If you've suffered an injury in an accident, you might be pondering whether you should hire a personal injury lawyer. Experiencing a personal injury accident is difficult enough, but facing the legal battle is a whole separate battle in itself. Once you hire a lawyer on a personal injury claim, the attorney will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. The end result will be reduced stress to you. Some personal injury attorneys don't handle your property damage, because it involves a lot of time and effort for little, or no, compensation. Having the right lawyer can make a big difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim, which makes choosing the right lawyer an important decision. That's what we'll focus on in this article.
Your Immediate Family and Friends
Personal experiences can be the best indicator of a lawyer's quality. Talk to friends and family members to find out which lawyers that they've chosen to represent themselves. Personal recommendations and word of mouth are probably the best place to start when you're looking for a lawyer. If someone you know had a good outcome with their personal injury claim, ask to be put in touch with that person's lawyer. Different people will have different responses to a lawyer's style and personality; don't make up your mind about hiring a lawyer until you've met the lawyer, discussed your case, and decided that you feel comfortable working with him or her.
From Other Referral Services
Online resources are also a great jumping-off point for putting together an initial list of candidates to get in touch with. Contact your state bar association or visit their website to find out if the lawyer you are researching is in good standing. Check out the online archives of your local newspaper. Has there been any publicity about the lawyer or the cases that he or she has handled? This is particularly likely if the attorney has handled high profile cases.
The legal process can be an excruciating ordeal and you will not be able to properly assess the merits of your case unless you speak with a top personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal rights. Aside from the traits mentioned above, make sure you feel comfortable conversing truthfully with your lawyer, because even the smallest detail -- no matter how painful or embarrassing -- may be crucial to your case.
We know it's not always fair, but people who hire a personal injury lawyer statistically receive more money in their injury settlement. Even after paying the lawyer's fees, they still walk away with more money than they probably would have received without an attorney. Well, you can go to trial and represent yourself but the odds of you getting a good result, against the experienced attorneys of the defense, are low. But a personal injury attorney will have experience with talking to a jury.
Wise & Donahue PLC
410-280-2023
18 West Street Annapolis, MD 21401
www.wisedonahue.com
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