Being in an accident can be devastating. More often than not, there’s ample car damage and roadside injuries. These injuries can be so severe that the recovery after surgery can take months, and sometimes years. In the wake of the accident, after the person was medically treated, they usually want to get justice and to aim for compensation for their injuries and damages. This is where a lawyer can come in handy to take their mind off the legal proceeding and help them focus on recovery alone. Here are some tips on how to hire the right lawyer for the job.
Know Your Budget
Another very important thing to consider when hiring the right lawyer for the job is your budget. There are generally two things that you should consider regarding the legal fees. The first one is the invoicing system and the second is the prices themselves. As far as the invoicing system is concerned, each lawyer has their own approach, but there are two most popular options – an hourly rate or a fixed-price. The benefits of charging an hourly rate lay in the convenience that you only pay for the actual time being spent and performed by your lawyer. The downside is that you cannot know the final amount in advance.
The fixed price is an amount that you agree with your lawyer before having them work for you. Whatever the length of the case, you will have to pay the agreed sum. This method is generally considered good for controlling your expenses but if the lawyer can provide the necessary work within a shorter time frame, there’s no backing out or reducing the price. Talking about price rates can be uncomfortable but that doesn’t mean you should hesitate to request information. Most people assume that they will have to pay too much, while many lawyers offer attractive prices or first appointments for free.
Look for the Right Experience
One of the most important criteria in selecting a lawyer is their level of experience. To be more specific, if they have the appropriate level of experience and in the field that you need. As a general rule of thumb, you will want to focus on getting a lawyer with a great track record of success with your specific type of problem (in this case – personal injury). These records of experience greatly increase the chances that your lawyer will be able to resolve your problem in terms of winning a case or getting you a large compensation amount.
Some of the great indicators for the proper experience are (obviously) a number of cases in the particular specialty, geographic area, length of service as well as prior results. Alongside experience comes the knowledge of personalities and adversaries involved in the process, which is always a plus. As the personal injury lawyers over at The 702 Firm note, the experience also means that they will have a bigger perspective so they will be better able to evaluate the risks and to develop winning strategies. Ultimately, an experienced lawyer will have more confidence to steer your case through the many twists and turns of legal proceedings.
Meet with Them
Many people are very good judges of another’s character. It’s simply a skill that gets more and more refined the more experience with people there is. Moreover, people can generally pick up on subtle cues on a person’s knowledgeability, honesty, and candor. On that note, it will be very hard to figure out whether a lawyer is suited for you if you’ve never met them in person. By meeting them face to face, you will be able to assess all sorts of things that will ultimately help you make the decision. Even the simplest things like seeing how their staff treat them, and how they treat you in their comfort zone will be of benefit.
Many lawyers will meet with individuals for a consultation for free, but even if you have to pay, consider it an insurance policy before you get stuck with one lawyer who will have a huge influence on your future proceedings. In addition to this, you should also listen very closely to what they have to say. If it sounds more like a general sales pitch, run for your life. But if your lawyer is talking about legal concepts that give you better insight, you may be onto something. Another thing to pay close attention to is how detailed and dedicated they seem to be to your case.
Are They a Good Communicator?
Another crucial aspect that will help you better choose a lawyer for the job, especially if you’ve been in an accident, is how good their communication skills are. Going through an accident is incredibly stressful and the whole recovery process is a very vulnerable period, which is why lawyers need to approach their clients as gently as possible. This, of course, requires very good communication skills. Many successful lawyers believe this is the one critical skill that all lawyers must have to have successful outcomes. The reasons why are obvious – they will have to communicate your perspective to the jury.
In addition to this, communication usually goes hand in hand with availability and compatibility. More often than not, in between meetings and paperwork, there can be a tendency to fall out of touch. This is why it’s important to establish proper communication at the very beginning. Be sure to discuss your preferred form of communication, and always discuss your hours beforehand. This will prevent missed phone calls or meetings and will ensure that you have regular check-in times to discuss updates. A good lawyer will also take some extra time to explain complicated matters and provide you with simple advice on your situation.
Hiring the right lawyer for the job is of utmost importance for the outcome of your case. This is why you should follow these simple tips to ensure success. Above all, make sure you have personal injury lawyers who are experienced in your type of situation. Furthermore, check their reputation and case track record, and the rest will follow.
