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How Do You Pick the Best Lawyer for Your Illinois Dog Bite Case?
If you or someone you know has suffered a dog bite injury in Illinois, finding a reputable personal injury lawyer to represent your case is crucial. But with so many lawyers, how do you pick the best one? We’ll discuss several factors you should consider when choosing a dog bite lawyer in Illinois.
At Onward Injury Law, our experienced Bloomington dog bite lawyer is ready to answer any questions about your dog bite case.
Pay Attention to How the Lawyer Treats You and Their Staff
During your initial consultation with a lawyer, pay attention to how they treat their staff and you. Do they listen to your concerns? Do they take the time to answer your questions and make sure that you understand the process? If a lawyer doesn’t take the time to listen to you during your consultation, that may be a warning sign that they won’t listen to you throughout your case.
Ask About the Lawyer’s Past Cases
When you meet with a lawyer, ask them about cases similar to yours that they’ve handled.
How many cases have they handled in the last year? How many are they currently handling? What were the recoveries like in dog bite injury cases similar to yours?
If a lawyer can’t give you a clear answer to these questions, that may be a warning sign that they lack experience in handling cases like yours.
Ask How the Lawyer Values Your Case
Although it may be too early to value your case if you’ve just been injured, a lawyer should be able to explain how they value a case in a way that makes sense to you. This may involve their experience handling past cases, statewide jury verdicts, and settlement services.
Additionally, ask the lawyer what strategy they would use to maximize the value of your case.
Look at the Lawyer’s Online Ratings and Reviews
Before hiring a lawyer, look at their online ratings and reviews from past clients.
If someone leaves a negative rating, look at how the lawyer responded to that negative rating. Were they professional and gracious in their response?
Also, look at how other lawyers rate the lawyer on online sites like Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers. Lawyers trusted by other lawyers in the community may be a good sign for you.
Check the Lawyer’s Background
It’s important to check a lawyer’s background to ensure that they’ve never been disciplined or reprimanded for unethical behavior. You can look up a lawyer’s background on the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission website.
Additionally, check to see if the lawyer has malpractice coverage. If they don’t, it may be a warning sign to choose a different lawyer.
Ask About the Lawyer’s Caseload
The lawyer’s caseload can affect your interaction and time with them. A lawyer representing many clients may not have as much time to communicate with you as if they represented fewer clients.
Additionally, ask about the lawyer’s policies regarding communication. Can you talk to them if you need to? Will they give you their cell phone number?
Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
While general practitioners can be great, all else being equal, lawyers who focus on personal injury tend to get better results in personal injury cases. They may have more relationships with experts and be better at reducing your liens and medical bills. They may also have more relationships with defense counsel, and that helps them move things along.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a dog bite lawyer in Illinois is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. By considering these factors when choosing a lawyer, you’ll be better equipped to find the right lawyer for your case.
Remember to pay attention to how the lawyer treats you and their staff, ask about their past cases and case valuation, check their background, and hire a personal injury lawyer if possible.
Need help navigating your dog bite claim? Contact us at Onward Injury Law, and we’ll walk you through the process.
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