If you’ve never had to use a lawyer before, it can be a strange concept to hire one. There are many inhibitions that come along with hiring a lawyer so that it can be a complicated process. There’s nothing worse than having no idea at all where to start, especially when it involves something that is most likely time-sensitive. Not to mention, it’s not a cheap decision which only adds to the pot. If you’re new to hiring an attorney or lawyer, here are a few steps to get you started.
Ask for Referrals
Often, family and friends can suggest someone they know and trust to represent you. This is your best bet because you’re not relying on the opinion or reviews of strangers. You’ll gain confidence from choosing a lawyer that was used by someone you know and trust. If no one close to you has any suggestions, ask your local community. There are plenty of local groups on Facebook, which will give you access to someone that’s a member of your community. This time of attorney will be familiar with people and judges involved, which makes it even sweeter.
Research
Don’t just settle and don’t just go for the first attorney or lawyer mentioned to you. Check out their prices, Google them to see some background information on them. Ask around about their past work. Sometimes, the more expensive lawyer isn’t always the best, and the cheapest isn’t always the worst. Doing your research will give you a stronger leg to stand on when it comes to choosing the perfect personal injury lawyer for you and your case.
Call Your Choices
Narrow down a list of choices based on the pricing you can afford and their past work/experience. Keep it short, tell them the details of your case, and see if they would be willing to take it on. Sometimes they’ll give you a heads up of what to expect and what they can do. If you don’t like their attitude, the sound of what they told you, etc. don’t settle, move on to the next option.
Trust Yourself
Often, we don’t give ourselves enough credit. If you can tell in your gut what choice you need to go with, do it. Odds are, your subconscious knew before you did. When it comes to taking steps and making decisions we’re unfamiliar with, we doubt ourselves. You’re smarter than you think and if you have a gut feeling, trust it. This doesn’t mean you should ignore sound advice, as this can help direct you as well.
In the end, if you choose someone that ends up not being right for you, don’t hesitate to move to another lawyer. Many people feel like they’re stuck with their first choice, but this isn’t true. Dealing with a case in court is rarely a small ordeal and deserves to be appropriately handled and knowledgeable. Don’t expect any less.
