If have been injured in a car accident, slip and fall accident, motorcycle accident, boating accident, or any other incident and feel like you may be entitled to a settlement as a result of your injury, it’s best to seek the help of a professional. A personal injury lawyer will guide you through the litigation process and fight on your behalf to help restore your life. But hiring a personal injury lawyer should not be a snap decision, here are four things to remember when hiring a personal injury lawyer:
Reputation
Research the firm and see what other people have to say, especially past clients and other trusted voices. For example, you may have worked with a real estate lawyer or family lawyer before who cannot help you in this case but can recommend a quality personal injury lawyer they know. Since you are trusting your livelihood to a perfect stranger, it is only fitting that you check them out and see what their existing reputation is and if that fits with what you are looking for. There are hardly any secrets in the business world these days thanks to the power of the news and social media, so any dirty secrets can be aired out to dry in the public’s eye.
Fees
Quite a few personal injury lawyers work on contingency fee basis, where they do not take a fee until you get paid. If this option is not offered at a firm you are researching, you may be burdened with large legal bills and no guaranteed way to pay for them should you not win your case. Contingency is the safer way to begin a lawyer/client relationship in the area of personal injury. However be certain that their fee isn’t going to be such a large percentage that you are left with hardly anything at the end. Get their fee schedule up front and be certain to thoroughly understand all aspects prior to signing.
Professionalism
It’s not only important for your lawyer to be professional in the court room while representing you, but they should be professional towards you at all times. Your lawyer is someone you are trusting with your personal business and should always make you feel comfortable and at ease. If you get “bad vibes” from your lawyer in the first initial meeting you may want to continue to shop around and find someone who you feel is more professional.
Specialization
Each lawyer has a different specialization. Just like you wouldn’t hire a podiatrist to perform open heart surgery, you wouldn’t hire a real estate lawyer to handle your divorce. Be certain you hire a lawyer who specializes in the area of personal injury. Having a lawyer with current knowledge of the relevant law and experience with the specific personal injury process will undoubtedly help your case in positive ways.
Zuber Brioux is Eastern Ontario’s trusted name for personal injury, in Kingston, Ottawa, Belleville, Brockville, Trenton, Cornwall, and more. Get in touch to discuss your case and determine your legal rights.