If you have suffered an injury recently are looking to hire the services of personal injury lawyers, here are a few important points that you should always remember:
- First few consultations are usually free
Many people tend to avoid calling a lawyer because they believe it will cost them a lot of money in fees. However, a good lawyer will be keen to discuss the basics of your case and tell you whether he thinks you have a case or not, for free. For instance – Villarreal and Begum Law group in San Antonio, Texas offers free consultation to guide victims on how the firm can help them.
- Experience is important
Usually, good lawyers tend to limit their practice to just a few specializations. If you are hiring a lawyer to represent you, ensure that he has experience in personal injury cases.
- Say no to Ambulance Chasers
Ambulance chasing is essentially illegal in most States. If you got in an accident and get a call, letter or a mail from a lawyer immediately afterwards, beware. Consult with friends and family about the lawyer before you hire any lawyer.
- It is not necessary to file a lawsuit always
Many cases settle without having to go to trial, some cases do not even require a lawsuit to be settled. A lawyer can get the vital information to the insurance company for the defendant and thus enable to settle the case without even having to file a lawsuit. This is not just faster, but even less expensive.
- Find the fee structure of the lawyer
If you hire a lawyer, you will have to pay him his fees. Most personal injury lawyers tend to work on a “contingency fee.” This means the lawyer does not get any fee for his work until you get paid. This kind of a fee gives you more freedom to hire injury lawyers without having to pay upfront. Many good and reputed lawyers like Alex Begum work on this model of payment. Make sure to understand the fee before you hire the services of the lawyer.
- Expenses are not a part of the fee
While the fee states the percentage of your settlement, that fee will only pay for the lawyer’s time. Incase the lawyer has to pay someone else for work on your case, he pays what is known as “expenses.” Most lawyers pay the expenses on behalf of the client and then you will be billed for the expenses at the end of the case. Thus, inquire about expenses before signing the contract.
- It takes time for the cases to complete
Every case takes a lot of time to complete. When you hire a lawyer, ask how long the case will take. Good lawyers will be able to give you a realistic estimate. Beware of false promises regarding quick settlements or quick cash, these are never true.
- No Guarantees
Lastly, if a lawyer guarantees you results, don’t hire them as it is not necessary to always get positive results. A good lawyer will give you an honest opinion regarding your case.