Personal Injury Attorney – Making the Right Choice

When you have been injured, choosing the right lawyer is essential to making sure you get a fair settlement that will cover not only your current needs, but also any future needs. The wrong lawyer will not only charge you a high amount in the way of fees, but could also cause you to lose much of your settlement amount. As you make the choice for a personal injury attorney, keep these principles in mind.

You need to consider the cost of hiring a lawyer before you choose one. Many will offer these types of cases on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay unless you win and receive a settlement. This can make the cost much more affordable, because you will only be paying if you are also receiving payment from the one who did you wrong. If a lawyer is willing to take your case on contingency, it means he feels there is a good chance that you will win. If the lawyer is not willing to offer this payment structure, he is not confident in his ability to win the case, and you need to find a different one or rethink whether or not you have a legitimate case. Make sure the contingency fee includes an advance for the up front expenses, such as court costs, medical record pulls, and deposition costs. 

As you search for a personal injury attorney, you will be offered an initial consultation. Make sure this is free. At this consultation, the lawyer will listen to the details about your accident. This is a time for you to ask questions about the process and the likelihood of winning. The lawyer is going to use this time to evaluate your case and decide whether or not it is worth taking and whether or not you have a legitimate case to file. Most will offer you some idea as to how much of a settlement you will receive and the length of time it will take.

At this consultation, take the time to evaluate the lawyer. Make sure you choose a personal injury attorney you are comfortable with, because you will be spending a lot of time together going over all of the details surrounding your case. You do not want to feel uncomfortable talking with your lawyer. 

Always look at the lawyer's credentials. How much experience does he have? Does he have board certification in a particular field or specialty? What types of cases does he handle on a regular basis? The answers to these questions will, again, help you make the best possible decision.

When all is said and done and you have chosen a personal injury attorney, remember that you are not obligated to keep that lawyer. Read all fine print in any agreements you sign to know what you can do if you choose to use a different lawyer. Regardless, if you feel that the lawyer is not a good fit for your needs, you can tell him so and move on to someone who is.