Hopefully, you will never have to be in the position where you are serious injured and must shop around for personal injury law firms. But if you are injured and require the help of a lawyer to receive compensation, there are a few mistakes that you should try to avoid.
Mistake #1 – Trying to do it on your own
There are many reasons why injured people choose not to go to personal injury law firms when they need help. They may have received bad advice from their insurance company, or they may think that they cannot afford a lawyer. But not contacting a lawyer can be a big mistake – It can ultimately mean getting far less compensation than you are entitled to. At the very least, you should schedule a free consultation. This will allow you to find out what compensation you might get from your case and help you to make a more informed decision about whether to move forward with the firm.
Mistake #2 – Not getting referrals or testimonials
Just like any other professional that you hire, it is a good idea to get referrals or look at testimonials. If you have friends or family that have been involved in a personal injury case, you should ask them to tell you about their experiences. If you don’t know anyone who has been involved in this type of case, then you should as any prospective personal injury law firms for referrals and testimonials. They may have testimonials posted on their website, but if they’ve had cases that have gone to court, you may also be able to find out the outcome of some of their cases. When it comes to getting compensated for an accident, it is important to have the most qualified lawyers possible on your team.
Mistake #3 – Trusting the advice of insurance companies
If you’ve been in an accident, and you are now speaking to representatives of either your own insurance company, or that of the defendant’s, you should never rely on their advice. What you have to remember, is that this person is working for the insurance company and not for you. Their job is to ensure that the company only has to pay the minimum amount possible. You may be entitled to much more, but they will never tell you that. You need your own legal representation.
Mistake #4 – Settling too early
Financial difficulties can quickly arise when you’ve been injured. When you’ve lost your income because you are unable to work, and the medical expenses are piling up, it can be tempting to jump at the first offer that you get. But again, this can mean that you’ll end up missing out on cash that you really deserve. Your lawyer can help you weather this storm and let you know when to settle and when to hold out for more.
Mistake #5 – Choosing a lawyer based on rate alone
Different personal injury law firms may structure their rates differently but this should not be your deciding factor. It is important to choose a firm that has a good track record of success and a lawyer that you feel comfortable and confident working with – because this is likely to be a long term relationship.