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If you’ve been in an accident, it’s likely you don’t have a personal injury attorney on your phone’s “favorites” list. With everything that goes on after an accident, one of the last things you want to do is look for a personal injury attorney. But the truth is, working with an attorney after an accident gives you the best chance of recovering money for your pain, suffering, and expenses following the accident.
The trick is finding the right attorney that you can work with. Here are some things you should keep in mind when searching for a personal injury attorney.
- What area of law does the attorney focus on?
When you think of a personal injury attorney, you may see them as one-size-fits-all. This is not necessarily the case. While it is true that aspects of all personal injury cases are similar, there are some key differences. For example, if you were involved in an automobile accident, you may not want to hire an attorney that focuses his or her practice on medical malpractice. Likewise, you would not want a premises liability attorney to take on your medical malpractice case. - Does the attorney have trial experience?
While it is true that very few personal injury cases ever go to trial, having trial experience speaks to the attorney’s ability to see your case through to its best end. If the attorney does not have extensive trial experience, does he or she at least have a solid track record of success in settled cases? - Does the attorney have a good reputation?
Having a track record for wins does not necessarily equate to being someone you want to work with. Check online to see what other clients and other attorneys say about the attorneys you are considering. Do they communicate promptly? Are they able to work diplomatically with insurance companies and opponents? If the attorney has a reputation for underhanded dealings or fits of rage, you may want to keep looking. - Does the attorney come highly recommended?
Getting the names of attorneys from trusted friends and close family can be a major advantage. Getting a referral to an attorney from another attorney is close to golden. While we’re on the subject of industry reputation, before hiring any attorney, be sure to look them up on the State Bar Association website to make sure they have no complaints or disciplinary actions against them. - Does the attorney work on a contingency fee basis?
Pursuing a personal injury claim can be a long and expensive process, often involving the hiring of experts to help build your case. Most personal injury attorneys realize that you don’t have the ability to pay for their services upfront, and offer to take a percentage of the settlement or jury award that they get for you.
If you have been injured due to the negligence of others, contact the New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Nagel Rice, LLP today to discuss your situation. We offer free consultations and we only get paid if we recover money for you.