In personal injury cases, damages for past and future medical expenses are often sought. Therefore, prospective clients should be prepared to present documents such as pay stubs, tax returns, and medical bills.
Another important consideration is whether an attorney specializes in personal injury law. Specialized attorneys typically have in-depth field knowledge and can assess your case’s value more accurately.
Experience
A personal injury attorney’s reputation and professional standing are essential factors. This includes online reviews, testimonials, and ratings from past clients. You should also look at how much experience they have handling personal injury cases and if they belong to reputable legal associations and organizations.
An experienced attorney knows insurance companies’ tactics to reduce or deny claims and will fight to get you the maximum settlement for your injuries. Moreover, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Philadelphia will be better equipped to determine the value of your claim based on your economic and non-economic damages.
Additionally, an experienced attorney can help you find competent medical professionals to provide thorough and detailed medical records for your case. This evidence demonstrates that the accused needed to be careful enough not to meet the expected level of care for a reasonable person in comparable situations. This is a crucial factor in establishing liability for your injuries.
Communication
A competent personal injury attorney should be attentive to your worries and provide clear answers to your inquiries. They will also keep you updated on the status of your case. They should also be able to explain legal concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.
The best personal injury attorneys understand that their clients have been through a traumatic experience. They empathize with their client’s feelings and strive to provide the best legal representation possible.
Unlike some lawyers who shower their potential clients with flattering words and false promises about the viability of their cases, an excellent personal injury attorney will be candid.
Clients can receive information on their eligibility for compensation related to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages from this service. They can also estimate how much a claim could be worth. However, they can only promise an exact amount once all of the information related to your case has been collected and assessed.
Reputation
An excellent personal injury attorney should have a solid reputation for winning high-value cases. How they have succeeded can provide insight into what you might expect from them.
A competent personal injury lawyer will gather all the evidence to support a client’s claim. This may include police reports, medical records, photographs, and surveillance video footage. They will also identify potential witnesses and interview them. In addition, they will consult outside experts in areas such as accident reconstruction and medical or mental health.
Personal injury attorneys known for bringing in large settlements and verdicts earn the respect of their peers and other lawyers in the community. They often lecture at legal education seminars or write articles on personal injury topics. These are a sign that they have a deep understanding of the field. Additionally, many states offer certification in personal injury law, further validating their knowledge and expertise.
Fees
Knowing whether your attorney will bill you for legal fees and other expenses, including document filing and travel expenses. Your attorney should disclose all of this information in your contingency fee agreement.
Ask how many cases an attorney typically handles at a time, and ensure they have sufficient resources to ensure your case gets the attention it deserves. An overworked lawyer may miss deadlines and fail to prepare your case properly, which could reduce the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Lastly, find out whether or not your attorney has trial experience. It’s a good idea to hire an attorney with a track record of winning sizable settlements and verdict awards in cases similar to yours. Some attorneys are known for giving in to lowball offers from insurance companies, while others have a proven track record of making the at-fault parties pay for their negligence.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
