No one ever wakes up in the morning and plans for something bad to happen to them but sometimes, we’re caught by surprise by major life events, and they’re not always positive ones. When that happens, Houston personal injury attorneys can help you get back on your feet and reset your life so that you can find healing and closure. Many factors go into deciding to hire a personal injury attorney, and a few of them are outlined here to help you make an informed choice.
Don’t Face the Unknown Alone
In many cases, hiring a personal injury attorney isn’t required to bring your suit if you should choose to file one; however, it may be the best way to ensure your rights are protected in civil cases. In Houston, personal injury attorneys are often called when there’s been a motor vehicle collision, malpractice, negligence, and some intentional tort cases where one person has wronged another in a way that can be resolved through the law. A lawyer understands the ways the law may apply to your specific situation. A lawyer will also understand the different types of damages you may be awarded by a judge or offered through an out-of-court settlement and whether those damages are reasonable concerning your circumstances. A lawyer can also advise you on the pros and cons of accepting the terms of a settlement agreement; some of these terms may not preserve your rights in the future, and you must realize how that can affect your life, your ability to work, and your family’s security.
Take a Trusted Partner on the Long Road Ahead
Many legal cases can take months or even years to resolve. There are twists and turns in the road as court cases are set and sometimes changed. Judges may also issue time-sensitive orders. And the other party may be aggressive in getting you to agree to less than you deserve by crafting a persuasive settlement offer. When you hire Houston personal injury attorneys, they can manage all of the confusing, time-consuming, and overwhelming legal details for you as you put your life back together. Having a personal injury attorney to walk through the process with you can ensure nothing falls through the cracks and you’re able to take advantage of every opportunity to make your case strongly and in a timely manner.
A personal injury attorney is an experienced legal negotiator who can accurately assess the value of your case in terms of financial damages and whether what’s being offered to you in a settlement is fair. If you’re being asked to sign a release as part of your settlement, an attorney can advise you of what that means for you and how it affects your rights. An attorney can also advise you on whether your case might best be solved by an out-of-court settlement versus a trial.
Finding the Right Attorney Matters
As important as the decision to hire an attorney is choosing the best one to handle your case. Like other professionals, personal injury attorneys can specialize in certain types of cases. That’s part of the reason why you’ll want to come prepared with a list of questions when you interview prospective attorneys about your case.
In general, Houston personal injury attorneys are paid after you’re awarded damages when the lawsuit is resolved or you agree to a financial settlement–your attorneys’ fees come out of that money–but you’d be wise to make this one of the questions you ask any attorney you interview. Other factors to consider include whether they’ve handled cases like yours and what the outcome was, how much time they will devote to the case, how long would it take for the case to be resolved, what’s their willingness to go to trial, and how much trial experience do they have.
You’ll also want any prospective attorney you hire to make it clear what they expect your role to be in the case. Some personal injury attorneys may expect a level of participation that feels like far too much or far too little to you. But when you find the right attorney, be sure to read over and understand any contract you’re asked to sign to formalize this attorney’s representation of you.
If you’ve been blindsided by an accident, injury, someone else’s negligence or another person’s willful indifference or intent to harm, you may benefit from the services of a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can guide your decision-making and lead you through a confusing web of laws and legal precedents to ensure your rights are protected and you get any compensation you’re entitled to.
