Victims of motor vehicle accidents suffer the loss of earnings, back injuries, and emotional distress. And to think it all happened in the blink of an eye because of someone’s negligence can make it even more frustrating. When such cases happen, accident victims can rely on legal counsel from a team of personal injury attorneys looking out for their best interests. There are several personal injury lawyers available today, but to settle on the right injury attorney, especially in a huge area like Greater Boston, can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you choose a personal injury attorney in Boston.
Check for recommendations and reviews.
Oftentimes, the first step to begin any legal process is to call your lawyer. If you don’t have one, a quick Google search for “personal injury attorneys in Boston” can bring the best results in your area. The problem now becomes settling on the best possible outcome. There are several parameters for motorists or general accident victims to screen a list of injury lawyers.
The most common can be to find out what other personal injury victims are saying about an attorney or law firm’s services. Most websites may have review sections where you can check some of these experiences out. Alternatively, you can look out in the recommendations column for any relevant Google listing.
Verify their certifications and accreditations.
The general rule of thumb for all lawyers in the United States is to have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. But the legal field is very broad, and there may be specialized certificates for a criminal defense attorney that might not apply to personal injury law. Practicing law in the United States without a proper certificate can be legal malpractice punishable by law. You can start by checking for the general certificates and then move to specialized accreditation.
Also, remember no legal representation in a particular area like Suffolk county can happen outside the state of Massachusetts’ legal jurisdictions. Therefore, it pays to check if your injury attorney-to-be is in good standing with your locality’s statute of limitations and other legal bindings.
Look for their track record.
You may be up for some difficult times in a courtroom if your personal injury case is in the hands of a novice with no team to seek seasoned legal assistance from. Lawyers with extensive experience don’t only offer expert legal help, but they can also make the entire legal process of your case manageable.
Depending on the type of injury case, you can opt for an injury lawyer who is well-versed in your specific legal matter. Workplace and construction site accident victims may find more comfort in dealing with an injury attorney with decades of experience handling workers’ compensation cases.
Review terms of service.
Many injury lawyers have different terms of service. Some may prefer your first encounter by filling a contact form or a phone call to the help desk. Others provide a free initial consultation to understand your demands for fair compensation better and review your case for solid legal grounds. Knowing how your preferred law firm discharges its duties can help prepare for your first meetup. Generally, many will require receipts of all medical bills for injury cases, personal injury lawsuit demands, and other sensitive information necessary for your injury claim.
Assess payment options.
Many lawyers can afford you a free consultation for the first meetup. But it’s essential to ask about payment for the long haul early on, irrespective of how friendly an attorney-client relationship is. Some may want upfront payment or an arrangement spread in billable hours throughout the process. Others may prefer to put you on a contingent fee basis where they take an agreed-upon percentage from your settlement offer.
Considering all these factors, you’re well on your way to finding a skilled attorney with extensive trial experience to represent you in your personal injury case in Boston.
