Thousands of people suffer injuries every year in Waukegan in accidents that were not their fault. Injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses are the expected consequences of accidents. However, some of these accidents are usually avoidable were it not for someone else’s negligence, which is where personal injury law comes in.
If you sustained a personal injury in Waukegan due to someone’s negligence, you might recover compensation through a personal injury claim. The first step is hiring a personal injury lawyer, and here is a guide you can use.
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Identify a lawyer who handles your type of case.
Personal injury law covers many areas, including traffic accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, defective product, dog bites, construction accidents, etc. If you are dealing with a car accident claim, hiring a personal injury lawyer with experience handling such cases is best. You can review the Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard website or ask the lawyers if they have taken your type of case before.
Verify the license
You should verify whether an attorney is licensed to practice in Waukegan before scheduling your first meeting. A reputable lawyer will have this information on their website, including the law school they graduated from and affiliations to legal organizations.
Schedule a consultation meeting
Many personal injury lawyers provide a free initial consultation; therefore, you should not hesitate to schedule one with your prospective lawyer. The consultation meeting allows you to learn more about the lawyer and decide whether they are the right one for your case. It is also the best time for your lawyer to learn more about your case and inform you of your legal options.
Prepare a list of inquiries to make
One of the goals of scheduling a consultation with a personal injury lawyer is to obtain legal advice regarding your case. Note that the more information you provide your lawyer, the better placed they are in advising you. Write a list of the questions you would like to ask your lawyer.
The questions may relate to your injury, the lawyer’s track record, experience dealing with cases similar to yours, or other vital matters. Ensure you confirm whether the lawyer you meet is the one who will handle your case.
Discuss the legal fees
Many personal injury lawyers can represent you on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay them upfront fees. They get their pay after you recover your compensation based on a percentage of the overall settlement amount. Personal injury lawyers handle costs differently; therefore, you should clearly understand the fees before signing up.
Evaluate the lawyer
After the consultation, ask yourself the following:
- Does the lawyer communicate effectively?
- Do they answer your questions appropriately?
- Can you trust them?
- Are they empathetic about your situation?
Take your time to evaluate the lawyer, search online and check their reviews. If you trust the lawyer, call the office and schedule an appointment to retain them. If you felt uncomfortable during your consultation with the lawyer, you need to continue with your search.
