Five Factors to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

If you were involved and injured in an accident caused by a car or otherwise, you’re probably wondering how you will settle your medical bills. Plus, you will likely lose wages and endure pain, for which you may be wondering who will compensate you. Thankfully, the legal system provides a means for you not to go through this traumatic experience alone.

To put it more clearly, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This would require you to hire a legal professional like the ones at Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm, who knows their way around the law and how these things work. However, before you choose your personal injury attorney, below are five vital factors you may want to consider.

Their Specialty

As with other professions, the legal profession also comes with a number of specialties. For instance, if one lawyer specializes in family law, another may prefer criminal law. In this case, it is absolutely imperative to choose someone who specializes in personal injury law and has prior experience working on cases similar to yours to ensure you get the best legal assistance possible.

Their Experience

Even in personal injury law, there are different cases, and every lawyer may not have adequate experience in cases pertaining to your specific situation. Personal injury cases include car accidents like the one you seek help for, other kinds of accidents, and medical malpractice, among others. Ask questions and ensure the lawyer you hire has had adequate experience handling cases similar to yours in the past.

When involved in a car accident, you want an experienced car accident lawyer. Feel free to probe the lawyer, asking questions about how many accident cases they have handled. Also, if you’re feeling bold, ask whether their cases have gone to trial and what their outcomes are. Getting answers to these questions might help you determine whether the lawyer you are considering is a good fit for you or not.

Their Consultation Policy

You will likely be in the hospital tending to your injuries and cannot visit law firms for consultations. Thus, before hiring a lawyer, find out if they can make visits. Some lawyers will only meet their clients in their office or the court, which may not be ideal. Ensure the lawyer can make hospital visits and the level of severity of your injuries regardless. You should look for another lawyer if the lawyer does not do hospital consultations.

Their Track Record

When considering the right personal injury lawyer for you, you want to look at their track record. Naturally, you would want a lawyer with a good track record and high success rates. The lawyer will likely give you a list of references if you ask, but you can also do personal research. Listen to what others say about them by checking reviews on their website or on Google. Then, with your list of references, you can contact them and ask other questions you need answers to.

Your Budget

Personal injury lawyers typically only get paid if they win a case; they work on a contingency basis. Usually, the attorney's fee is a certain percentage of the settlement you agree on or the court's verdict. The percentage ranges from 33 to 40% of the total amount of compensation allocated to you. Ensure that you ask the lawyer about their fees and that you are comfortable with them. Then, you can estimate how much money you will need upfront and properly budget your case to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Conclusion

You need a personal injury lawyer if you have been involved in an accident and sustained injuries. The professional experience, knowledge, and insights they possess will prove invaluable in helping you navigate the intricacies of the law. Having a lawyer exponentially increases your chances of getting deserved compensation, and these tips will help you choose the right one.