Knowing When to Retain Legal Counsel | The Necessary Steps in Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Accidents often happen when you least expect them, changing your life in an instant. If you’ve never been involved in an automobile accident, slip and fall or other type of mishap caused by someone else’s carelessness, you may be uncertain of your next steps. When should you hire an experienced personal injury attorney? What does that process look like? What should you look for when evaluating legal counsel?
What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer/attorney is a licensed legal professional who can help you get full and fair compensation for any injury or loss caused by the carelessness or negligence of another person. A personal injury attorney will be your advocate throughout the legal process, from the initial filing of a lawsuit or other claim through the gathering of evidence and trial, if necessary. As a general rule, personal injury attorneys have extensive courtroom experience, and typically charge for their services on a contingent fee basis. That means that, while you may pay for certain things, such as filing fees, court reporter fees and expert witness fees, out of your pocket, the amount you pay for legal representation will be based on a percentage of what you actually recover, either in a verdict or a settlement.
The Steps Involved in Hiring a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney
The first thing you need to do is identify potential candidates to represent you. As with anything, you should never make a commitment without considering more than one option.
There are many ways to find a potential personal injury, from online searches to referrals from bar associations to recommendations from friends or family. When you’ve narrowed down your list to 3-5 potential candidates, contact each and ask for a free consultation (virtually every personal injury attorney offers one). Put together a list of questions to ask each attorney (See our list below or go to our blog on What to Ask a Personal Injury Attorney during Your Consultation). Based on the answers to those questions, including a clear understanding of how you will be billed for legal services, make your decision and sign a fee agreement.
Things to Look for When Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Here are the things you want to know about each attorney:
- What types of cases do you handle?—Does the attorney focus exclusively on personal injury claims or handle a wide range of legal controversies? You are typically better served by a lawyer whose sole or primary practice is dedicated to personal injury.
- How much experience do you have?—You don’t want your attorney learning fundamentals on your case
- How do you charge for services?—What is the contingency fee (percentage that the attorney will take from your settlement or verdict)?
- How often do you settle a personal injury case?—Does the attorney have extensive trial experience or are most cases settled before trial? You want a lawyer with considerable experience doing both.
- Who will actually handle the case?—Will you be working directly with the senior attorney at all times or will significant work be done by an associate or less experienced attorney?
Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney? When Should You Retain Counsel?
If you have been hurt in any way in an accident caused by another person, you should hire legal counsel. Don’t decide not to hire an attorney because your injuries seem minor? Often, the most debilitating injuries suffered in an accident can take weeks, months or even years to fully manifest. Furthermore, the adrenalin you feel in the immediate aftermath of an accident can mask the severity of your injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know what potential challenges may not yet be apparent, but may be lurking around the corner.
As a general rule, the sooner you hire qualified legal counsel, the better. In most instances, it will be in your best interests to hire an attorney before you notify insurance providers of your injuries, as your attorney can be your liaison with insurers, helping you get all the benefits to which you are entitled. Texas law requires that you file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the event that caused your injury, or of your discovery of any injuries. Accordingly, you’ll want, at a minimum, to hire an attorney so that you can file your claim within the time restrictions.
Contact the Proven Personal Injury Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we understand the devastating impact any type of personal injury can have on every part of your life. We’ll aggressively protect your rights throughout the legal process, acting as your intermediary with insurance companies and as your voice in all meetings, hearings and legal proceedings. Contact us by e-mail or 844-402-2992 at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
