Accidents happen, but an individual must be held accountable by law for any negligence on their part. If an accident results in personal injury or property damage, the burden falls upon the aggrieved party to prove this in court and make a claim accordingly. This is where an injury lawyer or accident attorney can use their expertise to prove negligence and arrive at a mutual settlement that compensates the aggrieved party fairly. Here are some key points to consider while hiring a personal injury lawyer or attorney.

Do your research
You want to hire a qualified attorney who also has plenty of experience when it comes to handling accident claims.

Read reviews and ask for referrals
Once you have narrowed the list down to a few names, try and find online reviews for the lawyers’ previous work. Major firms often have a client review page on their website where customers can post their testimonials. Referrals are an even better way of hiring attorneys, so consult with family members and friends who might know a good injury lawyer or accident attorney.

Always consult with one attorney
Senior attorneys often pawn off casework to their associates and have them do the grunt work. While this is a common practice in most law firms, you must ensure a single point of contact to discuss the case. And it is a good idea to make these terms clear when you meet the senior attorney. They will, undoubtedly, share the caseload with other associates, but the person you hire must make themselves available when it comes to representation. The person in charge must handle any matter requiring an expert opinion. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the people doing the groundwork for your case.

Ensure clear communication
Effective communication is the key to getting work done smoothly. While maintaining a single point of contact helps in general, you must also ensure that they are willing to keep an open communication channel. Attorneys must pay careful attention to the case specifics and not make any vague claims on whether the case can be won or the amount of compensation you may receive before laying the groundwork for the case. The same goes for representation; they must be honest with you about the direction and outcome before both parties sign over the dotted line.

Understand the fees and billing policies
Some injury lawyers or accident attorneys may charge a portion of their legal fees in advance, while some others may agree to a contingency fee, which means the person representing you will only get paid after winning the case. That said, legal costs will be levied till the day of the final verdict. When you hire a firm, check their billing policies to understand the cost breakup. Ask for a notarized list of estimates for both recurring and variable expenses. If you hire an attorney practicing in their own capacity, ensure that you discuss all upfront costs and retainer fees for the casework. Billing usually includes fees for deposition, expert witness testimonies, court fees, travel expenses, and expenses incurred for all sundries concerning the case.