Checklist for Finding the Right Lawyer

Have you ever been in a situation where you just didn’t know what to do? Ever asked yourself, “How am I going to get through this”, “Is this really happening” or “Where do I even begin”? That’s how most people feel after a devastating car wreck or other personal injury. Most people don’t know what to do after a car wreck, what their case might be worth, or how to choose an attorney. This week’s blog is going to talk you through everything you need to know about hiring the right lawyer for you.

1. Do I really need a lawyer?

Whether you have a serious, life-altering injury or minor injury, hiring a lawyer can help you maximize your recovery. When hiring a firm like Rice & Kendig to represent you, you can be sure you have hired professional injury lawyers with decades of experience in every aspect of your case. The insurance companies hire professionals to represent them and so should you. A good lawyer can more than make up for their fee and will help you to make good decisions and prevent you from making bad decisions concerning your case. The right lawyer can help you find the best doctors to treat you and make sure all of your losses are fully paid. Professional attorneys think of things that might not ever occur to you, but which help to maximize your recovery in all aspects of your case.

2. How do I find the right lawyer?

There are many ways to find a lawyer in your area. You can start with asking your friends and family for recommendations. When looking online, be sure to look for an attorney who concentrates on your type of case. Be careful to avoid those lawyers who claim they handle all cases, criminal, civil, estate planning, divorce and personal injury. You want to hire a professional that is highly experienced in your area of need. You also want a lawyer you can actually speak to and meet with.

3. How do I know if this lawyer is trustworthy?

There are a lot of attorneys out there saying they will “fight for you”, but many have never even tried a case. Checking their reviews to evaluate past client experience is a great way to narrow down your options. It may seem old fashioned, but before billboards or the internet, we asked our friends and family for their recommendations. Ask your peers questions like “where have you received high quality service and fair treatment?”, “When you call, do you get to speak with an attorney – your attorney?” “Does this attorney offer a free consultation?”. These are all good things to consider when hiring someone to represent you.

4. How do I hire an attorney?

After you have decided that you do want to hire an attorney, determined which lawyer has the right professional experience, and which lawyer has good customer feedback, you might be wondering how exactly the hiring process goes! Well it’s pretty simple: call the attorney you wish to hire. If you are not meeting with the lawyer on your first visit, start over, you have the wrong lawyer. All attorneys are required to have a written representation agreement. You will be asked to sign that agreement and other forms to get your case started.

When hiring an attorney do a little research and consider these few things. What do your friends and family say about the lawyer or law firm? Does this lawyer focus on personal injury? Did you get to speak with the lawyer? Hiring the right lawyer shouldn’t be stressful. The right lawyer will give you confidence that you will be well cared for. The right lawyer will start solving your problems on the first visit. You should be given direction on what to do next and feel like a weight has been lifted when you leave their office. At Rice and Kendig, we would love to help lift that weight for you!