By: Kim Hemphry
A lawyer can make or break your case. Be careful when choosing a lawyer to represent you in a lawsuit or negotiations. Below are important things to know about finding and hiring a good lawyer.
Credentials and track record
Do not assume a lawyer has met the registration requirements if it is your first time dealing with the person. Find out if the lawyer is registered with the state bar association. A lawyers’ registration organization keeps accurate records and is a good source of an attorney’s ethical conduct, including violations. If the registration status satisfies you, the next step is to evaluate the track record.
You can start by searching the name of the lawyer online. Search engines will provide relevant information like publications, news and track record. Try to find information on websites that publish data on legal matters. Information about the lawyer from family, friends or colleagues who know about the attorney’s performance also helps gauge performance.
Area of specialization
Cases have different facts, and mere knowledge from law school might not be enough to win your case. It is better to get representation by lawyers who specialize in the area of your case because they understand distinct peculiarities in that area of law. For instance, personal injury is a vast area of practice. Compensation claims follow under different circumstances, including:
- Personal injury
- Fatal injury
- Workers compensation
- Motor vehicle accident
- Workers compensation
- Victims of crime injury
- Serious injury
- Fatal injury
- TFM claim
You can visit to find an explanation about each type of personal injury claim from https://foylelegal.com/. The explanation will help you determine the appropriate specialization of a lawyer to pursue your compensation.
Experience
An experienced lawyer should be your best bet because the other side may have veteran lawyers. An attorney with experience has dealt with cases similar to yours. They will give you good guidance regarding your case. Experience enables a lawyer to study the facts carefully and determine how to reach a solution.
Experienced lawyers want to maintain a reputation for winning. They use their long-term familiarity to prepare for trial, so they get an advantage from the start. For example, a personal injury lawyer with experience in cases against insurance companies knows the facts to use and maximize your recovery. A lawyer should also give examples of past cases and outcomes. The data helps to rate the performance.
Legal fees
Legal fees are an essential factor when searching for a lawyer. The legal fees should be within the average in your area. Some lawyers charge a flat rate according to the type of service you require or an hourly rate. Remember to ask if there will be other payments in addition to legal fees so that it does not catch you off guard. Some law firms may charge for travel, research, and other activities relevant to the case.
Personal injury lawyers who are fair to clients have a different payment approach called contingency fee arrangement. You will not pay anything until the lawyer wins your case. The lawyer will recover a percentage of the settlement or damages awarded by a court to cater for legal fees. Most lawyers charge a third (33%) of the compensation.
If a lawyer meets the above criteria, you should observe whether the person has a friendly character. You will be more updated about your case if the lawyer is easy to approach and engage in a conversation
About the Author:
Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field. More about her interests and articles on her site – http://kimhemphry.com/.
