When you get hurt in an accident, life gets turned upside down. Your personal injury case is vital to put things back in order, and get you the compensation you need to do it. That’s why you need to make sure that your case is in the right hands.
Watch out for these three red flags that signify if a lawyer is wrong for your case.
Expects Payment Upfront
If the person you want to hire for your case requires payment upfront, it’s a serious red flag. Why? It guarantees that he or she gets paid, but you might not. You’ve already suffered an accident that comes with financial ramifications, and there’s no need to add to it.
The right attorney won’t get paid unless you do. In other words, he or she will not be paid until you’ve won a settlement. Once you’ve won the compensation you deserve, your lawyer will bill you a nominal percentage of the settlement.
Over the Moon Exaggerations
Nothing is ever 100% guaranteed, and making promises that can’t be kept is poor practice. If the lawyer does any of the following, consider it a blazing red flag.
- Making promises that your case will be won.
- Stating that you will definitely win a specific minimum settlement.
- Overstating the injuries you’ve suffered (which can backfire, badly).
- Promising excessive settlement amounts.
The above exaggerations are immoral, and illegal. No matter how good your attorney is, no one can control what a judge will do.
A good personal injury lawyer will discuss outcomes with you in terms of probability. He or she will discuss all of the possible outcomes with you, what can be done legally, and the best course of action to take for optimal results.
Poor Communication
If your attorney is dodging your calls and emails, it isn’t a good sign. If he or she has too many other cases in tow, then yours will not get the attention it needs, and deserves. This is why opting for a small law firm is the best way to go. Localized firms do not take on a lot of cases at one time to ensure that the personal injury victim is getting quality legal services.
A good attorney will get back to you within a reasonable amount of time, and provide you with regular updates on your case.
It Matters
Personal injury victims depend on their lawyers to fight for the financial compensation needed to cover their medical expenses and lost wages while they recover. Having the right attorney in your corner is vital. We’d like our readers to know that a good lawyer should be able and willing to do the following.
- Handle communications with the insurance company, and the opposing party.
- Keep punctual communication with the client about case updates, meetings, and other important and time sensitive information.
- Gather evidence that proves liability and injury such as medical reports, security footage of the accident, expert testimony, police reports, witness statements, and any other relevant records.
- Calculate the value of your personal injury including future injury related expenses.
- Negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement, and if need be, file a lawsuit.
- Guide you through legal processes and explain along the way.
- Ensure the completion of legal forms in a timely fashion.
If you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, contact our Kansas City law firm to schedule an initial consultation. During the consultation you will receive free legal advice from a compassionate and dedicatedattorney near you. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.