Joseph Blake Smith Little Rock Arkansas
5 T I PS FOR SEL ECT I N G THE RIGHT PERSONAL I N J U R Y LAWYER B l o g s a n d w e b s i t e s a r e f u l l of articles tel li ng you the q u a l i t i e s t o l o o k fo r i n a s p o u s e o r jo b , b u t h a v e you ever c o n s i d e r e d the q u a l i t i e s y o u s h o u l d e x p e c t for the person al injury attorney you h i re to re p re s e n t y o u r c l a i m ? Th i s i s a p r o fe s s i o n a l re l a ti o n s h i p th a t c a n l a s tm o n th s o r y e a rs , a n d i t’ s one that can s i g n i f i c a n t l y i m p a c t the o u t c o m e of your case.
1. Experience: Every attorney has to start somewhere, and there are many excellent attorneys with only a few years of experience under their belts. However, often with experience comes skill. While every client’s case is unique, over the years an attorney will see many similar situations unfold.
2. Focus: “Personal injury” is a term that covers a variety of injury types including car accidents, slip-and-falls, defective products, workplace injuries, and nursing home abuse. Before signing papers, ask your potential attorney which areas of personal injury law are the focus of his or her practice. Most attorneys will be forthcoming if your case falls outside of their area of expertise, and will be glad to recommend other firms or lawyers who might be serve your needs.
3. Reputation: Today, law firms have a wide variety of advertising methods available to them, being well known is not the same as being highly regarded. Any attorney may become well-known through marketing campaigns, but that does not mean every attorney is reputable and worthy of your trust.
4. Objectivity:
When it comes to getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries, the importance of your attorney’s objectivity cannot be overstated. Though it might be nice to hear someone promise to produce a very high settlement for your case, an objective attorney will not make empty promises regarding what your case is worth. Instead, an objective lawyer will have reasonable expectations for your case and be willing to negotiate, while also not accepting unfair or lowball offers in an effort to quickly settle the case.
5. Personality: When hiring a lawyer, one factor that is often overlooked is personality. While it’s not necessary (and probably unlikely) to become best friends or golf buddies with your attorney, it is important that he or she is approachable. After all, you’ll be looking to your attorney and case manager to answer your questions, return phone calls, and give reasonably frequent updates on your case.
Thank For W atchin g