If you're facing a particularly serious or complicated injury claim, you'll probably need a personal injury lawyer's advice. You shouldn't turn to just any lawyer for help; look for someone who has experience representing injured folks (called "plaintiffs") in personal injury claims -- and whom you feel that you can trust.
Finding Experienced Lawyers
There are several ways to get referrals to experienced plaintiffs' personal injury lawyers. Once you get referrals, be sure to comparison shop. Get the names of several lawyers and meet with each of them to discuss your claim before you decide to hire someone. And be prepared for rejection. Many lawyers do not take cases if they fall below a certain potential recovery amount, or if the claim is not crystal clear.Here's where to look for referrals:
Friends and Acquaintances
Talk with friends or coworkers who have been represented by a lawyer in their own personal injury claims. If the friend or coworker says good things to you about a lawyer, put the lawyer on your list of people to consult. But do not make a decision about a lawyer solely on the basis of someone else's recommendation. Different people will have different responses to a lawyer's style and personality; don't make up your mind about hiring a lawyer until you've met the lawyer, discussed your case, and decided that you feel comfortable working with him or her.Nolo's Lawyer Directory
Nolo offers two ways to find an attorney. You can use the lawyer locator to quickly enter in the details of you case and have local personal injury lawyers contact you.Nolo also offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law. Nolo has confirmed that every listed attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with their bar association. Every attorney has taken a pledge to communicate regularly with you, provide an estimate of the time and cost involved, and provide you with a clear, fair, written agreement that spells out how they will handle your legal matter and how you will be charged. For more information, see www.nolo.com/lawyers.
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