If you are in need of a personal injury attorney, consider these important factors in making your choice.
Expertise
Look for a lawyer with extensive experience with personal injury cases and a proven track record.
- Learn how long the lawyer has been practicing and get an idea of the amount of personal injury cases that he or she has handled during that time.
- Find out the range of financial compensation that clients have received and what the attorney’s success rate is in getting settlements or trial judgements for cases.
- Look at the lawyer’s credentials. In Louisiana, you can check to see if a lawyer is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association here and check for any disciplinary records and current status to practice law at LADB.org.
Clear Fee Structure
- Determine if you receive a free initial consultation.
- Get an understanding if your case will be taken on a contingency basis. In this case, the lawyer only gets paid if you win.
Availability And Communication From The Personal Injury Attorney
When seeking legal counsel for a personal injury, you want to know that you will get your questions answered promptly and in a way that you can easily understand.
- Choose a lawyer that will personally spend time with you to learn your case inside and out. You want someone who can empathize with you and be a strong advocate for you.
- Establish how often your personal injury attorney will communicate with you about your case. You should be updated as your case progresses about any changes in timeline and costs.
- Take the time to understand your prospective lawyer’s communication skills. Being a good communicator is exactly what you are hiring him or her to do. He or she should be able to clearly convey the details of your case to a judge, jury, or other attorney while using the law to argue for an outcome in your favor.
Investment In The Community
Engaging a lawyer that has ties to and an investment in your community and region can be helpful.
- Select a lawyer who understands the courts and legal statutes and proceedings in your area.
- Choose an attorney who fights for your best interests and those of your community. Does he or she demonstrate a commitment to the area through both professional and personal interests?
Taking the time to find a personal injury attorney who has the experience and background, fee structure, communication style and investment in the community that can benefit you, can make all the difference.
