Personal
injury law can be confusing. It's important that you find the right legal
professional to help you assess your case and protect your interests. If you're
seeking a personal injury lawyer who serves Sioux City and the surrounding
areas, here are some things to keep in mind when determining who is the right
attorney for your needs.
- Credentials.
A good personal injury lawyer
will have a history of success in working on your type of case. Ask questions
when assessing your lawyer. How many cases of your type has he or she worked on
and what were the outcomes?
- Advertising Isn't Important.
Many personal injury lawyers
advertise heavily. You may get unsolicited mail right after an accident and see
many firms advertising on television. This doesn't necessarily make them good
lawyers, just good marketers.
- Are They Present Throughout? Many lawyers will send
assistants and other members of their law firm to court dates and negotiations
in their place. Ask whether this is a commonly used practice in the firm. You
want a lawyer who takes an interest in and knows your case, not an assistant
who's unfamiliar with the specifics.
- Can They Offer Counseling on Insurance Matters?
In many cases, your
healthcare insurance will cover the medical expenses but that money may need to
be repaid if there's a settlement. A good lawyer should be able to look over
the specifics of your insurance and counsel you on that process.
- Do They Specialize?
Lawyers are not one size fits
all. If you need a personal injury attorney, it's best to find one who
specializes in that type of law in the area you're filing suit. A lawyer
familiar with the area and branch of law will be able to do a far more
competent job than one who usually works in another field.
In most
personal injury cases, your lawyer will work in contingency, which means that
they don't collect their fees until after the case is settled. They should be
up front with you on what those fees are and whether there will be other costs
associated with your case.