Finding an Attorney: Where to Start and What to do Next

It's not a good idea to go with just any attorney to handle a case.

Clients will work closely with the attorney for a significant amount of time, sometimes one or two years, to reach the conclusion in a case, so they'll want to make sure they find the right attorney to hire. To do this, there are a few things the client can do, including the following. 

Gather Info About Local Lawyers

For most people, working with a local lawyer is crucial. The only exception to this is if the lawsuit is based in another state. For instance, if a car accident happens on vacation, the case will go through the state where the accident occurred, so the lawyer will need to be able to proceed with a case there. With all other cases, local lawyers like Feingold and Posner are a better option. Stick with someone local, not a major company that operates across all states, for easier communication and more local knowledge that can help the case. 

Check the Area of Law They Work With

Even if the lawyer works with personal injury cases, find out what kinds of cases they handle. If the accident was a motorcycle accident and the lawyer typically handles slip and fall accidents, they may not have significant experience that can help with the case. Many attorneys will handle a variety of cases, so look to make sure they have handled cases similar to the one in question and that they'll have the experience needed to provide help. 

Look at References

Check out the references for any lawyer before hiring. Did they settle the case for more than the client expected or urge the client to accept the first settlement that ended up being too low? Are they willing to go to court to get a higher settlement amount? Learn about cases they've handled in the past, how they handled the cases, and what the clients thought about their assistance. 

Ask for a Consultation

Never hire an attorney without a consultation. Take the time to prepare for the consultation and create a list of questions to ask. The attorney will briefly review the case and answer a number of questions. This allows the attorney and the client to get to know each other better and find out if the attorney is a good fit for the case and the client. 

Think About Compatibility

After the consultation, before hiring the attorney, consider compatibility. Does the attorney seem easy to work with? Did they rush through the consultation or take the time to answer all questions? Since the client will be working with the attorney for at least a few months, it's imperative they are compatible. If the attorney is highly recommended, but compatibility just isn't there, it may be a good idea to look for another attorney. 

Personal injury cases can take a significant amount of time and work to resolve, so it's imperative clients choose the right attorney to work with. Use the tips here to start looking at attorneys to handle your case and make sure you find one you will like working with for the duration of the case. You also need an attorney that will work hard to get you the amount of compensation needed to financially recover from the accident.