What to Look For When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in LA
If you get injured in an unexpected accident and wish to take legal action against the person or party responsible, your first step should be consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. Hiring the right attorney to represent you can have a large impact on the outcome of your case. Look for the following signs that a personal injury lawyer is the best one for you.
What to Look For in a Personal Injury Lawyer
Practice Area Experience
Personal injury is a broad practice area with many different specialties and legal doctrines. It’s important to find a lawyer with hands-on experience handling your type of case. A car accident case, for example, will not deal with the same laws as a premises liability case in LA. Look for an attorney who has handled cases like yours before and won.
A Track Record of Success
Although past case results do not guarantee future wins, a personal injury law firm with a long track record of client success stories can give you confidence in its ability to successfully handle your case. Look for an attorney who can not only negotiate a settlement with an insurance company on your behalf but who can take your case to trial in LA County for maximum compensation, if necessary.
Credibility in the Field
Not all personal injury attorneys are equal in terms of trustworthiness and reliability. Be sure the lawyer you hire has the qualifications necessary to take your case. Start by double-checking that the lawyer you have found is barred in the State of California and in good standing. Then, look for signs that the attorney has a positive reputation in the legal community, such as referrals from other lawyers and positive reviews and client testimonials.
Open Communication
The right personal injury lawyer for your case in LA will prioritize communication. Your lawyer or a paralegal should always respond to your phone calls or emails in a reasonable timeframe. You should never feel ignored or dismissed by your personal injury lawyer. Find an attorney who is compassionate and expresses an understanding of what you’re going through during this difficult time.
Affordability
Check to see if the personal injury attorney operates on a contingency fee basis. This is the most popular payment arrangement among personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles. With this system, you will only be responsible for paying a fee to the personal injury lawyer if you win your case.
If the case results in financial compensation for your costs and losses, you will pay your attorney a percentage of the settlement or verdict achieved. Otherwise, you won’t pay anything at all. This arrangement not only protects you from financial risks associated with pursuing a claim but also motivates the attorney to secure the best possible results.
Local Law Firm
Some attorneys advertise that they are local when in reality they are based in a different city or even a different state. Check to confirm that the personal injury lawyer you’re researching has an office located within Los Angeles city limits. This will give your attorney important knowledge of local LA County laws, courts, experts and insurance companies.
A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer with all of these traits and qualities will be able to guide you through your claim with peace of mind and confidence.