Selecting the "Best" Personal Injury Attorney
By Richard L. Robertson
Unfortunately, you have experienced a significant injury as a result of someone else's negligence. You have made the decision that you want to seek assistance of an attorney to help compensate you for the injury you have sustained. The next critical decision for you therefore, is selecting the "best" attorney to handle your personal injury claim to assist you.
Selection of the "best" attorney involves the best mix of a number of traits, skills and features of the attorney and firm you select. Obviously, you will consider the experience of the attorney in the firm who has personal injury experience. Other factors include the ability of the firm to concern itself with your case and injury along with the specialized knowledge the firm may have for the handling of your specific type of case and the firm's overall skill level in negotiation and trials. Evaluate the attorney and firm's record of results, the firm's organization along with your ability to assist and cooperate with the attorney and firm you select.
The manner in which you go about evaluating the information you obtain concerning the experience and characteristics of the attorney and firm is itself important. Traditionally, the "word-of-mouth" and reputation of individual attorneys and firms are good indicators of the attorneys and firms competence ability to handle matters. However, as a result of people now living in larger metropolitan areas and other factors, "word-of-mouth" may not sufficiently convey the information needed to insure the best selection of the attorney. Your use of the Internet to review articles and information regarding attorneys such as this article is a good way to evaluate and assess attorney's skills along with other rating services. The assemblage of detailed information from web site articles and attorney listings is an appropriate way to select an attorney or to narrow the field.
The relative degree of experience the attorney has in handling personal injury claims in general, and specifically the type of personal injury claim for which you need assistance, is important. Attempting to assess an overall level of experience will also be an indicator of the level of skill in negotiations. The components of handling a case, include the knowledge of sound negotiating techniques, knowledge of the law applicable to the specific type of negligence alleged, and experience in the conduct of trials, are obviously important. Finally, the attorney and firm should be prepared to discuss the level of experience in terms of the cases handled with the type of personal injury cases handled and the results obtained.
As a senior litigator in our firm, I have been engaged in litigation matters for twenty-five (25) years. This includes both civil and criminal trials. While the outcome of any given case depends upon the facts and circumstances of the case, our results in prior cases do not guarantee nor indicate success in future matters. My experience has included recoveries by settlement or verdict in excess of six (6) figures. Further, my experience includes over (20) years of representation of defendants in automobile accidents on behalf of insurance companies or the federal government. This experience has given our firm knowledge of insurance company practices and procedures as well as negotiating tactics of insurance companies. Our relative degree of experience in cases involving insurance is a significant contributor to our ability to effectively handle a claimant's case.
Our experience includes handling cases for plaintiffs and for defendants in cases involving personal injury claims resulting from negligence. Our experiences in pretrial negotiations include extensive experience in mediation and negotiations during and after trial of proceeding. The experience further includes significant, regular trials of personal injury cases.
A goal of our practice is to effectively prepare for trial and proceed to trial if necessary to support our attempts to negotiate a fair settlement for our clients.
Our experience includes claims involving personal injury as a result of automobile accidents and workers compensation claims arising from industrial accidents. In recent years, this experience has included cases involving head injuries, broken bones, gunshot wounds, injury to eye and vision, injury to a spinal vertebrae and injury to a cervical spinal vertebrae as a result of work place accidents, exposure to toxic mold and property damage from water intrusion are some of the types of injuries we have dealt with in recent years.
Further factors to be accessed in your selection of an attorney include the attorney's time and ability to concern itself with your case. Obviously, the attorney must possess the requisite ability to listen and understand the facts of the case for which you are aware including the extent and nature of your injuries. The attorney must further have experience in the appropriate use of expert witnesses to evaluate and to potentially explain the cause and nature of injuries at trial.
The attorney's firm should include an appropriate organization to achieve results in cases. This should include proper use of support staff to assist in organization of the case, assemble medical records and to prepare trial exhibits. Our staff includes an experienced paralegal with in excess of ten (10) years experience in the handling of personal injury matters which includes experience in medical record reviews, documentation of settlement proposals, assisting and the handling of discovery proceedings including interrogatories and depositions and assistance in preparation for exhibits for trial. A team approach of attorney's and staff is generally necessary for the appropriate handling of the significant personal injury case and therefore, the attorney's staff resources and degree of office teamwork should be assessed.
The attorney's skill and ability to organize and properly plead and present your case is typically a function of the attorney's experience. The attorney's knowledge of the law of negligence generally applicable to your case is important. Again, the attorney's experiences are relevant for assessing the degree of legal ability and knowledge of the attorney.
The senior attorney of our firm has in excess of twenty (20) years experience in the handling of motor vehicle negligence claims, workers compensation claims and products liability claims.
Finally, since it is important, you or your loved ones should be available to assist the attorney in the effort to obtain just compensation for your injuries. It is important that you or other person's actions on your behalf are able to communicate effectively with the attorney and the staff and that the communications can occur regularly to advance your case. Depending on circumstances, you will need to assist the attorney in gathering of appropriate medical information.
Please feel free to telephone our firm at (704) 597-5774 for more information. Your e-mails are also welcome to
rlrobertson@rlrobertson.com. A return telephone call will be made to each inquiry. Please provide a telephone number in any email or voice message you might send.