Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Understanding the Process

In Auto Accidents, Misc Topics, Other Injuries, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury by John Tramontozzi

When you have suffered from injury you are often emotionally and physically compromised by the incident. Concern for your health work and relationships compound the situation. In a situation like this it is critical that you find an advocate that you can trust to advocate for you The question should not be  “should I hire a personal injury attorney?” but rather, “who is the right personal injury attorney for me?”A basic understanding of the process helps you to understand your rights as a client and what to expect as you enter into this relationship.

When you hire a personal injury attorney, you are the plaintiff (the plaintiff is the party filing the lawsuit who has been injured) Personal injury attorneys typically work for what is called a contingency fee. This means that the attorney will not be paid unless he wins your case, and then the lawyer will take a percentage of the total winnings.  That percentage varies from firm to firm but is generally around 1/3.  You are the client and should exercise your power of choice is selecting your attorney the attorney will be assessing the merits of your case and determining if he believe that case will deliver positive results. Therefore, if the lawyer loses, he doesn’t get paid at all. If you are the defense, or the person getting sued, the personal injury lawyer will typically charge you on an hourly rate.

So, how do you find the right lawyer for your case? While it seems intimidating, it really is a pretty simple process.

Ask Around

Get a personal referral. Speak to friends and colleagues and find out which attorneys they know and have used previously. Be sure to ask questions like this: Consider the following questions

Satisfaction: Were you happy with him or her?
Communication: Did your attorney keep you informed and up to date and informed?
Responsiveness: Did he or she return your phone calls and emails in a timely fashion?
Informed: Did you believe you lawyer was experienced and or informed all the issues pertinent to your case
Commitment:  Did your lawyer demonstrate  that your case was a priority, was he tenacious in advocating for your interests
Investment: Did the lawyer seem passionate about your case?

If the answer to even one of those questions is no, strongly consider looking elsewhere.

Do Your Research

Once you get a referral. Research the attorney’s experience and written material on issues of law related to your case. Then, be sure to read the various websites and be sure to spend time looking at the lawyer’s credentials.

See if you think the attorney would be a good fit for you. To do that, you should consider the following:

Significant Experience.  Has the attorney handled this type of case before? Does he regularly go to trial? Is she willing to go to trial or will she push hard to settle your case? While most cases settle, not all of them should. You need a lawyer who is Who is a comfortable in the courtroom as he is in his office. You would not be afraid of a dog that didn’t bare its fangs. A claims adjuster is not afraid of a lawyer who won’t try a case. Ask for specifics.

The passion to handle your case. While there are literally hundreds of lawyers to choose from. You want a lawyer who will fight for you and family, who recognizes the  and appreciates the impact that your injuries have on the quality of your life  and will help you to identify all resources to demonstrate this. This goes beyond the financial picture  and winning an attorney who recognizes you need and level of injury should leave no stone unturned in ensuring that this is communicated to and factored and be prepared to take this case personally to the courtroom..

Significant Credentials.  You are hiring an advocate. Be sure you retain a lawyer with a proven track record of success. Look for credentials such as board certifications, peer ratings from other attorneys as well as client testimonials. You have every right to expect, require and demand your lawyer be highly qualified. Simply getting your license to practice doesn’t mean you are qualified to handle a case properly.

Regular communication. You are hiring a lawyer, not a paralegal. Be sure you are you hiring a lawyer who will take you calls return your emails and answer your questions. Ask about the attorney’s policy with regard to this. For instance, I tell my clients I will return all calls and emails within 48 hours . If I understand you, and know what is going on in your life, I can best ensure you get the result you want and need.  Knowing that you are kept informed about your case is reassuring as you go through get through a very difficult time in your life and lets you focus on your recovery. Lack of communication or, misinformation has been the primary complaint for clients who have come to Tramontozzi law after working with previous attorneys.

There is no such thing as a small case. You should not care about how many million-dollar cases I have going on. The only case you should care about is yours. Make sure your lawyer feels the same way. Contact an experienced Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney

John Tramontozzi at Tramontozzi Law is as a former insurance defense counsel and has extensive knowledge from working on the other side as well as years in private practice. His extensive experience, ease in communication and commitment become you strength as he is your representative. In addition, his years courtroom experience as a former assistant DA and beyond assures you that that he will be as at ease in the courtroom as he is in office! This experience saves everyone worry, time and minimizes unnecessary expenses. Contact John Tramontozzi and  the team at Tramontozzi Law Offices for a free initial consultation