Here are some basic guidelines for choosing a personal injury lawyer.
Finding Personal Injury Lawyers
The first place to start when looking for a personal injury lawyer is to look for recommendations from friends, family, and others you trust. Take all the recommendations you receive, and put them on your list of possible lawyers. Note the good (and bad) things the recommender says about the lawyer.
Next, go online and look for the websites of the recommended lawyers. You will likely also come across websites for additional lawyers in your area that handle the type of case you are considering. Reading lawyers’ websites can give you an idea about the lawyer’s style of practice.
Narrowing Your List
To narrow your list, consider lawyers that seem to focus on the type of lawsuit that you are considering. It doesn’t have to be the only practice area, but it should be a priority. Lawyers that prioritize your type of case will likely have experience handling them, and a relatively successful formula. Check lawyers’ verdicts and settlements to see if they have a successful record. Past performance is not a predictor of future success, but you want to make sure any potential lawyer has the ability to succeed.
Look at the lawyer’s bio. You want to know how long a lawyer has been practicing, and whether the lawyer has specific training or experience relevant to your case. Check on the lawyer’s professional affiliations, most of which have codes of conduct for members and can give you some assurance about a lawyer’s ethics.
Talking to Lawyers
Next, you want to talk to several lawyers on your short list of candidates. Because personal injury lawyers generally offer free consultations, you should talk to several before making a decision. You want to feel comfortable with the lawyer both personally and professionally; and remember—you are trusting this lawyer with your future, so don’t settle for a lawyer that leaves you with reservations.
Make sure you ask questions about:
- Their assessment of your case
- How they plant to handle your case
- Whether the lawyer you’re talking to will be the one handling your case
- How fees and expenses will be handled, and how much to expect
At the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone we invite you to consider our New Jersey personal injury lawyer to handle your case. If you read the information on our site and schedule a free consultation, we are confident you will see the quality representation we offer.