When you’re getting ready to take someone to court for a personal injury, you need a lawyer on your side that is truly on your side. Personal injuries are traumatic – the last thing you want is to feel re-victimized by the person who is supposed to be helping you. Though you can never be absolutely sure, there are some qualities that can help ensure a positive outcome.

They Are Experienced and Have a Quality Reputation

You want an attorney that knows how to handle your case, so the first step is to find one experienced in personal injuries. You also want someone who is respected by their clients. The best way to find a lawyer that fits both is to ask around. Friends, family, and coworkers are often good sources. Community pages on social media can be a good place to ask. Also, don’t forget to take a look at their Google reviews, as these can be very telling.

They’re Honest From the Start

You need to know the truth about your case. You don’t need to be strung along just so your attorney can make more money. A good attorney will be honest with you from the first meeting. They’ll be truthful about your chances of winning, tell you if they think it’s a losing battle, and be transparent about how much they’ll charge you.

They Treat You Like a Human – Not a Paycheck

Everyone goes to work to get paid – and your lawyer is no different. However, they should treat you like you’re more than a job. You’ve been through a trauma, and your lawyer should understand and respect that. They don’t have to hug you and literally hold your hand, but they should have compassion. And they should be happy to walk you through the process and do their part to reduce the burden you carry.

They Communicate In a Way You Can Understand

Legal terminology is their specialty – not yours. You shouldn’t be expected to understand everything they mean. If a lawyer cannot speak to you in a normal manner or answer your questions in a way you can understand, they’re probably not the partner for you.

A personal injury is not fun to deal with – neither is a court case. Having a good attorney on your side, however, can make the entire process a bit less stressful, so take the time to find one with the qualities mentioned above.

It can be stressful when someone realizes they require the assistance of a trained legal professional. One situation could involve injuries following a motor vehicle accident. If you have been involved in a serious motor vehicle collision, you could be facing mounting medical bills. This could be made worse if you cannot return to work. If you have been injured due to the fault of someone else, then the other person could be held responsible for your medical bills. To make sure your rights are adequately defended, you may want to enlist the services of a professional personal injury lawyer. What services should you expect from your lawyer?

First, your lawyer should be your strongest supporter. You deserve to have the ability to focus on your recovery. To make that happen, you should rely on a personal injury lawyer to handle your other issues, including the navigation of the court system. The first thing your personal injury lawyer should do is make you aware of your rights. That way, you understand every option you have at your disposal. Then, your personal injury lawyer should provide you with unbiased advice, walking you through each step of the legal process.

Importantly, there is a large amount of paperwork that is going to be filled with medical and legal jargon. You should expect your personal injury lawyer to act as a translator, explaining everything that is about to happen. That way, you can make the best decision for your needs based on this information.

Finally, your personal injury lawyer should also act as your representative as numerous investigations unfold. Your personal injury lawyer will represent you when you interact with judges, opposing counsel, and a variety of experts. Then, your personal injury lawyer should provide you with an estimate of what your case is worth. Even though it will be up to you whether to take your case to trial, settle, or allow it to be dismissed, your personal injury lawyer should provide you with advice. That way, you can place yourself in the best position possible to be successful. Rely on a personal injury lawyer to help you if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident.

If you watch television very long, chances are you will see dozens of ads for personal injury lawyers. They tout huge settlements and working hard for you — and, the fact is, the claims they make in their commercials are generally true. But how can you find the perfect personal injury lawyer to represent you in your case?

Make sure your lawyer’s expertise matches your claim.

Personal injury is an area of law that covers medical malpractice, car crash injuries, defective product claims, defamation, dog bites, and much more. No personal injury attorney can develop expertise in representing plaintiffs in every kind of personal injury claim, while you can be sure that insurance companies and well-financed businesses will retain defense counsel with extensive experience in shooting down your kind of claim.

Most attorneys will tell you the kinds of cases they take in their advertisements and on their websites. Don’t hesitate to ask your personal attorney for an introduction or use a local lawyer referral service.

Discuss fees before you sign with your lawyer.

Many but not all lawyers take personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. A typical contingency fee is 33-1/3 percent. In that case, if the court awards you $300,000, your lawyer will charge $100,000 and you will receive $200,000.

Some personal injury attorneys charge considerably more than 33-1/3 percent for their contingency fee, and will also withhold “expenses” of trial, such as payments for private investigators and expert witnesses. You need to know all pertinent fees for your representation before you agree to allow any lawyer to represent you. If an attorney thinks there is no chance of winning, they should tell you and you should owe them nothing.

Once you have found your perfect law firm, there is one very important rule you must follow for them to give you perfect representation.

Let your lawyer review any settlement paperwork before you sign.

After you file suit, you should not receive any communications from the person you are suing or their insurance companies. These “ex parte” communications can be unlawful and even a cause for an attorney to be disbarred. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be presented with an opportunity to settle out of court.

It is often better to settle rather than to go to court and take your chances with a judge and jury. However, if you are offered a settlement, be sure to have your attorney review it before you sign. When you are in a court case, the other side’s attorney never acts as your friend.