How To Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
The lawyer who represents you in your personal injury case can significantly impact whether you recover the compensation you deserve. Here are some tips on choosing the right one.
Personal Referrals
Searching for representation can be made much easier if a friend, family member, coworker, or any other acquaintance can recommend a trusted personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas. However, keep in mind that although their attorney may have been suitable for their case, it doesn’t mean that will be for yours. So take the free consultation to ask as many questions as possible and trust your gut feeling.
Ask a Lawyer You Know for Their Recommendation
If you are familiar with or personally know an attorney, ask them, even if they do not practice personal injury law. They may know someone in their office or network that they can recommend. Still, do your due diligence when meeting with a lawyer, they suggest. Similar to family and friends, although a lawyer comes recommended, it doesn’t mean they are the right fit for your case.
Search the Internet
There are many online resources that will list personal injury lawyers in your area and rank their firms. Though the ranking does not always correlate with their reputation or skill. Choose several attorneys at a time, then search for their online reviews on:
- Yelp
- Avvo
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Lawyers.com
- Nolo
- Better Business Bureau
Check what former clients have to say, and look for information on the firm’s experience and recent case results. Pick a few you are interested in speaking to, then schedule free consultations.
Questions to Ask a Lawyer
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law? Experience is often critical to recovering fair compensation since there are steps and procedures that must be understood to provide accurate representation and avoid technical mistakes.
- Will you be the attorney handling my case? You need to know whether the lawyer you are consulting will be working on your case or if it will be handed off to another staff member or partner.
- How many cases do you handle at a time? Your case may not receive the attention it deserves if their firm takes on too many at once.
- Do I pay if I lose my case? Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis so the answer to this question is typically a “no.” However, it is vital to discuss payment arrangements before hiring an attorney.
- How long do you think it will take to settle my case? An attorney will not be able to give you a precise answer but can usually estimate how long it will take to resolve a case like yours based on their experience.
- What do you think the outcome of my case will be? An attorney cannot guarantee a positive outcome but can give their opinion and an honest assessment of whether there are potential problems to overcome.
- Do you have references? To get an idea of the attorney’s track record and working style, speak to a few past clients. A lawyer should happily supply this information.