If you have suffered harm in a Kentucky car accident, your health should come first. Seeking medical attention comes at a cost, which can add up quite rapidly. Also, you may have to stay off work, meaning putting a halt on earning a living, so at some point, you will feel the full impact of the accident on your life.
If the accident was due to another person’s negligent actions, you may have to hire a lawyer to help you with your case against them. This guide issues tips for choosing a lawyer and can be an excellent read before you settle for one.
Get Recommendations
When choosing a lawyer, most people prefer recommendations from friends, colleagues, family, and people they know. There is a good reason for this. People have more trust in people they know than what a law firm may put out there. So ask around.
There is a chance you will have people in your circle who know a lawyer or someone in their life who can recommend one. If not, look for online recommendations; for example, you could get recommendations from local online communities.
Compare Several Lawyers
Having someone recommend a lawyer to you doesn’t always mean they will best fit your case. So, you want to have more than one lawyer on your list and make a comparison. Factors to consider when making comparisons include:
Experience and Area of Focus
Experience for a lawyer is the number of years they have practiced law measured from the date of admission to the bar. Besides the years of practice, you must also look at their focus area or experience with a specific type of case.
For example, suppose your injuries resulted from a slip and fall. In that case, you will be better off working with a personal injury lawyer focusing on slip and fall accidents or at least having experience handling similar cases.
Track Record
A lawyer’s past performance can hint at what to expect from them, so pay attention to each lawyer’s track record and compare.
Your focus should be on settlements won for clients and success rates at trial because you want a lawyer capable of giving your case the best shot, irrespective of its direction. As part of a lawyer’s track record, you may also want to get information about their reputation.
In-Person Visit
After comparing your options, you should have a shortlist of a few lawyers you may have to visit. They can have a big name or a presentable façade online. However, if you haven’t seen their offices or met them in person, you cannot be sure. Some of the things to pay attention to during your visit include communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management skills, organizational skills, and resources. Remember, initial consultations for personal injury lawyers are usually free of charge, so there is no limit to the offices you can visit for comparison.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Bring To Your Case
“According to industry statistics, you can improve your chances of getting a fair outcome by up to five times by involving a lawyer. So, if for nothing else, involve a lawyer for a better chance of a fair outcome. Lawyers make this possible in several ways” says E. Andre Busald.
First, having them in your case commands respect from the possessing side, meaning your case starts from a good place from the get-go. They also help with evidence gathering and organization, negotiations, damage valuation, and representing you at trial.
