If you suffer injuries in an accident, you need a personal injury lawyer on your side. An attorney can provide much needed guidance and knowledge throughout the litigation process, handling all aspects of your case so you can focus on recovery. Your lawyer will also have more experience negotiating with insurance companies and arguing cases in court, advocating for your maximum compensation during each stage of your case.
Choosing the right attorney to represent your case can be difficult, especially in personal injury lawsuits. If you are trying to find the best lawyer for your injury claim, keep these important considerations in mind.
Step 1: List Your Criteria
Your first step to finding the right McAllen personal injury attorney is to identify the criteria you are looking for and build a preliminary list of attorneys to contact. These criteria may include experience with your type of case, a contingency fee arrangement, and a license to practice law in your state.
It is especially important that your attorney has experience handling accidents similar to yours. For example, if you are filing a claim for a slip and fall, you want to find attorneys with experience representing slip and fall cases. You wouldn’t want to hire an attorney who only handles car accident cases, for example, because he or she would not bring the same wealth of experience as a lawyer who has handled dozens of similar cases.
Step 2: Research Attorneys’ Websites and Backgrounds
You want to find a lawyer with a positive reputation, relevant credentials, and a strong record of successful verdicts and settlements. After compiling your initial list, visit the State Bar of Texas’s website to ensure that each attorney is a member in good standing.
After verifying the attorneys’ credentials, read online reviews to learn about other plaintiffs’ experience working with each lawyer. The attorneys’ websites can also provide relevant information about their backgrounds and case results, which can also inform your decision. Once you complete this research, shortlist three to five lawyers to contact.
Step 3: Attend Consultations and Make a Final Decision
Most personal injury lawyers will offer free consultations for potential clients. Once you establish your shortlist, arrange your initial consultation and discuss your case with each lawyer. These meetings will provide a good overview of whether or not you would enjoy working with the attorney, and whether the lawyer believes his or her firm can take your case.
Before your consultation, gather documents related to your accident and prepare a list of questions to ask your lawyer. These questions can help you determine whether or not the attorney is a right fit for your case.
- How long have you been practicing law?
- Do you have experience with cases similar to mine?
- Do you charge a contingency fee?
- Will you handle my case, or will someone else manage it?
- How long do I have to file my claim?
- How many personal injury cases have you handled? What is your success rate?
- Will you bring my case to trial if necessary?
- What types of resources do you provide?
These consultations should provide you with the information you need to make an informed hiring decision. Once you identify the best lawyer for your case, contact him or her to initiate the claim process.
Your lawyer will be your main advocate during each stage of your personal injury claim, and you want to hire an attorney whose track record delivers the results you need. Remember, it is equally important to hire a lawyer who has relevant experience and credentials as it is to hire someone you trust.
