(Newswire.net — May 15, 2023) — If the negligence of someone or something has injured you, you’ll want to hire a personal injury attorney to be compensated for damages. Filing the case on your own won’t serve your best interests. Whether you were injured by a negligent car driver, a defective product, or due to the negligence of a company, hiring a lawyer to fight for your rights is imperative.
But how do you find a good personal injury lawyer, especially if you’ve had no experience with attorneys or lawsuits? Residents of Kent, Washington, can contact a Herschensohn Law personal injury lawyer to learn how to ensure they receive fair compensation for their injuries.
How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
By following some basic guidelines and doing some research, you can find a good personal injury lawyer. Not all lawyers and law firms are the same, and you’ll want to hire the best to file a successful personal injury claim. A combination of research and asking the right questions will guarantee you find a good personal injury lawyer.
If you have close friends or family who have filed successful personal injury lawsuits, ask them which firm they used. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be a valuable source of information. For those who don’t know anyone who’s used an attorney, start out by doing an internet search for nearby firms. Once you’ve found a few that have caught your attention, here are some of the things you should do and the questions you should ask.
Assess Their Experience
A lawyer with years of experience with personal injury lawsuits has the know-how to win cases. They know what to expect and understand the nuances of Washington State personal injury law. Ask the prospective law firm how much experience they have and what percentage of their caseload are personal injury lawsuits. An even better question is how much experience they have handling your specific type of case.
Payment Method
It’s important to understand a law firm’s payment requirements before working with them. Do they offer a free initial consultation? Are there any upfront fees or retainer required? Fortunately, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means there are usually no upfront fees required, and they’ll be paid by taking a percentage of the money awarded to you if you win your case or it’s settled out of court.
Engagement
Working with an attorney or law firm you feel comfortable with will make the process less stressful. A completely transparent firm that takes the time to walk you through the process and fully explain what to expect during each step can ease your mind. Ask them how often you’ll be updated on their progress and who you should direct any questions or concerns to. There’s a difference between an ambulance chaser and a lawyer that feels they can win your case.
Check Their Background
There’s nothing wrong with doing some investigative work to see if an attorney or law firm has had any disciplinary actions taken against them. The easiest way to check their background is by a quick Google search and see what shows up. It’s best to work with an honest and ethical firm, so checking their history is a smart move. Another avenue to explore is to inquire with the Washington State Bar Association and see if they’ve ever been disciplined.
Success Rate
Working with a firm with a reputation for winning client cases is always a benefit. Ask them what is the average settlement amount they typically get for their clients. Although most personal injury lawsuits are settled without going to trial, some will hit the courtroom. Ask the law firm how successful they are with cases that go to trial. If they gloss over these questions or are vague with their answers, chances are their success rate is nothing to brag about.
Talk With More Than One Law Firm
Don’t feel pressured to go with the first lawyer you speak to. You are under no obligation or pressure to hire a firm simply because they gave you some of their time. Speaking to multiple lawyers will not only help you learn what you want (and don’t want) in an attorney but also give you a good idea of if you can expect to win your case.
The Bottom Line
Doing some research and asking the right questions are the best ways to find a good personal injury lawyer. Working with a law firm with expertise in your particular type of case and a proven record of success will most likely result in the best possible compensation for your damages. It’s up to you to find the best of the best, so don’t just randomly choose an attorney. Interview and few and then select the best for the job.