Hiring an attorney is one of those things most people would rather not do. It’s expensive and frightening for most, and it is filled with the potential for encountering the unexpected. But that doesn’t mean individuals can’t be somewhat prepared when they decide they need legal help. Here are some mistakes to avoid when hiring a personal injury attorney.
Too Soon
Lawyers are expensive, and hiring legal counsel before you need it is a fast way to add complexity and expense to a situation that probably doesn’t need it. Make certain you have a case and make certain you have something for your attorney to do before you start the retainer clock ticking.
Law Firm
A big law firm doesn’t automatically earn you points at trial. It also isn’t going to help as much as you think in negotiating with your counterparty. A far more effective strategy is to find an attorney who is experienced in the type of case you are pursuing. This is something you can even break down by client type. A lawyer who has made a career on defending personal injury claims is going to be much better at protecting you from an unfair judgment than an attorney who generalizes in any case they can find.
Underpaying
If you are looking at significant liability, getting the right counsel is the top priority. In the long run, whatever you have to pay to avoid 10x or 100x the potential costs if you lose is money well spent. It goes without saying the prospect of a massive judgment is far more of a concern than the relatively minimal costs of presenting the best case you can.
Overpaying
Many clients want to win for reasons other than the financial. If you spend ten dollars defending a case where the total liability is two dollars, you aren’t thinking rationally. You just want to win. If that’s worth eight bucks to you, then your attorney isn’t going to argue. But the better course is to settle for two bucks and move on. Personal injury trials have costs far beyond the financial.
Personal injury law is one of the most contentious and draining areas of litigation. Don’t allow it to disrupt your life and business any more than is absolutely necessary. Finding the right attorney is the first best step in making sure you prosecute or defend your case to the best of your ability.
As always, you should consult a qualified attorney for legal advice about your case. Contact the law offices of Eric Harron in the Austin, TX area today to discuss your individual legal case and what we can do to help you.
