Personal injury cases can be a stressful time for all those involved. Even more-so if you’re in the first weeks of it. First off, your focus is likely on finding the right accident attorney to help defend you and protect your rights.
There are so many to choose from and so many questions to ask, you’re probably wondering which is best for you. Like doctors, each lawyer has his or her own specialty. To get the best settlement, you’ll want to look for a lawyer who has experience in personal injury cases.
To help you with your research, we’ve put together a list of top things you should look for in a personal injury lawyer – and what things should make you look the elsewhere.
Red Flag #1: They’re a newbie.
Although this doesn’t always a negative thing, there’s something to be said for lawyers with a lot of experience in personal injury cases. Ask your prospective lawyer questions like:
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How many cases have you handled during your career? Of those, how many have you won?
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Where did you get your law degree? Do you have any special certifications?
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Can you refer me to some clients you’ve worked with so I can talk with them?
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Do you have the time to take on my case?
Red Flag #2: They’re not certified to practice in your state.
The American Bar Association has very strict laws about this, for good reason. After finding your top choices for lawyer, go to the American Bar Association website and make sure he or she is certified for practice in your state.
Red Flag #3: Past clients won’t give you testimonials.
If you’ve asked some of the lawyer’s past clients to give you testimonials and they seem nervous or tell you they don’t want to talk about it, you should probably take this as a bad sign. Nine times out of ten, clients who were happy with their lawyer and the work he or she did would be more than happy to share their experience. And keep in mind, the lawyer’s reputation precedes him in the courtroom, so it’s very important he’s known for handling things in the right way.
Red Flag #4: Your personalities don’t “click.
Even though you’ll just know each other in a professional setting, it’s important you can get along and work well with one another. You should find someone you’re comfortable with and feel you can ask any question. Why? Because they’re the ones telling your story in the courtroom, so you want to make sure they really know what you’re all about.
Of course these rules aren’t fool-proof, but instead designed to give you a basis for decision when choosing your PI lawyer.
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These articles are for the benefit of our readers including those from other states besides Indiana, and might not pertain to, or reflect the laws of Indiana or the practice areas or opinions of The Garrison Law Firm.