When you choose a personal injury lawyer, it is smart to consider things like their track record, the testimonials of former and current clients, and their communication style. While personal injury lawyers all have the same basic job description, there are variations between them.
For example, some personal injury attorneys focus on a limited number of practice areas, while others have experience with a wider range of cases. Some take an aggressive approach, while others focus on customer service. Some attorneys manage to do both.
Ultimately, you must make a decision based on the factors that are most important to you. Our Fairfax personal injury lawyers have recovered over $100 million for injured accident victims, and we offer free consultations. Call today to discuss your case.
The Role of Your Personal Injury Lawyer
Your personal injury lawyer is your legal representative when you have been hurt due to the negligence of another party. Their primary responsibility is to perform legal actions and assist you in making decisions that result in recovering compensation for your damages.
It is always a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer whenever you have been in an accident. Understanding the duties an attorney performs can help you choose a personal injury lawyer. These include:
- Explaining applicable laws
- Helping you understand your rights
- Investigating your case
- Identifying liable parties
- Completing paperwork and filing claims
- Assessing your damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court
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Understanding Contingency Fees
A contingency fee agreement is a way for attorneys to bill for their services without putting undue financial strain on their clients. Personal injury lawyers take their costs and fees out of your award or settlement.
This typically means you don’t have to pay anything upfront when you hire a personal injury attorney. However, you will need to pay a portion of your compensation later on. It is important to ask what percentage of your award your attorney will bill once your case is over.
While some law firms charge as much as 40-45% as a contingent fee, at BenGlassLaw our fee is always 33% of the settlement or verdict regardless of when the case resolves.
You’ll also want to inquire about how costs are handled as the case progresses, and whether there are additional charges you might not have expected. Ideally, you want an attorney who charges an amount you are comfortable with and is transparent about their fees.
Experience
Because personal injury attorneys usually get paid on a contingency basis, and they don’t get paid when they lose, it is reasonable to assume that inferior attorneys don’t stay in business long. While experience is not necessarily an indication of a good lawyer, it is one factor to consider.
Consider any certifications or credentials they list on their website, as well as their track record for winning cases and getting results. Positive case results and significant compensation recovered can prove an attorney’s effectiveness.
In addition to overall experience, you may also wish to inquire about their experience with your specific type of case. You may feel more comfortable with a lawyer who has handled and succeeded with multiple cases similar to yours.
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Attorney Reputation
Another way to choose a personal injury lawyer is to consider their reputation with their clients and other attorneys. You can investigate their reputation by checking their:
- Client reviews: Check local online review sites and read what their former clients have to say about them regarding their professionalism, work ethic, and communication skills.
- Disciplinary record: You can refer to your state’s bar association to find out if an attorney has had any disciplinary actions against them. Several small infractions, or one serious one, and you might wish to cross them off your list
- Peer recognition and awards: Good lawyers don’t necessarily win awards for doing their jobs, but if their peers recognize them, it could factor into your evaluation of their expertise.
You can also talk to friends and family to get opinions on specific attorneys or advice on which to choose. Sometimes, people will be more candid with their opinions in face-to-face discussions than when leaving reviews online.
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Personal Compatibility
When it comes to something as serious as choosing a personal injury lawyer, the most important thing is to find an attorney you can have confidence in. They need to be compatible with your communication style and expectations.
Some clients prefer an attorney who makes them feel comfortable and whom they personally like. Other clients couldn’t care less about their personal opinion of an attorney, as long as they win. Most people are somewhere in between.
Take advantage of a free consultation to get a feel of what working with a lawyer is like. You can also get an idea of their approach to cases from the language on their website. Do they position themselves as aggressive fighters, or do they have a more relaxed philosophy?
Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer
Some questions you may wish to ask during your consultation include:
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
- What is your experience with cases similar to this?
- What are your initial thoughts on my case?
- What percentage of cases do you settle versus going to court?
- What is your contingency fee structure? Does it change if my case goes to court?
- What costs, if any, am I responsible for aside from the contingency agreement?
- How do you communicate with clients?
- What is your typical process from start to finish?
Get Help With Your Personal Injury Case
If you are wondering how to choose a personal injury lawyer, you’ve probably experienced a recent accident or incident. If the accident happened because of the negligence of another party, it is important to realize that you have the right to seek compensation.
You can recover money to pay your damages and begin to put your life back together, even if an insurance company is giving you a hard time. A good personal injury lawyer will fight on your behalf for an award or settlement that will help you pay your bills.
At BenGlassLaw, our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience advocating for injured accident victims. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Call or text (703) 591-9829 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form