(ThyBlackMan.com) Every personal injury case is unique, but most have one thing in common: an attorney. Still, the circumstances surrounding an injury and its resolution can be weighty; where would you even begin in pursuing legal recourse? Is it even worth it? Yes, and here are the first steps you can take.
1. Get well.
Any lawyer would agree that priority number one is your health. Be sure you seek medical attention immediately after an accident, and stick to any follow-up appointments. Heeding your doctor’s advice is important to your health and your case. Failure to take proper care of yourself after an injury can reflect poorly on you in court, and jeopardize the amount of your settlement.
2. Do your research.
Once your health is reasonably attended to, you can begin to select the professional who will provide the best legal assistance to your personal injury case. While searching online is always a good idea, ask around, too. It’s possible someone you know (or someone they know) has gotten excellent results with a local attorney.
3. Attend consultations.
In this day and age, consultations are usually free, and you should take advantage by having several of them. During one or more of these, your intuition may send you signal as to whom you would prefer, but there are still important questions to ask each one.
If personal injury isn’t their concentration, make sure they have real experience with such cases. Ask for examples of relevant cases they’ve won, and how they deal with insurance companies. Ask if they typically go to trial, or settle beforehand. Get answers concerning what their resources are, such as access to expert testimony and investigators.
4. Make your choice.
Now that you have your info, you might still have more than one firm to choose from. To decide between them, take a closer look at their online reputation. Read what people are saying about this firm carefully, and decide if the respective compliments and complaints are relevant to you.
Finally, there’s cost. Results are what you really want, but weigh this against what legal fees will run you. Be aware that most injury lawyers work on contingency, so paying a sum up front isn’t necessary. It’s difficult to know what you owe before all of the work has been done, but you can count on approximately one third of that settlement going to your lawyer.
5. Supply documentation.
No matter who you choose, you’re going to have to bring what you can to the table right away. Any evidence you have, especially photos of you or the accident scene will be key. It’s also helpful to take a few hours alone to write about your experience, from beginning to end.
Along with this, provide contact information for witnesses, and documentation of what this injury has cost you. This includes lost wages, medical bills, and any other expenses you wouldn’t have had to pay if you were uninjured.
With personal injury cases, time is of the essence. As soon as you’re on the right track with recovery, begin the search for a lawyer. Your best option will have the resources and tenacity to get you the settlement you deserve.
Staff Writer; Aaron Adams