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When you’re injured in an accident or through someone else’s fault, you may wonder how to find a personal injury attorney — or even if one is necessary. The time after an injury can be frustrating and confusing, not to mention expensive. People often do not know where to turn, if they may be eligible for compensation, or what questions to ask when they sit down with an attorney.
A personal injury can alter the trajectory of someone’s life, leading to lost wages, increased medical costs, and frustrating insurance company wrangling. There is also the emotional toll a personal injury can have on a person. People who suffer from personal injuries may feel anger, depression, and hopelessness.
If one’s injury resulted from an accident or someone else’s negligence, one should consult with a personal injury attorney. They can help people traverse the choppy waters of insurance companies, courts, and financial matters.
When talking about personal injury cases, the final result is a huge component. But for George Salinas, an award-winning San Antonio-based attorney, he believes that so much of it involves the journey for clients who need to feel like they are being taken care of and listened to. Here, Salinas offers some tips for those navigating the challenging time that follows an injury:
Is your case needing a personal injury attorney, and is this firm the right choice?
This should be the first question people ask themselves when considering the nature and consequences of their injury. Is this a case that requires a personal injury attorney? If you were injured in an accident or through the negligence of another person or company, chances are your case will qualify.
A good lawyer will know what cases need a lawyer and if they are capable, as an attorney, of taking on the case. The injured party should interview their prospective lawyers, and lawyers should, likewise, vet their clients, so they arrive at a good working relationship. Any honest and forthright attorney will not take on a case they know they cannot handle, lest they risk that it will likely go nowhere.
People should always make sure they choose a lawyer with experience and the availability to take their case. A small firm may offer personalized attention, but if they do not have the attorneys to dedicate to your case, it may be worth considering a larger firm. In addition, your lawyer should believe in your case and feel confident that you are due compensation.
What is the attorney’s background?
Has your chosen attorney handled cases similar to yours in the past? What were the outcomes of those cases?
You shouldn’t necessarily completely rule out an attorney who may be new or inexperienced with a specific type of case. You should make sure the inexperienced attorney is supported by a more experienced attorney at the firm if you choose to give them a chance to represent you. It can be advantageous to ultimately choose an attorney who is familiar with your type of case and has the firm support to get you the results you’re seeking as the injured party.
How much will this cost?
Cost can be one of the most confusing parts of hiring a lawyer, especially when one’s entire reason for hiring an attorney is to be compensated after an injury. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — who hasn’t heard the commercials exclaiming: “If you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid!” This is a simplified explanation of a contingency-based fee system.
Within this fee system, your attorney will not take any fees upfront. Instead, they will get paid out of a portion of your settlement. This percentage can vary by attorney, but it’s often between 20 and 40%. If you lose your case, you may still owe for expenses. Those hiring an attorney should always read their representation agreements closely to ensure that they understand how much they may owe at the end of their representation.
What is my role?
One of the most confusing parts of a personal injury case is the injured party knowing what their role may be in their case. Some people are researchers who want to compile their own files and paperwork, and who want to be right on the front lines of the fight for justice. They may want to attend every deposition or meeting.
Some lawyers are open to this ultra-involved approach, but others may not be. It’s important that as one is vetting a possible attorney, one finds out which type of attorney they may be hiring and how much involvement they may be able to have.
What is your lawyer’s communication style?
Your attorney needs to know what your communication style is. At the same time, you need to understand how your attorney is going to communicate with you — and how often. You will need to be kept up to date with your case and the attorney’s process. If an attorney goes silent, it can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for the client.
All the specifics should be outlined when you hire a lawyer. Information about who is working on your case, who you should contact with questions, and how often you should expect contact from the attorney’s office.
How long will this take?
Some injury cases can take years; others are resolved rather quickly. Each personal injury case is unique.
Any attorney you interview or decide to hire should have open lines of communication so you are not left in the dark about any part of the case process. A case that drags on and on can be frustrating, and any attorney should prepare their client for a case that may encounter hurdles that could lengthen the time to resolution.
To George Salinas, his role as a personal injury attorney allows him to help people who are often experiencing one of the worst moments of their lives. He is attuned to the needs of the injured and his experience in the industry gives him specific insight into what injured parties need from their attorneys. Salinas knows that their clients are human beings who have had something unjustly taken away from them, which is why he and his team always aim to understand their lives and their values.
If you’ve been injured in an accident or due to someone’s negligence, make sure you are seeking representation that works to understand your needs and your goals with your case. Ask all the questions and vet possible attorneys heavily to get the best fit for you.
