You were injured in a car crash and believe that the other party was responsible for your losses. While it is easy to assume that you can win huge in a settlement, things can be drastically different after the investigation is over. No matter whether you were at fault, you should have a personal injury attorney look into your claim and determine what it is worth. If you have never hired a lawyer, things can feel confusing. For your help, we have enlisted the five red flags that an injury attorney is not worth hiring.
- They have no time. Most law firms offer free consultations for personal injury claims. If an attorney is too hard to get or doesn’t have time to meet you to discuss the case, that is clearly a matter of concern. Your lawyer should take the chance to talk to you and answer your questions.
- They have bad online reviews. Again, when a personal injury attorney has too many bad reviews, that is not a great thing. However, remember that customers and clients typically are more inclined to post negative reviews than positive ones.
- They are asking for an hourly rate. You don’t expect a lawyer to charge you by the hour for fighting for your personal injury claim. These cases are usually based on a contingency fee, which means that the lawyer’s price depends on whether or not you get a settlement. If you are asked to pay right away, you should definitely not hire that lawyer.
- They are extremely cautious with sharing details. Experienced attorneys will not mind discussing their top cases and landmark settlements, especially if they have been around for years. Even though they may not always divulge the personal details of clients, they should offer references when potential clients ask for that. If a lawyer is being shady, don’t consider them – simple.
- They are ready to settle right away. A skilled lawyer should do their best to negotiate for a better settlement. If the lawyer seems to be eager to settle your personal injury claim immediately, do not trust them. Probably they don’t have the expertise or experience they claim or lack trial experience.
Always work with an attorney who is ready to discuss things, and they should not try to set unrealistic expectations or promise unusual things. The right lawyer can still make a difference, provided you hire the right one after some initial work.
