A personal injury refers to a legal term describing harm to a person’s physical, emotional, or mental state. This harm results from negligence exhibited by a specific individual or organization. More specifically, the individual or organization in question had a legal responsibility to prevent or mitigate the injury. Consequently, the injured person deserves compensation from the negligent party so that he can deal with his injuries. Lawyers can help you get what is due to you. Hire a lawyer today and he will pursue your case relentlessly. Here are 4 things to look for in a personal injury lawyer.
- Experience
Experience is essential in the successful pursuit of legal cases. For example, experienced lawyers have dealt with multiple cases focusing on personal injury. That means they understand various approaches to personal injury cases including legal arguments that could help you win your case. Additionally, an experienced lawyer understands legal processes. For example, did you know that you have to file a claim within three years if you want compensation for your woes? Moreover, experienced lawyers explain legal jargon to you in intelligible ways because they have explained it to many clients over the years.
- Personality
Personality refers to the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. For example, sociability matters because you cannot talk freely to a lawyer who appears anti-social. Asking questions about legal procedures is also difficult if your lawyer is irritable. Imagine meeting a lawyer who has an interest in his clients. He will make you feel comfortable when you are talking about personal issues. That is especially true when an injury leads to emotional damage. For example, your spouse could have left you after a devastating personal injury. Personality is also important because you will spend a lot of time with your personal injury attorney. Spending this time with someone you loathe would be an unpleasant experience.
- Reviews
Competent lawyers have positive reviews in legal publications. You can find some of these reviews on social media sites as well including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google Plus. For instance, you will find comments or posts on whether the lawyer catered to the needs of his clients. Did he listen to them? Did he swindle them? More importantly, did he win the case? Avoid a personal injury lawyer who has negative reviews online. Another way of finding a good personal injury lawyer is by asking your loved ones to recommend one for you. Ask them for someone who is competent and trustworthy.
- Performance
People file personal injury cases because they want to win an award for compensation. Increase your chances of a favorable outcome by going for a lawyer who has a history of delivering such outcomes. In other words, hire someone who wins cases more than he loses them. You also need to check his settlement history. Does he settle too quickly?How much for the personal injury, did the client get? Was it a sensible idea to make these settlements? Should some of the cases have gone to court? Avoid lawyers who settle quickly when they should have taken the matter to court. Conversely, do not pick lawyers who take weak cases to court instead of settling them.