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Imagine this: You’re walking down the street one day in a quiet residential neighborhood when a car rams into you out of nowhere. You end up in the hospital with broken ribs and 12 stitches to your face. Not only are you in a ton of pain, but the hospital bills cost half of what you make in a year, and you’re probably going to be out of work for a couple of months.

If you’re wondering what to do in such a situation, you can turn to a lawyer, as they improve the chances of a successful personal injury claim significantly. They can help you reclaim compensation for all the damages you’ve suffered, including medical bills, lost wages, and even the pain you’ve experienced. While it is possible to file a personal injury claim on your own, it is advisable to hire a lawyer for a better chance of success.

5 Factors to Consider When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve made the decision to hire a lawyer, but you have no idea where to get started, here are a few pointers to help you find the right lawyer for your case:

1. The Lawyer’s Expertise

The most important thing to consider when hiring a lawyer is their expertise. The more time a lawyer has spent handling a specific type of case, the more they know about that area of law and how to handle specific incidences and the easier it is for them to navigate a case. So, you should look at how much experience a lawyer has with personal injury law before choosing one.

2. Referrals from Past Clients

Another factor that you can use to judge a lawyer is reviews and testimonials from past clients. You can find these on online platforms, and they are a good indication of how the lawyer handles their clients. If you find a lot of negative reviews, it’s a sign that you’re better off finding a lawyer elsewhere.

3. Strength of your case

When you hire a lawyer, you should also take into account the strength of your case. If you have a clear or strong case, with a good chance of winning, it makes sense to spend all that money on a lawyer. However, if your case lacks evidence or can be difficult to win, it’s better to find other ways to pay your bills. A good lawyer will be able to judge your case and tell you why you have a shot of winning.

4. Fee Arrangements

You should also talk to the lawyer about their fees, as lawyers are pretty expensive to hire. In addition to the lawyer’s fee, you may have to pay operating costs during the course of the claim, for things like court documents and other fees. Have the lawyer draw up a complete list of costs that could arise in the course of the claim and make a decision based on whether that amount is affordable for you.

Some lawyers offer a contingency fee, which is beneficial in your case, because you only have to pay them if they win the case. This is typically a portion of your winnings, maybe around 30%. If they don’t win the case, you don’t owe them anything.

5. How You’re Treated

The final and perhaps the most important thing you should consider is how the lawyer treats you. If they can’t give you their full attention or if you’re disrespected, you’re better off finding a different law firm to handle your case. If the lawyer can’t treat you well, how will they take your case seriously?

Conclusion

Personal injury claims can be complicated to deal with on your own, so it’s advisable to hire a lawyer. While considering your options for a law firm, it’s important to cover all the factors that can influence your case, like the lawyer’s experience or your chances of winning the claim.

Going over all your options carefully can ensure that you find a good lawyer that can win your case for you.