Under Connecticut tort law, individuals who have suffered harm due to another party’s negligence have a right to seek compensation from the negligent party, including filing a lawsuit against them.
Whether you opt for an amicable resolution or go to court, it is always a good idea to have a lawyer who can guarantee the best possible outcome working with you. This guide highlights the aspects of a lawyer you may need to consider when hiring one.
Focus in Car Accident Claims
The field of law is quite broad, and there is no way one lawyer will be very experienced in everything. Most lawyers pick a specific field and focus on it.
For example, a car accident lawyer will have their practice dedicated to handling personal injury and auto accident cases, allowing them to gain deep insight into car accidents and be better placed to secure the most favorable outcomes for their clients.
The Lawyer’s Locality
Tort laws vary with state and sometimes by county. So when navigating a case in a specific state, for example, Connecticut, you will want to have a Connecticut-based car accident attorney working with you since they will have better insight into local law and ordinances than an outsider would.
Besides understanding local laws, you want a lawyer you can access anytime you need them, so you can narrow your search down to a specific county or city. Also, local lawyers’ familiarity with state or city officials and experts makes their management of your case much easier.
Reputation
The quality of a lawyer’s website and its content speaks a lot about who they are and the quality of services to expect. However, there are times when the displayed professionalism doesn’t match up with what you get.
So, before you get carried away by the façade, dig deeper to understand a lawyer’s reputation. The first aspect of their reputation you want to pay attention to is their success rate, in and out of court. The more successful they are, the higher the chance they will get a favorable outcome in your case.
The best place to start would be their website’s review section if they have one. If they do not have one or you are not sure you can trust what you see, check out other legal review resources, social media mentions, etc. Almost every lawyer you see will have mixed reviews, so you must weigh the negative and the positive reviews to determine if they are a good fit.
Soft Skills
A personal injury lawyer’s job involves working with people in distress. A lawyer’s soft skills make them best equipped to handle people in these situations. These skills include communication and listening skills, empathy, organization, etc.
“The best way to determine a lawyer’s soft skills is by paying them an in-person visit,” says attorney Mike A. D’Amico of D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC. By visiting, you get an impression of their organizational skills by looking around their office. Their communication, listening, and empathy skills come out when you start talking.
During this session, ask as many questions as possible and see how they answer them. You do not have to be satisfied with visiting one office; you can compare several to see which fits your case best. Most Connecticut personal injury lawyers do not charge for the initial consultation, so you do not have to worry about costs.