Following a major accident or traumatic injury, it can be hard to know where to turn to for help for you or a loved one. From emotional needs to ongoing support and medical bills, you might be considering hiring a personal injury lawyer to take on your case and help compensate for what has happened.
Personal injury attorneys are experts at navigating the legal system to see what you may qualify for after you or a loved one has been through a rough experience. In fact, they work with all of the following types of cases:
- Work accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Motor-vehicle accidents
- Product liability
- Assault
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
If you or a loved one has experienced one of the above and needs a good lawyer, it can be hard to know what to look for. We offer several tips on how to choose the best attorney for your personal injury case to get you and your loved ones the outcome best for everyone.
1. Read Reviews
When searching for a good lawyer, the simplest place to start is looking at reviews and testimonials. Three sure places you can find those are: on the lawyer’s website, on a search engine such as Google, and on third-party sites like BBB or Yelp which house reviews from those who have used the attorney in the past.
2. Evaluate Experience & Outcomes
If you’re very inexperienced in legal matters and need to fight for personal injury compensation, finding a lawyer with appropriate experience is crucial. Always look for past cases and see not only how long they have been operating in your area but also if they have had good outcomes from similar cases to yours. Those who have faced the courts in similar situations are the most likely to get a favorable outcome.
3. Assess Fee Schedules
Many people believe that budget is a major factor in access to an attorney. However, most personal injury attorneys will have options that allow you to not pay upfront. From payment plans after the fact to taking a portion of winnings, there are many ways a good personal injury lawyer will have to ensure you can get the help you need, and they will be transparent about their fees and plans.
4. A Professional Network
Many personal injury cases need to involve testimony from those who can attest to there being a fault, which requires experts such as medical professionals, mechanics, or even law enforcement. You must be sure the lawyer you select has a network of these experts to call on for help.
5. Schedule a Free Consultation
From the style of communication to the chance to ask burning questions, speaking to a potential attorney is important to determine if they are the right fit for you. Whether by phone or at their office, any reputable personal injury attorney will offer a chance to meet with them once for free to discuss any concerns and take a quick look at your case to see if they can help.
6. Ask the Right Questions
Before shopping around for your free consultations, you should be fully prepared. These meetings can go by quickly, and nerves can get the better of you. Research the best questions to ask, and take note of them so you can reference those notes during any meeting. Write down any impressions you get from the answers so you can review them when you get home.
Some good starter questions include:
- Can I call or email you directly with questions I have about my case?
- What is my obligation to you if I hire you, particularly if we do not win?
- Will you take the case to trial if necessary?
7. Talk to Friends and Family
When looking for most recommendations, where do you turn? Those you trust the most may know a lawyer or have had to work with one before. You may be surprised at how many people need to hire a personal injury lawyer at some point previously. Ask friends and family if they know any lawyers who have left a good impression on them, and start your search there. Word of mouth is a powerful tool in deciding who to trust.
If you’re looking for an experienced personal injury lawyer who will fight for you, look no further than Woodard Injury Law. Call our Nashville office for a consultation today!