Groups » Seven Traits of a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer
Every law firm these days is offering the ‘no-win-no-fee’ option, and every personal injury lawyer claims to have won dozens of cases similar to yours. The fact is, not all lawyers are as good as they say. Nonetheless, there are a few lawyers who have the skills and the knowledge to handle your claim. However, finding such a lawyer is an uphill task.
‘Personal injury’ cases are legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury and someone else may be legally responsible for that harm. There are different types of personal injuries, ranging from a dog bite to medical malpractice. You will have to choose a lawyer who specializes in dealing and working with injuries similar to yours.
Car accidents contribute heavily to personal injury cases. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that around 5.5 million car accidents take place in the United States each year, leading to three million injuries. Medical malpractice also constitutes a significant number of personal injury claims. Although it is a subset of personal injury law, medical malpractice is considerably more complex than any other law practice. Read this article for a detailed breakdown of data on plaintiffs, defendants, types of medical errors, and more.
How to Find a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer?
Amidst your suffering, how do you go about hiring that one lawyer who can win your case? Using your favorite search engine to look for a qualified personal injury lawyer will set things in motion. You can also ask your friends and family members for references. It is essential to meet the lawyer at least once before hiring him/her.
There are a few traits that are commonly found in qualified personal injury lawyers. Make sure that the one you hire has the following traits, irrespective of whether he/she is an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer or not.
1.They Specialize in a Particular Personal Injury Claim
Your lawyer should have considerable prior experience in handling and winning cases similar to your claim. Although personal injury law firms handle several types of claims, cases are usually assigned to attorneys specializing in a particular type of personal injury claim. There is no point in hiring a car injury lawyer if you are a victim of the medical malpractice. The attorney should have won at least 10 cases similar to yours with maximum compensation being granted.
2.They Boast Several Testimonials
A long list of testimonials tells you that the lawyer has delivered the desired results. It also reveals that he/she cares about his/her clients and stands up for their rights. A few testimonials asserting the attorney’s professionalism are more powerful than a self-proclaiming webpage. Further, testimonials that corroborate each other show consistency in delivering results.
3.They Are Compassionate Toward Their Clients
Most of the time, personal injury clients suffer more than just physical injuries. That’s why the lawyer should be compassionate towards them. Still, there are a few lawyers who consider every personal injury case as nothing more than a business opportunity. A greedy lawyer will blow your chance to get a decent compensation. It is in your best interest to stay away from such gold-diggers. If your lawyer can connect with you on a personal level, it will help him/her understand your side of the story.
4.They Are Extremely Realistic
An experienced personal injury attorney will go through your details to verify if you have a case. He/she will not make any false promises of getting excessive compensation, as it is difficult to decide the exact compensation for a claim.
Several small injury claims are settled even before a lawsuit is filed. However, if your claim involves permanent injury or impairment, a good lawyer will not settle before filing a lawsuit. A qualified lawyer will wait until the plaintiff has recovered as much as possible to study the extent of the injury. He/she will file a lawsuit only after the plaintiff has reached a point of maximum medical improvement.
5.They Have Excellent Credentials
An attorney’s academic background supersedes his/her experience, and a law degree from a reputed institute reflects the basic intelligence of the lawyer. Intelligence is a critical trait in a lawyer, as it shows shrewdness. A successful lawyer is a proud recipient of many awards, nominations, and recommendations. He/she also generously donates for social causes.
6.They Have Sound Resources
Unlike other areas of law which find their principles in the statute (such as penal codes in criminal cases), the development of personal injury law has taken place mainly through court decisions and treatises written by experts. Plus, personal injury trials involve cross-checking tons of medical evidence, which is extremely time-consuming. Although several personal injury claims are settled before the trial, a few complex cases still go to trial.
7.They Are Easily Accessible and Responsive
The hot-shot lawyers are usually difficult to get ahold of. However, a really good lawyer makes sure that he/she is easily accessible. In order to make the process as stress-free as possible, your attorney should answer your calls and queries in a timely manner. As the client is already under considerable stress, a responsive and punctual lawyer is exactly the kind of help that he/she needs. In a few personal injury cases, seriously injured victims are unable to leave their home. The lawyer who can regularly visit their home will be most preferred in such cases.
Personal injury claims are difficult to handle and need highly skilled lawyers. It is, therefore, better to show perseverance than haste when hiring a personal injury lawyer. Only a qualified personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation that you deserve. The seven traits of a qualified lawyer offered above will help you find a reliable and professional personal injury attorney.