Find a Car Accident Lawyer near You
If you intend to file a personal injury claim against a negligent driver, the first thing you may want to do is hire a lawyer. Ideally, it would be best to get a local lawyer because they will have more insight into local laws. So, even when you know a good out-of-state lawyer, they may not be the best fit for a personal injury claim in Ohio unless they have offices in the state. Sometimes, you may have to narrow it down to a specific city. However, getting a local lawyer is not enough; this guide highlights other factors and tips to consider when choosing a local lawyer.
Consider Their Experience
Earning a law degree and admission to the bar doesn’t make a lawyer an expert in their field. Experience does. So, you will want to consider the years of practice a lawyer has to their name. Personal injury law is a broad field; most lawyers pick a specific niche to specialize in.
So, you have to consider your target lawyer’s area of focus. In most cases, it will be in their marketing materials. For example, a car accident lawyer will have the keywords “car accident” on their marketing materials, such as blogs and social media posters, so it may not be so difficult to identify.
Legal Fee and Payment Arrangement
Lawyers have a reputation for being costly. So before you engage one, you want to be sure you understand their charges and payment arrangements and that having one will be worth it for your case.
Most personal injury law firms have a contingency-based mode of charging legal fees. As such, clients only pay if they win their case based on a pre-agreed percentage, typically around 33 percent of the payout, but it can go higher or be the owner based on the lawyer and the circumstances of the case.
It’s important not to use pricing as your only factor. Sometimes, cheaper options can be expensive in the long run. But you also do not want to go to the very expensive side.
Their Standing among Their Peers
Good lawyers command respect from their peers. So, research what their peers say about them on legal peer sites. A good indicator of a respected lawyer is the number of referrals from their peers.
So, ask the percentages of cases they receive as referrals to get a rough idea of their standing. “The local bar association is also good for finding information about a lawyer’s standing. For example, you get to know if the lawyer has had any disciplinary cases over the years, which should be a red flag,” says Illinois personal injury attorney Michael McCready.
Do They Have a Professional Office?
All factors mentioned in this guide should help you arrive at a shortlist. With the shortlist, the next step in elimination should be visiting the lawyer’s office in person. An organized office signifies a serious lawyer running a professional business.
Also, you have to consider its staffing. While it doesn’t have to have too many people around, a professional lawyer should have the basics such as receptionist and enough personnel to handle the clients. As such, waiting too long to be unattended can mean a heavy workload and limited resources, which may not be ideal for excellent outcomes.
While at the office, you will also want to weigh a lawyer’s soft skills, like communication, empathy, listening, and attention to detail. While not all these aspects are crucial in winning a case, they can make your experiences smoother.
