Hiring personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia: Watch the red flags

Filing a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania can be an overwhelming experience. Immediately after sustaining injuries in an accident, you have a lot to deal with- informing the relevant authorities, seeking medical care, and gathering evidence. At the least, you would want fair compensation for your injuries and losses, especially when the other party was negligent or inconsiderate. Hiring one of Philadelphia, PA personal injury attorneys for your case can improve your chances of getting a favorable outcome. If you are working with an attorney for the first time, you may have your questions. Here are some of the red flags to watch for.

Not talking about their experience

It could be a red flag if an attorney doesn’t want to talk about their work profile or experience. An experienced attorney would want to share their landmark cases and settlements as it helps a potential client understand their expertise. Ask questions like –

1. How long have you been working and practicing personal injury law in Philadelphia?
2. Do you have experience representing clients at trial?
3. What are some of your top cases so far?
4. What can you share about your career achievements?
5. Have you worked on similar cases?

If an attorney is hesitant in answering questions like the above, look for other options.

Asking for an upfront fee

All personal injury lawyers take a contingency fee, at least for most cases. In a contingency fee arrangement, the client does not have to pay an upfront fee but agrees to give the lawyer a part of the settlement (a percentage) if and when they win. If a lawyer asks for a fee to evaluate your case or fight your battle, it is a red flag.

Promising many things

While an injury lawyer can share an overview of the expected outcomes, they cannot promise a settlement figure. There are many things in such lawsuits that are beyond anyone’s control. If a lawyer says things that are too good to be true, do not trust them. It is an attorney’s job to ensure that clients get the support they need and set realistic expectations for the case.

Finally, don’t hire a lawyer if they don’t seem to specialize in personal injury law. A good attorney will have relevant experience and expertise in handling equivalent lawsuits and know everything about local courts and judges. Call a lawyer soon after your accident in Philadelphia to know what they can do for your case.