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Where to Get Legal Representation for Your Injury Claim
By: Granny's Mettle, Sun Sep 3rd, 2006
Nowadays, getting legal assistance and representation are so
costly that many are finding other ways to look for cheap and
sometimes "free" legal advice. The Internet is filled with
online sources and legal websites that offer supposedly free
legal counsel.
Quite a few sites actually, offer detailed analysis of
situations most often for free, or sometimes for a minimal fee.
Many of them entertain legal queries. However, the legal advice
that you may get from these sites are not reliable, and most of
the sites even have a disclaimer on the advice provided.
Nothing beats advice coming from a reputable and knowledgeable
lawyer. Here are some ways to help you find a good, experienced
personal injury lawyer, whom you feel you can trust:
Innie Minnie Miny Moe… Who do you refer?
Getting referrals on experienced lawyers is easy. However, you
need to meet with each of them to discuss your claim before you
decide to hire someone. And be prepared to get rejected.
Remember that lawyers are practicing their profession for their
own gains. Many do not take cases if they fall below a certain
potential recovery amount. In addition, there are also those who
reject claims that are not crystal clear. So make sure you have
everything in place and all the information when you meet with
the potential lawyers.
You can get referrals from (1) friends and acquaintances, (2)
other lawyers, and (3) referral services. Talk with friends or
acquaintances who have been represented by a lawyer in their own
cases. If they have nothing but good things to say about a
lawyer, put him/her on the list. Discuss your case with that
lawyer and decide if you feel that you will be comfortable
working with him or her.
Other lawyers you know would also be able to make referrals of
other lawyers. They usually confer cases with one another so
most of them may know someone who can handle your case.
On the other hand, most bar associations have referral services
where names of lawyers and their specialties are available.
Let's discuss the problem… As with all referrals, discussing
your case with each of the lawyers will help you determine the
best representation that could handle your personal injury
claim. Bring all pertinent documents from the police report, to
medical bills and correspondences with the insurance company.
Most lawyers do not charge at the initial consultation.
Nevertheless, there still those who already want to charge for
discussing whether or not he or she will take the case. When
this happens, it's time for you to go look somewhere else.
His/Her General Experience… You need to know a few basic things
about your potential lawyer. These include: (1) How long has the
lawyer been in practice; (2) What percentage of the practice
involve personal injury claims; (3) Does the lawyer practice as
a plaintiffs' or defendants' representative; and (4) Would he or
she personally handle your case. If not, then find out who would
be dealing with you directly, and ask to meet that lawyer. It's
not uncommon for more than one lawyer in a firm to handle the
same case. Often, less experienced attorneys handle routine
tasks.
How much is it worth?... After discussing the facts on your
case, it's time to move on to how much he or she thinks your
case is worth. In addition, ask your potential lawyer how
difficult he or she thinks it may be to get the insurance
company to pay the amount. This is the time to let your lawyer
know what it is you want him or her to do for you.
In the end, getting your lawyer to represent you depends on your
needs and wants. So don't confuse the information you get from
the Internet with true legal advice. Obtaining advice and
representation from a licensed, practicing lawyer is still the
most reliable means when you're facing a particularly serious or
complicated injury claim. As in any other regular hiring
process, just remember to interview first before you decide. If
you feel confident with a lawyer's experience and his ability to
handle your case, chances are you found the best lawyer for you.
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