This is the next post in our series on issues Fort Worth area residents should consider when selecting a personal injury attorney. Our last article focused on the importance of avoiding quick settlements in an injury case. This article will focus on the importance of selecting an attorney who can litigate a case and take the matter to trial if necessary.
Disputes over liability and extent of damages often arise in personal injury cases. When disputes arise, insurance companies do their homework and understand whether the injury victim’s attorney has a track record of taking cases to trial. If the insurance company realizes that the matter is not likely to go deep into litigation, it has little incentive to make a fair settlement offer. When a case reaches the litigation phase, some Plaintiffs are surprised to learn that the firm they initially hired is not the firm that will handle their case before the Court. Some injury law firms choose to only deal with insurance companies in the pre-litigation stage of a case and refer cases to other trial lawyers when it looks like the matter is heading to trial. This can be upsetting to the client. It is important to hire counsel that will protect your interests throughout all stages of your case and prepare your case for trial throughout the process.
When selecting a personal injury attorney it is important that you select a firm which handles major injury cases and in which the lawyers have substantial experience. You should also determine whether the attorneys are board certified and whether the firm employs a full time investigator. Finally, you should determine whether the firm is large enough to advance court costs and whether the office can devote multiple attorneys to your case. This is true whether you were injured in counties including Tarrant, Dallas, Johnson, and Wise as well as Fort Worth, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Haltom City, Richland Hills, North Richland Hills, Watauga, Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Arlington, Keller, Grand Prairie, and Dallas.