Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Jason’s case needs to go to trial. The only problem is his attorney won’t go to court.
During the hiring process, Jason forgot to ask about trial services. Now he’s stuck paying for legal services, and he’s not eligible for a settlement award.
If you don’t want to wind up like Jason, then you have to learn how to hire a personal injury attorney that will do whatever it takes to win your case. It all starts by perfecting the attorney hiring process.
What are the biggest mistakes to avoid when hiring a lawyer? Read on to find out.
Not Asking About Payment Structures
One of the people’s biggest mistakes when hiring a personal injury attorney is forgetting to ask about payment plans. Not every attorney is going to charge you the same way.
If you’re dealing with a tight budget, you’ll want to look for a lawyer that works on a contingency fee basis.
What exactly is a contingency fee? A contingency fee is a percentage you’ll pay the lawyer if they win your case. The best part is that this percentage will come out of your settlement award.
If you get the right type of contingency plan set up, you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. Just read the fine print, though, since every plan is different. Some payment plans will require paying certain filing fees, while others are completely free.
If you need money upfront, start budgeting now. You can use free online budget planners to make things easy on yourself.
Not Setting up a Consultation
Did you know that lawyers offer free consultations? The consultation is an opportunity for the attorney to review your case. They’ll be able to let you know whether or not you have enough evidence to continue moving forward.
The consultation is also an opportunity for you to get an idea of what the lawyer is like to work with. Be sure to bring a list of questions to your consultation, and don’t leave until you’ve asked everyone. You can use these tips for interviewing contractors to help guide your lawyer interview.
The main idea is to ask about experience. The best lawyers will be happy to answer all of your questions, and they should be patient while doing so.
Ignoring Communication Methods
Last but not least, another big mistake that people make when hiring lawyers is forgetting to ask about their communication methods. The last thing you want to do is hire a lawyer who’s impossible to get a hold of.
The best lawyers will be willing to communicate with you in a variety of ways. They should be able to text, email, and consult you over the phone.
Ask how frequently you’ll be receiving case updates, and find out who your direct contact will be. If you’re not going to be speaking directly with the lawyer for case updates, that’s okay. But you need to be aware of who you’re going to be working with.
Find the Best Personal Injury Attorney
You deserve the best personal injury attorney, and now you know how to find them. Since setting up a free consultation is the first step, let’s set up yours today.
Here at McGrath Law Firm, we’re dedicated to helping clients find the best resolutions. Our team of experienced attorneys will always put your needs first, so you can have the best possible settlement outcome.
Are you looking for legal representation? If yes, please get in touch with us, and let caring professionals take over your case.