Working with a lawyer shouldn’t be difficult. The case that brought you to them is frustrating enough. A good lawyer will give your case the time and attention it deserves versus a bad lawyer who will be unreliable, dishonest or incompetent.
Here are a few of the most common warning signs to look for when hiring a personal injury lawyer:
1. Poor track record
Some lawyers take cases as they come in the door, and others are dedicated to one area of expertise. If your lawyer doesn’t have much success with personal injury cases, you may want to avoid them.
Of course, no lawyer is perfect. They can’t win them all. But a strong track record will give you and the lawyer more confidence and increase your chances of winning your case.
2. Bad communication
If the lawyer you’ve hired or want to hire isn’t communicating well with you, that’s a sign you shouldn’t ignore. Examples include failure to return calls and email or using a means of communication that you don’t prefer.
Nowadays, lawyers and firms prefer to communicate via text messages, social media, and 24-hour chats.
3. Vague billing
Review every single bill and statement to make sure there are no errors or questionable items that are being charged to you. Some lawyers will be vague on purpose in order to overcharge for their services, so don’t be afraid to ask questions if something is unclear.
A good lawyer who can work within your means is hard to come by, which makes it tempting to go with a lawyer who won’t charge as much for their time. However, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
4. Zero zest
Hopefully, every lawyer you meet has a passion for representing those who suffer from personal injuries and fighting for the compensation they deserve. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Lack of enthusiasm can mean a lack of confidence, logic, conviction and decisiveness — all of which are required to be a successful lawyer.
If the lawyer seems half-hearted in their speech and doesn’t inspire confidence in you, then it’s probably a good idea to continue the search.
5. No empathy
We all need to make an income, including lawyers. But if they have no empathy and only care about the dollar signs, then there’s probably a better lawyer out there. Having a lawyer who lacks in this area is like having a doctor with poor bedside manners.
6. Unethical behavior
One of the last people in the world who should have poor ethics is a lawyer. That being said, it’s not as uncommon as we would hope it to be. If you suspect or have proof of illegal activities, fire them right away and immediately bring it to the attention of the proper authorities.
7. No respect
Pay attention to how the lawyer’s colleagues interact with him/her and how he/she interacts with them. If there’s an obvious lack of respect between the two, as well as in court, you should seriously consider firing them or not hire them at all. A personal injury lawyer who can’t play nice with their peers will be hard-pressed convincing the judge to look favorably upon your case.
Making the best choice
It all boils down to who you’re comfortable working with. An experienced personal injury lawyer who is trustworthy, honest and passionate about their work is extremely valuable.
At Lorenzo & Lorenzo, we stand by our commitment to give your case our personal attention. We will meet you anywhere because we value your time and comfort.
