Tips on Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago
Personal injury lawyers assist clients injured by another party’s negligence. A personal injury claim is also a tort claim, which means one party has caused harm to the other party through wrongful actions, negligence, or a failure to act responsibly.
If you are an accident victim and believe that the other party is responsible for your injuries, you may want to hire a personal injury lawyer. Below, we will explore some general tips on finding good Chicago personal injury attorneys.
- Ask Friends and Family to Refer their Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you search for a lawyer, you may want to get opinions from your friends and family. You don’t want to talk to just anyone, though. You want to focus on the people who have been in your shoes, suffering from injuries due to another person’s negligence.
These people will have first-hand experience of what it is like to go through the legal process and can give you some great recommendations. This can be a great starting point, and it will help you avoid spending time researching attorneys who aren’t interested in taking your case.
- Discuss Fees Before Signing
Before you sign with any injury lawyer, ask them about their fees, and get everything in writing. You want to understand;
- What are the fees covering
- What are the expenses
- What are the expected costs
This will help you avoid misunderstandings later on. You can also discuss your payment plans with the lawyer and ask about financing options if you need help paying their fees.
You may even want to pay a small retainer fee upfront to secure the lawyer’s services in case you need them. This will ensure the lawyer is on call and ready to help you if you need legal advice or assistance in the future.
- Research Attorneys Online
Different websites review lawyers and their services. You can search for review sites that list personal injury lawyers and see what other people have said about their experience with the lawyer.
You can also check out the lawyer’s website to see what information they provide and get a feel for their personality. This can help you decide whether you want to work with a lawyer.
Social media, including Facebook and LinkedIn, can also be helpful in research. You can use these sites to start a dialogue with attorneys and get to know them better before speaking with them in person.
- Review Past Successful Cases
When meeting with an attorney, ask about their experience with similar cases. This will give you insight into whether they will provide you with the necessary representation. The lawyer should also share some examples of past successful cases to give you an idea of their skills in the courtroom.
Find out how long the lawyer has been in practice. While this is not always an indicator of success, it can give you peace of mind knowing that the lawyer has been through the process before and is familiar with how personal injury cases work.
- Get a Free Consultation
When you meet with an attorney, ask for a free consultation. This is a meeting where the lawyer will sit down with you and discuss your case. They will ask you questions about the accident and your injuries.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to get to know the lawyer and ask them questions about their experience. It is also an opportunity for the lawyer to determine whether they want to take on your case. If they do, they will likely ask you to sign a contract.
What to Look for When Interviewing Potential Candidates
You want to find an attorney who is:
- Compassionate – they should understand what you are going through and be willing to fight for you
- Experienced – they should have handled cases similar to yours in the past and be familiar with the law
- Responsive – they should be available when you need them and answer your questions promptly
- Reliable – they should be someone you can trust to keep their word and follow through on their promises
Call a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
You can use the tips above to help you find a personal injury attorney who meets your needs. Once you have found a few potential candidates, set up consultations with each one. This will allow you to ask them questions and get to know them better.
It will also let you get a feel for their personality and see if you would be comfortable working with them. Choose the lawyer you feel most comfortable with and who you feel confident will fight for you and get you the compensation you deserve.
