You’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, and you are starting to get your life back in order. You had a chance to see your doctor, and your car is now in the shop getting fixed. It still feels overwhelming though. You know it wasn’t your fault, and think you might want a lawyer to help make sure you are compensated for your injuries.
But how do you even begin to choose a personal injury lawyer? Take notice of the little things.
Pretty much every personal injury lawyer will offer you a free consultation, and will work on a contingency fee basis. Their websites will tell you that they will fight for every penny you deserve. Great! But that doesn’t narrow the field. So now what? Time to make that first call. This is where the little things can tell you a lot.
When you call a law firm to book an appointment, notice how many days they make you wait to see someone.
Why? Most lawyers are busy most of the time. But a firm that understands how stressful your wait can be will go out of their way to make the time to see you quickly and start answering your questions.
When you first walk into a law office, notice how you are treated.
Do they go out of their way to be warm and welcoming, and put you at ease? Or do you feel like just another faceless name checked off of a list. Why? How you are treated matters; it really does. Making a claim for personal injuries is very, well… personal. You likely want a lawyer who cares about your experience and strives to make it less stressful and daunting. Don’t get me wrong, your lawyer isn’t likely to become your new BFF. But gone are the days when you either had a nice lawyer, or a talented lawyer. You are entitled to a lawyer who is both.
When the lawyer is explaining their services, notice whether the lawyer explains the process in a way that makes sense to you.
Why? It is easy for lawyers to speak in legalese and discuss technical litigation matters since that is how we speak to each other. It takes more care and effort to focus on creating a meaningful experience that suits each individual client.
Lastly, notice how your questions are answered.
Were they actually answered, and were you encouraged to ask more questions if you had them? Or was the response confusing, so you just nodded to not feel awkward? Why? A good relationship with your personal injury lawyer is built on mutual respect, understanding and trust. If the lawyer is not able to build rapport and start the relationship off on a strong positive note, it may be a long
bumpy ride.
So, when looking for a personal injury lawyer, make sure to notice the little things, since it’s those little things that often matter quite a lot.