If you are the victim of someone else’s negligence and require a personal injury attorney, googling “lawyers” usually is not the best way to go. Of course, you can check websites and online reviews, but when it comes to a potentially serious lawsuit, you will need to be far more discriminating.
You might start your search by asking people you know; people you trust; and most important, anyone who also was involved in a personal injury lawsuit who won their case. Ask that friend or associate about his attorney’s credentials, qualifications, and about how she/he handled the entire legal process from discovery to deposition; from interactions with opposing counsel to settlement negotiations.
How that attorney presents her/himself is crucial, but even more important is experience. Ask how long that attorney has been practicing law; how many cases she has litigated; how long she has been focusing exclusively on personal injury; and what the outcomes of her cases were. An experienced personal injury attorney will be up-to-date on any and all changes in the law – which change constantly – a much-needed attribute, especially when going up against an insurance carrier that has limitless resources.
Of course, the fact that the insurance carrier will pull out all the stops to avoid being held responsible for your injury makes your choice of attorney all the more important. That is why it is essential that you choose an attorney who focuses specifically on New York personal injury law, and not an attorney in general practice. An attorney who practices personal injury law day in and day out will be thoroughly knowledgeable about that area of the law, and will be in the best position to present your case. An attorney who only handles personal injury law will understand it and be able to navigate more easily through the processes; and will have the investigative experience necessary to gather all the facts to secure the most favorable outcome.
An added benefit of retaining an attorney with specific experience in New York personal injury law is that she/he also will have access to the professionals needed to prove your case such as medical experts, vocational experts, accountants, engineers, and forensic experts. There are very few things more powerful than hearing from a top neurologist or orthopedist about how an injury sustained during a car accident or a slip and fall accident has adversely affected your life. Sworn testimonies by well credentialed professionals are one of the biggest assets of a New York personal injury attorney. And the more experienced the attorney, the better the expert witnesses.
Once you’ve established that your New York personal injury attorney has the knowledge and experience you need, the next assessment you will need to make is whether she/he has integrity. An attorney with integrity will give you an honest opinion of your case. If she does not believe you have a viable claim, she will let you know at the outset, and will not make unrealistic promises about a favorable outcome. If an attorney seems to good to be true, she probably isn’t. Look elsewhere. Any personal injury attorney worth her/his salt will not give you unreasonable expectations. Integrity counts – a lot.
And of course, you will need to have a real human connection between yourself and your personal injury attorney. Remember, your attorney will need to ask you some very personal questions, and likely will have to review personal medical information that you are accustomed to sharing only with family members and your doctors. The client-attorney relationship is professional, yes. But for it to work, you must have complete trust in your attorney as a human being. You must have confidence that your attorney will be there to answer any questions or concerns you may have, and will keep you informed about your case every step of the way.
When it comes to selecting a personal injury attorney, you will have to commit to doing some work. Who you have representing you matters as much as the strength of your case.
