You might think that choosing a personal injury attorney is easy. Unfortunately, that doesn't always tell you everything you need to know. Here are things to consider when hiring a personal injury attorney:
1. Experience MattersThe most important thing to look for in a personal injury attorney is experience. If you've been injured in an accident, you'll need someone experienced enough to understand the process and negotiate effectively. Look for lawyers who have handled similar cases in the past. Ask friends and family members for recommendations, too.
2. SpecializationSome personal injury attorneys are generalists, meaning they handle a wide variety of cases. Others are specialists, focusing on a particular area of law. For example, some specialize in car accidents, while others focus on medical malpractice. A specialist might be able to provide better representation because he or she knows the ins and outs of the legal system. However, you may pay more for a specialized attorney.
What Is My Case Worth?When you go to court, there are many things that happen behind closed doors that we don't see. There are lawyers involved, judges, clerks, witnesses, and more. But one thing that happens every day in courts across America is that people come together to settle cases out of court. This is called mediation. Mediation is different from litigation because it doesn't involve a judge or jury. Instead, it involves a neutral third party — usually a lawyer — who helps resolve disputes between parties. When someone files a lawsuit against another person, the plaintiff and defendant must agree to mediate their dispute before the court system gets involved.
If you've been injured in an accident, you might think that you'd want to file a personal injury claim. However, there are some situations where filing a personal injury claim isn't appropriate. For example, if you're accused of committing fraud or theft, you'll likely face criminal charges. In those types of cases, the best way to handle the situation is to hire a criminal defense attorney. Similarly, if you're facing a civil suit, such as a car accident, you'll probably want to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.
The problem with asking "what is my case worth," however, is that it assumes that everyone knows how much money he or she deserves. What if I told you that you're entitled to $1 million dollars for your pain and suffering? Would you believe me? Of course not. We know that no one can predict exactly how much money someone is owed for an injury. So why would we assume that we can tell you how much you're worth?
You shouldn't ask what your case is worth. Instead, you should find a good personal injury attorney who understands your specific situation and can help you negotiate a fair settlement.
What's Your Track Record With Courtroom Experience?The best way to find out about a lawyer’s courtroom experience is to ask them directly. You don’t need to know how many times they have been to court, what types of cases they have handled, or even whether they have ever lost a case. What matters most is whether they have won a lot of cases and whether they are willing to tell you about it.
Ask questions like:
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC will take over the case from the very beginning and make sure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will help you recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses due to the accident. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.