Checklist for Finding The Right Lawyer
Ever been in a situation where you just didn’t know what to do? Have you ever asked yourself, “How am I gonna get through this”, “Is this really happening” or “Where do I even begin”? That’s how most people feel after a devastating car accident or other personal injury. Most people don’t know what to do after a car wreck, what their case might be worth, or how to choose an attorney. This week’s blog is going to talk you through everything you need to know about hiring the right lawyer for you.
- Do I really need a lawyer?
Whether you have a serious, life-altering injury or minor injury, hiring a lawyer can help you maximize your recovery. When hiring a firm like Rice & Kendig to represent you, you can be sure you have hired professional injury attorneys with decades of experience in every aspect of your case. The insurance companies hire professionals to represent them and so should you. A good lawyer can more than make up for their fee and will help you to make good decisions and prevent you from making bad decisions. The right decisions include everything from finding the best doctors to treat you, to making sure all of your losses are fully paid. Professional attorneys, like Rice & Kendig, think of things that might not ever occur to you, but which help to maximize your recovery in all aspects of your case. That’s because this is all they do.
- How do I find the right lawyer?
It may seem old fashioned, but before billboards, the internet and Google, we asked our friends and family for their recommendations. If you look online, be sure to look for an attorney who concentrates on your type of case. Be careful to avoid those lawyers who claim they handle all cases, criminal, civil, estate planning, divorce and personal injury. Be careful of lawyers who spend all their money on the biggest advertisement, but send your case to another lawyer to handle it. You want a professional that is highly experienced in your area of need. You also want a lawyer you can actually speak with and meet with. If you call the lawyer and have to press #1, hang up and call someone else. You don’t want to be just a number and you deserve to speak with a real receptionist, secretary, legal assistant and lawyer, not a recording.
A good personal injury lawyer will always offer a free consultation at the time of your first visit.
- How do I know if this lawyer is trustworthy?
There are a lot of attorneys out there saying they will “fight for you.” Yet, many have never tried a case. Checking their reviews to evaluate past client experience is a great way to narrow down your options. You can also ask family and friends for recommendations. Asking questions like “where have you received high quality service and fair treatment?”, “When you call, do you get to speak with an attorney – your attorney?”, “ When you go to the office, do you get to meet with an attorney – the attorney you hired?” or “Is the attorney even in Shreveport?” Does this attorney offer a free consultation? Does the lawyer let you ask questions about their experience with injury cases? What does your gut tell you? Is the lawyer interested in helping you solve problems, getting you medical attention, putting you into a rental car? These are all good things to consider when hiring someone to represent you.
- How do I hire an attorney?
If you have decided that you do want to hire an attorney, determined which lawyer has the right professional experience, and which lawyer has good customer feedback, you might be wondering how do I retain a lawyer. Well, it’s pretty simple: call the attorney you want to hire. A good personal injury lawyer will offer you a free consultation. A professional injury lawyer will always meet with you. If you are not meeting with the lawyer on your first visit, start over, you have the wrong lawyer. All professional lawyers work from a written contract. The fee should be clearly stated. Professional attorneys pay the expenses and never ask the client for a deposit or retainer.
Do your homework and consider these few things. The right lawyer should be able to answer your questions and put your mind at ease. Hiring the right lawyer shouldn’t be stressful. The right lawyer will give you confidence that you will be well cared for. The right lawyer will start solving your problems on the first visit.
