How to find the right lawyer for you? Initial consultation tips after a personal injury
Suffering from personal injuries can be overwhelming emotionally, physically, and financially. Read on to learn how to find the right lawyer to help you.
In the year 2020, a total of 95,001 road collisions were documented in Alberta. Among these, property damage collisions exceeding $2,000 comprised the majority at 90.2% (85,702 incidents), while non-fatal injury collisions constituted 9.6% (9,092 incidents).
Fatal collisions represented a small proportion at 0.2% (207 incidents) of the overall reported collisions. The city of Edmonton constituted a sizable number of these accidents.
If you live in Edmonton and you’ve been in a personal injury accident, contact one of the best Edmonton personal injury lawyers for legal aid.
Here are some initial consultation tips that will help you find the right lawyer for you.
Research online
Research the best local law firms in your area on Google. Shortly after identifying possible firms, visit their websites and take note of their experience level in handling similar cases as well as feedback from previous clients.
Ask around
If you haven’t personally met someone who has enlisted the services of a personal injury lawyer, it can be helpful to inquire among your family members or friends. If your co-worker or relative has ever sought legal help, you should take recommendations or referrals for your benefit.
Contact your state’s bar association
Your State’s Bar Association can assist with directing individuals towards available legal assistance resources offered within their jurisdictional area, which include providing guidance if there are grievances against any particular firm.
This is going to provide you with a list of highly skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys, as well as help you determine if there are any pending complaints against them. Make sure to filter out the ones with the most complaints.
The information available also allows viewing complaint history or information on whether the chosen lawyer follows provisions, recommended ethical codes of conduct, and operates under regulatory rules.
Make a list
Once you have found some potential lawyers online, make a list of their names and contact information. Call each firm and set up an initial consultation with one of their lawyers. Be aware that litigation is not always necessary; these meetings are mainly intended to offer you an overview and general direction on how the handling process might go in regard to your personal injury circumstances (every case is unique).
Prepare your questions
Before your initial meeting with a lawyer, it is advisable to take the time to prepare a set of questions. These inquiries should cover various aspects such as the lawyer’s experience, their handling of similar cases in the past, and their initial thoughts on a suitable course of action given the information provided (for example, police report numbers or HIP insurance policy numbers).
It is common to inquire about the procedures involved, including who will be responsible for communication and documentation, particularly when other parties or third-party companies are involved in negotiations aimed at reaching a settlement outside of court.
By addressing these concerns, you can minimize costs, ensure individual efficiency during these challenging times, and find peace of mind as you focus on recovering from any previously sustained injuries.
Don’t forget to inquire about their fees and payment structure.
Evaluate the initial meeting
Take notes on how long it takes for someone to get back in touch after making contact via phone call or email indicating interest in setting up an appointment. Timely replies help foster trust early on while showing that these firms genuinely care about individuals seeking experienced guidance through difficult stages following personal injuries.
Ensure each representative listens carefully enough to understand specific circumstances and outlines possible steps to take moving forward. Whether that be getting second medical opinions from specialist doctors or seeking support options for mental health disorders caused by accident traumas.
Take steps to find the right lawyer
Finding the right personal injury lawyer can be challenging, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. A recommended approach involves conducting thorough online research, considering feedback from previous clients and industry peers, as well as taking potential cost constraints into account.
Once you have compiled a shortlist of prospective lawyers, it is advisable to arrange initial consultation meetings. These meetings allow you to quickly establish relationships with the legal representatives, giving you peace of mind as they navigate legal proceedings and seek compensation on your behalf, be it against insurance companies or other potential adversaries.
Early engagement with a trusted legal advisor can significantly aid in addressing your legal case effectively.
