Insurance companies don’t work for you. They work for their shareholders, and their shareholders have a vested interest in making sure you don’t get paid what you are owed. If you are in an accident, then, you can’t depend on a insurance company to treat you fairly. So, what do you do when you need the money you are owed? It’s simple – you hire a personal injury lawyer.
There are many attorneys out there, but hiring the right attorney is harder than you might expect. A good attorney will make a huge difference in your case, but only if you are able to find him or her. While you’ve probably seen plenty of ads out there for personal injury attorneys, it’s a better idea to stop and pay attention to the following steps to find the attorney who can best help you.
Think About Your Needs
Every accident is different, and it’s impossible to predict how any case will go without knowing the details. As such, you should start by thinking about your own situation and what kind of help you need. Were you involved in a clear-cut situation in which the only problem will be with insurance?
If so, you’ll want to prioritize working with a good negotiator. Is it going to be harder to collect, or are there issues of fault at play? If so, a good litigator might be more helpful. You need to concentrate on what’s important in your case.
Find Someone With Experience
Your next move should be to look around and find an attorney who has experience handling cases like yours. There are many personal injury lawyers, but not all of them have dealt with situations that are specifically like yours. If, for example, you were involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you’ll want to work with someone who has dealt with the trucking industry. Likewise, an accident that involves working with an insurance company requires the help of someone who knows that industry. The more experience your attorney has, the better.
Prioritize Reputation
You should also look at the reputation of your attorney. Do other people prefer to work with him or her? Does he or she have a good reputation online, or does he or she mostly have negative reviews? These are questions you’ll need to ask because you are trusting this person with an important part of your life. It doesn’t matter how little the attorney charges or what promises he or she happens to make – if the reputation isn’t there, you shouldn’t trust him or her.
Seek Out Honesty
Along with a good reputation, your goal should be to find an honest attorney. Due to complicated rules of ethics, this is easier than you might think. What you really want is someone who will be up front with you, both about whether your should work with an attorney and about what it will cost you. A good lawyer will let you know exactly what the cost of doing business will be, even if he or she can only give you an estimate. The more honest your attorney, the more likely it is that he or she will have your best interests at heart.
Finding a good attorney is the key to getting the compensation you deserve. Putting in the effort to find the right attorney can be trying during this difficult period of your life, but it is more than worth the effort. With the help of the right lawyer, you’ll get a better chance of being made whole and have the kind of ally who will help you in your upcoming struggles.
