Filling out a premises liability claim can feel daunting on your own. That’s why you should hire a premises liability attorney to help you handle the legal paperwork and build your case. You must find the right person to help you with your case, otherwise, you may find that you don’t have as much success as you’d like. Below, you’ll find some tips on how to find and choose the right Houston personal injury lawyers for the job.
8 Tips for Finding Houston Personal Injury Lawyers and Premises Liability Lawyers
1. Consider Their Experience
It’s critical to work with somebody with a lot of experience. Experienced premises liability lawyers in Houston know the laws best. They can then apply these laws to your case, gather evidence in your favor, and begin building a case to help you win as good a settlement as possible.
You should also ensure you work with a premises liability lawyer who’s worked on cases similar to yours. If you were injured at work, then consider premises liability attorneys who are also working accident lawyers. Injured on the road? Houston car accident attorneys are the way to go. All attorneys have their area of expertise, so find one with the right expertise for you.
2. Consider Their Case History
Has your attorney recently had a string of losses? If so, then it’s better to be safe and work with somebody else. Look for somebody who’s had more wins than losses, and ensure their wins are recent. Never put your financial future in the hands of someone you can’t be sure is excellent at their job.
3. Consider Their Listening Skills
How well do you feel your attorney is listening to your side of the story? Ideally, they’ll want to get every little detail out of you as possible, and they’ll write these down to help further back up your case. If your attorney doesn’t listen, then they may make assumptions and muddle facts. Finding an attorney who’s a good listener will greatly help your case.
4. Consider Their Communication Skills
A great attorney will have the communication skills to effectively get the liable party’s insurance company on your side. They’ll know how to work the jury to get them to see things in your favor. The best attorneys know exactly how to talk to people to make you seem like the sympathetic party in the situation.
5. Consider Their Empathy
Premises liability cases often deal with matters of personal injury. For example, slip and fall cases are common forms of premises liability cases. This means you’ll likely be injured, and injuries sometimes come with emotional wounds. The best premises liability slip and fall lawyers are aware of this, and they should have enough patience and empathy to let you work through any emotional issues that arise when building your case.
If you feel like your attorney is impatient or harsh whenever you need a moment to compose yourself, then that’s an attorney you probably don’t want to be working with.
6. Consider Their Trial Experience
Most premises liability claims will never need to go to trial. You can usually settle them through negotiations with the insurance company if your lawyer is highly skilled. However, some cases do go to a jury trial, so your attorney needs the courtroom experience necessary to handle this situation.
Your attorney’s communication skills will come into play here. They must have presented cases in front of juries and judges previously so they know exactly how to conduct themselves and best represent your case. Plus, remember they should have relevant trial experience in cases like yours. For example, work accident injury lawyers and road accident attorneys often have different skill sets in the courtroom.
7. Consider Their Fees
Most premises liability lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so this means that you don’t pay them unless they win you a settlement. However, it’s always best to double-check with your attorney before you begin working together. Never assume anything about how you’re going to pay for their legal aid.
8. Consider Their Network
Your attorney will be highly skilled, but they can’t always handle a case on their own. They may need to call in a team of legal and non-legal experts to help you build a case. A general slip and fall lawyer may need to consult the best work injury attorneys Houston has got if you slipped and fell at work, for example. Every case is different, so ensuring your attorney has a vast network of people to call upon to handle your case is a wise move.
Keep the tips above in mind when searching for a premises liability lawyer if you want to find the best candidate for the job. Find somebody you get along with who has all the relevant skills and experience necessary to build you a winning case.