How to find the right qualified attorney

Finding the right attorney can be one of the most important steps in the accident claim process, and one of the most difficult as well. Advertising should not factor very heavily into your decision process, and knowing that the Yellow Pages are filled with ads that say the same monotonous thing should assure you that these ads should not be trusted at face value.

Finding out which lawyer in your community is best suited for you is a process of asking the right questions and knowing the right details to squeeze from the attorney or firm. While the questions may require some research and some knowledge, putting in the time to ask the right questions can mean everything to your case, your claim and the money that you receive.

While lawyers are highly trained in many types of cases, you must be weary of lawyers without specialization and extensive experience in the type of case that you are engaged in: an accident claim. General practitioners and other types of lawyers often will not have the proper experience to know all of the essential ins and outs to this type of case.

Your insurance companies, unfortunately, will already have knowledge of the claims lawyers in your area, and they will know their tendencies to go to court and how they handle cases. The insurance company will tremble before some lawyers with the prospect of going to court, while they will stand and laugh confidently at others when heading for the courtroom.

Tips to finding the right lawyer in your area

1. Get a referral from an attorney that you know. Other attorneys will have inside knowledge on the level of skill and experience of their peers, and can offer you an honest appraisal of these peers. If you need an attorney in the area that our firm does not practice, call us and we will provide you with that attorney.
2. While they are usually drudged with dishonest advertisements, the Yellow Pages can also offer you many viable options for quality attorneys. You must be wary of advertisements that claim too many specialties-know that no lawyer can realistically specialize in that many areas. You must also watch out for full-page ads that are likely to draw a higher volume of customer. These ads represent successful attorneys who are swamped with customers and unable to give you the due time that you deserve. The attorneys that we provide are selective in their process of picking cases, and can offer you the kind of specialized time that is essential to winning your case.
3. Go to your local bar association for a referral to an experienced and successful lawyer. These lawyers pay to have their name listed in rotating services, and can be made available to answer your questions and provide services in taking and winning your case.
4. Like shopping for any other item or service, shop around when looking for an attorney. Ask each attorney that you talk to for a list of their competitors. If they will not give you a list, leave. Successful lawyers with proven track records will have no problem offering you this kind of information.
5. Be wary of lawyers who immediately make you sign up to give them a contingent fee. This is not the only kind of payment and often will not be the right type of payment for you or your case.
6. Do not pursue a relationship with an attorney that calls you first-at any cost.
7. Like the attorneys mentioned above, stay away from attorneys that are known as “runners.” These “runners” hang out around the police station and often show up on the scene to represent those in an accident.
8. Like runners and those calling first, disregard any attorney who contacts you in writing to handle your claim. Pay no attention to these solicitors, only to those who are offering free information to help you decide how to make your claim and which path will be right for you.
9. Be wary of attorneys who feature a list of doctors that they would like to send you to. These attorneys often work in conjunction with many doctors, making money off of each other. Some attorneys may honestly refer you to a doctor whom they trust, but many lawyers with stacks of doctor’s cards on their desks should not be trusted.
10. While not every lawyer will meet every important criterion that you are looking for, there are some questions that you should be sure to ask any lawyer whose services you are seeking. Among these criteria is, first and foremost, experience. Make sure that your lawyer is experienced in your area of claim and make sure they have tried many cases in the field as well.
    • Check whether your lawyer has won any significant verdicts or settlements in similar cases, and check his or her records.
    • Know that a lawyer who has achieved past results will be more respected by insurance companies. Also, never accept that “confidentiality” line when pursuing copies of a potential lawyer’s settlement and case records.
    • Does your lawyer have respect in their field community? Do they teach other lawyers in Continuing Legal Education Courses?
    • Is your lawyer certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, which demands a number of trials and recommendations from other respected professionals?
    • Are they a member of the Best Lawyers of America-a prestigious listing of what their name implies?
    • Has your lawyer been published in trade and law journals? Are they a respected professional in the field with experience writing because of their skill and spot in the community and the field?
11. Make sure that your attorney is licensed in your particular area – most notably, your state. Lawyers who have licenses in the state in which they are practicing are more likely to be respected and given the benefit of the doubt. Dealing with the wrong kind of lawyer, one who is not licensed, can end your case before it even begins and can have you at a severe disadvantage when dealing with insurance companies.

Once you have decided on your attorney, communicate with them what you hope to achieve and how you hope to achieve it. Make sure that you are on the same page and that you develop an advantageous working relationship.

Ask your lawyer how closely they intend to work with you and what steps they plan to take to keep you in the driver’s seat of the entire process. Your lawyer should explain to you everything that happens as it happens, and should have you anticipating what will happen next even before it happens.

What does an accident attorney do during your claims case?

While your attorney may make it all seem negligent or simple, the list of tasks your attorney will have to complete are many, and are listed below:

• Interview with you, the client, at the beginning
• Educate the client about the process of accident claims
• Gather evidence for the case, including medical, legal and police reports
• Analyze the client’s insurance policy to determine the best and most beneficial payment options and methods
• Interview witnesses of the accident
• Collect detective-like evidence of the accident and the scene, including photographs and physical evidence
• Analyze any and all legal issues involved, including risk and negligence
• Interview the physicians and medical team of the client, and remained updated with medical treatment
• Analyze and gain a full understanding of the client’s health insurance plan and program
• Put the insurance company on notice of the proceedings of the claim
• Decide whether to take the case to court or to discuss negotiations with the insurance company
• Prepare all parties involved for depositions in the case that suit is filed
• Prepare the case, including written questions and answers
• Set a trial date at court
• Prepare for the trial and/or the settlement
• Organize the medical exhibits from any personal injury for trial
• Prepare your side of the case for mediation or arbitration
• Eliminate any surprises that may come up during the trial
• File all of the necessary briefs and motions
• Take the case to trial
• Analyze the verdict and decide whether or not to appeal

Comments (0)

Post Your Comment:

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment