• If You're Injured
• What to Do
• - Automobile Accident
• - Injured on the Job
• - Major Personal Injuries
• - Whiplash Injuries
• - Wrongful Death
• What an Attorney Can Mean to Your Case
• When & How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
• Are Your Injuries Covered?
• Working with an Attorney
• What is the Claim Process Like?
• How to Handle Your Medical Needs
• What to Expect If There Is a Lawsuit

Choosing a Personal Injury Attorney

How do I choose a personal injury attorney?

When you have a personal injury claim, you will be depending on the financial damages that you recover to handle your medical treatments, replace lost income and compensate you for your pain and suffering. Without qualified, experienced personal injury legal expertise, you reduce your chances of receiving fair compensation.

That’s why it is important that you hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury law. Your attorney should be able to assess the merits of your case, determine appropriate damages and compensation and develop a strategy to get you the results you deserve. In selecting a personal injury attorney, look for these qualifications:

• Qualified personal injury legal expertise. Your attorney should specialize in personal injury law and have a proven track record for getting strong results for clients. Find out how they are rated by their peers for their legal abilities and ethical standards.
  
• Experience in dealing with insurance companies. Since most personal injury cases are against insurance companies, choose an attorney with a proven record for successfully negotiating insurance claims.
• Strong trial experience. Although most personal injury claims are settled out of court, if your case does go to trial, you will want to know that your attorney is adept in trial situations and has won significant court cases. This will also work to your advantage at the settlement stage, as defendants are more willing to settle knowing that they not only face the expense of a trial, but will be competing against a successful trial lawyer.
• A reputation for client service and care. You want an attorney who will listen to your questions and concerns, treat you with dignity and respect and understand that you are the client. Always ask for references from past clients, medical providers and community leaders with whom the attorney has worked.

When should I hire a personal injury attorney?

• There are extenuating circumstances that make your claim more valuable and you don’t know how to prove your loss.
• The insurance company has denied your claim, you believe they are incorrect in their denial and they will not reconsider.
• You are seriously injured, with significant medical bills, with or without residual disability.
• You are moderately injured with residual disability and will incur future medical bills.
• The injured party is a minor with more than slight injuries.
• It has been over a year since your accident and you have not settled.
• The circumstances around the accident are complex and require investigation.
• The other party to the accident has served you with a lawsuit.

Can I afford to hire a personal injury attorney?

For a personal injury claim, most qualified personal injury firms like Hardwick & Pendergast work only on a contingent fee arrangement. That means that they earn a percentage of the amount that is recovered from the insurance company. In this way, you obtain the best possible legal services at the time of your injury without having to pay money out of your pocket for legal services. No recovery means no attorney fee.

To find out more, it is a good idea to consult with an accident attorney who can guide you through the process and help you make the right choices for your specific case. The highly qualified personal injury attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast law firm will provide you with a FREE Consultation, at no obligation to you, about your auto accident, personal injury or wrongful death case. Simply contact us about your injury or call toll free at 1-888-228-3860.

Call for a free consultation if you have been injured in Washington.

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