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4 Signs that You're Dealing with a Bad Personal Injury Lawyer
Tags: Attorneys, Personal Injury
Personal injury cases can be very serious and the outcome could affect your entire life. Go with the wrong lawyer, and they might expedite the process and leave you with less than you were entitled to. Others will simply refuse to go to court and will do everything to settle even if it means that you'll be cheated out of what is rightfully yours.
On the other hand, a good lawyer will know every trick in the book and is less likely to be fooled by insurance companies and adjusters. They will also be there for you every step of the way and have your best interests in mind. Let's take a look at a few signs that you may be dealing with a bad personal injury lawyer.
Poor Communication
This is one of the most important aspects of any client-lawyer relationship. If you can't get in touch with your lawyer when you need them, or there is a substantial delay with their response, then you might have to consider going elsewhere. You should at the very least be able to reach someone familiar with your case during regular hours. You don't want to be just another case in the pile, so it might be wise to go for a smaller firm if you feel like you're being treated like a number more than a person.
Poor Record and Unwillingness to Represent
This is probably the most important thing to look at when working with a personal injury law firm. You don't only want to hear about the cases they won and the settlements involved. You want to know how many times they've gone to court and what the results were.
Some personal injury lawyers are allergic to courtrooms and will hide their poor representation record behind flashy settlements. Teams like Mottaz & Sisk, on the other hand, have made a name for fighting till the end for their clients. You must go with a well-rounded lawyer. Some insurers will simply force your hand, but you have to find one that will be able to see the benefits of going to court and have a clear understanding of what kind of judgment you could get.
Price Plays a Central Part in their Advertising
While there's nothing wrong with shopping around or firms offering affordable services, you also don't want to go for a "budget" service either. Most injury lawyers work on contingency anyway, meaning that they'll only get paid if you win, so cost is often irrelevant here. You want to choose a lawyer based on reputation alone. Low prices could also be a way to camouflage their bad record or previous disciplinary actions.
You Don't Understand a Word of What They're Saying
A good lawyer should be good at vulgarization. They should be able to explain every step of the case in simple terms for you. And, if you don't understand something, they will be willing to clarify things for you. You don't want someone who seems annoyed at your questions or tries to gloss over details.
These are all clear signs that the injury lawyer you're dealing with is not qualified to represent you. Make sure that you look out for them, and always check their track record and reputation first.