If you’ve been involved in a serious accident, you’re probably feeling upset, overwhelmed, and worried about how to pay your bills. You may have heard that hiring an attorney gives you a better chance when seeking compensation for your injuries, but there are many options to choose from.
While finding a good Missouri personal injury attorney takes some effort, the simple guidelines below can help make the process easier.
Accidents are common, so more people than you may expect have worked with a personal injury attorney or know someone who has. Ask family members, friends, and coworkers for recommendations.
If you’ve worked with an attorney for an unrelated matter, like taxes or divorce, ask them to recommend a colleague who does personal injury law. Many attorneys keep up with a network of peers in various legal areas.
Online reviews make a great alternative if you can’t find a personal recommendation. Look at attorney websites, Google business listings, and other online resources to see what people say about personal injury lawyers in your area. In addition to information about their successful cases, pay attention to comments about their communication skills, response times, and support staff.
Personal injury attorneys may work in a range of areas, from car accidents to medical malpractice. While the overall number of years an attorney has been practicing is important, so is their experience with cases like yours.
For example, a law firm may advertise that they handle all sorts of vehicle accident cases. But if your claim involves a boat or a commercial truck, you might ask about the lawyer’s experience specifically with those types of cases.
You’ll also want to know about their success rate. Many law firm websites will list sample cases they’ve won, along with the compensation amounts for each. A professional attorney will try to give you a realistic idea of your chances for success.
Different areas of law tend to favor different fee structures. For example, divorce and family lawyers often charge by the hour for their work. Attorneys handling simple cases with a limited scope, such as filing a bankruptcy or preparing a will, may charge a flat fee.
Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means the law firm will charge you a percentage of the final compensation amount. If you’re suffering the financial burdens of a serious car accident, a contingent fee arrangement may allow you to hire an attorney without worrying about upfront costs.
Finally, there is no substitute for meeting with the attorney in person. This allows you to ask questions, see their communication skills in action, and understand how the case will proceed. Many Missouri personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, so you can meet with several to see who fits you best.
To make the most of your consultation, prepare a summary of your case, bring any important documents, and write out a list of questions you have. You may want to ask about their experience, success rate, fee structure, and whether they have a list of previous clients you can talk to.
To see whether one of our Missouri personal injury attorneys is right for you, set up a case evaluation with The Law Offices of Kevin J. Roach, LLC. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means there is virtually no financial risk to you. Call us today at (636) 238-5848.
