Finding a properly qualified personal injury solicitor does not have to be a trying process as long as you are willing to do a little homework upfront. It is a good idea to start by contacting a professional Bar Association in your country for a list of practitioners in your area. Generally speaking, members of such associations have to adhere to higher standards or face being kicked out.
Get Referrals
That said, there is no substitute for a word of mouth recommendation when it comes to choosing the right personal injury solicitor. You need to find a solicitor who is not only knowledgeable and professional but also one that you are able to get along with. The solicitor should be someone whose advice can be trusted and speaking to other clients and getting their opinion will be invaluable.
Your friends and family may not be able to refer you to a potential personal injury solicitor and, in that case, the next best thing is to speak to an attorney that you may know. Most of us have had some contact with an attorney - even if it was just to set up a will. An attorney is in a very good position to know how good other attorneys are.
Set up an Interview
It is only really going to be possible to make a final decision once you have spoken to the potential attorneys. You need to feel some sort of connection and trust with your attorney. You will need to lay out the basics of your case and find out whether or not they had dealt with something similar before. Get them to give you a good idea of the projected cost, whether or not the solicitor has dealt with similar cases, etc. Allow the solicitor time to research in need.
Settle Fees
A lot of personal injury solicitor will allow you to pay for their services out of your settlement. If this is the case, it is usually a good indication that the personal injury solicitor is confident that you have a valid claim. It is wise to have the fee structure set out in writing. Make sure to read it carefully before you sign.
Is the Personal Injury Solicitor Personable?
You need to ensure that the solicitor is someone that you can get along with and also someone that others will find personable. In the vast majority of cases, the issues are settled through settlement conferences, not in court and so you need someone who is good at negotiating.
Follow Through
It is a good idea to keep in contact with your attorney if you want the best results. You should ensure that you receive regular updates. Allow time for any research and internal procedures to be properly done but insist on regular updates so that you know how your case is progressing.
Get Referrals
That said, there is no substitute for a word of mouth recommendation when it comes to choosing the right personal injury solicitor. You need to find a solicitor who is not only knowledgeable and professional but also one that you are able to get along with. The solicitor should be someone whose advice can be trusted and speaking to other clients and getting their opinion will be invaluable.
Your friends and family may not be able to refer you to a potential personal injury solicitor and, in that case, the next best thing is to speak to an attorney that you may know. Most of us have had some contact with an attorney - even if it was just to set up a will. An attorney is in a very good position to know how good other attorneys are.
Set up an Interview
It is only really going to be possible to make a final decision once you have spoken to the potential attorneys. You need to feel some sort of connection and trust with your attorney. You will need to lay out the basics of your case and find out whether or not they had dealt with something similar before. Get them to give you a good idea of the projected cost, whether or not the solicitor has dealt with similar cases, etc. Allow the solicitor time to research in need.
Settle Fees
A lot of personal injury solicitor will allow you to pay for their services out of your settlement. If this is the case, it is usually a good indication that the personal injury solicitor is confident that you have a valid claim. It is wise to have the fee structure set out in writing. Make sure to read it carefully before you sign.
Is the Personal Injury Solicitor Personable?
You need to ensure that the solicitor is someone that you can get along with and also someone that others will find personable. In the vast majority of cases, the issues are settled through settlement conferences, not in court and so you need someone who is good at negotiating.
Follow Through
It is a good idea to keep in contact with your attorney if you want the best results. You should ensure that you receive regular updates. Allow time for any research and internal procedures to be properly done but insist on regular updates so that you know how your case is progressing.