How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know that there are over 3 million non-fatal injuries each year in the United States? Unfortunately, many of these injuries occur as a result of somebody else’s behavior or negligence. Working with a personal injury lawyer is essential when it comes to getting the compensation that you deserve.

However, finding the best personal injury lawyer isn’t something that everyone knows how to do on their own. We’ve put together a brief guide that details what you should look for in a Greenville or Spartanburg personal injury lawyer. Let’s get started.

What is Their Level of Experience?

You’ll want to be sure to ask each potential lawyer about their level of experience. Have they worked on similar cases in the past?

What was the outcome? What impacted those outcomes?

The more experience a lawyer has, the better equipped they’ll be to get you the best possible outcome for your case.  The attorneys at Sentinel have successfully represented clients in various personal injury cases for years. They are ready to provide you with the legal protection you deserve.

What is the Availability of the Attorney?

You’ll also want to ask each potential lawyer about their availability and accessibility after you retain. Oftentimes the attorney will retain the client, then disappear and the client can only ever speak to a paralegal again. It is important to have an attorney that will make themselves available when there are questions and issues that arise that a paralegal might not know how to navigate. While the paralegal is oftentimes the main point of contact, that should not mean the attorney is no longer accessible when necessary. At Sentinel Law Firm, our attorneys always make time to speak to our clients when issues arise, and we understand that now more than ever is when our clients need us. 

It’s also worth considering if the lawyer you consult with will be the one that handles your case. Sometimes, attorneys will delegate cases to other members of the firm. This could create a situation you might want to meet that attorney first, and ensure you are comfortable with them as well. 

Sentinel Law Firm offers in-person or virtual consultations to those seeking legal representation. Contact Sentinel Attorneys here.

What Are Their Fees?

Comparing lawyer costs is essential. Some lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless they win your case. Others might charge an hourly rate.

Ultimately, most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis. Different cases can require different types of fee agreements, so make sure you understand why an attorney would be quoting one type of agreement over another. At Sentinel Law Firm, we always make sure to clearly explain what the fee arrangement is for our clients, and why. We know how important it is for our clients to know exactly what they are committing to, and not just what they are getting. 

At Sentinel Law Firm, we make sure you understand the various fees associated with processing a legal case.

What Do Their Past Clients Think?

Of course, you should always ask each potential lawyer about their past clients. What did they think of the lawyer’s service? Would they recommend them to others? Reading online reviews can be very helpful when you’re trying to decide which lawyer to hire.

Keep an eye out for consistent topics in client feedback, be it positive or negative. For example, if most reviews say that the attorney is very communicative, then you can likely expect the same behavior when you hire them for your personal injury case.

Sentinel Law Firm maintains a high client satisfaction rate due to our commitment to providing excellent legal representation to every client.

Is the Personal Injury Attorney Willing to Go to Trial?

If you think your case might go to trial, then you’ll definitely want to ask each potential lawyer about whether they are willing to go to trial. This is something that not all lawyers are comfortable with or willing to do on a personal injury case.

It’s important to have a lawyer who is willing to go to trial if necessary to ensure you get the compensation you deserve if your case progresses to this point. However, it is important to understand that not every case would benefit from going to trial. Trials come with added expenses, court costs, and additional time on how long it takes for your case to resolve. All of these things factor into whether a case would be better off going to trial or settling. At Sentinel Law Firm, we make sure to gather all information for our cases as if they will go to trial from the beginning to ensure the best possible representation. 

At Sentinel Law Firm, we are dedicated to representing our clients throughout the entire legal process which includes in a court or trial setting. If you case requires a trial, our attorneys are ready to give you the legal representation you deserve before a judge or jury.

Do You Feel Comfortable Working with Them?

Finally, it’s important to make sure you feel comfortable communicating with your potential lawyer.

This is someone you’ll be working closely with, and that you will be telling a lot of intimate details about your life. It’s important to make sure you feel comfortable openly communicating with them. If you don’t feel comfortable with a particular lawyer, then they might not be the right fit for you. 

We realize that legal proceedings can be intimidating and stressful, which is why we strive to make sure you understand the process during every step or stage of your case.

What Are the Red Flags in Personal Injury That I Should Watch Out For?

There are a few red flags that you should be on the lookout for when you’re trying to choose a personal injury lawyer. First, be wary of any lawyer who seems more interested in settling your case quickly rather than getting you the best possible outcome. This is a sign that they are trying to turn cases over faster for quicker money for themselves. However, a quick settlement doesn’t always mean it’s the best settlement for your case. 

Second, be cautious of any lawyer who asks for money upfront before they’ve even spoken to you about your case. Instead, look for somebody who offers a low-cost consultations and is willing to hear your problem.

Avoid any lawyer who seems more interested in talking about their own success rather than trying to understand your case. If they don’t seem interested in helping you, you should continue looking for someone who can meet your needs.

Sentinel Law Firm offers in-person and virtual consultations to ensure our firm is a good fit before we proceed with any case. We want to understand more about your specific circumstances so we can best represent you moving forward.

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer is Easier Than it Seems

Asking a personal injury lawyer these questions will help you narrow down your options and choose the best possible attorney for your case.

At Sentinel Law Firm, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through this process and make it as stress-free as possible. 

Want to learn more about what Sentinel Law Firm can do? Be sure to reach out to us today and see how we can help you.

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