How to choose an injury or disability lawyer.

If you have been injured or are suffering from a disability, you may be wondering whether you need to speak to a lawyer about your needs and entitlement. A good rule of thumb is to trust your instincts. If you think you need to speak to a lawyer, you probably do. The next question is how to choose the right lawyer.

Choosing the right lawyer for a specific type of injury or disability claim is an important decision. The lawyer who assisted you with your house purchase is likely not the best lawyer to take on your injury or disability claim. An injury or disability claim requires specific expertise. The tips outlined below should help you make the right decision.

Ask People Who Have Had Injury Or Disability Claims For A Referral

If you know a friend who has had to hire a lawyer for an injury or disability claim, ask whether he or she would recommend that lawyer. If your friend recommends the lawyer, the lawyer should go on your “short list”.

Ask A Lawyer You Know For A Referral

If you know someone who is a lawyer but does not handle injury or disability claims, ask for a referral to a lawyer who does. Most lawyers will know the leading firms and practitioners in each area of law, and they can point you in the right direction.

Ask People Who Are Familiar With Personal Injuries For A Referral

Doctors, hospital social workers, psychologists, and related health care practitioners can provide names of experienced, reputable lawyers who handle personal injury claims. Ask them why they feel comfortable making their recommendations.

Search Online

Most law firms have websites. You can find out helpful information about a lawyer by visiting a firm’s website and reading about his or her firm along with a biography of the lawyer. Do not focus on how “flashy” or elaborate the website is. Instead, focus on the substance of what the website contains.

Call The Lawyers On Your List

A lawyer rarely charges for an initial call. Have basic information handy like the date of the accident (if there was one), date of termination of benefits (if there is an insurance policy involved), names of people involved, and severity of the injury or disability.

Ask the lawyer what kinds of experience he or she has in handling claims like yours. You should ask what resources the lawyer has available, whether he or she has taken a case like yours to trial and whether they have been successful.

If the lawyer is unable to answer all your questions during your first call, and must call you back, expect a timely reply. Remember, a good lawyer will speak with you openly and in clear, understandable language.

Do not be greatly concerned about whether the lawyers on your list practice in your community or elsewhere. These days, with technology, it is less important for you to work with a lawyer “down the street” than it is for you to work with a lawyer with the necessary expertise. Many lawyers who act for injured or disabled persons will handle cases covering a wide geographical area.

Meet Prospective Lawyers

Meet prospective lawyers to help gather more information about their practices. Most lawyers will not charge for an initial meeting.

At the initial meeting, the lawyer should demonstrate a clear understanding of the physical, psychological, cognitive and social implications of your injury or disability – not just how to handle a lawsuit. Your case should have the lawyer’s personal attention from the start.

Much work in handling an injury or disability case, however, is best done by other experienced staff members. You will also want to find out about the people providing assistance to the lawyer handling your case.

Lawyers usually cannot predict the exact cost of their services at the outset of a case, when many details are unknown. A lawyer should, however, be able to explain fee calculations and the factors affecting the overall cost of your case.

Making The Best Choice

It is vital that the lawyer you choose is someone with whom you have a good rapport and in whose skill and judgment you have complete confidence. A solid relationship with your lawyer is imperative to get the best results for you.