Legal Basics: What to Look for in a Personal Injury Law Firm and How A Reputable Online Lawyer Directory Can Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident and plan to pursue compensation, the first thing to do is meet with and hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. As we discussed in our March 26 blog, personal injury lawyers assess clients’ cases; manage statements of claims and other legal documents; and represent clients in mediation, arbitration, and in court if necessary. But what are the steps to finding the right personal injury lawyer? Is it as simple as picking a name from a reputable online lawyer directory?
Finding the right lawyer for your case is easier said than done. Competition among personal injury law firms in most Canadian cities is fierce. Each firm has different specialties and a unique approach to the law. Here are a few things to consider as you search for the right personal injury lawyer to meet your legal needs.
Experience and Expertise
Compensation awarded through personal injury lawsuits has a profound impact on accident victims’ quality of life. Recovering from a serious injury and adapting to a new mode of living is not only physically and emotionally exhausting, it’s also expensive. An experienced personal injury lawyer with expertise in the specific form of injury or accident you’re affected by is an invaluable asset to your case and can have a huge impact on the total financial recovery and, ultimately, your physical recovery and future quality of life.
For example, some lawyers specialize in brain injury or spinal injury claims; others focus on medical malpractice cases; some work with injury victims’ and their insurers to resolve accident benefits disputes. A lawyer with a proven track record of success in your area of need is your best chance to access the fair compensation you deserve.
A reputable lawyer directory is a great place to find representation, but you can also research firms independently. Most law firm websites describe how long the firm has been in business and provide bios for team members. The more experience your firm and lawyer have with your type of injury, the better.
Location
There are many benefits to working with a local law firm for a seriously injured accident victim. Not only will you find it easier to attend consultations and meetings, but your lawyer will be more likely to understand the unique circumstances of your accident. You may also benefit from the law firm’s relationships with local healthcare and service providers, including rehab facilities, therapists, attendant care providers, and contractors with experience in accessible home renovations.
Reputation and Referrals
A negative reputation can end a lawyer’s career, and in the age of Yelp and Google Reviews, it is more important than ever to provide quality service. As you research personal injury law firms, be sure to read as many online reviews and ratings as possible. Even the best lawyers are sure to receive an occasional negative review, but an overwhelmingly positive online reputation is a good indicator of the quality of a firm’s service.
Don’t rely solely on digital referrals and the guidance of a lawyer directory. Ask friends and family members who have dealt with lawyers in the past for their advice.
Pricing and Fee Structure
As mentioned earlier, recovery from serious personal injuries is expensive. So is litigating personal injury claims. Like anyone else, personal injury lawyers expect to be paid for the services they provide – how they pursue that payment affects their ability to acquire clients.
Most lawyers that practice in the civil court system offer to work on a contingency basis, which means clients aren’t expected to pay up-front or hourly legal fees. Instead, the lawyer receives a percentage of the settlement or compensation awarded. This fee structure is intended to ensure access to justice for all Canadians. Hourly fees are prohibitively expensive; contingency fees provide clients the flexibility to manage day-to-day costs and expenses while their lawyer pursues compensation. This arrangement also ensures that lawyers are fully invested in their clients’ cases. After all, they don’t get paid until a settlement has been awarded.
Start your Search at ExperiencedLawyers.ca
At ExperiencedLawyers.ca, our aim is to help you find the perfect lawyer for your unique needs. Search our lawyer directory based on lawyers’ areas of expertise and locations to find the right lawyer to help you access compensation to fund your recovery.