If you’ve been injured in an accident, choosing the right personal injury attorney to represent you is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. With so many attorneys to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know what to look for.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be challenging, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. The claims process for a personal injury case can be complex, with insurance companies constantly looking to take advantage of an injured person not represented by an attorney.. Still, with the right personal injury lawyer, you can reduce your stress and anxiety while getting the peace of mind and compensation you deserve.
You want an experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy attorney, but how do you know if you’re choosing the right one? In this article, we’ll discuss what clients should look for in a personal injury attorney, so you can make an informed decision.
What is Personal Injury?
A personal injury is defined as the harm, pain, or injury caused by the action or inaction of another person or entity. It can include physical injury, emotional trauma, or loss of income. Common causes of personal injuries include car accidents, slip and fall, construction accidents, and injuries from defective products, to name a few.
What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do?
A personal injury attorney is the best point of contact for figuring out the next steps after you’ve sustained a personal injury. A personal injury lawyer does several things when it comes to your case.
Protect Your Rights
Your first priority after sustaining an injury should be the recovery process, both physical and mental. While this is ongoing, your personal injury lawyer will focus on protecting your legal rights as a victim of personal injury.
Anyone that disrupts the recovery process or your legal rights will be removed from the picture to protect the recovery process and your peace of mind. In doing this, your personal injury lawyer redirects all communications regarding the injury and claims to them. Any communication from police officers, hospital administrators, insurance companies, or other involved parties will go directly to your personal injury lawyer.
Detail the Process
A personal injury attorney’s job is to be your legal representation, meaning they represent you from the moment you choose them to the moment you settle (either in a settlement or in court). Their job is to advise you from start to finish on your claim.
They can explain your options, how to navigate the legal system together, and how to protect your legal interests. Your personal injury lawyer should discuss your case with you, including recording facts and information, asking relevant questions, and following up where necessary.
Conduct an Investigation to Establish and Solidify Your Claim
Finding all the information relevant to your case is key for a personal injury attorney. They will contact all possible witnesses, ask questions, and conduct on-site investigations where the injury occurred.
From gathering photos of the scene and interviewing witnesses to obtaining any police/employer reports and piecing together context clues from the information obtained, your personal. In reviewing and evaluating all of the information collected, your personal injury lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve instead of settling for the bare minimum.
Traits to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer
Looking for essential traits in your personal injury lawyer can mean the difference between settling for the lowest compensation or winning your case and receiving the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and recovery. Here are some things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney.
#1. Specializes in Personal Injury
While some attorneys have a general practice covering many different areas of the law, many focus their practice on a specific area. Personal injury law differs from family, criminal defense, or commercial litigation.
When choosing a personal injury attorney, you should ensure that personal injury is the primary focus of their practice. With personal injury as their primary focus, you’ll have the greatest chance of a successful outcome.
#2. Experience
Law school teaches attorneys how to do research, write legal opinions, and argue legal theories, but some expertise only comes from “real-world” experience. If you choose a personal injury attorney who is new, that doesn’t mean you won’t be well represented, but you should make sure that a team of experienced attorneys is supporting them.
#3. Experienced Litigator & Mediator
Often, a personal injury case doesn’t need to go to court. Sometimes it’s in your best interest to settle out of court instead of going to trial. An attorney who is a savvy mediator and a skilled trial attorney can help you obtain the best outcome for your case. They will be able to let you know if you should negotiate or take your case to court.
#4. Successful Track Record
Every case is different, and while results in the past don’t guarantee that your case will be successful, choosing a personal injury attorney with a successful track record can be beneficial.
#5. Strong Communication Skills
Strong communication is essential when providing quality legal representation. Your lawyer should make sure that you are updated on new developments in your case, negotiate with the insurance company, and be able to connect with a jury showing them how your injury has affected your life.
Another vital part of communication is listening. Your attorney should spend a considerable amount of time listening to you and your story before speaking. Good listening skills will allow them to listen without interrupting to get the information they need to analyze your case properly.
Zajac & Padilla LLC, Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Trust
Finding the right personal injury attorney can make all the difference in your case. Taking the time to find the right personal injury attorney will ensure that your case is handled with the attention and care it deserves.
At Zajac & Padilla, LLC., we specialize in litigating complex cases with dedication and integrity, fighting for our clients as we guide them through every aspect of their case with warmth and compassion. With more than 30 years of actual courtroom experience, we will work with you directly to resolve your case with the representation you can trust to get the results you need.
We offer legal representation in cases from consumer class action lawsuits to automobile accidents and provide services for English, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking clients.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
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