By Sean Boelman
When you have been seriously injured in an auto accident, truck accident, slip and fall, or other accident, you are often at one of the most vulnerable points in your life, if not the single most vulnerable point. Unfortunately, you also have to make some tough decisions during this time, such as which lawyer you should hire. When looking for a personal injury lawyer, Virginia residents should make sure they do their due diligence and hire the right lawyer for their serious injury case.
Why should you hire a personal injury attorney for your car accident or truck accident injury claim?
Although accident victims can negotiate with the insurance company themselves, this is rarely advisable. That is because insurance companies don’t make money by paying out claims to the full extent of a client’s insurance coverage; they make money by not paying or by paying victims as little as possible. Insurance adjusters may use tactics like giving lowball settlement offers or prolonging the process for as long as possible, causing victims to accept less than they deserve.
One of the biggest advantages you get from hiring a personal injury attorney is their credibility. If you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer, their track record often speaks for itself. Insurance companies may not want to risk going to trial against a lawyer who they expect to win, which might make them more willing to give you a fair settlement offer for your personal injury claim.
Lawyers also bring with them access to a network of resources that can help level the playing field against the insurance companies. It is important to remember that the insurance companies are multibillion-dollar corporations with virtually limitless resources at their disposal. When you work with a personal injury attorney, they can offer investigation resources, expert witnesses, and other resources that can help strengthen your case.
Qualities to look for when hiring a personal injury law firm for your injury case
However, there are dozens, if not more, personal injury lawyers in most areas, so how can an accident victim decide which law firm is right for their case? There are certain things that you can look for when hiring a personal injury lawyer to determine if they can help you with your case. As a skilled litigator with over two decades of experience in personal injury law, and years working in defense for insurance companies before that, C. James Williams III, principal at Richmond, Virginia law firm Burnett & Williams, knows what a lawyer needs to be successful.
Of course, one of the biggest things people should look for when they hire a lawyer is a track record of winning cases like theirs. Although it is true that every case is different, it is often easier to trust a lawyer who has gone through a process similar to that you are about to experience.
“While many personal injury lawyers are generalists, some have specialized practice areas, and it may be good to hire a lawyer whose experience matches your specific case,” explains Williams. “This is particularly true if you have a complicated claim beyond basic negligence, like a truck accident, traumatic brain injury, medical malpractice, or wrongful death case.”
Accident victims would also be wise to hire a personal injury lawyer with an insurance industry background. If your attorney has experience working for the insurance companies, they know how the other side operates and what tactics and legal processes they use to get you to accept less than you deserve.
“Everyone on our team of expert lawyers comes from backgrounds working for some of the biggest insurance companies in the nation,” says Williams.
Finally, you should look to hire an attorney with trial experience. Although many personal injury cases are resolved with a settlement, sometimes your lawyer cannot reach an agreement with the insurance adjusters for fair compensation. In these cases, your personal injury claim will go to court to be heard by a judge and/or jury, and you want to have a lawyer on your side with experience in the courtroom.
“You need someone who is willing and able to fight for your rights in court,” Williams said.
Hire Burnett & Williams to be your Virginia personal injury lawyer
If you are a Virginia accident victim and are looking for an experienced attorney in Virginia who boasts all of these qualities, look no further than Burnett & Williams.
“Contact us today for a free consultation,” Williams concludes. “We will review your case and determine whether we are the right fit to be your legal representation and fight to get you fair compensation for your injuries.”
