Getting into an accident is never on someone’s list of Top 10 Things to Do, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult or stressful as it seems. You might qualify to receive help from an accident injury lawyer, and while piling another stress onto an already stressful procedure might seem counterproductive, a lawyer can help you make the best of your accident. Here are 10 tips that might help your search for the perfect lawyer:
What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer represents people who have been injured because of someone else’s actions or negligence. They can represent someone harmed by an individual, company, or even a government agency. They handle work accidents, car accidents, damage caused by defective products, mistakes made by doctors, and, in some cases, “slip and fall” accidents.
Most cases handled by injury lawyers are settled out of court.
What Are the Benefits?
- What can you stand to gain from hiring an accident injury lawyer? If you’ve been injured in an accident, a lawyer can help you receive fair compensation. If you aren’t a lawyer, you won’t know the laws well enough to know what you are entitled to—but a lawyer does and will be able to negotiate the best settlement. If your case ends up going to court, a lawyer will be able to settle any dispute.
When to Hire?
Not every accident is going to need a lawyer. Workers’ compensation will cover most injuries at work without dispute, and not every car accident is serious enough to warrant a court case.
But there are many times when it would be in your best interest to hire a lawyer:
- No one accepts blame for the accident.
- The repercussions of your injury are severe or long-term.
- You feel pressured to accept settlement.
- You feel that the settlement is too low or doesn’t cover your medical expenses.
When Not to Hire?
Be careful not to hire a lawyer without due cause, however. Lawyers can be incredibly expensive, and if you don’t have a solid case, you’ll regret having to pay legal fees. If your injuries are minor, take whatever settlement you can and move on. Feel free to consult with a lawyer about your case if you aren’t sure what’s appropriate—they will be able to tell you if your case has merit.
Where to Find a Lawyer?
Don’t start with Google. Searching for “Personal Injury Lawyers in Calgary” will only get you so far. The safest way to find a good lawyer is to ask friends and acquaintances who they’ve used in the past.
Another way to get a referral is to go to a referral agency and check the listings. This is a great way to find a consolidated list of screened, approved lawyers, but it won’t tell you what kind of personality they have or if they’ll work well with you. So don’t stop there either.
Other Lawyers?
It’s also a good idea to ask other lawyers who they would recommend for certain situations. An elderly person who happens to become injured may want to seek the advice of a specialized attorney if they need to file a claim for social security disability benefits. In this case, you might want to consider a specialized lawyer such as Alex Carpio. More information on social security disability lawsuits can be found at http://workinjuryaz.com/phoenix-social-security-disability-attorneys/.
What Questions Should I Ask?
Don’t take anyone’s word for what lawyer you should hire without doing research of your own. When you meet a potential candidate, come up with a list of questions you want to know before you cement your relationship. Here are a few to consider.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
Find a lawyer who is not only experienced in his job, but experienced with cases similar to yours. You want to have the best representation you can find.
How Much Will Your Services Cost?
It’s not just the lawyer you’ll be paying, although knowing what kind of commission they’ll be asking is important. Also inquire about any processing fees and what percentage might go to their legal aids. Make sure you’ve covered all of your bases before hiring someone you might not be able to afford.
How Difficult Will It Be to Settle My Case?
Don’t go into a case expecting to have it solved in a few weeks. Personal accident injury cases can last months or even years depending on the severity of the injury. Your lawyer should be able to give you a reasonable estimate.
Do Our Personalities Get Along?
One of the most important things to consider is how well you get along with your lawyer. If his or her personality is more abrasive than you’d like, consider finding somebody else even if they meet your qualifications. If you’d rather they were a little more authoritative or more willing to compromise, don’t be afraid to be picky. You want your case to be in the right hands.