All it takes is a quick internet search to know that there are a lot of different personal injury attorneys looking to help you with your case.Quality attorneys can be found in large firms, working out of their house, high rises and small offices.
It can be overwhelming.
With all the options, what should you be looking for in an attorney?
Here are the top 4 qualities we think you should consider when looking for an attorney:
Upfront
It is no secret that attorneys can be pricy!
That being said, a good lawyer will always be upfront how you pay them.
Most personal injury lawyers in Denver will meet with you, whether by phone or in person to hear about your situation. Offering a free attorney consultation is a good indicator that the lawyer is fair about payment.
While looking for a personal injury attorney start with lawyers who offer free consultations.
During your free consultation,your attorney should explain their fees.
Many personal injury attorneys are paid on a contingency fee basis. Contingency fees help people avoid costly attorney bills at the same they are facing medical bills. This means that you as a client do not pay a lawyer upfront. Instead, you negotiate to give them a cut of the settlement. The standard fee is roughly 1/3rd of the settlement amount. You can negotiate this with your attorney–good ones will!
(While this sounds like a lot, remember the lawyer is basically working for free until the case is resolved. During that time, the lawyer should be incurring all sorts of expenses on your behalf. This may be one of the reasons why the ‘big-name’ law-firms take different cuts of settlements. Because this is ‘future-money,’ many clients do not think of it.)
Some personal injury attorneys also offer payment plans where you pay the attorney per hour of work.This might be something you want to consider if you have extra money available. (Often, in these situations, you’ll have to provide a down payment or a retainer.) You might end up paying less in the long run.
No matter how you end up compensating your lawyer, remember these two basics. Look for a lawyer who offers free consultations and clear options for payment.
You’re looking for someone who will explain everything that happens in a way that just makes sense.
Personality
You will want to find an attorney who has a personality.
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This is a little subjective.
You might love the fast talking, outgoing, aggressive trial lawyer. Maybe the calm and straightforward type of lawyer just feels more organized to you.
If you and your attorney’s personalities cause friction, it will be an unpleasant experience.
You want to find an attorney who you understand.
Think about the qualities you value in your friends and family. You will be speaking in depth with your attorney for a long time–maybe even years! Your attorney will come to know your personal and private life that deeply.
Go to a couple free consultations and see who you click with the most. Finding a lawyer that you can respect means that you need to shop around.
Experienced
The best personality in the world will not matter much if your attorney does not have the legal experience to work your case.
You might love your divorce attorney, but she probably does not know much about the ins and outs of personal injury law. First and foremost, you need to find a lawyer who has experience with the practice area you are looking for.
During your free consultation, ask the lawyer about his experience. He will probably be happy to tell you his success stories! Find out if they are involved with the state bar association. Ask if they are active members of the American Bar Association. Standing in these professional organizations can be reliable indicators that an attorney is well-respected.
After the consultation, research the attorneys you are considering. Find out if they have ever been accused of malpractice. You can often look up details of a specific case online or using a database at the local library. A little research can go a long way.
Communication and Availability
You may have hired that great famous lawyer, but if you have a hard time getting a hold of them, does it matter?
Save a couple questions you were planning on asking during your free consultation, and email them to the attorney right after. See how long it takes him to get back to you.
If it is too long, you might want to look elsewhere.
Be a little patient though. If it takes a day or two, that’s normal. It might even mean that your attorney is out there practicing law.
Ever wonder if they actually answer the phone? Find out HERE
The best attorneys in Denver probably aren’t sitting at their computers all day reading emails. They might be out in depositions, trial, or working on drafting large briefs.
If you’re looking for the best lawyer, busy is a good sign.
Bottom Line
Finding the best lawyer is all about finding someone who you believe can best represent your views.
If you can answer these three questions:
Do you feel like the attorney is responsive?
Are you comfortable speaking with this attorney about intimate details?
Do you understand how you are paying?
You should already be feeling pretty comfortable in your choice.
If you’re looking for a little more help, check out our guide to Denver Attorney Reviews HERE
