Suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing can be a traumatic experience. Whether it’s a car accident, slip, and fall, or any other personal injury, having a competent attorney by your side is essential to help you navigate the legal process.
Here are some helpful tips for selecting the best personal injury attorney for your case:
1. Research Your Case and Do Your Homework
Research is key when choosing the best personal injury attorney for your case. Doing your homework can help you identify potential attorneys who have experience in handling cases similar to yours. Also, they have a successful track record of obtaining favorable client outcomes.
One way to start your research is by looking online. Check the websites of law firms specializing in injury lawsuits and read their reviews from previous clients. It can give you an idea of their expertise and customer service level.
You can also look up the attorneys you consider on the Missouri Bar Association’s website. It will help you confirm that the attorney is licensed to practice in Missouri and if they have had any disciplinary actions taken against them.
2. Find Out If They’re Licensed to Practice in Missouri
One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing an attorney in St. Louis is their licensure to practice in Missouri. It is crucial to ensure that the attorney you are considering is licensed to practice law in the region and has a good standing with the state bar.
Thus, the St. Louis personal injury attorney you choose should be licensed to practice law in Missouri to represent clients in personal injury cases in the state. It is worth noting that when choosing a law firm for your lawsuit, it should be researched properly. For instance, look for a law firm with a good track record of gaining client settlements.
One name to consider here can be TorHoerman Law LLC, a personal law injury firm based in St. Louis. They have a track record of securing over $4 billion in client verdicts and settlements.
You can also verify an attorney’s licensure by checking the Missouri Bar Association’s website. The website provides the following:
- Information on whether an attorney is licensed to practice in Missouri.
- Their standing with the state bar.
- Any disciplinary actions were taken against them.
3. Ask How Much They Charge and What’s Included in Their Fee
It’s important to ask about their fee structure and what services are included. This will assist you in preventing any unexpected occurrences or misinterpretations in the future.
Most attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. Typically, contingency fees range from 33% to 40% of the total settlement or award. Therefore, it’s important to clarify what percentage the attorney charges and if there are any additional fees, such as court costs or witness fees.
It also depends on the salary and type of reputable firm they belong to. As of February 27, 2023, the average salary for a Personal Injury Lawyer in Saint Louis is $85,257, based on information from Salary.com.
However, the typical salary range for this position falls between $72,684 and $98,623, which can vary significantly based on various crucial factors, such as certifications, additional skills, education, certifications, and years of professional experience.
4. Does the Firm Have Experience With Your Type of Case?
Different types of non-fatal injury cases require different legal strategies, and attorneys with experience in your specific case are better equipped to handle your case effectively.
If you were injured in a car accident, you should seek an attorney with experience handling such cases. According to News-Press Now, many reasons that contributed to the rise in deaths are listed in data from the Missouri Coalition of Roadway Safety. The main contributing factor was not using a safety device.
From 2017 to 2021, 64% of fatalities were attributable to people not wearing seat belts. In such cases, a specialized attorney would know the minute details like these to use for the greater good in winning a case where the scenario of seat belts coincides.
If you were injured on the job, you should seek an attorney with experience in workers’ compensation cases.
5. Learn More About the Firm’s Reputation
A law firm’s reputation can provide insight into its competence, ethics, and success in handling injury lawsuits.
One way to learn more about a law firm’s reputation is to read online reviews and testimonials from past clients. These reviews can provide valuable information about the quality of the firm’s services, the attorney-client relationship, and the outcome of their cases.
You can also research the firm’s history of success in Injury lawsuits. Look for information about the firm’s track record of securing large settlements or awards for their clients and their experience handling similar cases.
6. What Makes Them Better Than Everyone Else?
It’s crucial to consider what sets an injury litigation lawyer apart from other practitioners in the industry when making your decision. What sets them apart and makes them the best choice for your case?
One important factor to consider is the attorney’s level of expertise and experience. Furthermore, what makes an injury litigation attorney the best choice for your case is a combination of their expertise, communication and client care, commitment to their clients, and available resources. Considering these factors, you can choose an attorney dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
7. Ask About Their Success Record
An attorney’s success record can provide valuable insight into their ability to handle cases similar to yours and achieve successful outcomes for their clients.
You should ask the attorney about their experience handling cases similar to yours and their success rate in achieving favorable outcomes for their clients. An experienced attorney with a successful track record in handling similar cases is more likely to provide effective representation and achieve a favorable outcome for your case.
It’s also important to ask about the specific types of cases the attorney has handled and what the outcomes were. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, you should ask about the attorney’s experience in handling car accident cases and what the outcomes were for their clients.
Selecting the Best St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Can Have a Significant Impact
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major source of fatalities and injuries worldwide and are the primary life-taking factors. According to the 2021 St. Louis City and County Crash Report, in St. Louis itself, there were 178 fatalities and more than 14,000 injuries due to traffic accidents in 2021.
In addition, the number of pedestrians killed in accidents in the city grew for the fourth year in a row. For the first time since data collection, the overall number of traffic fatalities exceeded 100.
Thus, it requires essential steps to countermeasure the loss people have to go through due to such injuries. Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your personal injury case.