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The United States has a reputation for being the most litigious society on the planet, relying on lawsuits to make things right in many circumstances. Given that there are more than 40 million lawsuits filed each year, the reputation is justified. But why are there so many lawsuits? Aside from several frivolous lawsuits, most of these legal matters are related to an injury of some kind, whether physical or emotional. If you’ve been harmed in an accident or by a situation that was outside of your control, the law can be a helpful way to earn some compensation. To increase your chances of getting justice, you’ll need an attorney.
Why Bother with an Attorney?
Sometimes, the person or group responsible for your accident may try to compensate you outside of court. Occasionally, these offers are in good faith and include money and efforts that will truly set things right. Unfortunately, many other instances will leave you scratching your head as to how they thought it would make up for the harm.
Whether the responsible party is a business or an individual, you should be prepared to ask an attorney for assistance. Unlike asking kindly for consideration, an attorney can help bring the full strength of the American legal system to your side. Often, it is only through legal compulsion that people and companies will take full responsibility for their actions or negligence. Choosing an attorney and pursuing a lawsuit can have several beneficial outcomes.
- You may receive compensation for your injuries, including covering your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
- You may receive a punitive settlement that accounts for the “intangibles” of your situation, such as prolonged discomfort or a permanent change to your quality of life.
- You may encourage the company or individual to change their ways, as a large monetary settlement may have an impact where their conscience did not.
- You may bring attention to an issue that prompts other people and companies to address similar problems before anyone else is harmed in the same way.
As you can see, seeking an attorney is not just about trying to get an extra payday. You can have a real impact and improve others’ lives while also bringing more justice to the land by contacting an attorney and getting legal representation.
The Steps to Finding a Good Attorney
Not all attorneys are made equal. There are many disciplines and specialties, and asking a divorce lawyer for help with a personal injury matter is a bit like asking a fry cook to build your home extension. Even within specific disciplines, there’s a breadth of qualities and personality types that will determine how your lawsuit goes. As the majority of positive results occur in out-of-court settlements, you need to find a lawyer with the right training and instincts to close the deal before it wastes any of your time and jeopardizes the outcome of your claim.
You can always start with a general search. Online search engines such as Google will give you some selected, popular results that can be a good starting point. Many people find better results by looking up sites that specifically list and rate different specialists in various cities, including your own. If you don’t know where else to start, you can call or email them to get some general feedback on your case and learn about the costs of hiring their services.
The best way to find quality lawyers is by reputation and recommendation. More than many other industries, the legal industry is influenced by reputation. Often, hiring an attorney with a tough reputation can move you a step closer to a successful settlement even before you’ve filed any motions or sent any letters. Nevertheless, numerous lawyers have the right mindset and education to earn you some green despite being a bit green themselves.
A good lawyer should be able to assess the potential for a case relatively quickly, and many offer free initial consultations. They’re not interested in wasting their time, so they’ll quickly tell you whether they think they can handle the case or if they’re not interested. If they seem like they’re too uncertain during this consultation, then you may want to consider a different lawyer. If a lawyer determines that you may have a case but doesn’t feel confident that they have the expertise suited for your specific case, ask them for a recommendation or a referral. Many lawyers in the industry have a good sense of others’ skills and who the best in the business are for different kinds of legal matters.
Don’t be afraid to say “no” to a lawyer who doesn’t make you feel confident that they’ll represent your interests. When you’ve found the right one, you should feel good that you’re in capable hands. With a smart attorney at your side, you are far more likely to get what you deserve after your accident.