A personal injury occurs when a person gets hurt due to the carelessness of another person or organization. It may be a result of a car accident, slip and fall accident, medical malpractice, or product defect, among many others. Personal injuries are very broad in extent and cover almost every imaginable situation.
Personal injury law refers to the different laws governing personal injury cases, and their corresponding awards and settlements. Every individual who suffers an injury because of the carelessness or negligence of another person or organization has a right to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation. Every such right can’t be exercised unless and until the victim has been sufficiently informed of the legal aspects of the matter.
Personal injury attorneys are hired by victims and people involved in such cases to provide legal guidance and support. But, what should you look for in a personal injury lawyer?
Things To Look For In A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’re looking for help for your personal injury, then you may be overwhelmed with all the choices available. There are thousands of personal injury lawyers out there, and each one claims to be the best. As a result, it can be very difficult to decide which personal injury lawyer to hire. But, don’t worry, that’s not what this article is about Dugan & Associates.
Here are five things to look for in a personal injury lawyer:
- Knowledge And Skills
A personal injury lawyer who specializes in your type of injury should also be familiar with your specific injury and the laws surrounding your case. Some personal injuries are different from others, and your specific case should, therefore, be handled with care by a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the field. A skilled and knowledgeable injury attorney knows all of the legal intricacies surrounding personal injury cases, thus, they’ll be your best shot at winning your case.
- Experience
One of the most crucial aspects to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer is whether or not they’ve ever handled a case similar to yours. Even if they have years of experience, that doesn’t mean that they should be your personal injury lawyer. Only a personal injury lawyer Ottawa (if you live in the area) with experience in cases similar to yours would know how to effectively defend you against your insurance company or the negligent third party.
- Success Rate
Another thing to look for is how much success a lawyer has had in winning personal injury lawsuits. A firm with extensive trial experience is almost certainly going to have won more cases than it has lost. You want to hire a tort lawyer who has a lot of trial experience because they’ll understand all of the nuances that come with these types of cases. Plus, a lawyer who’s already won a significant case is probably not going to do anything less than winning your case.
- Reasonable Fees
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer will vary depending on your situation and on how complex your case is. Most lawyers will offer free consultations to their potential clients, while some operate on a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. During these consultations, you’ll be able to tell your lawyer exactly what your case is all about. If your case was won, that’s the only time you’ll pay the lawyer a contingency fee. If you feel like you’re being overcharged for services that you’re receiving, you can always take your business elsewhere. A good personal injury lawyer will always put your interests first.
- Reputation
The lawyer’s reputation is, possibly, the most important thing to consider before hiring one. Be sure to ask for references from people who’ve hired a personal injury lawyer before. Ask them how their lawyer performed on their cases and if they’re satisfied with the results. This will give you a pretty good idea of how your lawyer will fare when handling your case
If you’re unsure of how your lawyer performs in dealing with different cases, you may want to find out what previous clients think about them. If a personal injury lawyer rocks a great reputation in their profession, you can be sure that you’ll be happy with the results.
Takeaway
Being injured is traumatic enough. Your medical bills will add up and you may not be able to work while recovering. It’s always better to hire someone with personal injury law experience and a high success rate so you know you’ll be in good hands during the entire process. If you hire a reputable personal injury lawyer with the right experience and knowledge, you’ll increase your chances of getting the settlement you deserve.