If you’ve been injured in car accident that’s not your fault, you already know that almost immediately your mailbox will be stuffed with information from many different law firms trying to get your attention. We see lawyers in TV ads bragging about how much money they get for their clients. With all that junk mail and the clutter of ads on TV, how do you decide which personal injury law firm is best for you?
How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney in Milwaukee
Your initial search for a personal injury attorney will likely yield many results, and choosing an attorney from a field of prospects can be difficult. Learn more about what to look for and what to watch out for as you choose a Milwaukee law firm.
When you make that first call to a law firm do they offer to send someone other than an attorney out to your house with a contract for you to sign?
Beware of law firms that do not offer to have you meet with an attorney who will be responsible for your case from the first meeting. If a law firm doesn’t think enough of you or your claim to have you meet with a lawyer at the outset and who is going to be responsible for your claim from beginning to end, how hard to think those lawyers are going to work for someone they’ve never met?
Is your attorney going to be available and in contact with you during the entire legal process?
It is important that your attorney is in contact with you regularly and you feel comfortable reaching out to them at any time. If you are only going to be able to speak with a paralegal or staff member, that does not keep your best interest in mind. Consider the importance of updating your attorney on your health and recover, and how that could positively impact your case? You want a personal injury attorney who will pick up the phone when you call.
Is the lawyer involved and staying on top of your case the whole way or are the day-to-day decisions being made by a paralegal?
Your case relies on your attorney, and their knowledge and experience. Daily decisions should be made by your attorney, not a staff member and you should be involved in major case changes and developments.
Is your attorney discussing your case with the insurance company or is it a paralegal?
Beware of firms where staff members are actually doing the work on your case, and not an attorney. You always want an experienced attorney working on your case: they know the questions to ask and how to get you the best results.
Does your attorney offer to meet with you and keep you up-to-date about negotiations with the insurance company, or are they settling your case without first discussing it, and getting you input and permission to settle your claim?
This is your claim. You have the right to have the last say as to whether your case should settle after you’ve had a thorough face-to-face meeting with your lawyer to go over the pros and cons of your claim. Beware of firms who don’t involve you when it comes time to try to settle your claim.
Does the law firm pressure you to accept a settlement to avoid a law suit?
Too often law firms don’t prepare cases for trial, they prepare them for settlement. This is a sure way to get short changed and end up with a settlement that is less than what you deserve. Beware of a lawyer who is not ready, willing and able to file a lawsuit on your behalf and proceed on your behalf all the way to a trial if that is what it takes to for you to receive true justice.
At Murphy & Prachthauser we are car accident attorneys in Milwaukee and personal injury attorneys in Milwaukee who practice the law the way it should be practiced – motivated and equipped to do our best for you. We take pride in being good lawyers who help people.
If you have a case you would like to speak to a personal injury lawyer about, please contact us to schedule a free consultation and get an experienced Milwaukee auto accident attorneys and Milwaukee personal injury lawyers working on your behalf.