As of 2006, there were over 74,000 lawyers in New York City alone. This means the task of finding the right injury attorney can seem overwhelming – especially while you are trying to recover from potentially serious injuries. But, you can quickly narrow the list and find the right lawyer for you by employing a few search techniques.
Begin your search on the Internet
Use your home computer or one available at your local library to begin your search. Use a reputable law firm search website to find local attorneys. Start by searching within the practice area you need, such as personal injury, and further reduce the search based on location. Then, study the law firm websites to get more information, such as the following:
- Experience: Make sure the firm has extensive personal injury experience, including negotiating with insurance companies, achieving out-of-court settlements with opposing attorneys, and litigating successfully in court.
- Representative case results achieved by the firm: Some sites list the results of their cases, providing valuable insight into how your case might be handled.
- Compassionate tone: The language on the site must be easy to understand, informative, and reflect the ability of the firm to understand how you feel and work with you in a manner that makes you comfortable.
- Fee structure: An injury attorney often does not require you to pay until your case has been won. If the site does not indicate this structure, make sure you ask about it before coming in for an initial consultation. And, if there is a charge for that first visit, keep looking-many attorneys offer a free initial consultation, particularly in cases of personal injury.
- Make good use of the first visit by coming prepared to explain the details of your accident-and to ask questions, including the following:
- What options do you recommend for my case? Not all cases require a court trial, particularly when your case is relatively uncomplicated. You need to carefully weigh the options presented by the attorney to ensure you are not exposed to undue stress during your case.
- What types of resources do you use to help prove my case? The attorney should have access to experienced accident investigators, medical experts, and expert witnesses as needed to support your case.
- What can I expect when I have questions or concerns? Depending on the complexity of your case, pursuing an accidental injury case can take a long time. You want to be sure you can get timely answers to your questions as you go through the process.
Take the time to make the right choice
Do your research so you have the best chance of finding an attorney who can remove much of the pain and confusion while ensuring you get the best possible resolution for your case.
In New York, state accident laws can be very complex. Your New York injury attorney must understand how local laws address such issues as proving liability, determining degree of fault for all involved parties, and the amount and type of compensation that can be pursued. Make sure the attorney you select has extensive experience.