Not all accidents lead to minor or temporary injuries. Something as seemingly small as a fender bender or slip-and-fall accident can cause permanent injuries like spinal cord damage and paralysis.
When you’re dealing with a serious injury in Beverly Hills, you need to find a lawyer who understands what’s at stake. Your case is too important to risk the common mistakes associated with DIY or inexperienced representation.
How can you spot the difference between a general personal injury lawyer and a top-tier catastrophic injury lawyer? Read on as we share the seven qualities of top injury lawyers who can handle a case like yours.
1. Experience with Permanent Disabilities
When you’re filing a personal injury claim, you’re seeking financial justice. The goal is to receive compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Lost income and benefits
- Property damage (e.g., auto damage after a car accident)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
Many personal injury lawyers who are used to representing victims with temporary injuries may not have the experience to put together a compelling case for victims with permanent disabilities. Unlike temporary injuries, permanent disabilities can require lifelong medical care and limit a victim’s capacity to work for years, rather than months.
Only a lawyer with experience representing permanently disabled clients will know how to put together compelling estimates of the resulting costs.
2. A Proven Track Record
When we’re talking about the traits of successful attorneys, we can’t downplay the importance of a strong track record. Before hiring a lawyer to represent your personal injury case, make sure to assess their:
- Case success rate
- Reviews from previous clients
- Legal memberships and accolades
Because catastrophic injury cases are high-value cases, pay attention to the settlements a lawyer has secured for their previous clients.
For example, we’ve successfully won multiple multi-million dollar settlements for our clients at Titan Law Firm. As a result, we are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Our attorneys have a five-star rating and have received the Top 40 Under 40 award from the National Trial Lawyers Association.
3. Connections in the Medical Community
One of the many reasons why you should always hire the best catastrophic injury attorney before filing your claim is that they will have connections in the medical community. You will need these connections to:
- Ensure you’re receiving high-quality medical care leading up to your trial
- Work with doctors who will accept delayed payment
- Secure expert witnesses for your case
Expert witnesses are crucial in catastrophic injury cases because they add legitimacy to your claims. For example, a spinal surgeon can assess the facts of your case and testify that your injuries are significant and even permanent.
Can you ask just any medical professional to testify on your behalf? In California, expert witnesses are beholden to Code of Civil Procedure 843, which determines how an expert witness can and should craft their testimony. The medical professionals your lawyer works with will have previous experience with cases like yours and will avoid any errors that could damage your case.
4. Excellent Communication Skills
When you think about expert legal representation traits, you probably think first and foremost about legal expertise. While this is a must, the ability to communicate is just as important. Your attorney will need to break down complex legal, medical, and economic concepts for:
- You as their client
- The opposing counsel
- The insurance company (who is typically liable for your compensation)
Your case is likely to be settled outside of the courtroom. That means your lawyer needs to have strong negotiation skills and a reliable radar for when to push for more and when to accept an offer.
5. A Reasonable Caseload
Choosing the right injury lawyer isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. During your consultation, there are some easily overlooked questions you should always ask, and one of them involves a caseload.
While some injury lawyers may present a large caseload as evidence of their success, you want to find an attorney who can prioritize you. Not only does that mean limiting their caseload to a reasonable number, but it also means working with an expert team of paralegals and assistants who can manage the clerical side of your lawsuit.
Remember, you only have two years in the California court system to file a personal injury claim. An overbooked lawyer may miss important deadlines or opportunities to bolster your claim.
6. Empathy and Compassion
Because of the short statute of limitations, victims are often still processing their trauma while fighting for compensation. Lawyers who work with the victims of catastrophic accidents (which can include the family members of fatal accident victims) need to exhibit empathy and compassion.
There will be times when your lawyer will need your participation or cooperation. For example, they may need you to submit certain forms or put together evidence. They should be able to guide you through the process while understanding that you may not be able to prioritize your claim at all times.
7. Courtroom Experience
As we mentioned earlier, most personal injury claims are settled outside of the courtroom. The Bureau of Justice reports that only 3% of personal injury lawsuits require a jury trial.
However, your case can become more contentious the higher the dollar value. If you’re facing a stubborn defense team, you may have to bring your case to a jury to get fair results.
Make sure that your personal injury attorney has courtroom experience before hiring them. While it may seem like a jury is more likely to move in your favor as the victim, this isn’t a guarantee. You need a legal representative who speaks well in front of a wider audience.
Looking for a Top-Tier Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Beverly Hills?
If you or a loved one was a recent victim of an accident that resulted in serious or even permanent injuries, you need to get in contact with a top-tier personal injury lawyer who has experience with catastrophic injury cases and will fight for life-supporting compensation for you.
Titan Law Firm is one of the most trusted and decorated personal injury law firms in Beverly Hills. We’ve fought and won several multi-million dollar claims, and we’ll work hard to make yours the next. Contact us and let’s start planning your next steps toward financial justice. Call us at 888.848.2656 for a free case evaluation or visit www.TitanLawFirm.com to learn more.
