Selecting the right attorney is paramount when you find yourself confronted with a personal injury case in Virginia. Your attorney can be the thing that tips the scales between you walking away with fair compensation and you getting nothing at all.
Of course, your personal injury attorney in VA must be competent and skilled, but let’s look at some of the top qualities that set apart the top lawyers, such as those at Commonwealth Law Group.
Experience and Specialization in Personal Injury Law
Personal injury law classifies numerous practice areas, including vehicular accidents, falling down, medical malpractice, and injuries sustained at work. Each of these types of cases contains particular legal precedents and paths that must be followed to reach a legal resolution.
An experienced attorney knows the basic landscape of law and can deftly navigate a case through it. They also know the little details that can make a big difference in winning or losing a case, and they employ those details on behalf of their clients. Virginia, like every state, has its own laws governing personal injury cases, and an experienced attorney knows those state-specific details.
Track Record of Success
When it comes to choosing an attorney for your case, looking at their past performance can be very telling. If they have a strong track record of getting high settlements and winning verdicts, then that is a clue that they might do the same in your case. Even if they have won similar cases to yours but with lesser amounts or less favorable terms, that might make them a less appealing choice.
Trial Experience and Litigation Skills
Even though most cases settle before trial, some require a courtroom setting if they cannot be resolved fairly. The personal injury attorney in VA with whom you choose to work should feel at home in court and be able to present your case to a judge and jury should the need arise.
Pressure might be put on you to settle, but one way your attorney can gain an upper hand in negotiations is by creating the appearance that going to trial might well be the next step. No one wants to take that step unless absolutely necessary.
Compassionate Legal Representation
When injured or grieving a loved one, you don’t have the luxury of taking your time to understand the ins and outs of a personal injury case. You and your family have no choice but to take the path of least resistance, which too often means settling for the inadequate.
Yet you have every right to expect a good outcome in your case. Having a lawyer that understands the personal turmoil you’re experiencing can help you navigate the complexities of a case without overextending yourself emotionally.
Hiring a Reputable and Competent Personal Injury Attorney in VA
Ultimately, deciding on a personal injury lawyer is a mix of things. You want your attorney to have experience (preferably more than just a few years) handling the kinds of cases that are like yours.
You want the attorney to have the kinds of negotiation skills that probably incur many more favorable settlements for clients than jury verdicts do. But most of all, you want an attorney that sees you as an individual, and not just another case number.
