Action 1: Gain an understanding of the legal problem you face.
Before the advent of the internet and other mass media, knowledge of the law was all but reserved to attorneys and the legal community. However, in today’s world everyone has immediate access to important 64information through the internet. You should be forewarned that there is no guarantee that the information you’re going to garner from your study of the internet will be accurate. You have made an excellent choice by reading this book. You can follow up by visiting the Consumer Resource Alliance website. All the information on the site is provided by member attorneys who have agreed to adhere to ethical standards and have demonstrated a very real commitment to provide the injured consumer with the information necessary to empower them to make wise decisions for themselves and their family.
Action 2: Begin to gather names of potential attorneys to consult with.
Certainly the authors of the books on the Consumer Resource Alliance website are a good start in compiling your list of attorneys to consult with. However, there are other valuable sources you should consider, including friends and family members who have had experience with an attorney in your community. You may also wish to consider a state Bar-approved referral service as a source for qualified attorneys. Once you have put together what you believe to be an adequate list of attorneys, consider moving to Action 3.
Action 3: Call the attorney’s office and ask for written information.
If an attorney cannot or declines to provide you with written information, you may want to remove them from your list. You are about to enter into a very important contract with an attorney that is going to be responsible for your legal and financial welfare. If they have not taken the time to put together meaningful consumer information in writing, they may be a poor choice. If you contact their office and find yourself experiencing high-pressure sales tactics, immediately run the other way. Warning: Always beware of any lawyer who calls you first or has someone else solicit your case either by phone or in-person. Unless 65you have a pre existing professional relationship with the attorney, any such contact is unethical, and may be illegal.
Action 4: Narrow your choices.
At this stage, you should narrow your choices to three to five lawyers that appear experienced and have provided you with written information about your particular legal problem. No matter how experienced the attorney, it is critical that you feel comfortable entrusting your case to the attorney at what can be a very stressful time.
Action 5: Ask questions.
Listed below are a series of questions you may want to consider.
- How many years have you been a practicing attorney? You do not want someone who has just graduated from law school.
- What actual experience do you have in handling cases like mine? The attorney should have worked on not just any personal injury case, but one with real similarities to yours.
- Please explain my case to me. What legal challenges do you see? This is a good test of the attorney’s ability to communicate clearly with you in a caring and understanding manner.
- What is your rating on www.Avvo.com? This is an excellent web resource to find meaningful information on the attorney you may be considering.
- Do you carry malpractice insurance? If they do not carry this insurance, it may show that they are reckless and unconcerned with your welfare.
- Have you been disciplined by your state Bar association? If they have, let them offer you an explanation and you can decide if it is something that should take them off your list.
- Please describe the process that I will experience in the handling of my case. Again this will be a good test of communication skills and allow you to determine if this is a firm that you want to work with.
- Who in your office will I be working with on my case? Find out if you are going to be working with a qualified attorney or only a paralegal.
- How will you keep me informed as to the status of my case? The attorney you hire should be able to give you a clear explanation of their communication policy with their clients.
- What is my case worth? This is a good trick question. Any attorney that begins quoting you numbers is someone that you should not consider. Most ethical attorneys are going to review your case in detail with you and explain the different parameters involved. No attorney can predict with any certainty the ultimate result in your case.
- Do you represent insurance companies? This is a good question to ask because you will want to know whether there may be a conflict of interest with this particular attorney and your case.
- Do you regularly attend continuing legal education courses in the area of personal injury? Did their education end with law school? If yes, take them out of the running.
- Have you published articles, guides or books for consumers or other attorneys? You want the best, and if they have published a book, you will be able to see their expertise in print.
Action 6: Rank the information you’ve received.
By ranking the information you’ve received into the categories that you feel are most important, you’ll be in a position to make a decision that is both wise and based on real information that you’ve gathered from the attorneys you’ve interviewed. Take your time in your selection of your attorney, as this will be one of the most important decisions you can make in determining the outcome of your personal injury claim. If you follow all these guidelines and suggestions, as well as your personal instincts, you should be able to find the right attorney for your case. Always remember—YOU ARE THE BOSS and your attorney serves at your pleasure. Do not be afraid to demand the level of service and care you deserve.
If you or someone you care about has been in an accident, we’re here to talk.
Contact us today for a free consultation.