J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers | September 4, 2024 | Personal Injury
Henderson, NV, offers numerous personal injury lawyers to choose from due to Henderson’s location within the Las Vegas metro area. Since some local lawyers may be a better fit than others, it’s important that you choose wisely. Below are some important factors to consider.
1. Experience in Personal Injury Law Is Essential
There is no substitute for experience. It’s not enough for your attorney to have “20 years of experience as a lawyer.” 20 years of experience in what kind of law? One year of experience in personal injury law beats 20 years of experience in trusts and estates law, at least if you have a personal injury claim.
Personal injury law includes many different kinds of cases, including car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and many others. Make sure that your lawyer enjoys plenty of experience in the type of case they will be handling for you. An experienced lawyer will be able to anticipate how the opposing party will defend against your claim, and they will be better able to negotiate with insurance companies.
2. Inquire About Their Reputation
A lawyer’s reputation is perhaps the best measure of their skill, honesty, and effectiveness. Once you have identified a particular lawyer you are considering, look up their reputation on the Internet. You can check the State Bar of Nevada website to look up an attorney’s disciplinary record (if any).
You can also check a lawyer’s reputation among clients and professional peers using websites like Avvo, Google, and Yelp. Finally, you can ask the lawyer for references from previous clients.
Gradually, a picture will begin to emerge that should allow you to assess the lawyer’s skill, experience, and trustworthiness.
3. Consider Communication Skills
You’re going to need to make all the important decisions in your case after consultation with your lawyer. Should you accept that $55,000 settlement offer, for example? To make a decision, you’re going to have to understand your case from a legal perspective. To do that, you’re going to have to communicate with your attorney.
If your lawyer cannot communicate effectively with you, they’re not going to be particularly persuasive to the opposing party or, if necessary, a jury. Your lawyer should be able to listen to your concerns, understand them, and offer clear and understandable answers to your questions.
4. Understand the Fee Structure
Almost all personal injury lawyers operate under the contingency fee system. That means your legal fees equal a pre-agreed percentage of whatever amount your lawyer is able to win for you, either at the negotiating table or at trial.
Many personal injury lawyers in Nevada work on a contingency fee basis. This means that your attorney receives a percentage of your awarded compensation if your case is won. If you lose your case, you are not required to pay your attorney’s fees.
Your lawyer is also likely to charge you for any out-of-pocket expenses such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, etc. They may or may not pay these expenses in advance and deduct them from your winnings later. In any case, most personal injury lawyers won’t charge you any amount, at least in legal fees, unless they win your case.
5. Review Their Courtroom Track Record
Your lawyer’s previous trial record matters even if you plan to settle out of court. After all, the best way to force a settlement is to prove you can win in court. If your lawyer has won in court before, the opposing party might just settle to avoid becoming your lawyer’s latest “victim.”
Schedule a Free Consultation to Learn if a Henderson Personal Injury Lawyer Is Right for Your Case
You might not know whether you need a lawyer. That’s OK because most personal injury lawyers will gladly schedule an initial consultation with you. These consultations are typically free of charge and provide injury victims with the opportunity to learn about their legal options. Don’t delay–contact a personal injury lawyer today.
For more information, please contact our Las Vegas Personal Injury attorneys at J. Cogburn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Clark County and throughout Nevada:
J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
2300 W Sahara Ave Suite 800-816, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 996-4786
Open 24 hours
J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Henderson
2580 St Rose Pkwy Suite 330, Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 541-9766
Open 24 hours