You never want to be in a situation where you’re pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. But when you find yourself in that position, it’s important to get the best help you can to come out the other side in a better place. This is where your personal injury attorney comes in. The whole legal team is there to help see your case through. Here are some of the things to consider when you start looking for a personal injury attorney.
You want an attorney who is confident in their ability to win your case. That doesn’t mean arrogance. You should search for someone who believes they can do what it takes to carry the case to a win. Confidence comes from experience, a thorough knowledge of the system and laws at play, and a belief in a positive outcome for a lawsuit. When a lawyer takes on a case, their confidence shows in how they approach evidence and findings, how they carry themselves in the courtroom, and how they interact with judges and the opposition.
Look for attorneys who don't get paid unless you win. That way you know they’ll be working hard for success, not racking up hours and drawing proceedings out unnecessarily in order to make more. This is called a contingency fee agreement, and it usually means they’ll take a percentage of your award as their fee. When their earnings are tied to your win, you know you can count on them to go the distance.
Attorneys with experience in your specific type of lawsuit—be it car accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, motorcycle wrecks—will always be the right choice. It might seem obvious, but a criminal lawyer might not be the best choice for a civil suit. The same goes for particular specialties in the personal injury realm. Find someone who knows their way around your situation and can demonstrate their expertise.
In that vein, you don’t want to take their word for it that they’ve won a ton of similar cases. Look for case studies that can show you past work they've done. That way you can measure up their past work against your case, see what their success rate is, and make an informed choice. Check through their website for testimonials and examples of successful cases. Or you can even reach out directly to ask for more if you’re looking for something specific.
Attorneys who truly care will make the process that much easier, working harder and being there when you need them. They’ll ask the right questions, check in on how you’re doing, and give the support you need both in and out of the courtroom. This is one of those secret-sauce factors that you just can’t fake. One of the best ways to discover if care is there is with an in-person meeting. Taking advantage of a consultation to get a read on your legal team can help.
Cok Kinzler offers free consultations for that very reason, and to make sure the team is a good fit for your case. Get in touch to schedule yours, and get the care and support to find justice.