Is it Required to Have a Lawyer?
Consulting with a personal injury lawyer can mean the difference between obtaining a successful result in a personal injury case and missing out on the injuries compensation a legitimate victim deserves. The law of the United States does not require the victim or the defendant in a personal injury case to be represented by an attorney in a court of law. In fact, both parties can represent themselves in a court of law so long as they know and understand the procedures and processes of appearing in court for a personal injury case. Just because a person decides to represent themselves, it doesn’t mean that the court will be lenient or give that person special treatment when in court.
How Personal Injury Lawyers Help
As with any legal case that requires extensive research, knowing the most recent laws, and understanding the deadlines associated with all of the paperwork involved, anyone involved in a personal injury case should consult with a lawyer to help with the process. A personal injury lawyer will be up to date on all of the changes regarding personal injury law and how the changes affect a person’s specific case. Finding a personal injury lawyer can be a difficult and time consuming one but can mean the difference between a successful case and one that results in tons of fees and penalties.
Searching for a Personal Injury Lawyer
The search for a personal injury lawyer can begin with the Yellow Pages or on the Internet. Make a list of the possible personal injury lawyers that the suspect wishes to meet. Begin to call around and schedule initial consultations with those lawyers. Most lawyers, as a ploy to obtain clients, will offer a free half hour to an hour consultation. During the consultation the suspect and the lawyer will get to know each other. The suspect in the personal injury case should never hire the first lawyer that they meet but should browse around before making their final decision.
The following items should be discussed or answered when prior to making a decision as to which personal injury lawyer should be hired:
- The client must feel confident in the lawyer that he or she will help them get the most compensation possible.
- The client must also feel supported by the advice that the lawyer gives them regarding their personal injury case.
- The lawyer should have a certain amount of experience with personal injury law.
- The client should compare the costs of a variety of different lawyers but should not use the cost as the main deciding factor.
- Does the lawyer belong to any special organizations?
- Does the lawyer have experience with personal injury cases?
- Does the lawyer have experienced with settling out of court?
- Does the suspect get along with the lawyer?
- Does the lawyer make the suspect feel comfortable when he or she is in his or her presence?
The Consultation Process
The consultation with the personal injury claim lawyer will also include the lawyer offering his or her thoughts regarding the case. For instance, the lawyer will be able to determine whether or not the case can win in court, whether or not the lawyer can get the judge to drop the charges, whether or not the lawyer will be able to reach a plea deal with the other party’s attorney and much more.
The personal injury lawyer will also be able to acquire all of the needed paperwork when it comes time to filing a lawsuit or preparing for a court appearance. During the consultation, the personal injury lawyer will also outline to the prospective client how he or she will prepare a defense for the case in order to win a structured settlement
