Navigating the aftermath of a personal injury can be overwhelming. You might need a lawyer to handle the legal case while you work on the medical, financial, and emotional aspects of loss. However, not all legal representation is created equal, and certain warning signs can indicate a less-than-ideal fit for your needs.

To help you avoid hiring a personal injury attorney that may not effectively serve your interests, we’ve compiled a list of the seven top red flags you should know before hiring a personal injury attorney.

1. Charging a fee for a consultation

Ultimately, you want a lawyer who cares about you as a person—not just your money. A lawyer who charges an upfront fee to meet you and evaluate your case might not care enough about you. Worse, paying upfront might lead you to feel committed to a lawyer without having first thoroughly evaluated their competence, or their fit for your needs.

At Kane, we specialize in accident cases and provide help beyond the legal, matching our clients with the best medical professionals to treat their specific injuries, often free of charge. And we offer a free consultation meeting, because you shouldn’t have to pay to find out if you have a legal case. If an attorney wants to charge you for an injury case upfront, it’s a strong sign they don’t have your best interests at heart.

2. Advertising aggressively

Lawyers are allowed to advertise, and we’ve all seen flashy lawyer ads that make big promises. But the bigger the promises, the more cautious you should be. Ads are meant to persuade; they don’t demonstrate actual legal skills or successes. In general, if a legal firm is marketing in this manner, it often has a business model centered on volume rather than quality, potentially leading to less personalized attention for your case. Aggressive advertising also inflates cost, which might get passed on to clients through higher fees. It is always a good idea to research and select a lawyer based on their reputation, client reviews, and proven track record, ensuring you receive quality representation tailored to your specific needs.

3. Not being considerate of your loss or injury

A lawyer who lacks empathy toward a loss or injury can feel terrible to work with, and can even negatively impact a case. An insensitive lawyer might make you uncomfortable, hindering the case’s discussion and leaving potential legal avenues unexplored. A considerate lawyer ensures a supportive environment, fostering trust and open communication, which is crucial for accurately understanding and effectively representing the case. Empathetic lawyers often better navigate negotiations and court proceedings, effectively communicating the merits of your case to judges, juries, or opposing parties. Choosing a compassionate attorney ensures a holistic approach that incorporates the situation’s legal and emotional aspects, leading to better advocacy and potentially more favorable outcomes.

4. Taking a long time to get back to you

Opting for a lawyer who takes a long time to respond can jeopardize your legal position, as timeliness is crucial in legal matters. Prompt communication ensures that deadlines are met, evidence is preserved, and your case progresses efficiently. A delayed response may indicate a lack of organization, an overwhelming caseload, or inadequate prioritization of your case, potentially leading to missed opportunities or legal missteps. Efficient communication is necessary for effective legal representation, and an attorney who is responsive and attentive demonstrates their commitment to your case and is far more likely to be effective than one who won’t call you back.

5. Asking for a retainer upfront

Asking for a retainer upfront isn’t inherently a red flag in legal circles, but it’s generally not the accepted “best practice” in personal injury cases. A lawyer who asks for a retainer has been paid for their work upfront. Those who don’t charge unless you win share in the benefits of your case, and consequently, their incentives are aligned with yours, helping ensure that they’re all in on trying to bring you a victory. However, if you opt for one that requires a retainer, transparency and clear communication regarding fees are vital. A lack of clear explanation or reluctance to discuss financial arrangements is a massive red flag. Ensure you are comfortable with, and fully understand, the fee structure before committing to a lawyer’s services.

6. Not being able to point to similar cases they’ve handled

All lawyers must start somewhere, but you don’t want someone “learning on the job” with your case. Selecting a lawyer with experience in cases like yours is vital for effective representation. A lawyer unfamiliar with the nuances of your specific legal issue may require additional time to research and understand the pertinent laws and precedents, potentially resulting in increased costs and less-efficient handling of your case. Experienced lawyers bring valuable insights and strategies honed by previous cases, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome. For example, we know that you shouldn’t settle too quickly in a truck accident claim—for reasons that an inexperienced lawyer might miss. A lack of experience with similar cases is a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.

7. Not being familiar with local towns and local laws

Choosing a lawyer unfamiliar with local laws and nuances can harm your case. Local laws can vary significantly, even within the same state or country, and an attorney well-versed in these variations can navigate the legal landscape more effectively. At the same time, those who don’t know might make mistakes, or need to spend more time researching laws…time which you’ll be billed for. Familiarity with local courts, judges, and legal practices is invaluable, as it can influence case strategy and improve outcomes. A locally experienced lawyer is more likely to have established relationships within the legal community, facilitating smoother case proceedings. Opting for legal representation that lacks this local expertise might result in missed opportunities, resulting in a lost case or a reduced settlement.

How Kane Helps with Personal Injury Cases

If there’s one commonality about the red flags we’ve covered above, it’s that when you’ve been in an accident, you want to hire the lawyer who can give you the best odds of winning your case and getting you the best settlement possible, given the situation.

At Kane Personal Injury, we specialize in personal injury cases, and we have a clear track record of helping people get the settlements they deserve. Check out our testimonials to see how we’ve helped people just like you win their cases and receive the compensation they’re owed. And we care about our clients—we don’t charge a dime unless you win your case. If you’ve been in an accident and want to learn more about your legal next steps, reach out today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Please note that this article was created for advertisement purposes, and it does not constitute any contractual legal relationship, nor imply one.