How to Choose the Right Personal Injury Solicitor for Your Needs

Choosing the correct solicitor at the beginning of your personal injury claim is crucial. There are many reasons for this, foremost of which is with the right solicitor, you can be surer of your case’s outcome. And instead of running blindly, not sure of what to do for your particular case – be it a case of whiplash in a road traffic accident, a broken finger at your workplace, or a slip and fall at a restaurant – your solicitor can point you in the right direction and show you which way to go. Besides, each case is different – there may be general pointers all cases have in common, but you have to look at the intricacies of your case and establish all the details before you can move forward. The right personal injury solicitor can do this for you (and more!), and you have to trust in their knowledge and expertise. So the question remains: how do you choose the right personal injury solicitor for your needs? Here’s how.

First of all – why is it crucial to choose correctly?

You may be wondering why it’s essential to choose one correctly when you can just take your pick from all the available ones out there. First of all, if you have a complicated and severe personal injury case, it will usually involve a considerable settlement – but it can also take years for the case to attain its full resolution. That is why you must have complete confidence in the solicitor you have chosen because only they have the complete skill and know-how to take it to the very end.

The main difference between having a solicitor who knows the ins and outs of your claim and one who is just there to perform the basic duties is vast – you want someone who will work with you until you have the right outcome rather than someone who will be there and accept any outcome. Keep in mind that in most cases involving personal injury, the defendant is represented most of the time by large and powerful insurance providers, with a lot of lawyers to boot. So you need someone who will not be intimidated and will work hard to ensure you get just compensation.

What you should look for when choosing a solicitor

• Look at their qualifications

The first quality that should guide you when selecting a solicitor for personal injury is their qualifications. What are these qualifications? First of all, make sure that the solicitor works for a firm registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. It’s easy to know if a firm is registered – look out for the badge of the SRA, which will sometimes be displayed on their website or their premises. For instance, the proper registration and proves that they have the full capacity to take on your personal injury case, whatever it may be is provided by firm such as https://www.shireslaw.com.

• Consider their experience

Aside from their qualifications, it’s equally important to check their experience. You have to make sure that they have ample experience in the case you have. For instance, has your personal injury solicitor taken on such cases before if you plan to seek compensation for a beauty treatment or a hairdressing injury? What was their experience with the case – and more importantly, how did it turn out? In other words, what was the outcome? It’s imperative that they’ve taken on cases like yours in the past so you know that they would be aware of how the system works and they can go about it in the right way, leaving no stone unturned.

And also, here’s something to think about  – many solicitor’s firms tend to employ and recruit staff that is not qualified – so you have to watch out for this as well. It’s essential to choose a firm with expert and experienced solicitors, not just junior or unqualified staff.

• Do they have a proven track record?

It’s one thing to be aware that your solicitor has dealt with cases that are the same as or similar to yours – it’s another thing to hear it from the mouth of the clients themselves. If the solicitor has any testimonial, this could go a long way in proving their expertise. Would they be willing to provide you with the names of former clients so you can get in touch with these clients yourself?

• How will they be paid?

If you have the means, you can go and pay for your solicitor yourself. But if you are like most, you are probably waiting for the settlement yourself! Fortunately, most solicitors have a No Win, No Fee agreement, which means they will only settle their fees if you receive the settlement yourself. But it’s worth noting that the funding of your claim has become more complex through the years, so they should explain how the funding works and how you will get the settlement. They should be clear about their fees from the beginning and answer all the questions you may have. Your goal is to maximise the claim you are supposed to receive, and it’s better to choose a solicitor who’s on the same page. Remember that you will get what you pay for, so it’s better to choose a good solicitor rather than a cheap solicitor who may not have your best interests at heart.

• Consider their personality

Last but not least, consider their personality. It is vital that you feel comfortable with and can speak freely with your solicitor, so assess how they are towards you. They should be friendly and approachable; after all, they are there to listen carefully to the facts of the case and not pass judgment. A good solicitor is there to give advice tailored to your case and your case alone, and they should provide you with skilled and expert representation and a compassionate ear. They are there to support you, listen to what you are saying, and provide you with the right outcome.