aChoosing a personal injury attorney is a decision that has great impact on the outcome of your case. Many people make mistakes they could have avoided during hiring, which results in less pay or representation than they are due.
Since Lexington, Kentucky’s population is rising and road traffic is rising as well, personal injury lawsuits are somewhat common there. Lexington offers a lot of legal services to manage these matters. Not all lawyers, meanwhile, are qualified to address these problems.
Hiring a Lexington injury attorney should not be done carelessly if you wish to secure the best counsel. The most often occurring mistakes to be on the lookout for are:
Choosing a Lawyer Based on Advertisements Alone
Selecting a lawyer based just on dazzling TV commercials, billboards, or internet marketing is not a smart idea. Many times, these commercials put more emphasis on quantity than quality. The attorney might thus settle cases quickly instead of pursuing maximum compensation.
Always investigate a lawyer’s reputation, read client reviews, and get recommendations before you engage their services. Search for constant compliments on their professionalism, output, and client interactions. Should a lawyer have past criticism or disciplinary records, you should avoid them as it makes them look less credible.
Failing to Check Specialization
If you hire a general practice lawyer instead of a personal injury lawyer, it could hurt your case. If a lawyer doesn’t have a lot of experience with personal injury law, they might miss important details or have trouble negotiating. To make sure they have the knowledge and skills to get you the best results, look for an attorney whose main focus is on personal injury cases.
Overlooking Courtroom Experience
Some personal injury lawyers don’t want to go to court, so they settle cases too quickly and often take insurance companies’ low-ball offers. Insurance companies may use the fact that they know which lawyers like to settle to their advantage. To prevent this mistake, you should hire a lawyer who has a history of going to court when necessary.
Ignoring Communication Skills
A lack of communication between you and your lawyer can lead to frustration and confusion. Some lawyers are hard to get in touch with, so clients don’t know how their cases are going. To avoid all these, choose a lawyer who responds quickly, keeps you up to date, and explains legal matters in a way that you can understand.
Paying Upfront Fees
Most reputable personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. If a lawyer asks for payment upfront, that’s a bad sign. Make sure you understand how the fees work, and stay away from lawyers who don’t offer a contingency arrangement.
Hiring a Lawyer Without Proper Resources
Personal injury cases often need a lot of resources to investigate claims, gather evidence, and consult with medical or legal experts. Lawyers who don’t have resources may not be able to prepare your case well. Therefore, hire a lawyer or law firm that is financially stable to handle your case efficiently.