If you’ve just been through an accident, you can try filing a claim with the insurance company on your own. However, if you are worried that the insurance company is offering an unreasonably low amount or if you sustained serious injuries due to the fault or negligence of another party, it might be best to enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer.

A reliable, experienced, and skilled personal injury lawyer Colorado Springs will protect your interests and make sure that you receive what you are legally entitled to. Here are some great tips to help you find a personal injury lawyer that you can trust.

Check their Credentials

Don’t hesitate to look into their credentials, including their education, training, and experience. Your lawyer should be able to adequately prove that they are qualified to handle your case. Ask about the following things:

• Years of experience – How long has the lawyer been out of law school and practicing? As much as possible, you want someone who has been a practicing lawyer for more than 5 years. This means that they can immediately let you know whether your case is worth pursuing based on the cases they’ve handled so far.
• Trial experience – It’s always a good idea to choose a lawyer that doesn’t have a reputation for settling and is an experienced litigator. When insurance companies know that your lawyer is willing and ready to go to court, it can make a huge difference in your settlement negotiations. 
• Disciplinary record – Steer clear of lawyers who have past or pending disciplinary actions filed against them by their clients. You don’t want to work with a lawyer who misses deadlines, doesn’t ensure regular communication, and has a record for unethical practices. Check the state bar website and look for complaints, sanctions, suspensions, or disbarments on your top choices.
• Win rate – It doesn’t matter if the lawyer has handled hundreds of cases over a decade of practice if they rarely achieve good outcomes for their clients. A high rate demonstrates that the lawyer has stellar litigation and negotiation skills, which translates to better odds of winning your case.

The credentials of personal injury attorneys Colorado Springs can easily be found and verified online through their website, the state bar website, or the websites of professional organizations that they are a member of. 

Find out if they are Board-certified

Just because they passed the bar doesn’t mean that the lawyer can handle your personal injury case skillfully. It’s always ideal to go with lawyers that are also board-certified. Board certification is, essentially, a hallmark of excellence and achievement.

Board-certified lawyers are regarded as experts in their area of specialization. Your lawyer must have the right to publicly represent themselves as specialists in personal injury law by successfully completing the certification process required by the state.

Choose an Honest and Ethical Lawyer

One consideration that people often overlook when hiring a lawyer is personality. You want someone who is honest and forthcoming. Here are some great personality traits to look for:

• They are available when you need to ask questions or, at the very least, will return your calls within a reasonable time.
• They are genuinely concerned about your welfare and are not solely focused on their personal monetary gain.
• They are ethical and refuse to use underhanded or illegal methods to get their way.
• They are organized, thorough, and periodically give you status updates on your case.
• They should have a good reputation in your community. You don’t want to work with a lawyer whose reputation is likely to hurt your case.

Before you sign a retainer or contract with any lawyer, make sure that you feel confident that they have your best interests at heart and will do their best to ensure a positive outcome for your case. 

Ask about their Fee Structure

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their fees are a percentage of the compensation that you will be given either through a judgment or a settlement. However, if you lose you’ll still have to pay for the expenses. A third of the amount awarded is standard. 

However, even if you’re not going to pay upfront costs, make sure that you understand how you’ll be charged. For instance, which expenses are covered by their fees and which ones are charged separately? Talk about this before you hire the lawyer so you won’t be surprised by their bill later on.

Conclusion

The personal injury lawyer you hire can mean the difference between just compensation and receiving nothing at all. It pays to take the time to decide which person is right for the job. With the tips given in this article, you’re well on your way to getting a level playing field with your case.