Accidents happen, but not all accidents are made alike. What do you do when an injury affects your long-term health or career? What if the injury isn’t even your fault?
If paying for an injury caused by another party sounds unfair, you’re right. Luckily, A personal injury lawyer can help.
Injuries sustained off-site are eligible for compensation if you’re not at fault, but what does that mean?
If a barista spills a bucket of ice at a coffee shop, and you slip and fall, you’ve sustained a personal injury. However, if you trip on your untied shoelace, you wouldn’t receive a settlement.
Does every personal injury require a lawyer? It depends on the case.
Learn more in this guide to hiring an attorney.
Match Your Injury to an Attorney
There are several types of personal injury cases. While attorneys specialize in a number of practices, look for personal injury attorneys that focus on your injury type.
For example, if you were injured during a medical procedure, you would benefit from a medical malpractice attorney. If a new ointment caused a painful rash, you would consult a product liability lawyer.
There are likely several lawyers in your area specializing in your injury, so how do you choose the best one?
Search the Web for a Personal Injury Lawyer
You don’t have time to waste, but don’t hire the first lawyer you find. Comb local search results for the cream of the crop in your area.
Start with a simple Google search for “personal injury lawyers,” “wrongful death lawyers,” or whichever is appropriate for your case.
Search engines default to local results for services. You’ll find the most popular personal injury attorneys on the first page. However, the top spot doesn’t necessarily belong to the best lawyer.
After gathering a few leads, look up reviews and client testimonials. You can use lawyer database sites, Yelp, and other local review sites. Lawyers also include testimonials on their websites.
Stick with top-rated lawyers with four or five-star ratings. If you see a lawyer you like with three-star ratings, you can always ask the firm about your concern.
Reviews themselves aren’t reflective of the total client experience. Many clients don’t leave reviews, and some negative (and positive) reviews should be taken with a grain of salt.
Get a Free Consultation
Along with reviews, take advantage of free consultations when offered. Consultations are an excellent way to learn more about personal injury law.
An attorney will discuss the logistics of your case, including the prospects of winning.
Clients hire personal attorneys when the other party’s insurance company won’t budge on the settlement amount. Lawyers can negotiate higher insurance settlements and better payment terms.
You may learn that you don’t have a case at all, which is another benefit of free consultations.
Find the Right Representation
Don’t suffer the costs of a personal injury alone. Follow this guide to discover a personal injury lawyer who will fight for the right settlement.
Do you have all the legal resources you need to win? Check out the blog for the latest tips and articles on the law.
