Accidents come without warning. One second you’re blasting the sounds from your car speakers and singing to Alanis Morissette’s “Ironic.” In a split second, that image could change into your widened eyes as you witness, almost in slow-motion, the wrecking of your car. That probably happens, too, for workers in offshore job sites such as oil rigs and shipping lines. Accidents come, but they just don’t go away for good.
They leave you needing an offshore accident lawyer if it happens in an oil rig or a personal injury lawyer if your faculties have been affected by a car accident. Aside from seeking immediate medical attention, you should also look for and call a lawyer as soon as possible to advise you on what legal grounds can you make a case.
But here’s the question that is in everybody’s mind first: Who is the best attorney for your case?
Experience and Specialization
A cardiologist is a doctor, but he cannot treat babies and toddlers. It will take a pediatrician to do that. That’s how you should approach the search for an accident lawyer, too. Ask potential lawyers about their experience in handling cases like yours and whether they are specializing in job-site accidents, vehicular accidents, and the like. It is important to have an assessment of who the lawyers are and how experienced they are in handling a case like yours before deciding if they merit their consultation and attorney fees.
Expectations
After you described the accident to the lawyers, it is time to ask them about their plan of attack. What are their opinions about your case? Some of the relevant questions you need to ask are: Do you think we’re going to trial? Is mediation feasible? How long does it usually take to complete a case like this? What kind of financial settlement or judgment you will be seeking for? Once these questions are answered, you’ll get a feel of how the attorneys will handle your case.
Case Management
Are you familiar with TV ads featuring lawyers calling on you to seek their assistance for your legal woes? When you go to their firms, they are usually not going to be the ones to face you. A junior lawyer or an assistant will be doing the interviews. In fact, there is no guarantee that you’ll even meet this celebrity lawyer. You have to ask the associates who will be the point person for your case. Whom are you going to communicate with directly? Who will provide progress reports and how frequently?
Filing a case against another company or person is an exhaustive activity. There are forms to be filled out and contracts and agreements to be signed. In all of these, you need the counsel of a lawyer. Thus, it is important that you know who to reach out to when you need the advice of a lawyer.
Legal Fees
Finally, the most important question needs to be addressed. How much will be the legal fees in handling a case like yours? Will you have to pay on a per-hour basis, or are the attorneys going to take a portion from any money you might receive in the event of a positive outcome of the trial?
These questions will increase the chance of you finding someone who can handle your case competently. Don’t fall victim to false advertisements. Make sure that you’re dealing with a credible attorney with a proven track record.