THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE RIGHT REPRESENTATION.
No matter how or where the incident occurs, you need help of all kinds, and you most certainly need a good lawyer. Protect yourself and your family by taking steps as soon as you are reasonably able in the wake of an incident to retain the lawyer who will be your counselor and advocate from start to finish. It is imperative that you have competent legal counsel as soon as possible to start looking out for you, ensuring you waive none of your rights, and begin a proper investigation before crucial evidence disappears and eyewitness memories fade.
As with hiring any kind of professional, the time you spend searching for the most effective legal representation is time well spent. The ultimate success of your case begins with a successful relationship between you and your attorney. There are many lawyers who are competent, but not all are right for you or your case. Worse, there are many lawyers who will make great efforts to persuade a potential client to commit to hiring them, and yet they are not willing to give the case the attention and resources it requires for maximum recovery.
WHAT TO ASK BEFORE YOU HIRE YOUR LAWYER
1. How many cases does the attorney handle at any one time? If you are one client in a hundred, you can expect to be treated as such. A lawyer who is spread too thin cannot do justice to a challenging case.
2. Who will be doing the lawyering on your case? The attorney you hire may not be the one actually doing the work, dealing with opposing counsel and the court, or accompanying you to court. Get clarification before you sign a representation agreement.
3. Has the attorney had specific experience representing clients in cases with issues and challenges such as those presented in your case?
4. How will the attorney’s time be compensated? Most lawyers representing accident and wrongful termination victims will agree to be paid for their services on a contingent fee basis.
5. Will the attorney advance case costs? Be mindful of the difference between costs and attorney fees. Attorney fees refer to the compensation the lawyer earns for his or her services; costs are paid out of pocket by the attorney and/or client in preparing the case, and can be quite significant. Ask whether you will have to advance any costs up front. If the attorney advances costs, will you have to reimburse the attorney if there is no recovery? Attorneys vary in their practices regarding costs. Some, like Ulysses Law, PC, advance all case costs, and recover them only when there is a recovery for you.
When interviewing the attorney, make an effort to answer the attorney’s questions honestly and completely. A good attorney will ask many questions in the initial interview, and those questions can provide an excellent indication of the attorney’s interest in your case and in maximizing your compensation.
DO NOT DELAY IN SEEKING REPRESENTATION
Finally, and most importantly, there are absolute deadlines by which you must assert your right to a legal remedy. These deadlines vary from case to case, and they are very strictly enforced, meaning that if you do not act before the deadline you will be forever barred from obtaining compensation for your losses. Moreover, most lawyers will want sufficient time to investigate your case before committing their efforts and resources to representing you, so you should begin your attorney search early to ensure you have maximum options.