The top five things to look for in a personal injury law firm
Choosing a personal injury lawyer can be challenging. And, of course, it’s something you have to tackle when you’re down and out. With all the stress of an injury combined with the burden of medical bills and loss of income, choosing a lawyer can be entirely unappealing. Instead, it might seem easier to dismiss the idea of compensation as too hard. Thankfully, choosing a personal injury law firm doesn’t need to be hard work (and with the right lawyer, making a personal injury claim can be simple).
Our handy five-step guide is here to take the headache out of finding the right personal injury law firm. Let’s go.
1. Do your research.
In the age of the internet, it’s not hard to become a pseudo-private investigator.
Start by looking at personal injury lawyers in your area and checking their Google reviews. Just like mud, bad experiences stick. If the law firm you’re considering doesn’t have a swag of positive reviews, move on. We don’t mean to brag, but TPIL Lawyers has more than 200 five-star reviews. Only settle for the best.
A Google search of your potential lawyer’s name and the word “complaint” can also be a good idea. The search results should uncover any significant issues.
Friends and family who have made a personal injury claim may also offer referrals. Though, you should still investigate any word-of-mouth recommendations before signing a contract.
2. Ask your lawyer about their experience.
Like most things in life, experience matters. You deserve to be represented by a lawyer who has experience working with similar cases to your own. Your lawyer’s skills and experience may also dictate your claim’s success and rate of compensation.
Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions. Consider it a job interview of sorts – after all, your lawyer will be working for you. Only settle for the best.
To gauge your prospective lawyer’s experience, ask them how many similar cases they’ve worked on. Also, ask about the outcomes of those cases and their years of experience with personal injury law.
It’s also worth assessing the firm they’re part of. If they’re part of a large team of experienced personal injury lawyers, they’ve got access to a great brains trust.
TPIL Lawyers are Queensland’s largest independent specialist personal injury law firm. That also makes us one of the most experienced.
3. Make sure your lawyer uses plain English.
A good lawyer won’t expect you to understand legal jargon. In fact, they should go out of their way to ensure you understand every step in the process and nothing is left to assumptions.
If your potential lawyer is using baffling language that leaves you feeling intimidated or confused – call out the behaviour. Ask them to explain it again in plain English, and if they’re unwilling, move on.
You should never sign a contract that you don’t completely understand or embark on legal proceedings that haven’t been fully explained.
4. Do they treat you like a person or a profit to be earned?
Personal injuries are personal, and you deserve a lawyer who will go the extra mile to understand you, your unique injuries and your life. You are a person, not just a profit to be gained.
Look for a lawyer who connects with you and demonstrates they will do everything in their power to help you. Are they willing to travel to you if your injury makes it difficult for you to get to them? What other assistance can they offer to support you?
The TPIL team will always go out of their way to care for their clients.
5. How much does your lawyer charge?
There’s an old saying that says, “you get what you pay for.” And, that’s about right. The cheapest of lawyers probably isn’t going to provide you with the service you deserve, and the most expensive hourly rate usually isn’t feasible.
Instead, a personal injury law firm that’s prepared to waive all costs until settlement might just be your best option. This approach means they won’t waste your time if your case isn’t viable, and it also means you don’t need to worry about bills while recovering.
