You or a loved one sustained an injury due to no fault of your own. Whether it’s the result of a car accident, slip and fall, or a defective product, you’re probably considering hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you. But you may also be uncertain about what to look for in a lawyer to ensure that you hire the best possible legal advocate.
Selecting one should never be like picking any name out of a hat. Your injury has altered the course of your life; if it’s severe, it could have profound impacts on the remainder of your life.
Your future depends on the compensation that you seek through a personal injury claim, which would cover medical expenses and lost wages. You have a lot on the line — too much to entrust to a randomly chosen lawyer.
What to Look for When Choosing a Lawyer
Here are a few of the most important factors to consider:
Experience and a Successful Track Record
The best lawyer for your personal injury case has practice areas that span multiple types of accidents and incidents that cause personal injuries. These include:
- Medical malpractice
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Work accidents
- Product liability
- Premises liability
- Wrongful death
- Nursing home abuse
However, the type of accident that aligns with your situation should be among their practice areas. Not only should they have years of experience handling your type of case, but they must also have a track record — which they can demonstrate to you — in successfully resolving these kinds of cases.
Not all personal injury cases are resolved through negotiations, so their experience should also include litigation and courtroom representation. This broad and specialized knowledge is essential for them to navigate personal injury laws, negotiations with insurance companies, and court procedures.
Effective Communication
A good lawyer has exceptional communication skills. They can effectively explain the laws relevant to your case, along with your rights, using easy-to-understand terminology. They can outline what to expect, including a timeline and their legal fees.
They’ll know your concerns and that you’ll have questions. Thus, they’ll make themselves easily accessible by phone or email.
They also are active listeners. They’ll allow you to speak uninterrupted, making plenty of eye contact while also tuning into your body language to interpret your emotional state. This helps them get personal with their clients, foster trust, and ignite their compassion for your situation.
Extensive Knowledge of State and Local Laws
Personal injury laws differ from state to state. Ordinances vary from county to county and town to town. A good personal injury attorney has extensive knowledge of state and local laws that apply to injury claims, such as those related to liability and damage caps. Columbus, Ohio, has a Code of Ordinances that may play a role in your case.
Top-Notch Evidence Gatherer
Regardless of the type of accident or injury, a personal injury claim requires evidence. Negligence must be proved with evidence, so it forms the bedrock of every case. A good personal injury lawyer has top-notch evidence-gathering skills. Evidence ranges from police reports and medical records to testimony from eyewitnesses.
A helpful lawyer also has the resources to expand upon the evidence through expert witness testimony, such as from medical professionals, vocational specialists, accident reconstructionists, and engineering experts.
Injured in an Accident?
If you were injured in an accident due to no fault of your own, contact Schiff & Associates to schedule a consultation with a Columbus, Ohio, personal injury attorney. We’re prepared to take your case and guide you through the legal process with compassion.