What to Keep In Mind When Searching for a New York Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were in an accident that was not your fault and left you with injuries, it might be time to get a lawyer. A New York personal injury attorney can help you investigate the accident or incident and obtain evidence to build a strong case. Furthermore, they can advise you of your rights and legal options and help you understand the intricacies of your case.

However, not just any lawyer will do a good job representing you in your case. Therefore, here are some tips that can guide you when looking for a good New York personal injury lawyer.

• Do Your Homework on the Attorney

First, create a list of potential attorneys who can work on your case. Then, start narrowing the list down. Research each lawyer on your list to ensure they have the qualities and experience to handle your case.

They must be registered with New York to practice law in the state. You can do that by searching their name through the Attorney Search of the state’s Unified Court System. The system will show you if the attorney is registered and the day they were admitted into the New York Bar.

After confirming that they are licensed to practice law in the state, ensure they have experience handling cases like yours. For example, you would get a medical malpractice lawyer for a medical malpractice case and a product liability lawyer for a product liability case.

• Look For Specific Qualities That Guarantee They Will Represent You Well

You want to look for specific qualities in the personal injury lawyer you intend to retain. These include significant experience in personal injury law and a good record of success with settlements and trials. They should also have a clean disciplinary record, great communication skills, and a good reputation with prior clients and peers.

In addition, you want a lawyer from a law firm with the resources it will take to handle complex cases. They should also be willing to offer free consultation and be available whenever you have concerns about your case.

• Ask the Lawyer Questions That Help You Ascertain Their Fitness

Schedule a consultation with the potential attorney and ask questions that will help you determine if they can handle your case. For example, ask how many practice years they have gathered in personal injury law and what their experience is in handling cases like yours. Ask how much they charge for their legal services and if they will handle your case personally.

You also want to ask if they have ever taken a case to trial, how many they took, and their success record. Ask them about your case – for instance, do you have a case at all, and what issues are there? “Knowing how much time a lawyer can devote to your case might signify the value they place on your case,” says Attorney Neal Goldstein of Goldstein and Bashner.

• Discuss the Fee Structure to Understand the Cost Fully

It is essential that you understand the full cost of your case before you retain the attorney. Therefore, discuss the firm’s fee structure, asking if they work on contingencies (most personal injury lawyers do). Then, ask if anything changes if they take the case to trial – that is, will the contingency fee increase? Working on contingencies means you do not pay if the lawyer does not win your case.

Conclusion

You have a better chance of winning your personal injury case if you hire the right attorney. Therefore, before you sign any retainer agreement or forms, do your research and ask sufficient questions to avoid any unpleasant surprises later.