When you suffer a Birmingham accident, you can be left with life-altering injuries, expensive medical bills, and constant pain.
On top of all these accident effects, you may no longer be able to work and provide for your family. Financial stress can feel like too much to handle.
That’s where a personal injury lawyer in Birmingham comes in, helping you recover financial compensation and get the medical care you need.
While it’s usually a good idea to hire a personal injury attorney after an accident, how do you know which lawyer to select?
Sorting through all the personal injury attorney advertisements can seem confusing, though the process becomes simpler once you know how to choose an excellent advocate.
Here, we’ll show you how to identify the right attorney for your situation.
Ask for Recommendations
If you have friends or family members who have used a personal injury attorney, ask for their opinions.
You can also ask an attorney who practices in another area of law, like family law or estate planning, if they would recommend any Birmingham personal injury attorneys.
Look Online for Reviews
Looking on sites like Google and Avvo for client reviews can also provide an idea of an attorney’s reputation. Read positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded assessment of the lawyer.
Also, Birmingham personal injury attorneys with positive reviews usually post those on their websites.
Review the Attorney’s Credentials
You’ll want to make sure that the attorney is licensed to practice law in the state where you live. You can find this information on the Alabama State Bar website.
Some attorneys attain certification in a certain area of law. This means that an agency approved by the Alabama State Bar Board of Legal Certification recognized their special knowledge in a practice area.
The vast majority of Alabama lawyers do not apply for third-party certification, and this credential is not required to practice personal injury law.
Look into the Firm
In addition to reviewing the individual attorney’s qualifications, it’s important to investigate their firm. Firm size can give you a good indication of the type of service you should expect.
A large firm may have extensive resources and support personnel but can limit your interactions with your attorney. In big firms, less experienced lawyers and support staff may do most of the work on your case.
A small firm may not seem as glamorous as a big law practice, but it can provide much more personalized service. A Birmingham personal injury lawyer at a small firm is more likely to directly handle your case and interact with you.
Meet with the Attorney for a Consultation
Most Birmingham personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation, which gives you the opportunity to get to know the attorney, get their opinion on your case, and ask questions before signing a contract.
When you meet with the attorney, you can ask questions like these:
- How much communication will I have with you?
- How long do you think this case will take to resolve?
- What percentage of your practice is personal injury cases?
- Are you prepared to take this case to trial?
- How long have you been in practice?
- What is your payment policy?
After meeting with an attorney, you should have a good idea about whether they will be a good advocate for you. If you don’t feel comfortable, you should interview other attorneys until you find a good fit.
Contact a Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident and are trying to find a skilled personal injury attorney, you should contact the Fob James Law Firm.
Our lawyers focus their practice on personal injury cases, and we aim to deliver personalized service that treats each client with respect.
Each of our lawyers aims to be the best personal injury lawyer in Birmingham, AL. You’ll find this work ethic reflected in all our interactions with you.
Contact us today for a free consultation to find out more about how we assist accident victims.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.