A personal injury lawyer is the best option when you suffer an injury due to negligence of another person. The lawyer will help you get compensation when facing escalating rehabilitation and medical costs, as well as, lost wages as a result of missing working days. However, you need to choose a reliable and qualified attorney who will enable you to succeed in your claim. A reliable personal injury attorney should represent an individual or family, by understanding how overwhelming it is to deal with the suffering caused by serious personal injury. The attorney should have all necessary experts involved in the case to prove both damages and liability. Also, the lawyer should be able to document and preserve all possible evidences required to prove your case, and prepare painstakingly your case for court trial. Let’s look at some crucial factors to evaluate when choosing a personal injury lawyer.
Commitment of the personal injury lawyer
A dependable personal injury attorney in New York should be committed to give your case the attention it deserves. Some law firms will take over your case, but they will leave it for semi-skilled lawyers to handle it. Therefore, it is advisable to ask several questions such as; who will handle the case right from the start to the end, and who will be your direct contact during the case process. If the firm is not ready to answer all your questions, just avoid it and find another one.
If you choose a reliable lawyer who is committed to delivering exceptional attention, you will rest assured to achieve your goals. Your goals can only be realized successfully if the lawyer is committed to understanding all your needs.
Experience and track record of the personal injury lawyer
The laws governing cases of personal injury are sophisticated, and vary based on type of injury an individual has suffered. The attorney should have vast experience and abilities to understand all the state laws that apply to your claim. A dependable personal injury attorney must have wide knowledge pertaining to personal injury law, and highly experienced while handling similar cases for several past years.
Many attorneys have remarkable lists of professional associations and credentials. However, you need to distinguish reliable and unreliable lawyers by checking their track records. Therefore, you should do thorough research on verdicts and settlements already achieved by particular lawyers before choosing any of them. It is advisable to choose a lawyer who has successfully handled a significant number of similar cases to yours. The lawyer’s track record is the determining factor, not necessarily the level of education.
The cost of the personal injury lawyer
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer in New York, try to interview several lawyers so that you can learn more about their experience and qualifications. During the interviews, you will know if they offer free consultation, as well as, their cost. Most of the lawyers work on contingency basis (contingency fee), and this is quite helpful to individuals facing limited financial resources. Lawyers who work on contingency basis receive a certain fee if they win the case, but if they lose, they don’t receive the fee. However, you should understand that this contingency fee is not the actual cost of service. You may be required to pay costs such as filing fee for your claim, even after losing the case. Therefore, clarify the issue of costs with the lawyer before filing a claim.