Find the right attorney by steering clear of these common mistakes
Have you been injured in an accident that was not your fault? You definitely need to consult a personal injury attorney about the possibility of securing compensation. Considering that there are literally hundreds of personal injury attorneys in our local area, finding an attorney can be challenging. To make your search for the right attorney fruitful, here are 4 mistakes you should definitely avoid.
Paying Out of Pocket
This is the number one mistake you absolutely must avoid, both because of the impact on your wallet and because of what being asked to pay up front says about the strength of your case.
Most personal injury attorneys—including Fernando D. Vargas—accept cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no retainer required and your attorney will also cover the expenses associated with building your case out of their own pocket. When you win your case, your attorney will take a percentage of your settlement as their fee. They will also be reimbursed for any expenses at this time. If your attorney does not win you any money, you do not have to pay them.
If an attorney asks for you to pay them for their services up front, this probably means that you have a weak case and they are not confident that they can win you any compensation.
Not Doing Your Research
Before hiring a personal injury attorney, it is wise to look into their qualifications, experience, and results. Obviously you will want to check that the attorney is in good standing with the California Bar. You should also see if they frequently handle the specific type of accident or injury you have suffered. This is important because different legal principles may be involved and different medical experts may be required. Finally, try to find out if the attorney has a good track record of success in their cases. An excellent source for all of this information is the independent attorney review site Avvo.com. Attorney Vargas actually has a perfect 10 rating on this site from his past clients.
Not Meeting the Attorney in Person
In a personal injury case, you will be working very closely with your attorney on an extremely important matter. You will need to be open with your attorney about all aspects of your injury and recovery, including some potentially embarrassing medical details. So, it is important to find an attorney that you trust and that you feel totally comfortable with. Meeting the attorney in person is an excellent way to vet potential candidates. At the Law Office of Fernando D. Vargas, we offer free initial consultations to enable prospective clients to see for themselves how caring and professional every member of our law office staff is.
Not Asking Questions
One final mistake you must avoid when hiring a personal injury attorney is being afraid to ask any and all questions you may have. It is your attorney’s job to help you understand your rights and the legal intricacies of your case, and to make you feel comfortable every step of the way. So if you do not understand something, you should ask. How the attorney responds before being hired is indicative of the treatment you will receive as a client. Make sure you hire an attorney that respects you enough to answer your questions!
