If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering how to hire a the best Lynchburg personal injury lawyer? The process may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Find the Best Lynchburg Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may find yourself in need of a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer is a professional who specializes in helping those who have been injured in an accident that was caused by another person’s negligence.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Virginia, there are a few things to consider when hiring a personal injury lawyer. The first thing to consider when hiring a Virginia personal injury lawyer is their experience.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will have a deep understanding of the law, as well as the ability to effectively communicate with the court, insurance companies, and other parties involved in your case. They understand the damages that you are entitled to. And they will be able to provide the best advice on how to proceed. It’s important to choose a lawyer who has handled cases similar to yours in the past, as this will provide a better understanding of the complexities involved.
Another important factor to consider when hiring a Virginia personal injury lawyer is their reputation. It’s important to choose a lawyer who is well-respected in the legal community and who has a positive track record of successful cases. You can ask around for referrals from friends or family. But really you want to ask around to people who have seen a lawyer in action.
Here are a few tips to help you hire the best personal injury lawyer for your case.
1. Do your research.
The first step in finding the right personal injury lawyer is to do your research. There are many ways to do this, but a good place to start is by asking friends and family for recommendations.
You can also look for online reviews of lynchburg personal injury lawyers. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential lawyers, you can begin to narrow down your choices by considering things like experience and practice area.
Not all lawyers are created equally. For example, if you find a lawyer who advertises that he or she is a Lynchburg personal injury lawyer, but he or she also claims to be a Lynchburg family law lawyer, then something is amiss.
The law is so vastly different among practice areas that you want to look for a specialist. This is where good research comes in. Don’t hire the local real estate lawyer to represent you on your Lynchburg car accident claim. You wouldn’t hire the podiatrist to operate on your heart, would you?
Make sure you do your research and find a lawyer who only does injury law.
2. Schedule a Free Strategy Session.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, the next step is to schedule a Free Strategy Session with each of the lawyers on your list. This meeting is usually free, and it’s a great opportunity to get to know the lawyer and ask any questions you may have about their experience or practice areas. It’s also important to make sure you feel comfortable with the lawyer and that they are someone you can trust.
Be wary of lawyers who offer “free consultations.” This is a bait and switch. The purpose is to get you into the office and get you signed up. There is no value to that meeting to you.
Look for a Lynchburg car accident lawyer who provides value to you during that initial meeting.
That is why we don’t offer free consultations, but rather, Free Strategy Sessions. There is a meaningful difference. We will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to protect your interest.
3. Look for Honesty First
Sometimes, that means we will say, “don’t hire a lawyer.” We did this with one Free Strategy Session and this is what he said about it:
Hannah is a lawyer at Osterbind Law. She met with this potential client and decided that we couldn’t add value to his case, but with little advice, he can settle his own case for about the same as what we could get for him.
This particular person went on to settle his case for low 5 figures and he did not have to pay an attorney fee.
Or, consider this 5-Star Google review we received. This gentleman just need a quick piece of information to complete his work on his case. We gave him that information quickly and for free, and he was able to resolve his issue with the insurance company without hiring a lawyer. We gave him a strategy.
On average, it makes sense to hire a lawyer because lawyers can increase the value you receive. But when that is not the case, do you have a lawyer who is honest enough to tell you that?
A free consultation and Free Strategy Session often get confused. But they are very different. The real test is how much information does the lawyer give you? Are they hiding information from you, or providing value to you by helping you understand and resolve your current situation?
If you come to Osterbind Law looking for information and quality representation, you are in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about how to find a Lynchburg personal injury lawyer for your case.
4. Ask about fees and costs.
One of the most important questions you’ll want to ask during your initial consultation is about fees and costs. Some personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. Others work on an hourly basis, which means they will bill you for their time regardless of the outcome of your case.
Be sure to ask about this upfront so there are no surprises later on. At Osterbind Law, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means that we want to resolve your case quickly and for the most money possible just like you do. We are financially incentivized to do that.
But unlike other firms, we don’t make case decisions based on money coming into our firm. We make case decisions based on the best interest of our client. Is this a good result for you? Then, we can settle. If not, then we will go to trial.
Ask the lawyer you are meeting with how many personal injury cases their firm has tried to a jury in the last year? If they try cases infrequently, then they will advise you to settle. The insurance companies know who those lawyers are that settle everything verses those lawyers who settle what needs to settle and try what needs to be tried.
Before you meet with a Lynchburg Personal Injury Lawyer
So, now you’ve decided to meet with a personal injury lawyer. What do you do to prepare for your Free Strategy Session?
We can probably create a laundry list of things to do. After researching the lawyer you want to meet with, you need to know a few things for that lawyer to give you good advice.
- The first thing is what is the nature of your injury.
- The second thing is what kind of medical treatment do you need to get better?
- The third is how much insurance does the offending party have and how much insurance coverage do you have for underinsured motorist coverage.
Many decisions and strategies can be made based on this information. If at all possible, you should bring documentation of these items to your Free Strategy Session with your lawyer.
What are Personal Injury Damages?
If you’ve suffered one of these injuries, you may be wondering
What Damages May I Recover?
- Medical Expense
- Pain and Suffering
- Inconvenience
- Permanent Impairment or Disfigurement
- Lost Wages
- Lost Earning Capacity
- Property Damage (car repairs, total loss, or diminution of value)
When it comes to finding a personal injury lawyer in Lynchburg, Virginia, the most important thing is to do your research and choose someone who you feel comfortable with and who has the experience and expertise that are relevant to your case. By following these steps, you can be sure you’re making the best decision for yourself and your case.
