Lawyers are good at talking – they have to be – and there are thousands of personal injury lawyers in the U.S., hundreds in Minnesota alone. So when it comes to choosing a lawyer, you have to know what to look for before hiring one.
St. Paul personal injury lawyer Paul Gatto explains in this video that one of the most important things to look for is comfort. When meeting an attorney for the first time, consider these questions:
- How do you intuitively feel about the person?
- Do you feel they are being honest?
- Is there a level of comfort there?
Gatto says he believes this is crucial because your lawyer is going to need to be empathetic and able to put themselves in your shoes, feel your pain and understand the things that you are going through, so they can better help you through the experiences you are going through. Think of it this way: Would you trust a doctor you did not feel comfortable with? Or a contractor entering your home?
The same goes for hiring an attorney.
Here are some other things to look at before choosing a personal injury lawyer.
EXPERIENCE
There are many types of lawyers – divorce, criminal, personal injury, estate, etc. – and you want to be sure your attorney is experienced in what type of litigation you are facing.
You can ask them about what types of cases they have been successful with and how many they have handled. This will give you an idea of how experienced they are with cases like yours.
If you have a friend or family member who has hired an attorney and had favorable results, ask them for recommendations.
DON’T GO WITH THE FIRST ONE
Don’t go for the first lawyer you speak to. Rather, talk with several to get a feel for their experience, availability, costs, and their general attitude. Many attorneys offer a low- or no-cost consultation fee. Before speaking with them, be sure you understand if the consultation is free or if there is a fee. Be prepared with your information so you can share it with them briefly and get an idea from them about what your chances are in court.
DETERMINE EXPENSES UP FRONT
Court costs and fees can add up and “costs” are different from “fees” in law. In the majority of personal injury cases, a contingency fee is used to compensate the lawyer for their representation. That is, if you don’t win, the lawyer does not get paid and if your case wins, the attorney will receive a portion of the settlement.
However, these fees are not the same as costs which can include:
- Court costs
- Administrative costs
- Expert witness costs
- Investigative costs
- Deposition costs
Talk with attorneys you are considering, about these costs and be sure you are clear on what they will entail. Since some costs can’t be predicted, ask how unanticipated costs will be handled.
COMMUNICATION AND AVAILABILITY
Personal injuries can be devastating and difficult to navigate. With the emotional, physical, and mental strain of enduring personal injury as the result of someone else’s negligence, it helps to have an attorney who is sensitive to and experienced in the things you are going through.
Talk with prospective lawyers and ask them what their availability is in the even that you have questions or concerns, and how they intend to communicate with you.
Having 24-hour access to the compassionate expertise of a personal injury lawyer can be invaluable for individuals experiencing this difficult time.
CHECK FOR REVIEWS
Some attorneys offer testimonials from previous clients that can help you get a better idea about how they handle their cases and their clients. If there are no reviews or testimonials on their website, ask if they have any referrals available for you to see.
These tips can help you achieve the best results when you are seeking a qualified personal injury lawyer. If you want to find out more about Swor & Gatto or speak to us about your case -, we invite you to contact us today to find out how we can help you recuperate much of your losses.