When the time comes to hire a personal injury attorney, it is usually during an already hectic and unfortunate period. While it may seem as though finding the first attorney as quickly as possible is the solution, it often pays off literally and figuratively to spend time making the best decision regarding which personal injury attorney should represent you.

If you are unsure about how to select the right candidates to represent you, you are not alone. In fact, many who have suffered accidents or other forms of personal injury end up describing their legal battles as some of the most stressful aspects of their whole experience. This should not be the case! Here are some of the benefits of hiring a top-quality lawyer to represent you.

Experience winning similar claims

Experienced lawyers will not only bring their own personal expertise to the table, they will have a wealth of knowledge dealing with previously successful cases similar to your own. The technicalities of the legal process for your particular claim will already be familiar, allowing them to focus more effort on the details of your particular case.

Higher settlements

It is the goal of any organization or insurance policy to minimize their losses even when they are clearly at fault. Negotiating settlements can be a difficult process that is made worse with the emotions involved in personal injury cases. Having an objective party handle negotiations can lead to much higher settlements that yield more money for the client- even after representation fees have been deducted.

Access to investigators

Sometimes building the best case involves finding out more information. If there are specific questions regarding liability, insurance, assets, and even timelines necessary to prove your case, the access to an experienced personal investigator can make all the difference in court.

Trial and alternative resolutions

If settlements cannot be reached directly, a personal injury attorney will be ready to take a case to trial on your behalf. This increases the odds of winning your case dramatically. In some instances, other dispute resolution options exist as well. Whether it is arbitration or mediation, your lawyer will handle it.

No win no fees

High-quality lawyers have enough confidence in their abilities to win your case they will offer contingency-based fees. This means they will not charge you unless you win your cases and any fees will come directly out of your settlement packages reducing the need to pay upfront for services.

For all these reasons, hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your injury cases is in your best interest. Still, many people do not understand what types of cases and situations qualify for representation.

Personal injury cases

Personal injury is a catch-all phrase for many different types of scenarios including;

Medical malpractice – A situation where a hospital, doctor, or other health professional causes an injury due to negligence or omission of proper treatment.

Automotive accidents – Any injury as a result of an auto accident in which someone is found to be at fault. Settling bodily injury claims tend to be some of the most common reasons for seeking representation.

Workplace injury – Injuries such as slips and falls that were caused as a result of improper safety precautions in the workplace.

Although these cases are some of the most common, there are many more types of cases that attorneys can specialize in. When selecting the right personal injury attorney for you, it is important to inquire about the specific expertise he or she can offer you. While many lawyers have worked with a variety of different cases, it is nearly impossible to have worked with them all. Finding someone specialized in your particular injury category is important so they can have the experience and investigative connections necessary to properly handle your specific case.

Worth the cost

Hiring an attorney to represent you in your injury case is well worth the cost, in and out of the courtroom. Claimants who try to save money by representing themselves usually end up losing money as a result of paying administrative costs such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, and information-gathering fees to obtain records and evidence not to mention lower settlements. Cases that do not make it to court are also subject to fees in paperwork and registration related to arbitration or mediation.

With a contingency fee scale, costs can be covered under your recovery settlement and with a no win no fee agreement you can feel confident your personal injury attorney is ready to win your case- whether through trial or other forms of dispute resolution.

Even though many cases never make it to trial, you want an attorney with the skills, experience, and willingness to fight for your case in court if need be. If you are looking for a 96% win rate and no win no fee plans, start your injury case today.

It is not often that people find themselves needing to contact and hire medical malpractice lawyers. When that need arises, it is usually under distressing circumstances that were completely unforeseen and sudden. To make matters worse, many patients or families contemplating the need to hire an attorney find it to be a particularly confusing topic.

To begin with, we put a high level of trust in the medical community and the healthcare system when we choose to seek treatment. We are also usually unable to tell the difference between adverse outcomes in treatment and real instances of negligence that can be signs of legitimate claims of medical malpractice due to our lack of medical expertise. Also, the healthcare system is confusing to navigate and dealing with insurance companies can be a nightmare.

Regardless of the breadth of our understanding, there will be times when a doctor, healthcare organization, or hospital can fail to follow proper protocols and best medical practices causing injury or occasionally death. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury or death at the hands of medical practitioners, you will need the assistance and expertise of medical malpractice lawyers.

Here are five questions to ask during your medical malpractice consultation.

#1. How much experience do you have in medical malpractice?

This is the first question you are likely to ask for obvious reasons. Winning medical malpractice claims in court requires a complete mastery of the subject. It is well known that these types of cases tend to be some of the most difficult to prove and win. Doctors and hospitals are required by law to purchase medical malpractice insurance, and the companies that underwrite these policies have entire legal teams ready to protect their interests and profits.

You may also want to inquire about current cases that have recently been won or are currently underway. Even within the field of medical malpractice law, there are various types of cases- all of which require particular expertise to handle and win. Asking medical malpractice lawyers to compare their previous or current trials to yours is a way to not only educate yourself on the topic but a way to gain a sense of an attorney’s success rate. 

#2. What are the pros and cons of my particular case?

Once you feel confident that you are consulting with a high caliber lawyer, you will want to dive into the details of your particular case. It is essential to take this time to educate yourself on the strong aspects of your case as well as the weaker ones. Having a realistic outlook on your chances, and getting a glimpse of your attorney’s strategy to win your case will help you in the decision making process. Be skeptical of attorneys that claim that your case is entirely airtight and 100% winnable. All cases have their unique pros and cons, and a skilled attorney will be upfront and honest with their assessment of your situation.

#3. Are there statute of limitations for my case?

You have now found a competent and skilled lawyer and have heard a truthful assessment of your malpractice claim. The next step is to learn how much time you have to file your claim. Make this determination by any statute of limitations that apply in your case. Statute of limitations are laws determined by legislative bodies that set the maximum time after an event in which legal action and proceedings are initiated. These laws will dictate to you and your potential medical malpractice lawyers the timeframe you have to assemble and prepare your case.

#4. Who will be my primary point of contact?

Medical malpractice lawyers will usually have other professionals they can work with to help them secure legal documents, testimonies, or other articles necessary for the case. From clerks, interns, to even specialized lawyers within the same firm, other professionals will be involved in your case. For this reason, you may end up communicating with various people other than your direct attorney. It is beneficial for you to know who your primary point of contact is to make the whole process easier for you.

#5. What will your services cost me upfront and over the long run?

It is not easy to have conversations regarding money and fees. The sensitivity of the subject can make many who are consulting with a lawyer skip the talk altogether. This would be a big mistake! It is critical to ask this question before you commit to hiring for your case. You will want to prepare for out of pocket expenses for securing documents, hiring medical experts as witnesses, or seeking third-party services and compare them to your potential settlements. Understanding these costs from the beginning will allow you to be financially prepared to cover your expenses while you await any possible settlements.

With some patience and knowledge of the consultation process, you can find the right lawyer for you. Use these 5 questions the next time you talk to a medical malpractice lawyer and get your free case evaluation.