If you’ve recently been injured in an accident that could have been avoided, you may need to consider finding legal counsel. You shouldn’t have to pay for personal injuries if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or willful intent.
Some injuries take months or years to recover from, and that doesn’t include coping with the emotional trauma that often goes hand-in-hand with severe accidents. You deserve compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, time off of work, and more.
You need to find a personal injury lawyer who can competently represent your case to help you seek justice and restitution. But how soon do you need to take action? And how do you find the best personal injury lawyer for your case?
Keep reading for everything you need to know.
When to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer
First, let’s talk about when to seek legal counsel to file your lawsuit. In most states (and in California), there is a statute of limitations. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit seeking financial restitution, your case may lose validity.
Whether you’ve been injured in an auto accident and your insurance company isn’t playing ball or you are filing a lawsuit against a property owner, you must act quickly. In our opinion, you should reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, even if you’re unsure whether or not you have a case. They can shed light on the situation for you and help you find the right path to follow.
How to Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
Now, let’s go over how to find a personal injury lawyer for your case. There are several factors you need to consider before hiring an attorney.
Don’t just hire the first lawyer you find, make sure they have your best interests at heart. Talk to them about their previous cases and get a feel for their personality.
Do they mesh well with you? Do you feel listened to and respected? Are they qualified to handle your case?
Find References and Reviews
Start your search by doing some digging. Look up client reviews and testimonials to find out what other people have to say about the local law firms and independent attorneys. This is one of the best ways to get genuine feedback about their legal services.
Did they handle their clients’ cases competently? Did the client feel like their needs were met? Would they recommend the lawyer to other people?
Most law firms publish client testimonials on their websites. You can also check their social media pages or perform a simple Google search to find the information you need.
Request a Free Consultation
Once you have a few local attorneys in mind, reach out to them and request a free case evaluation. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations to get their foot in the door with potential clients. As someone trying to find a personal injury lawyer, this is a good time to learn more about your case and vet your options.
If they don’t have time for you in the next week or so, you may need to move on. As noted earlier, the sooner you can get moving with your case, the better. If they don’t offer free case evaluations at all, it means your business is important enough to them.
Ask About Experience and Expertise
Before choosing a lawyer for your personal injury case, ask about their fields of expertise. For example, if you were injured in an auto accident, you need a car accident lawyer with plenty of experience in the field.
Ask about their experience with the specific circumstances of your case. For example, if you were injured as an Uber or Lyft passenger, it complicates your case.
However, there are several other types of personal injury cases. These include:
- Dog bites
- Product liability
- Assault
- Property liability
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- And more
Talk to each lawyer to find out if they can help you. You can also ask them what you can expect in terms of financial winnings, should your case be successful.
Consider Compatability
To find a personal personal injury lawyer who’s right for your case, consider your compatibility with them. You need to feel like you and your lawyer are on the same page. Much of this comes down to their communication skills and your rapport.
For example, the best lawyer is patient. He or she will listen to your story intently. You should get the feeling that they are legitimately concerned about the outcome of your case and how it affects you as a person. Listen to your gut and remember that mutual respect is a vital component of any professional relationship.
Ask About Availability and Caseload
To find a lawyer who has your best interests at heart, you must find an attorney who has adequate time and energy for your case. Ask prospective lawyers how many other cases they’re currently handling. It’s not uncommon for lawyers to handle dozens of cases at once, and that’s okay.
However, your case must be a priority to them. They need to spend time answering your questions, responding to your calls and messages, etc. It’s not acceptable if you’re constantly being placed on the backburner.
Compare and Contrast Pricing Models and Fees
Finally, find a personal injury lawyer who’s upfront about their fees and pricing model. Ask them how they will charge for your case. Few people can afford to pay the hourly wages demanded by some lawyers, especially if they don’t win their case.
At Chudleigh Law, we charge our clients a clear-cut contingency fee that covers all of the costs of their case. The contingency fee is a pre-determined percentage of your winnings. If we fail to win your case, we won’t charge you a dime.
We believe everyone deserves competent legal counsel for personal injury claims, regardless of their financial position. The last thing we want is to charge someone for a case we don’t win.
Are You Trying to Find a Personal Injury Lawyer in Orange County?
Are you seeking financial restitution for an injury caused by someone else? If so, find a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to start going over your case.
Follow the steps listed above to find an attorney whom you know will treat you with the respect and attention you deserve. Remember, you’re not alone in this.
Contact us today to get a free case evaluation. We will help you understand more about your case and will work with you to pursue fair and just restitution.
