June 24, 2021
Choosing the right lawyer to represent you is one of the most important things you can do to aid your injury case. Picking the best personal injury attorney provides you with the best support and expertise you require to receive the maximum settlement for your case. There are many considerations when deciding which lawyer is right for you.
However, the process can be relatively straightforward. Insurance companies have the financial capabilities to hire skilled lawyers who specialize in defending personal injury claims brought against them. The experience and expertise of your lawyer play an essential role in the amount of compensation you receive.
Here are some tips to help you in your quest.
Where Can You Find a Good Lawyer?
You can check various resources before deciding which lawyer you are going to schedule a consultation with. One of the most valuable methods to research an attorney in Alabama is to check sources that rate personal injury lawyers’ reviews based on their fellow lawyers and competitors’ views. Keep in mind that there is no other official rating system for a personal injury lawyer in Huntsville AL, other than peer reviews by fellow lawyers. The most notable peer review rating systems that you should check out are listed below.
- The Best Lawyers in America
Their peers select the lawyers listed here as the best in more than 56 specialties. The specialties are varied and include personal injury and medical malpractice law.
- Superlawyers
Includes an annual listing of outstanding attorneys from more than 65 practice areas. The lawyers have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The process of identifying this lawyer is carried out by Law & Politics, and about 5% of the lawyers in each state have the privilege of being termed as Super Lawyers.
- The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry
Is regarded as the most respected source of reliable and authoritative source of information regarding members of the legal community in the country. It contains peer review ratings of more than 1 million attorneys across the country. A firm with an ‘AV’ rating is the highest reflection of expertise, experience, integrity, and overall professional excellence. The rating indicates a demonstration of the highest professional and ethical standards.
The resources listed above can go a long way in helping you settle on a great lawyer with the required skills to handle your claim.
Be Wary of Lawyers That Send You Solicitation Letters
In recent times, there is an increasing number of personal injury lawyers who are hiring runners for the sole purpose of obtaining traffic accident reports prepared by the police. After receiving the information, a member of staff in the law firm combs through the data to find the name and address of the victim. The firm then sends a solicitation letter to the victims informing them of their willingness and readiness to represent them in a personal injury case.
It is not out of the ordinary for an accident victim to receive more than fifteen such letters. The majority of such law firms have difficulty attracting referrals from satisfied clients, hence sending hundreds of solicitation letters hoping to receive positive responses from uninformed victims. Clients that fall prey to this practice do not do enough research on the firm they hire. Many jurisdictions are formulating laws to prevent lawyers from sending solicitation letters to potential clients.
How Much Do They Charge for Their Services?
It is not out of the ordinary for lawyers to tell you that they offer free consultation and will not charge a fee if there is no recovery in your case. Almost all lawyers with a specialty in handling personal injury claims often make the same offer. Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingent fee basis. A contingent fee means that you will not pay attorney fees unless there is a recovery. The fee is usually 33.33% of the total amount recovered. However, it would help if you were careful before you decide on a lawyer for your case. You must understand that there is a difference between attorney fees and case expenses. Case expenses are money paid to third parties to keep the suit afloat. Since case expenses are handled differently by each law firm, you need to make a comparison among various firms before settling on one.
Does the lawyer Offer Courtroom Representation?
It is a common belief that all personal injury attorneys go to court and try cases regularly. However, a significant percentage of lawyers have little or no trial experience. Insurance companies use the factor of who is representing the plaintiff to determine their risk. The insurance company must believe that your lawyer is ready and able to try the case in court. If you settle for a lawyer who never goes to court, your settlement might take a substantial hit.
If you decide to go to court or need help settling your claim, you have to hire the best lawyer available. It would be best if you had an experienced personal injury lawyer you are most comfortable with. The happier you are with your lawyer, the more likely you will be satisfied with the settlement.
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