Experiencing a sudden traumatic injury can send your life spinning off course in a moment. When the injury results from someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions, it’s even more distressing. Not only do you deserve financial compensation for the consequences of the injury—known as “damages” in a personal injury claim—but you also deserve justice. With a personal injury claim in Southern California, you can achieve both.
When a serious injury keeps you from returning to work at the same time that medical bills and related expenses pile up, it’s time to talk to a personal injury attorney and gain experienced legal counsel for your claim. Our Encino personal injury lawyers offer free case consultations so you can determine the best way forward and choose the right personal injury attorney to represent you in your claim.
Most people who seek a personal injury attorney are doing so for the first time and may be uncertain about what to look for in their legal representation. The following tips can help you choose the right attorney for your case.
Before you arrange an initial consultation, check the attorney’s track record for representing clients in cases similar to your own. California’s State Bar website offers a search tool for checking an attorney’s background. You can verify an attorney’s credentials, and educational background, and view any disciplinary actions by the Bar Association against the attorney. Make sure they are well-respected among their peers in the state. Read client testimonials, and look for those that list the amount of compensation they received in their settlements or jury verdicts.
You can also check if the law firm has received any state awards for large settlements and verdicts.
At your confidential case consultation, don’t hesitate to ask for a list of jury verdicts obtained by the lawyer and their firm. An honest attorney who is confident in their track record will proudly share their past verdicts and trial experiences. At the initial meeting, make sure you have a good rapport with the attorney and that they have an open, honest, engaging manner that you’re comfortable with. The following questions can help you know if you’re choosing the best personal injury lawyer for your case:
Remember, your consultation is free, so you can interview as many attorneys as you’d like in order to choose the one whose answers to the above questions make you feel confident in their ability to achieve your goals for the outcome of your case.
Always ensure that your first consultation is free before agreeing to meet with a California personal injury attorney. Then, ask about the firm’s payment model. In most cases, the attorney in personal injury claims only takes a fee after they secure your compensation so you pay nothing until you’re paid. In many cases, the defendant pays an injury victim’s attorney’s fees in addition to your settlement, but it’s important to know the percentage of your compensation the firm takes for their legal fees so you don’t have any surprise expenses.
If someone else caused your injury, you deserve the best possible result in your case. Choosing the right lawyer is a critical first step in the process.