Qualities Of a Personal Injury Law Group
Many people will have a reason to file a personal injury claim at some point or another. Thousands of people every day are injured in a slip and fall, car accident, dog attack, or any injury involving negligence. Between 300,000 to 500,000 personal injury cases occur in the U.S. every year according to the Bureau of Justice.
However, hiring the best personal injury law firm can be daunting. In the United States, there are over 1.3 million attorneys at your service whenever you need legal counsel. It is crucial to do due diligence on any law firm you choose to handle your case.
The following tips can help you learn important aspects of identifying a good lawyer. This piece explores the qualities to look for when choosing personal injury lawyers.
Experience
When considering potential attorneys to hire, you might be wondering how essential it is that the attorney has trial experience. How does a firm with minimal experience in the courtroom impact your case? Recent stats reveal that very few personal injury cases ever see the inside of a courtroom. Approximately 95% of such cases are settled during the pretrial phase. As a result, many litigation lawyers don’t have enough courtroom experience.
However, to get the best possible result, ensure the lawyer has trial experience and a successful track record in cases that they have prosecuted.
Benefits of litigation experience of your lawyer include:
- Trial preparation creates a stronger case: They will conduct a full investigation to gather all the crucial facts and evidence.
- A proven trial attorney has much more negotiating leverage: They have a higher chance of negotiating a reasonable settlement for their client.
- You might still have a chance to litigate: Even though the chances of going to trial are pretty slim statically, a lawyer with trial experience will be helpful if you go to trial.
It’s also advisable to find out what specific area the Atlanta personal injury law group has experience in, e.g., dog bites, car accidents, medical malpractice, sexual assault, etc.
Credentials and Track Record
A law firm’s track record indicates how good they are at its job. As such, it’s imperative to look at a lawyer’s track record.
Here’s how you can know if you’ve gotten a legit lawyer before you sign any retainer agreement:
- Google: You can Google the attorney’s name or the firm they belong to. The search engine will bring up all the relevant information about the lawyer. This includes an online review, stories, or publications relating to the lawyer’s track record.
- Check the lawyer’s state bar profile: A legit lawyer with a state license should be registered through a state bar association. The state bar association has accurate info on any attorney and confirms your lawyer’s licensing.
- Street Cred: While word on the street isn’t a very credible source of information, there’s always some truth. Try to get some recommendations from your colleagues, family, and friends. Explore online resources such as Super-lawyers for reviews, verdicts, settlement history, and awards.
Board Certification in Personal Injury Litigation
Use the state and national board certification platforms to check if the law group has earned legal specialty certifications in the various state-sponsored and federal programs. These programs establish an independent measure of professionalism, peer acknowledgment, or competence, helping clients and fellow lawyers set expectations for professional abilities. By focusing on a particular practice area, the attorney can become more proficient, experienced, and competent. And for prospective clients, the certification validates the attorney’s claims of experience, special skills, or expertise in a party area of law.
Firm Size and Availability
It’s not always possible to judge a law firm based on its size. A small firm offers the advantage of giving personalized attention to each case. On the other hand, a large firm will typically assign your case to a primary attorney and support team so that the client always talks to the same people that have the best understanding of their case.
To ensure you’ll receive personalized attention, you’ll need to carefully interview each attorney you speak to about their process and how much time they have to spend on your case. Ensure you have access to your lawyer, as several people may be working on your cases as part of the lawyer’s team.
In Conclusion
A personal injury law group can provide exceptional legal counsel in such cases, but certain traits distinguish good lawyers from the best ones. Besides having a good track record, the lawyer must be knowledgeable, successful, and trustworthy. In addition, experience in personal injury litigation can make a difference between winning and losing your case. Once you’ve found the law groups that match your needs, make a list of essential criteria, then choose the best lawyer for your case.
Research
https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/ctcvlc01.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0098261X.2015.1022456?journalCode=ujsj20SS
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/specialization
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
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