After suffering a serious injury that interferes with your ability to work and accomplish routine daily tasks, you can be left feeling overwhelmed, particularly when the medical bills begin piling up. When an injury was caused by someone else, you can seek compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering through a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. The first step in a successful claim is finding the right personal injury attorney for your case.
Reputable personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, GA understand that very few people set aside money for legal fees in the event of an injury. Instead of charging upfront fees, a good personal injury lawyer should offer a free evaluation of your case and contingency-based payment. This means their payment is contingent upon recovering compensation for you through a settlement or court award for your damages. They provide their legal service at no cost to you until after you have your compensation, at which point they collect their fee through a pre-agreed-upon percentage. Be clear about the payment terms before you hire a personal injury attorney.
It’s helpful to remember that a contingency-based payment plan based on a percentage of your compensation incentivizes your attorney to obtain the highest possible settlement or court award for your damages.
It’s important to choose a personal injury lawyer with a history of favorable results in cases similar to yours. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you don’t want to choose an attorney whose case history shows only medical malpractice wins. Be sure to ask about their experience with cases similar to yours and their recent outcomes for other clients. Ask if they typically end their cases with a settlement or go to court. Finally, read client testimonials and reviews. These are usually available on an attorney’s website along with other helpful information about what to expect.
Look for an attorney with a client-centered approach and a policy of open, honest communication. A good personal injury lawyer doesn’t leave you in the dark, wondering if they’ve made any progress on your case as time passes. Instead, a good personal injury attorney keeps you well-informed, up-to-date, and involved in each step of the process. Determine whether they prefer to communicate through calls, emails, or text messages.
Many top-rated personal injury attorneys are willing to come to you if your injuries make it difficult to come in for an office visit or have left you hospitalized or immobile.
Finally, personality isn’t the cornerstone of a successful personal injury case, but it’s helpful to hire an attorney with whom you feel comfortable. A good rapport enables you to communicate effectively with your attorney, allowing you to ask questions and understand what to expect.
Ask the attorney you meet with during your initial consultation if they are the lawyer who will represent you or if they plan to turn your case over to an associate. If a partner will be the actual attorney investigating, negotiating, and settling your case or going to trial, ask if you can meet with them before making a final hiring decision.
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