Life is unpredictable and unexpected injuries can occur resulting in the need to engage a personal injury lawyer. Retaining a personal injury lawyer is an extremely important decision which often needs to be made in very stressful circumstances.
Most personal injury lawyers Sydney NSW offer a free initial consultation for prospective clients in order to discuss potential claims. This is an opportunity to meet in person so that the lawyer can advise whether or not you have a viable claim and you can decide whether or not you feel comfortable and confident with the lawyer and wish to retain their services.
It is imperative that you retain a lawyer who is right for you and your specific claim. Different lawyers have their own unique styles and methods of practice however it is important that a client feels confident in the abilities of their legal representatives and comfortable contacting the lawyer to discuss the claim as it progresses and to provide instructions along the way.
It is a good idea to research the lawyer’s reputation and current personal injury experience. It is important that the lawyer has recognised experience dealing with insurers and defendant’s lawyers and resolving personal injury claims. It is also prudent to consult a lawyer as soon as possible as there are time limits governing personal injury claims.
The common law and legislation governing personal injury claims is constantly evolving. It is important to engage a lawyer with up to date specialist expertise and knowledge in the specific area of personal injury litigation. There is a significant advantage in retaining a lawyer who is an accredited specialist in personal injury law certified by the Law Society of New South Wales. Gaining accreditation through the Law Society of New South Wales offers legal practitioners a recognised means of differentiation with certified expertise in specialised areas of law. Specialist accreditation also assists members of the public and the legal profession identify solicitors who have expertise in a particular area of law such as personal injury law. It is prudent for a client to retain a legal practitioner who is an accredited specialist in personal injury law on the same basis that a patient would inevitably consult a specialist rather than a general practitioner in relation to complex medical issues and treatment options.
Preparation prior to the initial consultation is also extremely beneficial. In addition to having relevant documentation and information available for review by your prospective lawyer, it is a good idea to prepare a list of questions to take with you to the first meeting. Examples of questions that you may wish to ask your prospective personal injury lawyer are as follows:-
- How many personal injury cases in this particular area of law has the lawyer handled?
- What percentage of the lawyer’s practice is in this particular area of personal injury law?
- How long has the lawyer been in practice and/or been a recognised accredited specialist in personal injury law?
- Will the lawyer handle the case personally or will it be passed on to other legal practitioners or support staff within the firm?
- If other lawyers or staff will be performing work on the file, is it possible for you to meet them?
- What issues does the lawyer identify in relation to your particular claim?
- How long is it anticipated that your case is likely to take?
- What type of experts does the lawyer intend to engage to obtain expert evidence in support of your claim?
- You should also ask about legal costs as personal injury lawyers are required to disclose information about how they charge and provide a costs agreement to prospective clients.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in compensable circumstances, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer with specialist expertise and knowledge of the laws governing the particular claim. It is not wise to engage the first law firm you see advertised on television or a billboard. A better strategy is to ask family, friends or lawyers who practice in other areas for personal recommendations. You may also conduct online searches using keywords that describe your specific claim such as “personal injury lawyers NSW”, “medical negligence lawyers NSW“, “motor vehicle accident lawyers NSW“… however personal recommendations are generally the most reliable source of referral.
BPC lawyers are a boutique law firm who specialise exclusively in personal injury claims for plaintiffs. All of our partners are accredited specialists in personal injury law certified by the Law Society of New South Wales. We pride ourselves on providing a personal level of service to ensure a good working relationship with each of our clients. Many of our clients are in vulnerable situations due to their injuries and having a lawyer who is familiar with their file and who is friendly and approachable as the claim progresses removes a lot of the stress associated with litigation.
Feel free to take advantage of our no obligation initial consultation to investigate your potential personal injury claim. At BPC Lawyers, we don’t promise the world only to send your case to a junior lawyer. Your case will be managed by a partner, ensuring you get the best level of service, support and results. We take pride in being the lawyers who other lawyers trust. Our personal injury lawyers have specialised in compensation claims for plaintiffs for over 30 years, ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.