After a serious injury or accident, the next thought is usually about how you are going to pay for it all. It's important to hire the best attorney for your particular situation that can help represent you with the expertise and support you need to get the best possible outcome on your case. Only a very small percentage of all personal injury cases actually get resolved in the courtroom. The rest are settled outside of court through settlements, so it pays to invest in a lawyer with a track record of success that you can trust. They will make sure you are fairly compensated for all of your medical expenses, future treatments, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even possibly property damage. Although there are many factors to consider when picking the right attorney, the process can be relatively straightforward. With a little research, you will feel a lot more comfortable with the attorney you decide to hire. To make it easier here are a few factors to help you select the right attorney:
Areas of Specialization
Most attorneys will take personal injury cases even if they specialize in other areas, such as criminal law. Their firms think of personal injury cases as an easy payday since most result in settlements but like the old saying goes “a jack of all trades is a master of none." Your best option is to find an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases. These attorneys work every day on cases similar to yours and are less likely to be distracted by other areas of law they practice. In some cases, a law firm may even have attorney's that focus on your particular injury or type of case giving you even more insight and potential for success.
Accessibility
It's important to decide how far you are willing to drive to meet your attorney. Our Atlanta attorneys at Kaufman Law are willing to drive to meet clients in their homes or at the hospital if they are unable to meet with us in office. Always look for helpful and compassionate attorneys that can be reached around the clock 24/7 through email or text.
Experience
When it comes to defending a personal injury case, the more experience the better. You want to look for an attorney that is seasoned in the field and has learned intricate details of their specialty. Always check their certifications and licensure and look for attorney's that have experience taking the case all the way through trial. Even though a small number of cases actually make it to trial, you don’t want your lawyer to take you all the way through the claims process, but then need to withdraw once the lawsuit has been filed. For over 40 years, Kaufman Law has had the opportunity to assist victims throughout Georgia in various personal injury cases. This extensive experience gives us the ability to provide the superior service clients deserve.
Reputation
In today’s digital world, it is easy to gain insight into an attorney’s reputation by looking at testimonials from previous clients. Reading reviews will help give you an idea of what it will be like working with that law firm and how their staff manages their cases. A great place to check is the firm's testimonial page, Google, Yelp, or Avvo.
Fee Structure
Most personal injury attorneys will work on a contingency basis, meaning they do not receive any payment for their work until the case is settled. It is still important to find out what percentage or hourly fee they will charge for their services when this happens. Be sure to ask about other legal fees as well. Understanding any potential charges upfront will help make sure you feel comfortable with the payment structure at the end.
Results
A good attorney should have a wide range of winning case result amounts to share with you from large to small. Look for an attorney that has case results for claims similar to your own. All case settlements will be different, depending on how much time and money goes into the case work. You can also speak with an attorney about what damages your unique case may be entitled to, but the process of determining that can be complex and is usually best calculated after you have hired an attorney to work with.
In the end, it's important to trust your instinct when hiring an attorney, but taking these few factors into consideration will help you make an educated decision. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact us at Kaufman Law for a free consultation. Our qualified personal injury attorneys can help protect your rights as we fight together to make sure you are fully compensated for your damages.