Finding the right attorney, no matter what you need one for, should never be a process that is undertaken without careful consideration before making your selection. It is not something that can be done by simply opening the phonebook and putting your finger on a name. Attorneys offer valuable services for a variety of situations ranging from divorce and child custody to on-the-job injuries, and your chosen attorney can have a very real and very large impact on the outcome of your lawsuit or claim.
When you have been injured in an accident (or through the intentional acts of another person), you may suffer a loss of income from not being able to work, and you could even suffer physical complications for the rest of your life. This type of situation has an effect on your family, too, and not just yourself. Obtaining legal resolution in the form of compensation for your injuries is a process that should not be handled without the qualified and competent representation of an attorney who specializes in injury cases.
One of the first things you can do when you find yourself in need of an attorney is ask for recommendations from friends, family, acquaintances, and co-workers. Find out who those you trust have trusted with their own legal needs, and create a short list of potential attorneys to choose from.
Before setting up an initial consultation with an attorney from your list, sit down and make out a list of questions that you would like to have answered at the meeting. These questions can be things like asking about the length of time the attorney has been practicing, how many cases like yours they have handled, what their success rate is (or how much their average compensatory awards have been), whether or not they will handle your matter personally or hand it off to an associate or junior attorney, and if they have ever been professionally censored, reprimanded, or had their privilege to practice suspended.
After meeting with the attorneys on your list, narrow down your options by weeding out the attorneys with whom you did not feel completely comfortable, in whom you had a lack of professional confidence, or who did not answer your questions to your satisfaction. You should feel like you can work closely with your chosen attorney and should have total confidence in their ability to represent your situation in court.
There are also resources you can use online to find out more information about attorneys, such as the American Bar Association. They provide information on reprimands and suspensions that an attorney may not have been honest about disclosing to you during your initial consultation.
Once you have made a selection and picked an attorney to handle your injury claim, there are things you must do to facilitate their ability to represent you competently. You should be completely honest when answering any questions they ask of you, because one small omission or error in the alleged facts can end up with a court case being completely dismantled and dismissed. Some attorneys will also let their clients handle legwork like document delivery, obtaining paperwork, and other small tasks as a way to offset some of the expenses involved with the case.
Don’t be discouraged or dissuaded when you need an attorney. Finding the right one is simply a matter of knowing how to make your decision in the most efficient way. These tips will help you pick an attorney that you feel confident in and who will work vigorously to fight for your best interests.