Personal injury litigation refers to a tort lawsuit where the plaintiff sues a person or entity for injuries suffered as a result of their negligence, gross misconduct, or strict liability cases. Apart from covering medical bills, the plaintiff also usually seeks compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and reduced quality of life. Frequently, a resolution or settlement can be obtained prior to litigation. In these situations, most often, the negligent party's insurance company will make an offer to pay you money to avoid litigation.
For personal injury cases, it's prudent to hire a personal injury attorney with proper experience and knowledge. Insurance companies do not like to pay a lot of money. The right lawyer will know how to best present your case, negotiate with the insurance company and file a lawsuit if necessary. To find a personal injury attorney best suited to handle your case, you should avoid the following four pitfalls.
1. Failing to Research Your Options
After an injury-causing accident, it's common for victims to feel desperate, which can lead to a failure to look into all the available legal options. It is important to research your legal alternatives and to find a reputable and skilled legal counsel.
In your research, consider attorneys who specialize in personal injury law. These attorneys have a likely developed a wealth of knowledge and experience to properly address your case. In addition to searching the web, ask friends and family for recommendations. When interviewing a potential lawyer, don't hesitate to inquire about the attorney's success rate in handling personal injury cases and confirm that the attorney will work for you on a contingency fee basis (you'll only pay them after a successful claim settlement).
2. Being Afraid to Ask Questions
Don't request an appointment only to present your case and leave, hoping the lawyer will do the rest. While reputable attorneys have stronger legal backgrounds, it doesn't mean you should remain quiet and let the magic happen. The more you ask, the more you learn about the lawyer, and the more you learn, the more you will know whether you are comfortable with the lawyer handling your case.
Therefore, ask the right questions to determine whether you'll be satisfied with your attorney during the legal proceedings. Asking questions will help you evaluate a personal injury attorney and determine whether such lawyers have adequate experience, knowledge and resources to win your case. Additionally, it'll help you learn more about the attorney's qualifications and jury trial experience, and it will help the lawyer know more about you too.
3. Paying Legal Fees Out of Pocket
Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means the lawyer is paid a percentage of monies ultimately recovered on your behalf, and if there is no recovery then there are no legal fees owed. If an attorney asks you to pay legal fees upfront, you should know that such an arrangement is very unusual and you should strongly inquire as to whether the lawyer believes you have a strong case.
4. Avoiding In-Person Legal Consultations
Generally, most personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Sometimes an in-person meeting is difficult to arrange, particularly for someone who does not live near the lawyer's office. Nonetheless, in-person appointments are recommended. It can help build trust and confidence. It will give you an opporunity to evaluate the attorney's demeanor and personality. It can provide you an in depth opportunity to discuss the particulars of your case and likely outcomes. If you live nearby the lawyer but cannot travel there, then ask if the lawyer can come to you or if the lawyer will participate in a video call.
If you've suffered severe injuries from a car accident or injury-causing incident at work, you can seek legal help from Palmetto Injury Lawyers. Contact us today for a fee consultation, professional representation and fair resolution or settlement of your injury claim.