Figuring out insurance forms, medical bills, and lost income while recovering from an accident can be overwhelming. The attorney you choose should empathize with your situation and provide reassurance.
They should also have strong negotiation and litigation skills in case your case needs to go to trial. Lastly, they should be accessible to contact and responsive to your questions.
Experience
An experienced personal injury lawyer will thoroughly understand the legal processes and complexities of individual injury cases. They will also have extensive experience working with experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, forensics, doctors, and vocational rehabilitation professionals.
An experienced attorney will have developed relationships with these experts, which can be beneficial in negotiating a fair settlement from an insurance company. In addition, an experienced attorney will have trial experience, which helps reduce the risk of taking your case to court.
An excellent personal injury lawyer Detroit will have deep empathy and compassion for their clients. They will be attentive and responsive to their client’s needs, including returning calls and emails promptly and keeping them updated on the status of their cases.
Specialization
Passing the state bar exam is an impressive accomplishment, but specializing in your field of law is what will truly set you apart from other attorneys. Seek a lawyer with substantial legal training and expertise focusing only on personal injury claims.
When meeting with potential representatives, pay attention to how much time they spend listening to your story. It should indicate that they empathize with your situation and care about getting you the best possible outcome.
Also, ask the attorney about their participation in national and state organizations specializing in personal injury law. This is a sign that they are up to date on the latest developments in this area of law and are actively involved.
Excellent Communication Skills
A personal injury attorney should be excellent at communicating with their clients, other lawyers, medical professionals, and the court. This includes explaining complex legal jargon in ways that clients can understand. They should also be active listeners, attentive to their clients’ needs, and respond promptly when they have questions.
An excellent personal injury lawyer will have compassion and empathy for their client’s situation, as they often experience a very challenging time after an accident. They should be able to empathize with their client’s emotions and provide reassurance throughout the case. They should be able to build a rapport with their client and communicate effectively with them, both orally and in writing. This is important because negotiations settle most injury cases out of court.
Strong Negotiation Skills
A personal injury lawyer’s negotiation skills are critical to securing a favorable settlement. They should be able to anticipate and counter common tactics insurance companies use to strengthen their client’s position. They should also be able to draw on expert opinions, such as medical and accident reconstruction, to support their arguments.
Navigating the aftermath of a severe injury is already a stressful time, with mounting medical bills, loss of income, and health insurance forms to fill out. Your personal injury attorney should take care of the details so you can focus on healing and getting back to normal. They should also explain the intricacies of the legal process in a way that empowers their clients, not confuses them. Empathy is also essential, as you’ll be going through a difficult period of your life.
Advocacy
Many personal injury attorneys research legal issues and draft arguments for your case. But at the end of the day, your attorney’s most significant advocacy skills will be in person, arguing your case before the judge and jury.
A quality lawyer will have empathy and compassion for their clients. They will understand you are approaching them during a challenging and stressful time. They will take the time to understand your unique situation and tailor their legal strategy to align with your goals.
When you meet with potential personal injury attorneys, ask them what results they’ve obtained for their past clients. While no one can guarantee a specific outcome, a reasonable personal injury attorney should have a track record of success.