Have you been involved in an accident? Then you need to talk to a personal injury attorney before you speak with an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster is hired by the insurance company to ensure that the company pays you as little as possible for your personal injury claim. So, you need to know how to find a personal injury attorney that will fight for your rights.

You need to know the key questions to ask an attorney so that you know you are hiring an attorney with the experience and expertise to maximize your recovery. Lastly, you need to understand the different ways in which personal injury attorneys are compensated for their services. So, take a couple of minutes to read this guide so that you can find an attorney you can trust.

The insurance adjuster has a duty to the insurance company to settle your claim for as little as possible. As a result, many adjusters engage in a number of unfair tactics designed to wear you down and skew the evidence in their favor. Specifically, adjusters will often contact accident victims quickly after an accident to get a “recorded statement.” While it seems like the adjuster is simply being helpful, he knows that many accident victims do not realize the extent of their injuries until months after the accident.

Adjusters will often attempt to drag out the claim by requesting multiple estimates, medical examinations, statements, photographs and documentation. Adjusters know that, over time, evidence and witnesses disappear. More commonly, the victim just gives up and settles. Understanding adjuster tactics underscores the need to select a competent personal injury attorney to represent your interests.

In order to properly litigate your accident claim, you need to find a qualified personal injury attorney. In many states, personal injury law is a specialized form of trial law and carries certain board certifications or specialization credentials. So, finding a personal injury attorney by responding to a television commercial or telephone ad is a poor way to select an accident attorney.

Instead, contact a trusted friend or relative that has used a personal injury attorney in the past. Then, further research the attorney on the internet by finding law firm websites, attorney rating services and state bar websites. Once you have found a potential candidate, you need to meet with him to learn the extent of his experience and expertise. You also should evaluate whether the firm has the resources to handle a costly personal injury case. Once you have found a personal injury attorney that you like, you need to engage in an open and honest discussion about attorney’s fees.

In the United States, personal injury attorneys often take their cases on a contingency fee. This means that the attorney pays the costs of litigation up front and you pay nothing, unless the case settles or you win at trial. If you recover money, the attorney gets his costs back as well as a percentage of the net proceeds remaining. This percentage is usually between 33% and 40% of the net recovery after costs.

Where the case is not as clear cut, the attorney might offer to take the case on a modified contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, the client posts a certain sum of money to cover costs of litigation. When the case settles, the client gets his costs first and the balance is split between the attorney and client. The client should demand that the attorney take a smaller percentage because the client is shouldering some, or all of the risk of loss. Lastly, if the attorney does not believe that you have a case, he should tell you so.

Now that you know more about how to handle a personal injury claim, you can conduct your attorney search in a whole new light. Do not give a statement or submit to a medical examination until you have talked to a personal injury attorney. Find a qualified personal injury attorney using personal referrals or internet research. Avoid television and telephone advertising.

Once you have found an attorney, discuss attorney’s fees early and get any agreement in writing. If you follow these rules, you should be able to maximize your personal injury claim and recover the most money for you and your family.

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