein you’re well-being were put at stake such as a car accident or medical malpractice are handled by these attorneys. Tragedies like these can cause permanent damage that can scar you for life. You’re already in the state of suffering, the least you can do is file for your rightful claims.
In the year 2019, it is said that there are around 1.35 million practicing lawyers in the United States (see article). This overwhelming number of law practitioners might seem like a wide range of options to choose from. But understand that there are underlying factors that could limit your reach.
Location, accessibility, expertise, budget, and preference are a few things to take into consideration. Once you’ve kept the numbers to a minimum, the only thing left is finding the most ideal lawyer for you.
To make the hunt easier for you people we have provided a guide. Here are the requisite qualities you should look for in a personal injury attorney.
#1. Expertise
Medical malpractice and negligence are cases you’d think don’t happen often, but they are more common than you think. However, such cases require certain evidences in order for it to be legally acknowledged by the court. The number of victims per year won’t go lower than thirty thousand. Read more about this topic on this website.
In the medical field, doctors are categorized based on their specialty. For example, whenever you need to get an X-Ray, you’d consult a radiologist because that’s what they do.
Lawyers also have a specific area in which they excel in. For instance, when it comes to injury-related cases, a personal injury attorney is what you need. The difference lies in that they can crossover to other disciplines should the need arise. Unlike doctors that can’t operate outside their field, lawyers can. That’s why it’s incredibly important to find a legal practitioner that is knowledgeable and flexible about a wide range of cases; don’t settle for the general type.
One can easily assess when someone is good at what they do. For example, you can gauge their abilities based on how they present the problem and propose possible solutions. An attorney that knows how the law works in specific areas won’t discuss it vaguely. Instead, they will walk you through on how certain laws are applicable to your claim.
#2. Broad Experience
Although skills are advantageous in a fight, it isn’t the only factor that can win your case. When it comes to defending your client before a court, having experience is incomparable.
After all, you can pick up a lot of techniques throughout the years of being in the service. When looking for an attorney, someone who had a prior court case (preferably similar to yours) is a suitable candidate.
Some might say, a young and fresher fish is more worth capturing. When you just started making a name for yourself in the industry, it’s logical to be zealous in winning cases. That’s why other people opt for younger attorneys. However, for someone who’s involved in a PI case, you don’t want to make your lawsuit to be a trial case.
A trial defense requires more than being familiar with all the rules. It will take time to master this skill. The more lawsuit that’s the same as yours he or she resolves, the greater.
#3. A Reputation in the Field
If there’s one thing that I learned from the television series “Suits” it’s that a strong reputation can be an edge. Once they’re known in their field of work, they’ve already established branding in court. After all, insurance companies can sense which attorneys could be swayed or would back down when the going gets tough. Those who would just settle or yield easily.
Since insurance agencies are often called into court, they also know the lawyers that stand their ground. Attorneys who would stop at nothing to see the case through. This is why reputation and word of mouth are important. Hiring a reputable legal practitioner can really tip the scale when it comes to winning a case or getting a claim approved.
Some lawyers may be well-known, but is it in a good way? As an individual that’s an outsider to the system, you can’t be completely sure about the attorney’s skills. Yes, the internet says he’s good. Yes, your friend recommends him, but what about his colleagues? For you to judge a legal practitioner’s character, the initial group you should consult is his associates.
Determine how other people in his circle see him. If he is not respected by his fellow attorneys, consider it a red flag. The best personal injury lawyer out there has gained not only the respect of his clients but his coworkers. It can tell you much about their work ethics.
Even when they’re standing on opposite sides of the court, they are able to maintain civil relations with fellow attorneys outside. Lawyers who tend to bear hostility towards the opposing counsel can pose a problem. It’s not very professional either.