Choosing a personal injury lawyer is no easy task. The person who you choose holds your future in your hands. While the wrong choice could result in debt and misfortune, the right choice could result in a large check with your name on it. Here are a few qualities that you can look for to make sure you make the right choice.
1. Good communicationAlthough your personal injury attorney does most of the work for you, he needs your help building a court case. The two of you need to work together well. And that means that you need to have great communication. If you call a law firm and they return your call days later, it's a bad sign. It's a sign that they have poor communication. As a result, you may have trouble working with him to build a strong case.
If a law firm calls you back immediately, it's a good sign that they are reliable. Working together should be easy to do, and you won't struggle to get updates about your case. Whether you contact a firm via email or over the phone, expect a quick response.
2. Organization
Every great lawyer needs to be organized. While their homes might be a mess, their offices need to be clean and clutter-free. That's because a great lawyer needs to juggle many different things at once. To avoid missing court dates and filing deadlines, he needs to be well-organized. You might notice wall calendars, drawers that are neatly-filed, and other good signs.
On the other hand, a lawyer who has a messy work space may not be able to handle your case. You don't want to take the risk that he won't be able to handle the caseload. Instead of taking a risk on a disorganized lawyer, choose one that shows high levels or organization.
3. An impressive record
Some law firms have very impressive results. They might have multiple million dollar settlements, or a long history of successful outcomes. A law firm with a history of success is one that you want on your side. No matter how many reviews you read and recommendations you get, there's nothing like facts. Consider how many cases a law firm has represented, and how many have received positive outcomes.
Another way to consider a law firm's record is to look at their accolades. Many publications list the top lawyers or law firms based on their past results. Find out how frequently your firm appears in these publications. If they don't seem to have any awards or accolades, think twice.
4. A confident but honest outlook
Some lawyers lure you in with promises of big victories. But those lawyers aren't always being honest. You can't promises any results in court; you can never tell what a judge or jury will do.
Although promises are bad, confidence is good. A great lawyer has the confidence that he can get you what you want. Although he won't make empty promises, he will make you feel great about your chances.