Every major US city has many personal injury law firms, and Cincinnati is no exception. What can you do to make sure you are selecting the top personal injury attorney in your area?
Confirm That Their Firm Has Worked on Cases Similar to Yours
In law, particularly in trial law, you want to find a specialist, not a generalist. You want to select a firm that specifically focuses on personal injury law. You need that focus and personal attention to address the needs of your personal injury case.
If the circumstances of your own injury case are particularly unusual, you may want to search your local newspaper’s archives to find out which personal injury attorneys have dealt with cases similar to yours. There may be specific local cases that dealt with similar issues or situations. Newspaper reporting on court outcomes may point you to the best personal injury attorney for a case like yours, such as the specific attorney who represented the injured party in such similar cases.
There are enough qualified personal injury attorneys to ensure that you should find a suitable match. Many firms will have experience with situations directly comparable to the details of your injury and your case – you just have to be inquisitive and persistent to find the top personal injury lawyer for a case like yours.
Talk to the Attorney About Their Past Cases
Just like hiring a plumber or an electrician, you want to meet the person you’ll be working with. When this lawyer worked on cases similar to yours in the past, what happened? What was the outcome of those cases? How were those situations different? Were court appearances required? Did they settle out of court?
Hearing the attorney discuss previous cases, you will likely hear some of their legal strategy. You will also hear some of the specific circumstances affecting that particular case, and how it may have altered the legal approach. Did their strategy make sense to you? Did it pay off in a victory for the client? Did it feel like the attorney pursued an approach tailored to that client’s needs? If you have any issues or concerns with how this attorney dealt with previous cases, it is best to find out now, before you enter into an attorney-client relationship with them.
This interview can also give you a sense of the attorney’s personality and style. Does their manner put you at ease? Do you find them approachable? An attorney may opt to use humor to reduce tension and make the process more relaxed — but do you like that? The best personal injury attorneys will customize their approach to the needs of each client and will know how to make you feel comfortable and confident with their approach to the situation.
Talk About the Money
It is common for a personal injury attorney to work on contingency. Yes, even the best personal injury lawyers in their field will still work in this manner. It means that they will not get paid unless you win your case. You want to ask the percentage they would take of your award settlement, assuming everything goes your way. You also want to find out how they charge you for any other legal fees. If they charge hourly rates instead, you should know that in advance.
Look Closely at the Paperwork
If you accept the legal services of a top personal injury attorney, you will sign a document to officially begin their work with you. When you do that, you are entering into a contract. This is nothing to be afraid of, but you should take your time and make sure you understand the agreement. Be sure to read that paperwork fully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Nobody will think you are stupid for asking a question. (And if the attorney makes you feel stupid for asking it, choose a different attorney! You aren’t an expert on injury law – it’s perfectly normal to have questions.)
Talking with the attorney about the contract will help provide a sense of the attorney’s style of communication with their clients. If you find the conversation easy to have, and that the attorney is supportive of your questions, it is an encouraging sign that the two of you can speak freely and easily.
Read the whole contract, and make sure you understand that paperwork fully. Remember that you are in control of the situation. You should only sign paperwork with which you feel completely comfortable, and only when all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction.
Contact Cincinnati’s Best Personal Injury Attorneys
If you are in need of assistance or have questions about a personal injury case in the Cincinnati area, please contact our downtown Cincinnati law firm today to discuss your situation. We are here to help you.