Have you been injured in an accident?
If you’re injured, you may be wondering if you need a personal injury lawyer.
Choosing a personal injury attorney to represent your interests after an accident is easy.
Go ahead, hire the first one you find with a law degree. They’re all the same, right?
WRONG.
The decision you make now could cost you thousands of dollars and a less than desirable result.
Did you know 95% of all personal injury cases are settled outside of court?
You’re going to need a lawyer with the negotiation skills to fight for you.
If you don’t choose wisely, you may not receive the compensation you deserve.
Don’t waste your time with the wrong legal counsel. This article is going to share with you the most common pitfalls people fall into when hiring personal injury lawyers and exactly how to avoid them.
What you’ll discover:
- The Hidden Dangers of Choosing the Wrong One
- Why a Specialization in Personal Injury Matters More Than You Think
- Common Red Flags You Can’t Afford to Ignore
- How to Spot a Quality Attorney
- The Communication Trap That Ruins Cases
The Hidden Dangers of Choosing the Wrong One
People with personal injury lawyers receive payouts almost three times larger than those without legal representation.
But here’s what most people don’t realize…
Not all personal injury lawyers are created equal. The personal injury lawyer you choose has a MASSIVE impact on your case.
Pick the wrong one, and you could end up with a settlement that leaves you struggling to pay your medical bills.
It takes a team of attorneys, investigators, and support staff with tons of experience to maximize your compensation.
Insurance adjusters see personal injury claims every day. They know exactly how to minimize payouts and will use every trick in the book to protect their company’s bottom line.
You need someone who understands why to use a personal injury lawyer and can level the playing field.
The experienced personal injury lawyer understands the value of your claim and knows how to negotiate from strength. A specialist personal injury attorney in Duluth, GA can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Without proper legal representation, you’re essentially bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Why a Specialization in Personal Injury Matters More Than You Think
One of the most common mistakes when choosing a personal injury lawyer is picking a “jack-of-all-trades” attorney. You know the one. The lawyer who dabbles in divorces, criminal cases, and also does personal injury “on the side”.
Here’s why that’s a really, really bad idea:
Personal injury law is incredibly complex and ever-changing. Lawyers who only practice family law part-time will not have the depth of knowledge necessary to handle your case with the focus it deserves.
Imagine allowing your family doctor to perform brain surgery? The concept’s the same here. You need a specialist who handles personal injury cases daily.
A specialized personal injury lawyer has several important advantages:
- Expertise in insurance company tactics
- Strong relationships with medical experts
- Knowledge of current case law and precedent
- Experience handling cases similar to yours
When you choose a specialist, you’re getting someone who knows how to build a strong case and negotiate from a position of strength.
Common Red Flags You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Here are some warning signs to look for that should make you run for the hills…
Requests for Fees Up Front – Most reputable personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means they only get paid if you win. If a lawyer is asking for money up front, that’s a HUGE red flag.
Guaranteed Results – Anyone who promises you a specific outcome is lying or doesn’t know what they’re talking about. There are too many variables with personal injury cases to guarantee results.
Poor Communication – If they are difficult to reach during the consultation process, you can expect even more headaches when they’re actually working for you.
No Trial Experience – Some lawyers are settlement mills and will never take a case to trial. Insurance companies know who these are and will take advantage of the knowledge by offering lower settlements.
Bad Online Reviews – We live in the information age now. If a lawyer is horrible, there will be a digital paper trail to prove it.
These red flags are more common than you think. Don’t let a lack of time or desperation force you to make a hasty decision.
How to Spot a Quality Attorney
So what should you be looking for instead?
A Track Record of Success – You want to work with a personal injury lawyer who has a history of results they can brag about. Don’t be afraid to ask for specific case examples and settlements they’ve won in the past.
Resources and Support Staff – Personal injury cases require a lot of work to properly investigate, along with expert witnesses and mountains of documentation. Make sure the lawyer you’re considering has the resources to back up your case.
Clear Communication Style – You want a lawyer you can feel comfortable asking questions and being kept informed throughout the entire process.
Willingness to Go to Trial – Even though most cases settle, insurance companies will offer better settlements knowing your lawyer has no problem taking your case to court if needed.
Proper Licensing and Standing – Always verify that a lawyer is licensed in your state and in good standing with your state bar association.
Interview multiple attorneys and compare their qualifications and communication styles before making a decision.
The Communication Trap That Ruins Cases
Here’s something most people don’t think about…
Communication problems ruin more attorney-client relationships than anything else. You need a lawyer who will keep you informed and respond to your questions quickly.
But it goes deeper than that.
You also need to establish clear expectations about how and when you will communicate. Some lawyers prefer emails while others like phone calls. Some have client portals.
Figure out what works for you and make sure your lawyer can accommodate your style. If there’s a mismatch, you’re going to be frustrated throughout the process.
Fees and Contracts: What to Watch For
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, with fees typically ranging from 33-40% of the settlement. Keep an eye out for these important details:
Case Expenses – You may be responsible for expenses like expert witness fees, medical record costs, and more.
What Happens if You Lose – Understand whether you will owe money to the attorney if your case is unsuccessful.
Settlement Authority – Clarify whether you have final approval over settlement offers.
Fee Calculation – Make sure you understand whether their percentage is calculated before or after expenses.
Read everything carefully and ask questions if anything isn’t clear.
Making the Right Choice
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make after an accident.
The right attorney can make all the difference between a fair settlement and being taken advantage of.
Research your options thoroughly, ask the right questions, and choose a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law.
Quality legal representation can pay for itself many times over in higher settlements.
If you think about it, when it comes to the question why use a personal injury lawyer, it’s really pretty simple. Personal injury lawyers have the knowledge, resources, and negotiation skills to fight for the compensation you deserve.
You have one life. Don’t leave your future to chance.
