Advice On Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer
Something unjust has happened in your life and it’s time to seek legal help. Thankfully, most of us only have to look for a personal injury lawyer once or twice in our lives, so we’re not that experienced. Here are some questions to ask yourself while searching.
What are their references? The issue of references is a tricky one in the legal profession, as contact details cannot be revealed due to attorney-client privilege. Ask your lawyer and see how they respond to this request. A good attorney will be able to point you towards public records that indicate their name as legal counsel, as well as the outcome of the case. These records are public.
Does the lawyer have social media presence? Many personal injury lawyers have not stepped into the social media space yet. Their trepidation is understandable; They’re busy people and just don’t have the time to play on Facebook all day. Yet the ones that own LinkedIn or Facebook profiles offer an interesting window into their performance. Chances are at least one of their Facebook friends or fans, or one of their LinkedIn connections, has used their services. Reach out to some of these people and see what their experience was. Just because they are part of their network does not mean they will give them favorable reviews as people often add a connection prior to becoming a client.
Have they passed the Bar exam? This one is definitely on the cautious side, but lawyers do get “de-barred” occasionally, and some of them might try to practice without the appropriate license. We’re not saying it’s common but it does happen. Either way, you only have to go to your local Bar website and look them up. It’s a few minutes of your time that could be well spent if your candidate turns out to be a con-man.
What is the size of their firm? Depending on the scale of your case and the type of injury sustained, the size of the firm matters. If you are dealing with a pharmaceutical injury in which a class-action lawsuit is appropriate, a small office would be unlikely to handle your case. Similarly, if you have a relatively small claim, a smaller law firm might be able to better handle your needs and remain more available.
How did they do in prior decisions? When considering a lawyer, people often forget that their prior court cases are generally a matter of public record. Going to the nearest law library and searching for the attorney’s name could give you a glimpse at their past performance.
Do they have any hidden fees? No personal injury attorney should stuff their contract with fee contingencies. The name of the game is no-win, no-fee. In many states adding such clauses is illegal. Another factor to look at is how equitable the settlement share is. If they are taking too much from the settlement, you should consider other options.
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