Following a personal injury accident, countless thoughts and concerns will run through your head. But don’t let these concerns prevent you from contacting a personal injury attorney. After you’ve received the proper medical care, this is one of the first calls you should make—and it could end up being the most important one.
In this blog, we walk you through how to choose a personal injury attorney. This is an important decision and will inevitably affect the outcome of your personal injury case. Choosing the right attorney should not be taken lightly, which is why we’re guiding you through some things to look for and specific questions you should ask. You want to ensure that you hire a personal injury lawyer with a proven track record, experience handling similar cases, communicates openly and frequently, and aren’t afraid to take your case to trial.
The Paul Wilkinson Law Firm is dedicated to defending the rights of anyone involved in a personal injury case. Whether you’re involved in a car accident, bicycle accident, wrongful death case, or any other type of personal injury, we’re here for you.
Even if you think you were partly at fault, don’t hesitate to give us a call to learn more about your specific case. Our team of personal injury attorneys will guide you through what you should do next and determine whether or not your case is entitled to legal compensation.
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WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY?
Before determining how to choose the right personal injury attorney, it’s helpful to understand what they do. A personal injury lawyer provides legal services to those injured or harmed due to the negligence of another person or entity (such as a government agency or business). Personal injury attorneys are experienced in working on a wide range of cases; however, these lawyers primarily work in the field known as tort law.
WHAT IS TORT LAW?
Let’s break this down. According to the Cornell Law School, a tort is “an act or omission that gives rise to injury or harm to another and amounts to a civil wrong for which courts impose liability.” In this legal definition, an “injury” is an invasion of your rights while “harm” is understood as a loss suffered by the individual.
Tort law, then, aims to provide relief and legal compensation to those who have suffered injury or harm from a third party who could be deemed liable or legally responsible. There are many examples of personal injury cases, including car accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, or even wrongful death. While tort law does change from state to state, most courts use the Restatement of Torts as a legal guideline.
WHAT CASES DOES A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY HANDLE?
In addition to the examples previously listed, many different types of cases are commonly handled by personal injury attorneys. Some may specialize in certain cases like a car accident law firm while others may cover many areas. Here are some of the most common cases these lawyers will work on:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Product liability
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Head and brain injury
- Back and spinal cord injury
- Bad faith insurance
- Texting while driving accidents
While this covers some of the most common types of personal injury cases, it should be noted that this list is not comprehensive. Reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney to see if they can handle your specific case.
HOW TO CHOOSE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
As a leading personal injury attorney in Denver, we know how confusing life can be in the aftermath of an accident. With medical bills and insurance calls, you may simply wish for the whole incident to go away. But, regrettably, it isn’t that simple. Working with a personal injury attorney can help you manage medical bills and your insurance company and also help you receive financial compensation for your case.
But how do you pick the right one? Like any other important decision, it’s crucial to first do your homework before committing to a personal injury attorney. Research the firm, its attorneys, and its case history. Do they commonly take on cases similar to yours? If so, what’s their success rate? You should also determine whether or not they are willing to defend your case in court. While many personal injury cases are settled out of court, you still want an attorney who is both willing and adequately experienced to fight for you in a trial.
Never rush into a decision and avoid those personal injury lawyers who guarantee results or make quick promises. Regardless of the details, no case is absolutely certain. Make sure you select a personal injury attorney with experience (especially on similar cases), professionalism, and who communicates clearly and consistently.
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
You should ask a personal injury lawyer certain questions before having them formally take your case. Choosing the right attorney will save you time, resources, and help your case go as smoothly as possible. Here are some questions you should keep in mind when speaking with a personal injury attorney:
- What are your fees? (Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fees, which means that they only get paid if you win your case).
- Do you have a history with personal injury cases similar to mine?
- How much time and how many resources will you dedicate to my case?
- Will you be personally handling my case? (Sometimes, personal injury lawyers will hand off cases to less experienced associates).
- How long does it usually take to resolve a case like mine?
- Will my case go to trial?
- What is your firm’s success rate going to trial?
- What is my case worth? (While your personal injury lawyer may not initially have an exact number, they should be able to provide a rough estimate).
- What is my personal role in this lawsuit?
- Can I speak to any of your previous clients?
These are just a few of the important questions you should ask your personal injury attorney in the preliminary phase of your case. A reputable personal injury lawyer will welcome these questions and strive for open and clear communication. If they’re unable to answer some of these questions, this may be an early red flag.
CONCLUSION – HOW TO CHOOSE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
If you find yourself involved in an accident (even one that you may be partially at fault for), reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney. These professionals can help you assess your case, determine whether or not you’re eligible for financial compensation, and even help you receive the proper medical care.
Finding the right personal injury attorney is an important first step. Take your time to research the firm and the individual attorneys to ensure they have the experience and success on cases similar to your own.
If you’re in Colorado and involved in a personal injury case, contact us at the Paul Wilkinson Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. It takes just a few minutes to learn more about the options available for you and your case. Don’t wait. Call Paul at 303-333-7285 now.
The Paul Wilkinson Law Firm is a team of personal injury attorneys in Denver, CO serving victims of car, truck and motorcycle accidents. Each of our lawyers is licensed with the Colorado State Bar (CBA) and specialize in injury law.
We've recovered tens of millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and verdicts for our clients. For 13+ years we've helped thousands of people get back on their feet after experiencing serious injuries. We will take your case to trial and get the maximum settlement possible.
