The majority of San Jose residents do not have a lawyer on retainer. Therefore, when you suffer injuries in a severe accident, you may not know who to call right away. Many individuals will perform a quick Google search query for the term “best personal injury attorney near me.” You may also ask your family and friends for recommendations. Both methods work, however, there are certain qualities you should look for when searching for the best personal injury lawyer in San Jose. We explain these qualities below.
#1: Experience
Suffering from a personal injury can lead to serious financial stress. Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs add up. If your injury resulted from another person or entity’s negligence, you may consider filing a personal injury claim to recover compensation to cover these costs.
Often, this involves entering into settlement negotiations with an insurance company. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. The insurance company will likely do whatever it can to minimize its payout or deny your claim.
The best personal injury lawyers will be able to negotiate with the insurance company and maximize your settlement offer. If the insurance company is uncooperative, then your attorney should have successful litigation experience.
You want an attorney on your side who is experienced in handling cases involving your type of injury. For example, if you are in a car accident, then you will want a good car accident lawyer on your side.
If a local law firm catches your eye, review the website for any case results. This will help you get an idea of the firm’s experience. Does the firm have settlements or verdicts that prove success in cases like yours?
#2: Strong Client Reviews
When searching for the best personal injury attorney near you, you should look at the attorney’s reviews. Past client reviews can give you a better depiction of the attorney’s experience and personality. To find client reviews, check the firm’s Google My Business, Yelp, and Avvo reviews. You may also be able to find more client testimonials on the attorney’s website.
#3: Approachable and Transparent
Lawyers often have a reputation of being stuck-up and unsympathetic. Unfortunately, this reputation has been established for a reason. Many San Jose personal injury attorneys fail to make a decent first impression. However, many attorneys understand that communication is a key piece of the job.
Prospective clients want to feel like an attorney cares about their well-being and best interests. The best personal injury lawyers understand this. Look for an attorney who provides a free initial consultation to discuss your unique situation. Ask the firm important questions, such as:
- What is your experience level with cases like mine?
- Can you describe your client intake process?
- How do you communicate effectively with your clients?
During the consultation, you should also gauge how the attorney interacts with you. Do you feel comfortable speaking to him or her? Do you trust what he or she says to you?
#4: Celebrates Diversity
When hiring legal representation, you want an attorney experienced in cases like yours. However, many people fail to understand the importance of a firm’s diversity too.
Firms that focus on a diversity of clients and case types are often willing to think outside of the box and engage in different perspectives. This is helpful for tricky settlement negotiations or trying to establish negligence in court.
Diversity also helps attorneys develop better problem-solving models to use for future cases. You could potentially benefit from working with a lawyer who has handled a variety of personal injury cases.
#5: Flexible Personality
Most personal injury lawyers are either laid-back and collaborative, or aggressive and ready to fight. When researching for the best personal injury lawyer in San Jose, find someone who can do both.
There are moments during every personal injury case where being cordial is an effective legal strategy. However, there are also moments where an attorney must aggressively fight for his or her client. You should look for an attorney that has the emotional intelligence to determine what response will have the most impact.
Contact Attorney Braid Pezzaglia for a Free Initial Consultation
Every client has unique legal needs, but there are certain qualities that every attorney should have – the most important being experience. Attorney Braid Pezzaglia has over two decades of experience successfully litigating personal injury cases. Getting several seven-figure verdicts for his clients, he has developed a reputation for excellence among his past clients and within the San Jose legal community.
If you suffered injuries in an accident and are searching for an experienced personal injury lawyer, then contact the Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia. Call us today at (408) 650-8955 and schedule a free initial consultation. You can also contact us online and tell us more about your case. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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