Article Surfing Archive

If you or someone you love has suffered a personal injury, you probably feel a bit overwhelmed trying to find a Boston personal injury attorney. There are hundreds of advertisements in the yellow pages, on television, billboards and the radio. How do you find one that's right for your situation?

Boston personal injury attorneys can be found to represent you for almost any type of personal injury case, whether it is physical, emotional or work-related. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1.Get professional referrals. If you have retained an attorney in the past for other issues, ask for his or her recommendation. In Boston, personal injury attorneys work frequently with other specialized attorneys, so your present lawyer should be able to recommend someone they feel is trustworthy. Also contact the local Bar Association, which can give you a list of Boston personal injury attorneys.

2.Talk to friends. You will be surprised at how many people you know who have used the services of a Boston personal injury attorney at some point in their lives, or know someone who has. Not all cases go to court, or even require settlement negotiations. A good attorney may only need to write a letter to the defendant or his insurance company to receive a settlement payment for his client, so ask everyone you know. If they were happy with their outcome, they'll tell you!

3.Don't hire someone outside of the area. Some law firms that are state-wide with offices outside of Suffolk County can practice in Boston, but aren't all that familiar with the courts here. Find someone who practices primarily in Suffolk County and in Boston in particular. It makes a difference having a Boston personal injury attorney; he or she knows the courts, other attorneys and judges from working with them regularly.

4.Ask for an initial consultation. You should talk to a few different Boston personal injury lawyers to that you can compare them to each other. It's important that you feel a rapport with the attorney as well as feeling confident that they will be doing their best for you. After all, you'll be working closely with them for weeks, if not months.

A few questions you should ask during an initial consultation include:

'How many cases like mine have you handled?
'Will you be handling my case personally, or will there be others in the firm working on it as well?
'Will you keep me informed of the progress of my case on a regular basis?
'How long does it usually take you to return phone calls?
'How often do you settle out of court and how often do you go to trial?
'How many court cases have you won? Lost?
'Will you consult me on all offers made?

You'll have others questions of your own, but these will give you a solid start on understanding how an attorney works and what you can expect from him or her.

5.Many Boston personal injury attorneys specialize in particular types of cases. Look for those that specialize in your type of case. For instance, workmen's compensation involves complex legal issues of employment law. Medical malpractice cases require an extensive understanding of medical terminology, hospital procedures and health insurance issues. Finding a lawyer who focuses on your type of case can make a great deal of difference.

Finally, trust your gut. You'll have an initial reaction that you may not be able to define that tells you, 'This is the right Boston personal injury lawyer for me.' Go with it.