Factors to Consider in Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been injured, finding the right attorney to represent you is essential. But people who seek out personal injury lawyers are usually in great distress. The aftermath of an accident is emotionally draining and made even more stressful by medical bills, loss of income and an uncertain future. It’s tempting to make a quick decision to get the legal process started and cross one more “must-do” item off your checklist. But hiring an attorney in haste is a bad idea. Here’s why:

• You have a legitimate opportunity to find an attorney you trust. The vast majority of personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation with a potential client. Think of it as a job interview. They want to be hired, and they have to prove their competence to you. Don’t just go with the first attorney you meet. Shop around to find the best fit for you.
• Don’t necessarily pick an attorney with the fanciest website or prettiest office furniture. If those features draw you in, great. But your decision should be based on if you feel the attorney is giving your case thoughtful review, asking good questions and communicating clearly how he or she would handle your case.
• The law is full of complicated words that sound really important – and really confusing. If you don’t understand what a lawyer is saying to you, don’t be afraid to stop and ask. Professional aptitude is not defined by how technical a lawyer sounds. You need to understand every aspect of your case and what is happening with it.
• Beware of the attorney who makes promises. No lawyer can guarantee a top-dollar verdict or settlement. Even if the circumstances of your accident seem identical to one you’ve heard about, it’s a guarantee that the facts of the case will be different. An attorney who tries to promise you a favorable outcome is violating the Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct, which are the ethical standards that lawyers are expected to follow. False promises can subject an attorney to penalties or even disbarment.
• Be cautious of the attorney who tells you what the case is “worth” during the first consultation. Coming up with a suggested value comes from a thorough review of all of the insurance paperwork, medical bills, accident reports, input from your doctors, therapists and vocational experts (if applicable) and many more types of documentation – far more than can be determined in a single visit.
• Don’t hire a lawyer based only on a friend’s recommendation. A suggestion is a great place to start, but a good fit for your friend might not be the same for you.
• Be cautious if a lawyer refers you to a particular doctor, or vice versa. It’s not unusual for personal injury attorneys to know a lot of physicians in the community. Years of legal practice will do that. But no attorney should have an established “go-to” relationship with a doctor. It’s bad business and could jeopardize the outcome of your case.
• Hire an attorney whose main focus is personal injury law. Attorneys typically focus their practices in specific areas. However, that doesn’t mean they are barred from handling a case outside of their practice area. But you want someone whose main practice and experience has been in personal injury law. Any lawyer can read the statutes, but a seasoned personal injury attorney will understand some of the intangible parts of the representation, such as how to anticipate what juries will respond to in the courtroom.

Although hiring a lawyer may seem like a hassle, it could be one of the most important decisions of your life. Taking the time to screen attorneys, ask questions and identify red flags can only benefit you in the long term. Get started today – and make an informed decision.