What You Should Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

When you or a loved one gets injured in an accident, the only thing you want to focus on is getting better. Unfortunately, you do need to deal with a lot, and the very first thing you need to do is find and hire a reputable personal injury lawyer. 

But there are a lot of personal injury lawyers. Where do you begin your search, and what should you be looking for? Read on and find out:

What You Need to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

While it will all boil down to your preference, there are certain considerations you need to make: 

Who Your Family and Friends Refer

If someone close to you has been in an accident before and has worked with a personal injury lawyer, they’re the best person to ask for a referral. They’ll be able to tell you how that particular lawyer handles cases, how they communicate, and how much their fees are, among others. If they’d been unsatisfied for any reason, they’d be able to tell you that, too, and tell you what you need to look out for.   At Parlatore Law, the majority of our clients come from direct referrals from family, friends and past clients.

What Online Reviews and Forums Are Saying

One of the perks of having access to the internet is that it makes it easier for people to search for reviews of companies or professionals they are considering hiring. The same goes for law firms. You should check what past and present clients are saying about the law firms you are considering to know whether or not you should go to them.

Who’s Actually Handling Your Case

Most law firms have several attorneys, and the one who persuades you to hire them is not necessarily the one who will handle your case. Before you decide anything, ask to meet with the lawyer who will actually be handling your case. You need to make sure that you are comfortable with that lawyer and that you’ll be able to build rapport easily. Remember that this is a person who you will be working with for months or even years, so you want to be sure that you’ll be comfortable reaching out to them when needed. At Parlatore Law, you will always meet with the lawyer that handles your case.

The Lawyer’s Experience with Personal Injury Cases

The experience level of the lawyer handling your personal injury case is important to achieving a successful outcome.  Insurers know which law firms are capable of advancing your case to the fullest and taking cases to trials or arbitrations, and that will undoubtedly affect their approach to your claim. Ask the lawyer you’re considering about past experiences and cases similar to yours to know if they can indeed handle your case.

The Retainer Agreement

Any personal injury lawyer you’re considering hiring should show you the retainer agreement of their law firm. If you have agreed to a contingency fee agreement, check that the contract clearly indicates that you are NOT responsible for paying any fees unless the claim is successful. Don’t forget to check the contingency fee percentage to see if it’s fair and is based not on the interim benefits in the case but on the ultimate settlement reached. Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you’d like about the retainer agreement. Your lawyer will expect you to ask them anyway. It’s better that you ask a lot of questions now than wonder what happened later on. 

Conclusion

These are just some of the many considerations you need to make when comparing personal injury lawyers. Remember that a lot is at stake, and you shouldn’t take the task of finding the right lawyer lightly. Hopefully, this quick guide will help you find the perfect lawyer for your needs. 

Parlatore Law is a reputable law firm with many years of experience handling personal injury matters in Fort Erie and nearby areas. Get in touch with us today to set up a legal consultation with one of our seasoned lawyers and see why we’re the perfect fit for you!