If you have suffered an injury due to the negligent actions of another, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim to receive compensation for your injuries. As personal injury claims are a complex area of law, with many different types of injuries and compensation schemes, it is often necessary to consult a personal injury lawyer to advise you of your rights and the legal avenues you can pursue.
Personal injury lawyers are experienced professionals who are experts at dealing with the compensation claims process. If you are considering making a personal injury claim, read on to find out more about how to choose the best personal injury lawyer for your case.
What is the personal injury lawyer’s area of expertise?
It is important to choose the right lawyer for your type of personal injury claim, as lawyers have areas of specialisation. It is therefore important to ask whether the lawyer has handled similar cases to yours. Personal injury law is very broad and specialisations can include motor vehicle accident claims, workers compensation, financial planning negligence, medical negligence or slips and falls. Hiring a personal injury lawyer with specialised knowledge is important as they will keep up to date with the ever-changing laws and requirements of the compensation claims process and will be able to maximise your compensation payout.
What is the personal injury lawyer’s reputation?
The reputation of a personal injury lawyer is important as their previous dealings with insurance companies and other lawyers can affect your case. The majority of personal injury claims are settled before going to court and personal injury lawyers play a vital role in negotiating a settlement amount for their clients with the insurance companies. If your lawyer has a bad history in dealing with others, this may make settlement negotiations difficult.
If you are unsure where to find a reputable personal injury lawyer, a good place to start may be to ask family and friends if they have had a positive experience with any lawyers, or know someone who has. To find out more about a lawyer’s reputation, another good source is their company website, where you can read more about their background, experience and testimonials.
What are the personal injury lawyer’s fees?
Many personal injury lawyers offer a ‘no win no fee’ guarantee, which means that you can have access to legal representation for your personal injury claim without having to pay for the legal costs up front. Any fees that you are later required to pay are contingent-costs, meaning that the costs will differ based on whether your case has a successful or unsuccessful outcome. Your personal injury lawyer should discuss with you the estimated fees you will pay in the event of a ‘win’ or ‘lose’, so that you are not caught off-guard with legal fees after the compensation claims process has finished.
What is the personal injury lawyer personally like with you?
This is often an overlooked factor, but an important consideration for anybody looking for a lawyer. It is important that you choose a personal injury lawyer who you feel comfortable dealing with throughout the entire compensation claims process. As many of the people who make compensation claims are suffering from injuries, a lawyer should be accommodative and understanding of the needs of their clients.
Many personal injury law firms offer a free first appointment, which is a great opportunity to meet and engage with the lawyer without the pressure of having to engage their services. This is a good chance to familiarise yourself with the lawyer handling your case, ask any questions you may have and make sure the lawyers is a right fit for you.
For more information about making personal injury claims, get it touch with Schreuders today.