After you’ve been injured in an accident and recognize that you may
need to hire a personal injury lawyer, it can be overwhelming to determine
who you can trust to handle your case with the skill and empathy it deserves.
There are countless personal injury law firms out there all claiming to
do the same thing, including TV lawyers who have a lot of visibility and
attorneys who work with other companies to send solicitations to injured people.
Unfortunately, many individuals decide to trust a law firm before they
do research to learn more about how they can help – or harm –
their case. Choosing the wrong attorney can be detrimental to the outcome
of your case. Consultations with law firms are more than you being vetted
by an attorney – they’re also an important opportunity for
you to interview the law firm and determine if they’re the right
fit for you.
Before you say yes to a personal injury law firm, it’s important
to do the following:
Read online reviews: Reviews from past clients will tell you a lot about
how the law firm treats their clients and whether they’re able to
obtain results.
Review the law firm’s case results and years of experience: It’s
ideal to go with a law firm that is well-established and has a long track
record of success to support their claims.
Consult your local or state bar association’s attorney directory:
These directories contain important information about registered law firms.
Interview the attorney to determine if you’d be comfortable working
with them: You don’t want to entrust your case to an attorney that
you don’t personally trust on a fundamental level. Attorney-client
relationships are more important than some may think, as honest communication
is essential to building and strengthening a case.
Ensure you’ll get to work directly with an attorney: Many clients
are assigned case managers who serve as a middleman, and some clients
never get to meet the attorney they see on TV.
Look beyond the fees: While all personal injury attorneys work on a contingency
fee basis, meaning they don’t get paid until you do, a lower fee
may not result in more money to you. An attorney with a lower fee may
not put in the work or have the experience to get you the settlement or
verdict you deserve, resulting in less compensation for you.
Review Avvo and Super Lawyers to see if the firm focuses on your specific
case type: It’s ideal for individuals to find a law firm that focuses
specifically on your case type, as they understand the nuances of your
claim and what evidence is needed to support it.
Determine if the law firm is local: Firms that are locally based also have
experience in local courts and likely have relationships with local experts
they can use to build an effective team to help your case.
Reviewing
Best Lawyers and
Lawdragon lists to see if the attorney has been selected: Best Lawyers and Lawdragon
are media sites that both publish guides to the nation’s leading
lawyers. Lawyers who are nominated for inclusion in lists are thoroughly
evaluated by peer reviews, professional achievements, and more, and few
who are nominated end up being selected. Attorneys Beth Klein and Carrie
Frank are both included in the Lawdragon’s list of 500 leading plaintiff
consumer lawyers and Best Lawyers’ list of personal injury, product
liability and professional malpractice law attorneys.
What to Ask in Your Consultation
Most personal injury law firms offer a free consultation to potential clients
to learn more about their case and whether they have the capacity to handle
it, but it’s also an opportunity for a potential client to learn
more about the firm. Going into your consultation with questions ready
is important in determining if this firm is the right one to take your
case. A law firm should be ready to answer all your questions with confidence
and put your mind at ease.
Some questions you can ask the attorney you meet with include those regarding:
The firm’s experience and trial experience: Are they ready to go
to trial for their clients? How many cases have they successfully settled
or negotiated over the years?
If they’ve been a subject of disciplinary action: It’s important
to know if the law firm has any marks on their record, as past mistakes
could be repeated in your case, which you can’t afford.
Their caseload: Law firms that take on numerous cases may be spread too
thin, meaning that attorneys may not give you and your case the amount
of attention and personalized care you deserve.
If they’ve handled cases like yours before: Having specific experience
means attorneys can apply their past successes to your case and know which
tactics won’t work in securing your desired amount of compensation.
Call our award-winning lawyers at Klein Frank, P.C. at (303) 622-3876
for a free consultation today, or contact us online. Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to providing high-quality
representation to injured individuals and families.
