Accidents can happen to anyone. Most accidents happen due to the inattentiveness of one of the parties involved. In other words, a lapse in the duty of care an individual owes to others often leads to accidents.
So what options do accident victims have to recover the damages and losses they have sustained?
Legal websites, like teamjustice.com, have the answer to this question. These sites have ample resources that provide guidance on legal matters and help victims find a lawyer to handle their case.
But choosing a lawyer isn’t as simple as taking a walk in the park. And, choosing the wrong lawyer can be detrimental to a personal injury case.
This is where this article is useful. It lists six qualities that victims should consider before hiring a personal injury lawyer. Read on to find out what they are.
1. Expertise
All attorneys are experts in the field of law. Their area of expertise is what separates them.
A wide range of cases fall under personal injury law. Some of the common ones include:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Truck accidents
- Defective products
- Bus accidents
It is important to check the area of expertise of the lawyer before hiring them. Choosing a car accident lawyer for a medical malpractice case isn’t going to do any good to anyone.
2. Experience
Experience is an important quality for a lawyer to have. It’s better to hire a lawyer who has experience than be the first case for someone.
Inexperienced lawyers will be found wanting in multiple departments. They may
- Make decisions without informing you or waiting for your approval
- Be late in filing essential forms and notices
- Be unprofessional
- Make mistakes in law-related terminology or procedures
- May suggest unethical or illegal methods
An experienced lawyer, on the other hand, will take complete control of a personal injury case. They know all about the potential complications that may arise. This makes them the ideal choice for any personal injury case.
3. Resources
A skilled personal injury lawyer has an extensive collection of resources.
Resources here refer to the contacts the lawyer has and the size of their team.
A personal injury lawyer with a wide network of contacts is beneficial in multiple aspects of a case. This includes
- Determining liability
- Estimating damages and losses
- Proving the seriousness of the injuries
One crucial player in a personal injury case is an expert witness. These are specialists who are experts in their fields. Expert witnesses help prove specific parts of the case. Their statement holds weight in all circumstances.
4. Communication Skills
A lawyer is supposed to have exceptional written and verbal skills. They must be able to communicate effectively, making sure the listener understands what they are trying to convey.
Their language must change depending on the situation. As the average Joe is going to have a hard time understanding legalese, it is up to the lawyer to break down complex legal concepts.
5. Negotiation Skills
A lawyer’s negotiation skills come in handy during the later part of a personal injury claim. As most cases are settled out of court, the lawyer a victim chooses must be a skilled negotiator.
During settlement negotiations, the at-fault party’s insurance company will reject the victim’s initial claim and make a very low counteroffer. A skilled lawyer will counter this lowball offer with one that is less than the initial offer but fair nonetheless. They will also provide strong statements to back up this counteroffer.
6. Litigation Experience
In rare situations, a personal injury case may go to court. In these circumstances, the lawyer’s litigation experience and skill will be very useful.
A personal injury lawsuit is a completely different ballgame. Lawyers without litigation experience will have a hard time dealing with it.
Lawyers with litigation experience will find it much easier to represent clients in court.
Conclusion
A personal injury attorney is instrumental to the success of a personal injury case. But choosing the wrong lawyer can negatively impact it.
Following the points in this article will help victims get the best legal representation. With an experienced lawyer by their side, victims have a better chance of fair compensation
Source: TeamJustice.com
