The task of finding a personal injury attorney requires analyzing certain factors about their ability to handle the many components necessary to achieve fair monetary compensation for your injuries.
When you’re recovering from injuries caused by the recklessness or negligence of a person or
entity and at the same time are worried about finances, you must have an attorney particularly
skilled in personal injury law. Personal injury law requires knowledge and understanding of the
strategies insurance companies use to deny even legitimate claims, strong negotiation skills, knowledge of the claims filing process and statute of limitations, tenacious courtroom litigation
proficiency and much more.
When so much is on the line—your ability to heal, rehabilitate, pay your bills, and regain quality of life—you must have an attorney who will vigilantly fight for your rights and, at the same time, respectfully, consistently communicate with you throughout the process of your insurance claim or civil court lawsuit. And finding a qualified, competent personal injury attorney will take some research and thoughtfulness.
Here are important factors to consider when hiring a personal injury attorney:
Experience and Win Record: An attorney who is qualified to handle your injury claim must have extensive, documented experience of large financial wins for their clients and be willing to share those cases with you. More and more attorneys who have experience in other areas of law are newly entering the field of personal injury and don’t have the substantial track record to assure they have the skills, knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to win the financial settlement you deserve. The attorney you hire should have many years of experience with large documented wins for his clients.
Practice Focus: If you have been injured in a car accident or suffered head trauma from a slip-
and-fall or you were harmed by a defective product, but the attorney only has medical malpractice wins, they may not have the precise knowledge and experience to properly handle your case. You’ll need to hire a lawyer who has focused their practice on your particular injury cause and resultant damages.
Communication and Rapport: Because you are likely to be interacting with your personal injury attorney for an extended period and dealing with sensitive issues, they must be a good, consistent communicator who keeps you reasonably abreast of the status and progress of your case. And you should feel comfortable with your attorney because you are already in a stressful and difficult situation.
Reputation: A clear gage of the competence and integrity of an attorney is their reputation. It’s
important that they are respected within the legal and court community and are known in the insurance industry to be taken seriously. When considering hiring a personal injury attorney, ask them for references, former clients who were happy with their work. If they are unwilling to
provide references, keep looking.
Disciplinary Record: You need to know whether any disciplinary actions or complaints have been filed against the attorney you are considering. To check an attorney’s disciplinary record in Louisiana, go to www.ladb.org.
Fee Arrangement: A competent, honest personal injury attorney who has assessed that your case has the potential for a substantial win will accept your case on a contingency basis. That
means they will not be paid until your case is won and you receive a financial settlement. Costs and expenses necessary to prepare your case should also be covered and only deducted when you receive the money you deserve. The terms of the fee your attorney will be paid should be specified up-front and put in a written agreement.
Choosing a personal injury attorney with whom you feel comfortable, who has the expertise and success with your cause and type of injuries is an important decision that requires research and thought.
Attorney Josh Clayton has over a decade of experience in personal injury law and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer your questions and meet with you to discuss and assess your case. It’s important to act quickly in these matters. So, call Shreveport attorney Clayton today at (318) 217-8487 for a personal, confidential, and respectful consultation directly with him.