Accidents are an unavoidable part of the hustle-bustle of modern life. Hence, the chances are that you or someone you know has been through this gruesome ordeal once in their lifetime. Many individuals struggle to receive the deserved compensation for their injuries or damages. However, what’s more intriguing, is that some US states might even bar citizens from receiving any compensation at all. As unfair as it may sound, this practice is justifiable by a legal standard called contributory negligence. Now, under the defendant-friendly procedure, one is denied any damage recovery if they’re even 1% responsible for the accident causing their injury.
Therefore, one needs the assistance of experienced legal counsel to guarantee they obtain just and fair compensation for their injuries. The right lawyer can advocate for the claimant’s rights and ensure the case goes in their favor. Practically, when personal injuries are concerned, the choice of attorney might be a make-or-break decision for one’s case.
Below, this article discusses some key factors to consider when choosing an accident/ personal injury lawyer for your case:
Location and Accessibility
First and foremost, you must determine whether you can easily access your counsel in times of distress. Especially for people residing in bigger cities like Jackson, Tennessee, a lawyer’s exact location plays a significant role in their timely accessibility. Suppose you find a reputable lawyer, but their office location is out of bounds or too far away from your residence. In that circumstance, you’re not likely to contact the lawyer properly, which will negatively impact your case. So if you’re searching for an auto accident attorney Jackson TN, make sure you can conduct one-on-one meetings with them. To do so, you may check the attorney’s location before signing on the dotted line.
However, accessibility has a broader scope than the counsel’s location. It’s essential to find someone who prioritizes your individual case. Why? Because in law, time is of the essence and personal injury cases are subject to the statute of limitations. Hence, a neglectful lawyer that wastes time can lower your chances of obtaining legal compensation. Ensure your lawyer will be accessible when the situation calls for it.
Reputation
Contrary to popular belief, aggressive advertising and promotions don’t reflect a lawyer’s true credibility and expertise. Try doing a bit of research to see how your prospective counsel ranks compared to other local accident attorneys. Previous client testimonials may come in handy. However, it’s best not to rely on them entirely while assessing your prospect’s reputation.
Check out your lawyer’s credentials on esteemed legal rating services like Martindale-Hubbell.
Specialization and Trial Experience
Remember to hire an attorney with relevant field experience so your case doesn’t become a rookie’s playground. Look for seasoned lawyers that have tackled at least a handful of personal injury cases resembling yours. The reason behind this logic that lawyer’s who’ve handled several different cases have better legal ability, knowledge, and skills. Additionally, try being specific in your search and limiting it to attorneys specializing in personal injury claims. Only hire someone who has previous experience in dealing with cases like yours.
For example, you should hire a worker’s compensation lawyer if your injuries result from hazardous work conditions. But, if you get injured on someone else’s property, then you’ll benefit more from a premises liability attorney.
Another factor to consider is the attorney’s experience in the courtroom. It would help to examine the prospective lawyer’s trial experience before signing an agreement. If your lawyer settles most of their cases, they may not know how to proceed further in a case that necessitates a trial. As a consequence, you might end up settling for significantly less monetary compensation than if you were to go to court.
Fees and Other Costs
The last but perhaps the most critical aspect of the selection process is to inquire about the lawyer’s fee structure, costs payment, and billing methods. A claimant should learn about the cost of their prospective lawyer’s services before going any further.
Often, accident attorneys might only charge a contingency fee for their cases. Meaning, the attorney remains penny less in terms of their fees unless they can recover monetary compensation for your claim.
Once you choose and hire a personal injury lawyer, you’re liable to pay a specific sum or percentage of the money recovered from your claim. This sum will count as the attorney’s fees. However, if the lawyer fails to secure the claim’s compensation, the claimant isn’t liable to pay fees to the attorney for taking the case.
Remember, the fees refer to the lawyer’s remuneration, while the costs concern the expenses associated with a case. Following are some typical costs in a personal injury case are:
- Document processing fees
- Deposition fees
- Stationary expenses
- Expert witness fees
- Court charges
- Traveling expenses
It’s a good idea to ask about the payment of such costs before you hire an attorney. While some lawyers may ask for upfront costs payment from clients, others may agree to deduct these costs from the court settlement money.
In Essence
As unfortunate as accidents are, these situations are an inevitable part of life. Personal injury claims can help tackle the legal aspect of these critical situations. For instance, one may have suffered a road accident or medical malpractice, and if the injuries are grave enough, most people will be looking for accident lawyers to settle their claim. When hiring an accident attorney, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind, including the lawyer’s reputation, trial expertise, location, and legal costs.
