Helpful Advice for Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

by Art Gibb, freelance writer on behalf of PSW PARADIE SHERMAN & WORDEN: Trial Lawyers ( 15-Jan-2013 )

If you are looking for a Maine personal injury attorney, it is important that you know how to find the right one for your case. This is most likely a difficult time for you, so it is critical to focus on finding someone that cares about the outcome of your situation and can treat it with the utmost importance. When going through a tough time like this, many people are extremely vulnerable. So be sure to not let your emotions cloud your judgment on which you choose to represent you. There are a number of things you may want to do before making this important decision.

Why You May Need This Type of Attorney

An attorney that deals with personal injury cases can defend you in car accident, bicycle accident, negligence, slip and fall, wrongful death, animal bite, and medical malpractice cases. If any of these apply to you then this is the type of lawyer you need to look for. A personal injury lawyer has many responsibilities. There are state bar associations that set rules and regulations that these lawyers must follow once they are licensed. If you are a victim of personal injury, they can help you file a complaint, argue a case in court, offer you legal advice, and draft a legal document. This type of lawyer should be able to help you get compensation for any losses or suffering you may have experienced. As a personal injury attorney, they are required to defend your best interests and should provide you with loyalty and confidentiality.

How Much Experience and Education the Attorney Should Have

A lawyer that handles personal injury cases must have all the current knowledge and certification. To become this type of lawyer in the first place, one must have a four-year degree and then an additional law school degree. After law school they must pass a series of tests before they are allowed to practice law and give legal advice. These tests are the Multistate Bar Examination, Multistate Essay Examination, Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, and a state bar exam. In some states it is also required that they take the Multistate Performance Test. Once these are passed a personal injury lawyer must take Continuing Legal Education classes to make sure that he or she is up to date on all the latest developments. If a lawyer is specializing in a certain area of law, they should have certification accredited by the American Bar Association. The lawyer you choose should have a number of years of experience since an inexperienced lawyer is not allowed to work on cases alone.

Go Ahead and Ask Questions

When looking for a Maine personal injury attorney, it is important to set up a consultation and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to inquire about all of your worries. A good lawyer is there to help you and should make you feel comfortable. Some good questions to ask are: how many years of experience they have, if they have had a case like yours and did it settle or go to court, how much of the practice deals with personal injury cases, what kind of strategy they have, how much they will charge for your case, and what procedures they take to answer your questions and phone calls.

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